Bathurst Charles Sturt University (CSU) students managed to bring home silver and bronze medals from the National University Games, despite representing just a fraction of the five and half thousand who attended. Sports Administrator Jean Ryan said CSU was successful in the Women’s Hockey and Mixed Touch Football at the Games, which were held in the last week of September, “41 CSU Bathurst students went along and everybody had a great time.” Jackson Goman is a fourth year Bachelor of Sport & Recreation/Bachelor of Arts (Communication-Journalism) student and Vice-President of the Touch club. “I always enjoy going away with CSU because we are a close Uni and we do support each other. As soon as we finished our bronze medal match we went straight to the Hockey match to cheer on CSU. It is that sort of unity between all the teams at CSU that make it all worthwhile.”

Ever wondered how the stunning effects in films such as Lord of the Rings are created? Lindsay Adams will reveal some trade secrets at a lecture in Wagga Wagga this week. Lindsay is a Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Arts (Television Production) graduate, and now works as a 2d Technical Director at Animal Logic, a company at the forefront of the international visual effects industry. Lindsay’s recent work includes House of Flying Daggers, Stealth, and Oliver Stone's World Trade Center. He promises to thank CSU when he collects his first Oscar. “However, most of the work we do is in a dark room and we rarely get out, especially to something as glamorous as the Oscars. We start work when it’s dark and finish when it’s dark.” Lindsay says he can still enjoy himself at the cinema, despite knowing all the tricks of the trade. “The best effects are the ones you don’t notice. There’s a lot of work out there that is completely seamless and even I don’t spot it.”

A partnership between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has taken a step forward with today’s signing of a memorandum of understanding that could lead to the construction of a food, soil and water research centre. Council will contribute the land component of the project and be responsible for the day-to-day operation and staffing of the research centre. The new centre will enable CSU to focus on laboratory-based teaching and research while supporting the Mid North Coast Education and Skills Strategy. CSU’s Head of Campus in Port Macquarie, Professor Ross Chambers, has congratulated Council on its vision for regionally-based science. “Science education and research are essential for the sustainability and strength of regional communities,” he said. “This will encourage local people to take up careers in science and ensure that science engages with regional needs.” Professor Chambers added that CSU especially welcomed the focus on food, soil and water. “Science has a major role to play in meeting the challenges of food security, quality and bio-safety, and in ensuring the quality and sustainability of regional industries and regional environments.” Federal government education funding of around $4.3 million dollars will now be sought to help make the project a reality.

Earlier this year Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands of NSW was listed on the State Heritage Register – the first town on the east coast of Australia to be recognised in this way. Now the residents will find out how Braidwood will be affected economically by the listing when the Western Research Institute (WRI) of Charles Sturt University begins its study to monitor the town’s future. Kathy Sloan, a senior research officer with the WRI says “the listing does restrict what can happen to buildings and what people can do on their properties. On the other hand, a heritage listing can be a good way to attract more tourists, and they already market themselves that way.” The study has commenced with an economic profile of Braidwood, including an analysis of the local economy. Once benchmarks are identified, a business survey will be conducted every year for five years. The WRI will then compare Braidwood’s economic trends with trends across regional NSW.

Charles Sturt University Rural Management lecturer, Sue Johnson, has returned from the Camden Equestrian Centre where she worked as the NSW Elite Horse Coach during the week-long Polocrosse Australian National Championships. A lecturer in Livestock Production and a passionate horse enthusiast, Sue jumped at the chance to be involved in this prestigious event. Held every two years, the Polocrosse Australian National Championships is attended by 400 players and 700 horses from around Australia, as well as over 7 500 spectators. Ms Johnson’s responsibilities included pre-competition checking that the horses were fit and prepared for the games. Polocrosse claims is a “truly Australian made sport” (along with AFL and campdrafting) being developed in Australia in the 1930s from a mix of polo, lacrosse and netball.

The CSU Orange Campus has traditionally had a strong affiliation with the Australian National Field Days (ANFD) which this year will be held at the Borenore site in Orange from 17-19 October. CSU’s Equine business management course coordinator Amanda Warren-Smith said as well as their usual stand at the ANFD, the CSU Equine Unit will also coordinate a new Equine Expo. She said horses are an employment intensive industry: “A lot of people don’t realise that the horse industry contributes $8 billion a year to Australia’s GDP. Our Equine Business management course looks into aspects such as breeding, racing, competing, the pleasure horse industry and horse therapy. To have students working on the Equine Expo at ANFD also gives them added exposure to the event management side of the industry.” Charles Sturt University will also have a CSU course and enterprises information stand at Field Days called Educating tomorrow’s professionals.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Andrew Vann, was one of the first to attend the Wellness and Wellbeing Expo for staff which commenced at CSU in Bathurst today, Tuesday 5, and continues on Wednesday 6 February. The series of expos will be stage at the five main CSU campuses, and aims to promote happier, healthier, more satisfied and more productive employees who are also resilient in an ever-changing workplace. Mr David Tallentire, CSU manager of occupational health and safety, said, “Charles Sturt University is running Wellness and Wellbeing Expos to provide information to staff on the many health and wellbeing services available to them at the University and in our local communities, and to participate in workshops.” Among the sessions, CSU psychology lecturer Dr Stephanie Quinton from the School of Psychology discussed eating disorders, and staff from the School of Human Movement Studies offered hi-tech balance testing. Other services represented include Relationships Australia, Men’s Sheds Australia, financial planning, and a range of counselling, health, fitness and wellbeing interests.

About 200 Year 12 chemistry students and their teachers from Riverina high schools will join Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientists in Wagga Wagga in a series of laboratory activities and information sessions over four days from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 February. The HSC Chemistry Days are organised by staff within the chemistry discipline in the University’s Faculty of Science as part of its promotion of science in the wider community. One of the highlights will be four activities in a daily ‘Magic Show’ hosted by academics from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences in the new National Life Sciences Hub from approximately 1.30pm to 2.45pm.

A celebration of the significant role education plays in the success of Wagga Wagga’s economic, cultural and social life will be highlighted in a main street parade and expo in the city on Thursday 21 March. Following the colourful Town and Gown Parade from 4.30pm in the city’s main street, a reception and expo will be held from 5pm in the Victory Memorial Gardens to promote the many educational, training and learning opportunities available in Wagga Wagga. The wide range of educational providers will be involved including local primary and high schools, the local Australian Defence Force bases, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Charles Sturt University (CSU), University of NSW Rural Clinic School and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. “A large part of what makes Wagga Wagga such a great place to live and work in is the breadth and depth of educational opportunities available right here in the city,” Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr Adrian Lindner, said. “This parade and expo is a reminder of what this city has to offer in terms of education, training and learning. It is an annual celebration of education in Wagga Wagga and I encourage everyone to come and see the many offerings from school education, learning, recruit and technical training, and tertiary education. From kindergarten to PhD!”