Research into the behaviour of the world’s fastest bird cannot continue without state-of-the-art equipment, according to researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange, which has gained intimate access to the Peregrine Falcon. “The Peregrine Falcon is one of the world’s most iconic species and we believe our research will provide the closest 24 hour surveillance of this creature available anywhere on the globe,” says CSU’s Dr Cilla Kinross. A family of Peregrine Falcons is enjoying its third year of nesting in a specially-built box placed in the University’s water tower and, with the dedication of Dr Kinross and information technology specialist Mr Scott Banks, concealed camera equipment has been set up next to the bird’s nest. “We can view the birds’ behaviour, but we need more sophisticated equipment, including recording software, if we are to take the next step in our research,” Dr Kinross said. “We can gather fundamental information on these creatures that will be internationally regarded, but we need the right tools to do it.” Better equipment will also enable the public to watch the birds on the Internet.

Final year physiotherapy student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga, Ms Ellie O’Kane, has streaked away to comfortably win the 10 000 metre event on the athletics track at the Australian University Games currently underway in Perth. CSU student support officer, Mr Nick Granger, said Ms O’Kane finished nearly a lap ahead of her nearest rival, and “is really looking forward to repeating her winning performance in the 5 000 metre race on Thursday 30 September. She would love to win the long-distance double, but expects stiffer.” Over 40 CSU students are participating in the annual event, which draws competitors from 41 universities across Australia.

Tickets are on sale for the annual Somerville Lecture to be delivered this year by leading Australian scientist Professor Michael Archer, AM, in Bathurst on Tuesday 26 October. Lecture organiser Dr Peter Wilson, from the School of Teacher Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, said the lecture, titled ‘The extraordinary nature of the Australian fossil record in a global context’, is an opportunity to hear one of Australia’s leading scientists. “Professor Archer is an author, teacher, researcher and a leading authority on the Australian fossil record. He is also a friend of Professor Warren Somerville, who the lecture honours for the world-class fossil and mineral collection now housed at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Howick St in Bathurst.” Tickets can be purchased from the lecture venue, the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, William St, Bathurst, or by phone on (02) 6333 6161. CSU is a major sponsor of the Somerville Collection and the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.

The organisers of this year’s Village Fair at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst are staging Kids Day Out for families with small children on Saturday morning 25 September. “Kids Day Out is a free event held on the Charles Sturt University rugby oval for small children and their families on the morning of the Village Fair,” said Ms Alex Leis, a CSU Student Support Officer. “This year we have a baby animal farm, a fire truck and ambulance on display, plus jumping castles, stalls, face painting and the opportunity to meet Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego.” The jumping castles and face painting are a gold coin donation, with all proceeds from the day, and a donation from the Village Fair committee, going to the Bathurst branch of Riding for the Disabled. The event runs from 10am to 1pm.

National and international water experts have discussed emerging issues and policies for sustainable management of water resources and food security at a seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga today, Tuesday 21 September. The International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC Water) at CSU hosted the seminar which investigated the future of water resources in Australia and across the world. As part of the Centre’s monthly seminar series, Associate Professor Joachim Ribbe, the head of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland, spoke at the seminar, titled Rainfall in a Variable and Changing Climate, to encourage discussion about water management. Representatives from IC Water, CSU, and irrigation companies attended the seminar.

Does the race of an accused person influence the jurors’ decision of guilt or innocence? The answer is ‘no’ if the accused is of Asian ethnicity, according to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher. Pamela Henry will receive her doctorate for her PhD Race and Juror Decision at CSU Bathurst Campus graduation on Friday 11 May. “The findings were counter-intuitive. There is no evidence to suggest that an Asian accused is more likely to be found guilty. An explanation could lie in theories of modern racism where the general public is more aware that it is not socially acceptable to have their prejudicial views influence their decisions”. Ms Henry is keen to continue her research, next concentrating on Indigenous people. “If jurors, judges and magistrates are aware of the factors that can influence decision making then they can do something about it.”

Evolution, water management, local and global action to conserve the environment, and critical thinking in science will be major topics for discussions at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus on Tuesday 24 April. Over 170 final year high school students from NSW and Victoria will gather on the University’s award-winning Thurgoona site to meet with CSU academic staff who will present lively demonstrations and lectures on current environmental issues being faced locally and globally. These issues are also part of the students’ Year 12 studies in biology, environmental science and geography. The Science @ CSU day will run from 10am to 2.30pm, Tuesday 24 April, starting at the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, CSU Albury-Wodonga Campus, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

A big line-up of bands and music will feature at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2010 Village Fair in Bathurst on Saturday 25 September. Village Fair organiser, Mr Joel Begnell, said, “This is the 36th consecutive annual Village Fair music festival and we think it has the biggest and most exciting line-up to date. It blends a carefully chosen mix of dance, indie, rock and electronica acts, with electro-pop favourites Miami Horror headlining the event. With capacity for only a relatively small audience and three stages - one dedicated solely to the DJ acts, the other two dedicated to live bands - the Village Fair is truly one of the most intimate and friendly festivals you could attend. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of attending a CSU Village Fair can tell you that life does not get much better than watching the sunset over Mount Panorama while listening to some of Australia’s best live music.” The event is staged at the foot of Australia’s iconic Mount Panorama in Bathurst, and features some hot acts including Yves Klein Blue, The Only, Beni, The Melodics and Hey Now. There will also be two of this year’s Triple J Unearthed success stories so far, TreeBoi + Kone and Bloody Lovely Audrey.

Dr Rob Duffield, lecturer in the School of Human Movement at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is a very lucky man. He just happens to be in Barbados during the 2007 International Cricket Council World Cup, and yes, he will be watching cricket. “I have tickets to see two Super 8 round games,” he explains, “the winner of group A (hopefully Australia) v winner of group D (hopefully West Indies) and 2nd in group C v 2nd in group B.” But he also there for business , attending the World Science and Medicine in Cricket Conference, which is being held in the Caribbean nation during the world’s premier one-day cricket competition. Dr Duffield says he is “excited” and “keen to see what is being done in the physiology of cricket as there is limited published work – and keen to see Australia on the pitch!”