Charles Sturt University (CSU) was well represented at a national forum for the next generation of rural and remote health professionals. Second year Bachelor of Pharmacy students Ms Hannah Knowles and Ms Rose Broughton attended the National Rural Health Students Network’s NextGen Conference in Canberra in August. They were joined by final year pharmacy students Ms Louise Luong and Ms Courtney Lerano, and final year nutrition and dietetics student Mr Ash Smith. The students are all members of the WARRIAHS rural health student club at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Conference focussed on Leading the Future of Rural Health and included skills workshops and networking opportunities along with professional development. Champion Australian wheelchair tennis player, Ms Daniela Di Toro was one of the keynote speakers at the conference, which was designed to inspire future rural health leaders. “The Conference was an amazing opportunity to listen to a wide range of leaders in rural health talk about their experiences and to network with similarly minded health students from all around Australia. It has been a strong motivator for me to become more involved with the issues surrounding health in rural and remote areas,” Ms Knowles said.

TAFE students undertaking the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) in Bathurst, Lithgow and Orange will attend a CU@CSU event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst today to explore their prospects for further study at university. The CU@CSU event is an opportunity for prospective students to find out about CSU entry pathways, support services and scholarships. CSU marketing officer, Ms Rebecca Morgan, said, “Charles Sturt University has a formal partnership with TAFE NSW Western Institute to promote pathway options for students in the region, and offers a number of support services to assist with the transition from TAFE to university. We have a range of credit arrangements and offer guaranteed entry into many undergraduate courses for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Scholarships valued at up to $2 500 are available for students who have completed a TAFE qualification with the last five years. More than 30 per cent of the University’s new commencing students are admitted on the basis of previous TAFE qualifications.”

“The new logo and tagline will refresh the way 2MCE presents itself”, says station manager Peter Tozer. The new logo for community radio station 2MCE was launched late last week by Member for Calare, Peter Andren MP, at the Ponton Theatre on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bathurst Campus. Mr Andren said he arrived in the Central West just months after the establishment of 2MCE 30 years ago and that the importance of community radio had not diminished in that time. “Paradoxically, as the world becomes broader in scope, people are turning away from mass media and looking for a real sense of the village community. 2MCE is well placed to do that.” Guest speakers included Associate Professor Tom Watson and 2MCE life member Brett Van Heekeren, both from CSU’s School of Communication. Mr Tozer says the new logo and tag, “out there”, “declares our intent to build on our track record of positive engagement with the community”.

Charles Sturt University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences is hoping to unearth young people who are making a difference in their communities with the inaugural Making a Difference Social Justice Innovation Award. The award is aimed at Year 11 or 12 high school students or TAFE students who are doing a community services or welfare related qualification. Mr Bill Anscombe, senior lecturer in the School says the two winners will be announced in October. They will receive a $500 cash prize, as well as a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. He says the number of enquiries so far has been very encouraging, and “we already have entries logged onto our website. We want to hear about the fantastic things that young people are doing.”

Two academics from Albury have won top honours in annual awards from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann. Lecturer with CSU’s School of Environmental Sciences, Dr Rosemary Black has won the individual Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Professional Excellence, while Dr Jenni Munday, the Associate Head of the School of Education, won the individual Award for Teaching Excellence. Dr Munday said her award shows that universities such as CSU can provide high quality distance education that is “student-centred, collaborative and constructive, and along with the excellent work we do with the students we teach face-to-face on-campus”.  Dr Black received her award for her long commitment and significant contribution to environmental interpretation and tour guiding as a practitioner, teacher and researcher. Dr Black has had roles on international, national and regional committees such as the International Union for Conservation and Nature, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Interpretation Australia and Guiding Organisations of Australia. They will receive their awards from Professor Vann at a ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 28 August. Read about other 2013 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards on CSU News here.

A researcher exploring consumer attitudes and taste preferences for food and wine is among the Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff recognised for their contribution to the University. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will present his annual Awards for Excellence at a ceremony in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 28 August. Associate Professor Anthony Saliba from CSU’s School of Psychology and National Wine and Grape Industry Centre has been recognised for his research into how we interpret sensory experiences to make decisions. “I'm passionate about research because it gives us answers, it allows us to achieve things like prolong life, increase happiness and allows us to make informed decisions about our future,” said Professor Saliba. More than 100 people are expected to attend the ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga to see more than 30 awards presented to individual staff members or teams for outstanding achievements in teaching, sustainability, research, innovation, leadership performance and professional excellence.

Organisers of the annual BioBlitz are keen to see members of the Border community take part in scientific surveys of native wildlife found in national parks, reserves and private properties around Woomargama and Mullengandra, north of Albury. Ecologists from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Environmental Sciences will lead groups between Friday 6 and Sunday 8 September to survey native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, including endangered animals such as the Squirrel Glider Possum and the Spotted Quoll. Event coordinator Mr Sam Niedra from the Slope to Summit Partnership  (which includes CSU), said the weekend activities will include wildlife walks, talks, demonstrations and children’s activities, as well as a celebration of National Threatened Species Day on Saturday 7 September. “We are also holding a nature photography workshop on Saturday 7 September, run by experienced photographer Esther Beaton,” Mr Niedra said. The first day on Friday 6 September has been set aside for school groups, with the general community encouraged to enjoy free camping and facilities available around the Woomargama Community Hall and in the Woomargama National Park.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will present a free seminar on small business finance, in Orange on Thursday 12 September, as part of a series of Small Business Management Foundation Seminars. Course director for CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management, Dr Lan Snell will chair the seminar and said while small business funding options included venture capital and government grants, most operators looked to the bank. “This seminar provides participants with a greater insight into how banks assess risk,” she said. “It will give you hints and tips on how to mitigate these risks. It will also cover best practice in terms of cash flow management and other financial management issues.” NAB business banking executive Mr Will Armstrong will be a guest speaker at the seminar which is presented in conjunction with the Orange Business Chamber, NSW Business Chamber, Orange City Council and Orange Ex Services Club. “The Seminars will be short, sharp, and engaging sessions that address the challenges in small business management,” Dr Snell said. The topics include marketing, finance, and human resources.

The vexed questions of "is my child ready for school?" and "is this school ready for my child" will be addressed by a Charles Sturt University expert in early childhood education tomorrow night, Wednesday 16 August. Dr Richard Taffe from the University’s Murray School of Education will address interested parents on the characteristics of an “average” five-year-old, how children best adapt to school life and what children, parents and teachers think about starting school. "Starting early on the process of transition to school is fundamental to making the best decision for your child," said Dr Taffe. The public forum, titled the "Early Years Parent Information Evening", will be held at the primary school section of The Scots School, Young St, Albury, starting at 7pm.