Two research projects at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange aim to assess the effectiveness of treatment options for people suffering diabetic neuropathy.Bachelor of Physiotherapy students Liam Abbey and Jack Archer are seeking participants for projects which will assess the effectiveness of therapeutic taping in the management of balance, pain and loss of sensation in lower limbs caused by diabetes."Diabetic Neuropathy is caused by damage to the nervous system which arises due to altered blood glucose levels," Mr Abbey said."My research aims to determine if kinesio tape (K-tape) can improve measures of functional balance and mobility confidence in diabetics. Diabetics have an increased risk of falls and reduced quality of life often due to impaired balance; K-tape may provide a means to improve a person's functional balance."Similarly, Mr Archer's research hopes to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic taping."Over 1.2 million Australians have diabetes, and of those, more than 30% have neuropathy," Mr Archer said."I hope to be able to show that the application of K-tape reduces pain, and improves patients' ability to sense touch through the skin of their legs. This will be an important step towards improved treatment options."Participants can be male or female, must be over 18 years of age, experience diabetic neuropathy and be able to attend the Orange campus for sessions during February.Participants can only select one study to join and are encouraged to contact the researchers for more information.Both projects have Ethics Committee approval and will be conducted under the supervision of CSU School of Community Health academics.

The biennial 'Admin Focus' conference for Charles Sturt University (CSU) administration staff is being held at CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 February. The conference is open to CSU administration staff and approximately 130 staff from all campuses will attend. Ms Karen Lenihan, Director, Organisational and People Capability in the CSU Division of Human Resources, said, "The conference is a fantastic professional development and networking event which primarily aims to recognise the contributions of the University's administration staff, foster networking, and increase awareness of professional development for these staff. "There are a variety of session topics to enhance performance and assist staff to navigate the evolving administrative landscape of this dynamic organisation. Relevant topics include high impact business writing; developing career goals; using the internet to manage workload; and learning the fundamentals of the FAST reporting system. There will be an opportunity for delegates to engage in 'Q&A'-style discussions with the University's Senior Executive Committee. There will also be an interactive group session designed to build an understanding of the important role administrative staff play in contributing to the outcomes of the organisation and 'unleashing your inner marketer'." More information can be found here.

Instead of exchanging gifts last Christmas, staff at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health in Bathurst chose to make a donation to charities. Nursing lecturer Ms Denise McGarry said her colleagues elected to donate to local causes rather than participate in the traditional workplace 'Kris Kringle' exchange of presents. "Staff donated more than $400, and we decided to make donations to the Bathurst Refugee Support Group, under the patronage of the Sisters of Mercy, and to Daffodil Cottage Palliative Care Service in Bathurst," Ms McGarry said. "This week Daffodil Cottage received the portable intravenous pole which was purchased with the School's staff donation. This will allow off-site patients to stay out of hospital for more of their treatments than previously, as this mobile device can be loaned to allow treatment in the home. The donation to the Bathurst Refugee Support Group will assist with the provision of respite services and accommodation in Bathurst with the purchase of household goods."

New research from Charles Sturt University (CSU) aims to understand what motivates volunteers and how organisations can help to keep them actively engaged. Ms Emily Webster, a business honours student in the CSU School of Management and Marketing in Bathurst, said, "Volunteering makes a significant contribution to the social and economic development of society through the provision of a number of services that assist the wellbeing of individuals and groups. My project aims to examine the relationship between volunteer motivations and their job design, to create a deeper understanding of what encourages volunteers to stay with local community groups, and to help provide practical recommendations for organisations. The Bathurst Unit of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has been extremely helpful with the pilot study for the project and assisting to prepare for mass survey distribution." Ms Webster's motivation for this research project was triggered by her activities as a volunteer while studying her undergraduate degree. The volunteer retention project started on Thursday 5 February at Bathurst SES headquarters. Seven SES volunteers and employees discussed the influence of job design on their willingness to volunteer and stay with organisations.

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Hello world! - Summary

The largest wetland restoration project in the southern hemisphere, the rehabilitation of the Winton Wetlands in north east Victoria, has been praised by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) ecologist as an example of active community participation. Professor Max Finlayson from the Institute for Land Water and Society at CSU in Albury-Wodonga is one of the scientists addressing the Winton Wetlands Research Forum to be held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August. Professor Finlayson will be talking about managing and restoring wetlands of international significance. "The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands encourages management to be placed in a catchment context and for local communities to be involved in maintaining or restoring an agreed ecological character," he said. "The Winton Wetland Management Committee is a long journey to establish a world class wetland and one that they are trying to do well by getting expert advice and working with their community." Professor Finlayson is lending his expertise as Chairman of the Environment Strategic Advisory Panel for the Winton Wetland Management Committee.

More than 280 students will start their universities studies in Port Macquarie with Orientation Week (O Week) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) next week.O Week will run from Monday 22 February until Friday 26 February and involve a series of academic and social activities to help familiarise students with university study, their course, peers and campus."O Week blends serious and social activities to introduce students from around Australia to their new lives of study and education," Head of Campus Professor Heather Cavanagh said."We have been very pleased to see a 15 per cent increase in the number of undergraduate on campus students studying at CSU in Port Macquarie compared to 2015.  The undergraduate courses in greatest demand for study in 2016 in Port Macquarie are criminal justice, clinical science (paramedic), medical radiation science, teacher education and creative arts and design.""In addition the new Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie campus is due to open later in 2016 and we look forward to increasing our teaching and research capacity as we move to the new 12 hectare site," Professor Cavanagh said.Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said, "O Week is a fun, happy and hectic time for all involved – new students, their parents and carers, and our staff – as there is much to learn as students consider their new lives in higher education.""The shift from school to university means students become adult learners. This transition may be difficult for parents who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission," Professor Coyle said.More than 3 000 new on campus undergraduate students will be welcomed across all of CSU for the first session of 2016 starting Monday 29 February. There have also been O Week activities this week for more than 6 700 new CSU Online students who are studying remotely.More information about activities happening at CSU O-week in Port Macquarie is available online www.csu.edu.au/oncampus/events/o-week/on-campus.