Charles Sturt University (CSU) will help show the value of agricultural research to regional Australia during a one day workshop on Wednesday 30 May. About eighty senior high school students from throughout the Riverina will meet with scientists of the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation to see what it is like to work in agricultural science. The students from years 10 and 11 will do hands-on experiments, looking at applied research that is being used to solve problems currently affecting primary industries. The students will also be given an insight into interesting career choices that many would not have come across before. The EH Graham Centre is an alliance between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its students are fostering greater understanding and tolerance during a time when religious differences dominate the global scene. A public discussion, Jesus and Muhammad, is an initiative of the CSU Islamic Students Association and Christian Fellowship and will be held on Wednesday 30 May. According to CSU’s Dr Ata Rehman, the aim of the forum is to encourage unity between the Christian and Muslim faiths, open dialogue and clear up misconceptions held by each religion. Guest speakers will include Dr Muhammad Abdulla, Director of the Griffith Islamic Research Unit and Mr Samuel Green, who has a degree in theology and 15 years experience in Christian Muslim dialogue. Christian Fellowship member Richard Wilson believes much of today’s tensions are due to people misunderstanding the similarities between the two religions, adding there is a lot of ignorance around, and ignorance creates fear.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) student, Luke Tooze is confident as he prepares for his shot at national stardom after being selected in the Australian Idol Top 100. It is an exciting time for the 21 year old, who is into his second year of a teaching degree on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. The path to possible musical stardom began when he impressed judge Ian Dickson at the first Australian Idol auditions held in the Riverina at CSU’s Joyes Hall in April. The journey continued this month at a second audition in Melbourne when Luke caught the attention of all four Australian Idol judges with his unique vocal style. The CSU student and his guitar are now bound for the Sydney auditions on June 18. Luke has been busking around the NSW inland city of Wagga Wagga in preparation for the next challenge in his quest to become an Australian Idol.

Sharing knowledge and skills on current environmental issues facing Australia is the aim of the national Students of Sustainability conference being held in Perth, Western Australia in July. About 20 Charles Sturt University (CSU) students, many from the University’s School of Environmental Sciences, are currently raising funds to attend the conference, which runs from Monday 9 to Friday 13 July. The students aim to practice what they preach, hiring a bus rather than flying, which places more greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere. “Environmental issues and sustainable living are providing increased concern and awareness within our local community. Students who participate will share the knowledge and experiences they gain in Perth with the Albury community and CSU students,” student leader Peter Barrett said. The group already has donations from the CSU School of Environmental Sciences, the Albury-Wodonga Campus and the local student association and is seeking further assistance from the Albury-Wodonga community.

Images capturing how students can learn "from the heart" make up an exhibition opening in the Albury City Council Chambers foyer in June. The photographs were taken as part of a collaborative project between speech pathology and photography students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the parents of children with significant disabilities. The local parents are employed as tutors for the second year CSU speech pathology students in a project funded by Albury City. The images were taken while the speech pathology students were working directly with the local parents and their families in their homes. "Through their direct involvement in our course, these parents contribute to educating a generation of speech pathologists who are highly aware of issues and conflicts associated with parenting a child with severe communication difficulties," project coordinator Dr Ruth Beecham said. As part of the exhibition and the project, members of the public are invited to comment on the photographs and the messages shown through them.

The Premier of NSW, the Hon. Ms Kristina Keneally, MP, will meet with the Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, during her visit to Bathurst on Friday 20 August. Professor Goulter will discuss with Ms Keneally the University’s proposal announced on Wednesday 18 August for $90 million from the Federal Government to establish a medical school at CSU in Orange, as well as funding for an Integrated Primary Health Care Clinic at CSU in Bathurst. The University has indicated it intends to seek the support of the NSW Government to open additional clinical places for CSU medical students in NSW hospitals. While at CSU in Bathurst, the Premier will also inspect the University’s newly completed Dental and Oral Health Clinic. Ms Keneally will discuss with Professor Goulter and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, the University’s request for government support for the construction of Australia’s first national paramedic education centre in Bathurst. The centre would allow the University to significantly increase its student intake and provide students with access to world-leading paramedic education facilities. The meeting will be joined by the Mayor of Bathurst, Councillor Paul Toole, to discuss a planned Technology Park adjoining CSU and the Western Institute of TAFE in Bathurst.

If you think the leader of the Labor party is working tirelessly prior to the election this Saturday, try being her comic double, Julia Spillard. Having perfected Prime Minister Gillard’s voice, facial expressions and hand gestures, the character actor, comic and Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate, Ms Gabby Millgate, is winning votes throughout the country as she visits various locations on her busy schedule. Ms Millgate, a graduate of CSU’s Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media), has been seen in movies such as Muriel’s Wedding and thriller Feed, on television, radio, theatre and has also worked as a script writer. She is thought of as one of Australia’s most versatile and resourceful actors. “Charles Sturt University’s Theatre/Media degree gives students the tools they need to succeed in any medium of the arts,” says senior lecturer in the School of Communication and Creative Industries, Dr Gerard Boland. “Gabby is a perfect example of how our graduates use their skills to construct meaningful careers in the media, events and live entertainment industries.” Ms Millgate’s character, Julia Spillard, could be seeing a lot more work, if the election is won by the Labor party this weekend, which makes you wonder how Ms Millgate will vote.

Fresh air and the country lifestyle are thought to be factors in gaining the upper hand at the Roland Bryant Cup, the inaugural sporting event held in Sydney last week between first and second year dentistry students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the University of Sydney. “Charles Sturt University won the touch football and University of Sydney won the netball. It came down to Charles Sturt University winning the basketball by one point,” said Dr Sabrina Manickam, senior lecturer at the CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences in Orange. “The students were very excited by their win and it was great to see how very proud they all are to belong to Charles Sturt University in Orange.” Student Mr Adam Barrett said, “The win has made Charles Sturt University dentistry students determined to hold the trophy. We’ll have to be prepared next year because Sydney Uni will be keen to beat us.”

A series of workshops on an “acutely important subject” – frailty – will be held around New South Wales and South Australia regional locations between May and October. The first workshop will be held in Wagga Wagga on Sunday 20 May. According to Professor Patrick Ball, from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences, who leads the multidisciplinary team developing the program, the aim is to optimise the care of frail elderly people in rural and remote communities. “A frail elderly person who falls ill can suddenly go from living independently to being in institutional care. But if you intervene appropriately and vigorously in the early stages, you can keep them at home for years longer. This is especially important in rural and remote areas so you don’t disrupt their life. Their social circle isn’t ruined and we do not finish up picking up the bill as a society.”