More than 450 students will continue their introduction to higher education and study with Orientation Week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga this week. Head of Campus, Professor Julia Coyle, said, "O Week blends serious and social activities to introduce the students from around Australia and overseas to their new lives of study and education. The undergraduate courses in greatest demand in 2014 were early childhood and primary education, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nursing, and physiotherapy." Money raised at this year's O Week social activities will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis (NSW and ACT). Nearly 2 400 new students were welcomed to all CSU campuses during O Week which started on Monday 24 February.

A new mental health textbook for nursing and health professionals will be officially launched at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 28 February. Mental Health – A person-centred approach, is co-authored by Ms Denise McGarry, lecturer in mental health at the CSU School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health in Bathurst, and Nicholas Procter, Helen Hamer, Rhonda Wilson, and Terry Froggatt. Ms McGarry said, "The book examines the determinants of mental health, and the impact of mental illness on Aboriginal Australians, Maori, migrants and refugees, and the homeless. It also explores how mental illness relates to substance abuse, sexuality and gender, nutrition and behaviour, as well as the affect on children, young people, older people, and those living in rural and regional areas." Mental Health – A person-centred approach is published by Cambridge University Press, and will be launched at 5pm Friday 28 February at the Foundation Room 1, the Centre for Professional Development (building 1285) at CSU in Bathurst. The guest speaker at the launch will be Professor Louise O'Brien, the Professor of Nursing (Mental Health) at the University of Newcastle, and Adjunct Professor at CSU, UNSW, and UWS.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will welcome new students when O Week 2014 kicks off on Monday 24 February with the theme of 'Rode-O Week'. Orientation began with a commencement ceremony from 10am to 11am on Monday 24 February in the University's Joyes Hall where the new students and their families will be welcomed by the Head of Campus, Ms Miriam Dayhew. This will be followed by Market Day where a range of stallholders will have information available for the new students. The number of new undergraduate students due to start studying on campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga is projected to be 750 with popular programs including agricultural, animal and veterinary sciences, medical radiation science, and nursing. During the week there will be academic information sessions, and campus tours by some of the 40 O Week Leaders. The social program includes a back-to-school dress up trivia night from 7.30pm on Monday 24 February, a Wild, Wild West theme night complete with a mechanical bull from 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 February, and a school carnival themed pool party from 5pm on Thursday 27 February. Money raised during O Week will be donated by the CSU students to Cystic Fibrosis NSW. A full O Week program at CSU can be found here.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate from Wagga Wagga has been invited to show her jewellery designs in an annual exhibition for new and emerging artists in Canberra. Ms Sarah Adcock graduated last December with a Bachelor of Arts (Jewellery) from the University's School of Communication and Creative Industries. Her designs are featured in the Emerging Contemporaries exhibition at the Canberra Craft and Design Centre. The exhibition, involving 12 artists described as the 'next wave of Australia's design talent', runs from Thursday 13 February to Saturday 29 March. Ms Adcock is exhibiting a series of her pendants which explore issues of gender, sexuality and identity. "I hope my designs speak for themselves as they explore my experience of going into, living in and coming out of the closet," Ms Adcock said. "While my work relates to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and other queer people, I hope there is a message of hope for anyone who has had to reveal something difficult or has felt isolated or invisible in their lives." Read more about the artist and CSU graduate on the Canberra Craft and Design Centre site here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will welcome approximately 820 new students when the 2014 Orientation Week activities begin on Monday 24 February. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said, "This is such an exciting time for the new students, and their families – the students are looking forward to a new stage in their lives, and their families invariably share in the excitement.  We aim to settle those living on-campus into their accommodation over the weekend, and give their parents and supporters the chance to see the campus and the accommodation – they even have a meal to sample the catering. Orientation Week is specifically designed to help students transition to the different expectations of higher education study and the freedoms of university life.  Head of the School of Teacher Education, Professor Tara Brabazon, will use the academic address to stress to them the importance of making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead," Mr Sharp said. This year's social activities during O Week will raise money for Cystic Fibrosis (NSW and ACT). Classes for Session 1 of the new academic year start on Monday 3 March.

Filled with excitement and apprehension, nearly 2 400 new students will be welcomed to all Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses to commence their university studies during Orientation Week which starts on Monday 24 February. More than 450 students commence at CSU in Albury-Wodonga in 2014. Head of Campus, Professor Julia Coyle, said, "O Week blends serious and social activities to introduce the students from around Australia and overseas to their new lives of study and education. Degree courses in greatest demand in 2014 were early childhood and primary education, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nursing and physiotherapy." Money raised at this year's social activities during O Week will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis (NSW and ACT).

A senior medical researcher at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will outline recent research on diabetes in regional Australia in a public lecture on Tuesday 25 February. Dr Herbert Jelinek says diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, with 3.3 million Australians due to develop Type 2 diabetes by 2031. Dr Jelinek has coordinated diabetes and cardiovascular health screening research at CSU for over ten years, investigating the detection and treatment of diabetes and its complications with the people of Albury-Wodonga. Dr Jelinek,a biomedical science academic with CSU's School of Community Health  in Albury-Wodonga, will address the public screening for diabetes complications including conditions affecting eye, heart, kidney, blood flow, and mental function. He will present his research findings to date, detailing the risk factors for the disease and the complications of diabetes research. The public lecture will commence at 5.30 pm in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

The latest in student accommodation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will be on display during an Open Day on Wednesday 19 February. The new $17.6 million accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students includes 152 beds with ensuites, and living and learning spaces such as kitchen and laundry facilities. Director of the University's Residence Life, Mr David Griffin, said, "The new student accommodation development at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga has been designed as a showcase for future undergraduate and postgraduate students requiring on-campus accommodation. It ensures an environment that provides outstanding student experiences and captures the vibrancy of campus life. The University has identified a need for such accommodation as a way to attract and retain undergraduate and postgraduate students." The Open Day will be held from 4pm to 5.30pm and will include a brief welcome from Residence Life and tours of the new complex. Through Residence Life, CSU in Wagga Wagga offers 1 178 beds on campus in a range of accommodation. Read more here. New students return to CSU in Wagga Wagga during O Week from Monday 24 February.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Regional Archives is commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's visit to Wagga Wagga on 13 February 1954 with an exhibition of records from the Royal Tour by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. The records include photographs, commemorative items, and a 15 minute film of the visit. Archives Manager, Mr Wayne Doubleday, said, "145 Minutes in Wagga: The 1954 Royal Tour reflects on the huge impact the visit made on the city and the large crowds that turned out from across the Riverina to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple's short, but action-packed tour of Wagga Wagga." The exhibition is open until Monday 31 March in the foyer of the University's Regional Archives, Blakemore Building, South Campus, College Avenue in Wagga Wagga. The Archives is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Further information is available on the Archives' blog, On Record, here.