“The big question is, do some adults improve their lives after a parent’s cancer experience? It sounds quite odd, because how could anything good possibly come from this?” Janelle Levesque from Charles Sturt University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences will research how having a parent with cancer impacts on their adult children. “For some, cancer can act as a wake-up call. Some realise life is too short to stay in work they don’t like while others switch to more family-friendly or part time work. Another change may be the realisation that the little things are not so important. The wet towel on the bathroom floor really doesn’t matter, what matters is making time to speak to the kids for 10 minutes before bed.” Ms Levesque says the biggest area of change is that “most people find that their family grows closer through the experience”.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Dentistry and Health Sciences lecturer, Dr Sabrina Manickam has been nominated for the People's Choice Community Hero Award by member for Orange Mr Andrew Gee in an announcement made last Wednesday. Dr Manickam was recognised for her contribution to the field of education and research in dentistry. "The nomination was completely unexpected but I hope it will encourage other young city professionals to relocate to rural areas," Dr Manickam said. Dr Manickam moved to Orange from Sydney 13 years ago. "Living and working in a rural area is a wonderful lifestyle choice and you do feel like you're really making a contribution.” Mr Gee said the Assistant Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU had earned recognition through her dedication and commitment to her chosen career path. "Dr Manickam has excelled in what is a male dominated field," he said.

A senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) social researcher is leading research and discussion into the influence of globalisation on economic development and human security in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Manohar Pawar, a principal researcher in CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, believes globalisation “is good if it helps erradicate poverty and reduce global inequalities”. In October, Dr Pawar organised a major international conference on the topic in Thailand, in collaboration with Thailand’s Thammasat University and Taisho and Kyushu universities, Japan. “Confronted by extreme poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, disorder and violence and many other social problems, the conference delegates presented positive examples from the region showing that alternative social development approaches must include and allow participation in the planning and implementation of projects by the people affected by them,” Dr Pawar said.

A theatre-for-young-people production by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students has begun a week-long tour starting on Monday 4 June that will deliver nine performances to students at 10 Central West schools. The theatre/media students from the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst are touring their new production Lost and Found to schools in Bathurst, Trunkey Creek, Rockley, Cullen Bullen, Mandurama, Manildra, Mullion Creek and Dubbo. CSU lecturer and co-director of the show, Mr Daniel Aubin said, “Lost and Found uses physical theatre, story-telling, circus and music to engage, amuse and amaze. With themes surrounding memory, relationships, family, communication and health, Lost and Found has a lesson for every child. We aim to entertain, educate and strengthen the relationship between the University and Central West schools. It’s been a pleasure working with this talented cast to investigate the themes and different methods of theatre-making.”

A public forum discussing how people in north east Victoria and southern NSW can respond to climate change and the positions of Victoria’s major political parties on this critical issue will be presented by Monday 20 November. Hosted by Charles Sturt University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) and La Trobe University, speakers include four candidates for the Victorian seat of Benambra for the up-coming Victorian State election: Bill Baxter (Nationals), Lisa Mahood (Labor), Helen Robinson (Greens) and Bill Tilley (Liberal), as well as a scientist who will discuss the predicted impacts of climate change on this region. Starting at 6pm, light refreshments will be available at the close of the forum at 7.30pm. The forum will be held in the Main Lecture Theatre, La Trobe University, University Drive, Wodonga.

Childhood obesity, promoting good health to rural men, chronic back pain for women and work options for people living with HIV/AIDS are some of the topics being addressed by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students at an occupational therapy conference to be held next week in Albury. Thirty six graduating students from the University’s occupational therapy course are presenting papers on these and other topics in this rapidly developing field to health professionals from the NSW-Victorian Border region. The two day conference will be start at 9am on Tuesday 21 November in the Nowik Auditorium, CSU’s Albury city site, Guinea St, Albury, finishing at 1pm on Wednesday 22 November.

Approximately 800 high school students from across the Riverina are due at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 15 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-five lectures, workshops and discussion panels are being planned on texts and topics being studied by the Standard and Advanced English students. The sessions, which will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm, will be presented mostly by English teachers from regional high schools and academics from CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they’re concentrating on for the HSC. For the teachers and trainee teachers, it’s a professional development occasion,” said HSC English Study Day coordinator Mr David Gilbey from the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The HSC English Study Day is being organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association in association with Booranga Writers’ Centre at CSU.

The 2012 Higher School Certificate (HSC) Seminar Day for Year 12 students from high schools across the NSW central west will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 19 June. Ms Kerry Browning, manager of the CSU Contact Centre which provides information and advice to prospective students, said organisers estimate about 300 students will attend the day to gain information relevant to their HSC exams. “The students will attend separate seminars and lectures on a variety of HSC topics provided by experienced HSC teachers, and the day will provide a positive experience of life at university,” Ms Browning said. The HSC Study Day is an initiative of secondary teachers with the NSW Department of Education and Communities in the region, and is sponsored by CSU. Coordinators for the event are Denison College Head Teachers Mr Jim Browning (Bathurst High Campus) and Ms Wendy Murphy (Kelso High Campus).

A student attending Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange has been awarded a Rural Scholarship from the Royal Agricultural Society Foundation to help her realise her dream of becoming a regional dentist. Ms Grace Amey, 22, is in her second year of the CSU Bachelor of Dental Science and is passionate about returning to western NSW to practice dentistry once she graduates. “I work at a dental clinic in my home town of Dubbo when I’m not at uni,” Ms Amey said. “I see so many people come to the clinic from further west who have to wait months to see a dentist. There is so much demand for health professionals.” Ms Amey’s $5 000 scholarship will help her with the cost of equipment needed for her course. “It’s a big help to have this kind of support.” The RAS Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural issues and whose studies will add value to rural communities.