A Nobel laureate will speak about the expanding universe headlining activities at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga during National Science Week. Hosted by CSU and the Astronomical Society of Albury-Wodonga, the winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics, Dr Brian Schmidt, will give a public lecture starting at 7pm on Wednesday 18 August, CSU in Albury-Wodonga. The annual Science Fair, which will continue until Thursday 16 August, also includes a public lecture by CSIRO scientist Mr John Sarkissian, who will show the lost footage of the Apollo missions and Australia’s part in these historic events. Guest speakers, interactive workshops, exhibits, stargazing and other activities will be presented on each day of the three-day event to pupils from local and regional schools at the CSU campus.

The stage is set for 21 acting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) to perform for a local audience before auditioning in front of industry representatives in Sydney. The ‘2011 Showcase’ is the culmination of three years of study for the graduating students of the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage). Held at the Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 27 October, the show will feature short scenes from contemporary plays, with a mix of comedy and drama. Lecturer with the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. Ms Kim Hardwick said students  will next week begin job hunting with a performance for industry professionals in Sydney. “We have theatrical and casting agents, managers, producers and directors coming along,” she said “For most students this is their first contact with industry professionals. It gives them experience in auditioning and casting calls, while marketing their talents.”

Many years of dedicated rescue work has seen an IT training officer at Charles Sturt University (CSU) honoured as a ‘hidden treasure’ in the annual NSW government awards for women volunteers in rural communities. Ms Sue Dixon, who works in the CSU Division of Information Technology in Bathurst, was acknowledged in the NSW Department of Primary Industries 2011 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for 15 years dedication since she joined the local branch of the State Emergency Service in February 1996. Ms Dixon is presently Deputy Local Controller/Rescue Officer, and an accredited rescue operator with the State Rescue Board of NSW. “It is empowering to have the skills to assist someone in their time of need,” Ms Dixon said. “I am just one of many who make a difference to people’s lives. And it is a privilege to be a part of making that difference, no matter how small my part may be. I love what I do.” The Honour Roll citation notes Ms Dixon has attended many rescues and spends approximately 20 hours per week training and responding to rescues and other emergencies such as storms and floods. She is a trainer and assessor of other SES members for road crashes and vertical rescues, and has been a member of several SES teams in national rescue competitions.

Continuing the Charles Sturt University ( CSU ) tradition of bringing plays by renowned Russian playwrights to audiences of the NSW Riverina, Stars In The Morning Sky is the first University Theatre Ensemble production for 2007. Directed by Russian, Leonid Verzub, Stars in the Morning Sky, traces part of the lives of four feisty Russian prostitutes, banished from Moscow during the 1980 Olympics, who find themselves in a derelict asylum. In 1979 Verzub was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Russia and Theatre Director of the Highest Category. He was invited to Wagga by former student Dr Ashley Wain who is now an acting lecturer with CSU ’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr Wain says it’s a rare opportunity for the Wagga theatre community “to see a fantastic play brought to life by such a brilliant director”. Stars In The Morning Sky plays at the Riverina Playhouse from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 March, Thursdays to Saturdays, at 8pm, with a matinee performance on 31 March at 2pm. Tickets can be booked at the Civic Theatre Booking Office or are available at the door.

Born in Kenya and educated in the United Kingdom, the first dentist to manage the new dental clinic on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus, Mr Jai Rawal, brings an international touch to dental education at CSU. Mr Rawal received his initial qualification from Guy’s Dental Hospital in London, UK, in 2002, and has continued postgraduate studies since then, particularly in dental implants. “I believe strongly that dental professionals need to continue their education after they first graduate. Dental technology is changing rapidly, particularly in the areas of implants and laser surgery, so an institution such as Charles Sturt University has an important role in further professional development, particularly in regional areas,” said Mr Rawal, who has been joined by his wife Pooja in Albury. Mr Rawal is also a keen sportman. “I can’t wait to unpack my cricket, golf, camera and diving gear,” he said. CSU’s dental clinic based at Thurgoona, which will help educate CSU students undertaking degrees in dentistry and oral therapy, will take appointments before the end of this year. Mr Rawal will also run a private practice in conjunction with the CSU clinic.

Australia’s chronic skills shortage and the Federal Government’s push to get people off welfare and into the workforce is presenting teachers, trainers and welfare workers new challenges. How can we make the transition easier? This pressing issue will be canvassed at a half day Research in Vocational Education and Training (RIVET) group colloquium at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus on Tuesday 13 February. Speakers include Dr Steve Johnson, Director of the Policy Research Institute of the Leeds Metropolitan University, where he will outline the skilled workforce shortage also confronting the United Kingdom. CSU experts will also examine the social implications and various teaching strategies that can be used in the welfare to work policy. RIVET’s Associate Professor Erica Smith says “The success of Welfare to Work policy is important for individuals entering or re-entering the workforce as well as the nation.”

The Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) says their success in attracting graduate nurses is partly due to the close relationship between GWAHS and Charles Sturt University (CSU). Around 45 Registered Nurses are commencing their careers with the GWAHS in February through the flexible GWAHS Nurse Graduate Program (NGP) that enables nurses to work full or part time. Rebecca Dixon and Matthew Rowe, who both studied nursing by distance education at CSU will soon move from their home in Melbourne to Orange. Rebecca will begin the NGP at Orange Base Hospital while Matthew continues his studies at CSU, this time as a Pharmacy student. Matthew said their CSU experience was “fabulous, very supportive. We realised that was where we would like to have a future.” Rebecca added that “it just all fell into place. We never thought a few years ago when we first started studying that we would end up moving to the Central West.”

The new Dubbo Health Council (DHC) met for the first time late last month. The DHC will work with the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) and community members to enhance health services and facilities for the people of Dubbo and surrounding towns. Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Nursing course coordinator Cathy Maginnis is Deputy Chairperson of DHC. She believes the importance of CSU having representation on local boards and councils is “very important, especially the engagement with the community. The DHC will identify what health areas may need special programs or funding. It is all about having input into how health funding should be spent.” Ms Maginnis said Council members will also liaise with other Health Councils and Area Health Services “about what we have achieved and hope to achieve”.

A ‘think tank’ on early childhood education policy met with Professor Gordon Cleveland, a world-leading Canadian economist from the University of Toronto, at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bathurst Campus last week. Professor Cleveland, who specialises in early childhood education and care policy, contributed to discussions about the implications of current government policy towards early childhood education. Jennifer Sumsion, Professor of Early Childhood Education from CSU’s Faculty of Education, said, “The forum participants included academics from a range of universities and personnel from the non-government sector and unions. They agreed to identify a research agenda for investigating issues that need to be considered as a result of a market-driven approach to the provision of early childhood education and care in Australia.”