Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers are asking beef producers to help them find out more information about a condition affecting up to 10 percent of calves. Researchers from the Fred Morley Unit are undertaking one of the first studies of the impact of scours (diarrhoea) in calves in Australian beef herds. It is the most common symptom of illness in young calves reducing growth rates and causing death in a small number of cases. Senior lecturer with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Jan Lievaart said,  “Most of the research into calf scours in beef cattle has been done in Northern America and this project aims to get hard data for the Australian situation to see if there are any differences”. Surveys have been sent to 1 000 beef producers in the Hume Livestock Health and Pest Authority area and researchers hope to follow up by collecting samples from affected animals to identify the types of pathogens causing the infection. Producers who return their surveys will receive free entry to the EH Graham Centre  Beef Field Day on Thursday 4 August.

The Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, will introduce and welcome Professor Andrew Vann as the recently-announced new Vice-Chancellor of the University at a media conference at CSU in Bathurst at 10.30am Thursday 30 June. Professor Goulter announced late last year that he would leave CSU at the end of 2011. Professor Vann, who is presently Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University in north Queensland, was chosen as his successor following an international recruitment search. He will take up his appointment in January 2012. Staff of CSU, representatives of media organisations, local government councillors, and members of parliament are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

A motivated young man will move closer to realising his dream of becoming a teacher when he graduates from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario  on Friday 17 June. Mr Chad Pilon, who uses a wheelchair, will be awarded his Bachelor of Primary Education Studies  from CSU. Mr Pilon said graduation is an important milestone both professionally and personally. “I truly believe that disability is a state of mind. There are challenges but I always look forward to meeting them head on,” he said. “I'd like to thank Charles Sturt University for creating an inclusive environment which has allowed me to succeed.” Mr Pilon said the CSU teaching program has prepared him for the classroom. “The program equips us with proven teaching strategies that in some cases are just now being implemented in schools. I really feel ready to face all of the challenges of the teaching profession.”

After 10 years in the role, Professor Kevin Parton will step down as Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange at the end of the month, and staff will acknowledge his contribution to the campus at a lunch on Wednesday 29 June. Professor Parton will return to his substantive role as University Professor within the School of Business and his research work with the Institute of Land, Water and Society. “I have enjoyed assisting in the development of individual staff members of the campus in Orange, of the University generally, and people beyond the University,” Professor Parton said. This last 10 years has seen massive change at the Orange Campus in both courses of offer and in infrastructure developments. New courses include pharmacy, dental science, physiotherapy and clinical science, together with a reorganisation in area of agricultural business. The infrastructure changes include new student accommodation, extensions to the learning commons, a new lecture theatre, a cycleway from the city, significant improvements to the sporting facilities, many new teaching classrooms, together with new laboratories, the dentistry complex and physiotherapy building. “Before I left Canada to come to Orange, I was attracted to the role as a leader of change. University planners 10 years ago had foreseen some of the changes that are going on today. Likewise, some of the changes will take another 10 years to unfold and are now on the drawing board,” Professor Parton said.

The main medical research agency in the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will be a highlight of a two week trip to the USA by 15 health students from Charles Sturt University (CSU). As part of CSU’s international study experience program, the group will visit New York City and Washington DC from Sunday 3 July. The students will also visit the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, the AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Columbia University, the Shock and Trauma Center at the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Museums complex. “This trip will expose the students to a variety of universities and research facilities to see how they go about their business,” said Dr Chris Blanchard from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. “We encourage our students to have an international perspective during their studies and in their future careers.” The internal and distance education students from Australia and New Zealand are enrolled in a variety of allied health courses including medical science, pharmacy, forensic biotechnology, complementary medicine, and nutrition and dietetics. The students are supported by CSU Global through $500 Vice-Chancellor Travel Grants.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will launch its first Equestrian Club to celebrate the horse’s birthday on Monday 1 August. The manager of the CSU Equine Management Centre, Ms Cheryl Gander has invited people from around Orange to join. “There are many Orange residents who love horses and use our facilities regularly so I’m hoping they will join the club along with Charles Sturt University students.” Ms Gander says the horse’s birthday is always the first day of August in the southern hemisphere so that horses’ ages can be standardised for comparison because of the historical lack of records of actual birth days. “We like to celebrate their day by giving each horse at the Equine Centre extra feed, an apple each and a lot of attention.” To join the CSU Equestrian Club, contact Ms Gander on (02) 6365 7850.

Thousands of native trees and shrubs will be planted on Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses as its staff and students help mark National Tree Day. CSU Green, in collaboration with the Slopes to Summit partnership, has organised for around 1 000 native trees, shrubs and grasses to be planted on the University’s Thurgoona site on Friday morning 29 July by nearly 50 students and staff from nearby Trinity College. CSU has set targets of using 10 per cent of University land to increase biodiversity by 2011, and 20 per cent by 2015. CSU Green communication and education officer, Ms Nicole Maher said it is a practical way for people to make a difference to the local environment. “It’s really satisfying to walk past the site in the months and years that follow, and watch the plants you put in growing into a beautiful natural area,” she said. “By getting involved in something like this, people get a far greater appreciation for the incredible native flora and fauna that we have right here on our campuses.”

Is Australia up to the standard of France in wine production? Those attending a public seminar at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus next Tuesday 3 April will discover one man’s personal exploration into the difference between the wine industry in these two countries. At a seminar titled Grapes, Wines and Terroir, a Franco-Australian Perspective, Frenchman and recently arrived associate lecturer in horticulture production Yann Guisard will talk about grape and wine production, marketing, retail and consumer perceptions. “I found, from a French person’s point of view, that the industry is less controlled in Australia,” Mr Guisard says. “In France the industry is very structured but it's being subjected to change because of the European Union.” The seminar will be held in Lecture Theatre One, Orange Campus on Tuesday 3 April from 1 to 2pm.

Succession planning and the future of beef production will be discussed by guest speakers at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Ag Club’s Rural Links dinner on Thursday 11 August. The annual dinner aims to link students and graduates from the Agricultural Business Management course, as well as CSU lecturers and industry representatives. This year’s dinner will feature Ms Lyn Sykes, a well-recognised speaker on succession planning, and local beef producer Mr Ross Wills. Orange Ag Club president Mr Richard Connell says the dinner is just part of what the club achieves each year. "The Orange Ag Club is the base of networking for students and professionals who are interested in the agricultural industry around Orange.” A three-course meal is included in the ticket price of $40 for Orange Ag Club members and $45 for non-members.