A computing research student from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has launched a website to take some complexity out of playing the stock market. PhD student Mr Adrian Letchford is donating all the profits from his online stock charting application to polio vaccination programs through Rotary International. “I hope to raise enough money to vaccinate a million children against this horrible disease,” he said. Using information supplied by American company EODData, Mr Letchford’s website allows people to check the performance of their investments by giving current stock values and helping analyse those prices. Currently undertaking his PhD titled Filtering Stock Prices through CSU’s School of Computing and Mathematics, Mr Letchford hopes to incorporate this research with his online business venture. “As more people move towards managing their own investments, they need simple but powerful tools to help them make the right decisions,” Mr Letchford said.  “My research uses mathematics and computers to make stock prices easier to understand and forecast.”

High school students from as far afield as Tasmania will gain an insight into studying animal, equine or veterinary science at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 July. The Years 11 and 12 students from almost 120 high schools in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania will visit CSU as part of the University’s MyDay, an initiative that lets high school students experience a day in the life of a university student. During the two-day My Day event, the students will participate in hands-on workshops within the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The University will also host general information sessions on accommodation and financial support. Undergraduate courses under the spotlight during the event include the Bachelor of Animal Science, the Bachelor of Equine Science, and the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/ Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Read more here.

Representatives of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and North Coast TAFE (NCTAFE) will meet in Port Macquarie on Thursday 5 July to implement a formal governance process between the parties to enhance provision of higher education programs for the Mid North Coast region. Dr Muyesser Durur, Campus Director of CSU in Port Macquarie, said, “Charles Sturt University has established a governance structure to provide overall leadership to guide strategy and implementation, including planning, monitoring and risk assessment of all facets for the successful development and sustainable growth of the University in Port Macquarie. The CSU-NCTAFE joint management committee is one of the key elements of the overall governance mechanism in place to achieve this.” The focus of the Governance Steering Committee at CSU in Port Macquarie is to plan, support and facilitate the collaboration between North Coast TAFE and the University in accordance with federal Structural Adjustment Fund (SAF) agreements and milestones.

CSU is holding a Change of Preference Information Day in Sydney on 3 and 4 January 2007. Market Development Manager Cheryl Howell said the information session is mainly aimed at Sydney school leavers.“It doesn’t have to be a traumatic time. We will have Prospective Student Advisors (PSA) there to talk to them about their options. For students at or near CSU Campus towns we have open day every day, so if they want to come and talk to PSAs at any time they can do that.” CSU’s Contact Centre is extending its opening hours from 8.30am through to 5.30pm for the whole of January. January 4 2007 is the last day for NSW university applicants to change their course preferences for the main round of offers due out later that month.

The stories of two Labor icons are currently playing on Sydney stages: Keating! The Musical at Belvior Street, and A Local Man, the Ben Chifley one-man show at the Ensemble in Kirribilli. Co-written by historian and CSU adjunct senior lecturer Dr Rob McLachlan with Bob Ellis, A Local Man is described by the Ensemble as “a poignant portrayal of a flawed hero”. Tony Barry is reprising the role he played in the original Bathurst CSU production in 2004, which was directed by Bill Blaikie. Dr McLachlan says this new production is a “bonus all around. The Ensemble is one of the hallmark theatres in Sydney for Australian drama. It has a very sympathetic artistic director, Sandra Bates, and there is an impressive CSU ex-theatre media presence there”. A 2007 tour of Canberra and regional NSW and Victoria will be produced by Jennifer Barry, a CSU theatre media graduate.

More than 70 Years 5 and 6 students from Yeoval Central School, Trangie Central School and Bowen Public School will attend Check It Out Day at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Tuesday 26 June. “Check It Out Day is part of the Future Moves program which aims to expose students to the University at a young age and encourage them to consider university as an option when they leave school,” said Ms Tonya Graham, Pre-entry Program Coordinator, Academic Support. “The day features special workshops, run by academics, which will provide engaging interactive experiences for the primary school students so they develop confidence to seek information about courses and pathways as they progress through high school. The workshops will provide hands-on experiences in supermarket botany, extracting DNA, robotics, and nursing. The students will also tour the campus, have an introduction to Falcon Watch, and join in a mock graduation.” The CSU Check It Out Day runs from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday 26 June at CSU in Orange.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students have claimed four of the 10 positions in the Australian training squad selected from a national meat judging competition held last weekend in Wagga Wagga. The competition was part of the National Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) workshop hosted by CSU last week. CSU’s 25-member meat judging team won third place overall, narrowly beaten by teams from Melbourne and Murdoch universities. The CSU team also picked up numerous team and individual awards. The overall runner-up prize was awarded to CSU’s Mr Haydn McKay while the Tom Carr Award for coaching excellence was won by Ms Katelyn Braine. Four CSU students, Ms Gabrielle Knight, Mr Issac Allen, Ms Jordan Hoban and Ms Vanessa Campbell, have been selected to attend an intensive Meat and Livestock Australia training course and may be selected in the Australian team to compete in the USA in 2013. CSU Professor of Animal Production, Peter Wynn said the team trained long hours, often starting at the abattoir at 6am. “The success in this competition certainly shows Charles Sturt University’s target of providing more innovative young graduates to service the needs of our meat industries is well and truly on track,” he said. “The generous support and sponsorship from Teys Australia, Junee Abattoir and Knight’s Meats is appreciated.”

Preparing for the most nerve-wracking exams in their lives will be goal for over 400 final year high school students attending the NSW HSC Science Day hosted by Charles Sturt University this Friday 22 June in Albury. Hailing from as far as Barham and Tumbarumba the students will hear study tips from senior HSC markers across NSW. Event organiser Mr Mark Doyle from Murray High School said the event is a great opportunity for students to hear about the strengths and weaknesses of previous student responses and to improve students’ results. The event will be held from 9am to 3pm on 22 June in and around the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Local mother of two, Ms Kellie Maskey now has further incentive to complete her degree having received a Rural Scholarship from the Royal Agricultural Society Foundation. Studying a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo, Ms Maskey was thrilled to receive a $5 000 scholarship to help complete her studies. "I'll put the money towards education costs like text books and the support needed while I'm on practicum placement," Ms Maskey, 28, said. With a third child due in a matter of weeks, Ms Maskey is aware of the hurdles she'll face finishing her degree. "I'm in my third year of the course but next year could be extremely challenging. I was really excited to be interviewed for the scholarship and to be awarded the prize."  The RAS Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural issues and whose studies will add value to rural communities. "I hope to teach locally and in the long-term work in a more rural and remote location."