While grain growers rejoice, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) livestock expert is warning recent widespread rainfall across New South Wales and Victoria brings risks as well as great benefits for pastoralists. Professor Kym Abbott from the CSU School of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Wagga Wagga Campus says sheep flocks and cattle herds face the increased threat of parasitic infestation over the next four to six weeks as parasite larvae, that had lain dormant in the soil, move onto pastures. He is urging sheep and cattle producers to closely monitor parasite egg counts over the next few months to treat sheep if necessary but avoid the excessive use of drenches. Professor Abbott says sheep and calves in particular risk weight loss and scour from parasites such as Brown Stomach worm, Black Scour worm and Nematodirus which thrive after prolonged periods of drought.

Dental practitioners across regional Australia have welcomed Commonwealth Government funding of $65.1 million for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Dentistry and Oral Health announced in last week’s Federal Budget. A dentist practising in the NSW inland city of Wagga Wagga, Dr Kathleen Matthews has congratulated the University for “deservedly winning the funding for the CSU dental school. As a local practitioner I am personally excited at the prospect … and see this as a unique opportunity for a regionally based ‘community of practice’ to be formed, not only for the benefit of local and visiting health professionals and educators, but for the oral and systemic health of our population”. CSU Vice Chancellor Ian Goulter says, “Our plan for dental education in inland NSW will rely heavily on the participation of existing dental practitioners in our regional communities in the clinical education program”.

A visiting expert from the United Kingdom (UK) will discuss the importance of communication and of working together to identify and support children with speech, language and communication impairment at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bathurst tonight, Tuesday 22 May. Professor Sue Roulstone from the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK, will discuss Children’s speech and language difficulties; whose problem are they? in a free public lecture. “Speech and language are closely linked to our social context,” Professor Roulstone said. “Our culture and our interests affect the way we speak and the words we use. In the lecture I will consider the differences in how we think and talk about children’s speech and language difficulties, and the differences in the ways we help the children. Based on our UK research, I will identify the different roles played by families, professionals and the children themselves as they grow up.” The lecture is open to teachers, speech pathologists, health professionals and interested members of the public.

Recipients of Charles Sturt Foundation scholarships for 2007 will be recognised at the presentation ceremony at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bathurst Campus on Friday 25 May. Two hundred and thirty five scholarships worth over $500 000 will be awarded to new and continuing students studying across the five main campuses at CSU, including scholarships to 111 students on the Bathurst Campus. As well as receiving the scholarships, which are awarded on the basis of academic merit, leadership and contribution to the community, the ceremony provides an opportunity for the students to meet their scholarship donor. Head of Campus, Professor Greg Walker, will introduce scholarship donors and recipients, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Ian McIntosh will present scholarship certificates. Tom Nicol, receiving the Nine Network Richard Carleton Memorial Scholarship, will present a vote of thanks on behalf of the scholars.

Are frogs hypersensitive indicators of the slightest environmental change, or robust little beasts battling almost insurmountable odds? Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council will host a public lecture to address this question, to be given by CSU lecturer Dr Skye Wassens. In 1980 a series of reports documented a sudden, catastrophic decline among the world’s frog populations. The mystery surrounding frog disappearances has seen researchers looking desperately for answers but, 27 years on, frog populations are disappearing faster than ever. Just what is it about frogs that make them so difficult to conserve? Entitled The Search for the Smoking Gun: Unravelling the Myths and Misconceptions of Global Amphibian Declines, the lecture will provide an insight into the world of frogs, attempt to seek out the causes of frog disappearances, and discuss strategies for preserving frog populations in the Riverina.

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) teams have been recognised for innovative workplace safety initiatives. The Wagga Mutual Credit Union Safety Awareness Award programme supports safety conscious community members to promote safety awareness. The CSU School of Biomedical Sciences team worked with the Division of Facilities Management to investigate and minimise exposure to airborne microbes causing mould in the building. CSU Facilities Management installed timers and ceiling vents to prevent moist air stagnating and causing respiratory problems. The CSU Division of Facilities Management team sought approval for a replacement truck which incorporated a hydraulic lifting platform. The number of daily manual handling lifting operations were dramatically reduced and this will also reduce the incidence of manual handling injuries and enable safer movement of materials around the Wagga Wagga Campus. Both teams won cash prizes of $150.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a diverse property portfolio across its regional locations, and one such property currently undergoing renovation at 126 William Street, Bathurst, was most recently a restaurant and function centre known as Lamplighters Restaurant. Before that it was the Galloping Grape bar and restaurant, and prior to that the AMP Society Building. “This is a landmark building in Bathurst and is on the University’s heritage register,” said Mr Keith Hogan, Director, Procurement and Risk Management, in the CSU Division of Facilities Management. “It is also distinguished on the Bathurst City Council Regional Local Environmental Plan as a significant historical building. Following an asset management review of the building in the first half of 2010, funds have been allocated to enable the start of repairs to the property. This work consists of restoration of the historic front facade, repainting internally and externally, separation of the upstairs offices with repairs to flooring and services, and a number of priority works to protect and enhance the property.” The Executive Director of the CSU Division of Facilities Management, Mr Steve Butt, said, “Charles Sturt University supports sustainability of its built environment with a view to reuse, and maintains its many heritage listed properties for the legacy of inland Australia.”

A Wiradjuri Elder who was born and raised on the Talbragar Reserve near Dubbo, NSW, has been recognised at the recent annual Women Out West (WOW) awards on Saturday 31 July for her contribution to education and to Charles Sturt University (CSU). Aunty Pat Doolan, PSM,* was nominated by CSU education lecturer Ms Maria Bennet for her key role in supporting University staff and students with educational and cultural knowledge, and was awarded in the category ‘Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council Award for Outstanding Aboriginal Leadership inspiring generosity of spirit’. “The award is long overdue acknowledgement of Aunty Pat’s contribution and commitment to Indigenous education both within the region and more broadly, and she has had significant involvement with Charles Sturt University in Dubbo and the Centre for Indigenous Studies,” Ms Bennet said. “She has worked extensively across western NSW in community development, education, child protection, Aboriginal employment and community development to improve social outcomes for women and Aboriginal people in the Bourke and Dubbo communities.”

What’s it like to have a sibling with a disability? According to Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student Jacqueline Barr, “These children take on a parent-like role, they are jealous of the time their sibling gets from their parents, and they are worried about the child and their parents. I also found that siblings of a child with a speech impairment often act as a protector and interpreter”. But having a sibling with a disability can also make the child “more understanding of other people’s needs and more sympathetic to differences in other people,” she said. As part of her PhD studies, Ms Barr is developing an in-service program for teachers addressing the needs of these siblings. A paper on Jacqueline Barr’s research into the impact of being a sibling of a child with a communication disorder was recently accepted in the US journal Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools.