As part of the re-enactment of the famous Freedom Ride bus trip in 1965 to break down segregation laws in regional NSW and Australia, participants in the Freedom Ride 2011 will camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Sunday 13 February on their way from Sydney to Moree. The Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Dr Bev Moriarty, said, “Charles Sturt University welcomes the 2011 Freedom Riders to Dubbo. We recognise the significance of this event and understand the historical importance of the present event in light of the original 1965 Freedom Ride.” Mr John Nolan, Community Relations Officer at the Centre for Indigenous Studies at CSU in Dubbo, said, “The University will host about 40 participants and give them a warm welcome to Dubbo and the University, including a Welcome to Country ceremony. The travellers will meet local Elders and community members, and guests including the Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, Professor Ian Goulter, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers.” The evening will conclude with a barbeque and entertainment.

Ms Lara Cowling, an administration assistant in the Division of Student Administration at Charles Sturt University (CSU), may only have lived in Orange a short time, but she has fast become a local sports-figure and will represent New South Wales (NSW) at the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) / Pistol Australia (PA) National Championships in April. Ms Cowling, gained recognition at the recent Australia Day ceremonies when she received a certificate of achievement in pistol shooting. She began the sport back in her home town of Gauteng, formally known as Johannesburg, in South Africa. “I’ve probably been involved in the sport for about 10 years. Besides personal protection in South Africa, I was a Reservist for the South African Police Service for about five years and that’s how I got interested in shooting.” Ms Cowling took up the sport in Australia when she arrived here three years ago, and will represent NSW in the national titles for the second time when she travels to Adelaide this Easter. “It’s a physical and mental test and I take it very seriously. Pistol shooting is approximately 90per cent mental and only 10 per cent physical.”

Weeds occupy a lot of the time of scientist Dr Rex Stanton, a postdoctoral fellow with the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation – an alliance of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Industry & Investment NSW. Dr Stanton has been honoured with the Medal for Excellence in Weed Management 2010 from the Weed Society of NSW for his work on glyphosate (active ingredient in herbicide Roundup) resistance in annual ryegrass, management of silverleaf nightshade, and his contribution to general weed management and administration in the state. Dr Stanton has been involved in weed research at CSU in Wagga Wagga for many years and is also the President of the Weed Society of NSW. His current research focuses on new ways to manage silverleaf nightshade and prairie ground cherry, two perennial deep-rooted weeds active in summer. His work examines improving the efficiency of herbicides; competitive pasture options; and assessing allelopathic compounds. Another member of the Weed Society of NSW, Mr Jim Swain, was a co-recipient of the Society’s Medal for Excellence in Weed Management 2010.

A play by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer about the behind-the-scenes workings of a television current affairs unit will have its world premiere in Bathurst on Thursday 24 February. The Sand Dwellers, by Ms Kay Nankervis, lecturer in broadcast journalism at the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Bathurst, explores and lampoons the world of ratings-driven commercial television current affairs programs. Ms Nankervis said, “This is a big, complex collaboration which has drawn on creative talent from the people of Bathurst, the Bathurst Theatre Company, Local Stages-BMEC, and staff and recent graduates of the School of Communication and Creative Industries, for set design, TV logos, actors, multimedia production, and overall production management. I’ve enjoyed great support from the School throughout the development of my script, as part of my University research work, which has enabled me to interview practising current affairs journalists and managers about the play’s subject matter.”

An Indonesian academic will discuss his research into the risks associated with transmission of avian influenza and swine fever with researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Thursday 17 February. Dr Muktasam Abdurrahman, a social scientist specialising in rural community development with Indonesia’s Mataram University, is assessing the risk of avian flu and swine fever in eastern Indonesia through the movements of poultry and pig between the islands of Bali, Lombok, Flores, Sumba and West Timor. “He will highlight social, cultural and environmental dimensions to the spread of these diseases, which have important implications for Australia’s biosecurity,” says CSU researcher and host, Dr Joanne Millar. Dr Muktasam is in Albury to present a seminar and work with Dr Millar who has also been investigating livestock movements in eastern Indonesia.

While Orientation Week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) gives new students a chance to familiarise themselves with their campus and each other, it will also raise funds for a worthy cause. Youngcare is a fundraising program assisting young Australians with full-time care needs. One such person is Mr Jock Watson who studied at CSU before a car accident left him with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Mr Watson’s family was left with no option but to put him in a nursing home. Through Market Day raffles and gold coin donations at social events, the CSU students will raise money for Youngcare in the hope of helping people like Mr Watson gain more independence. CSU Orientation Week leader Ms Emily Heckendorf believes the cause is close to the students’ hearts. “This kind of injury could happen to any one of us and hopefully with Charles Sturt University’s support, we can be part of a solution.”

New students will ease into life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst with an Orientation Week program starting on Monday 21 February. The theme ‘Superher-O’ links the activities on all CSU campuses. In Bathurst approximately 982 students are expected to enrol in 2011 in undergraduate courses such as psychology, paramedics, teaching, nursing, management and marketing, and a range of communication disciplines. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said, “We expect nearly a thousand new students to commence study on Bathurst campus next week. The students, their parents and supporters will be formally welcomed to both the campus and the wider Bathurst communities on Monday. This will be part of a comprehensive orientation process that will see them introduced to the University and then closely supported throughout much of their first year.” As well as orientation activities during the day, a range of entertainment activities for new students are scheduled each evening, including discos with DJs, a live band and an outdoor cinema screening on the library lawn.

Students will get their first taste of their new life at university during Orientation Week next week. With the theme ‘Superher-O’, commencement activities for new students start on Monday 21 February at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on all its campuses, including Orange. More than 190 students have enrolled in undergraduate courses as varied as agricultural business management, clinical science, pharmacy, physiotherapy and dental science. Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Professor Kevin Parton, said Orientation Week activities were vital to introduce the students to study and life at CSU. Orientation Week allows students to become familiar with their surroundings, staff and other students. CSU staff are ready to respond to queries about courses and subjects, help students find accommodation, and help them make the most of the cultural and sporting activities available in Orange,” Professor Parton said.

Year 10 and 11 students from Orange and the central west region in NSW will explore course options and university life when they attend the Allied Health and Dentistry MyDay at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Friday 25 February. CSU Prospective Student Advisor, Ms Katy Fardell, said, “MyDay provides high school students with a taste of the courses offered at Charles Sturt University in Orange. They will also learn about the pathways to the career of their choice and opportunities such as gaining an international experience through CSU Global  or financial assistance through a Charles Sturt University Foundation scholarship. The courses on show include the Bachelor of Clinical Science, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and Bachelor of Dental Science. MyDay Orange also provides an opportunity for students to get an understanding of the career paths available to them after they complete a university degree.”