A senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) educator has been appointed as the new Chair of the Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst. Professor Tara Brabazon, Head of the School of Teacher Education in Bathurst, says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the future of the Mitchell Conservatorium which is a jewel in the crown of our region. Music is so important, because it is transformative and can enable both intellectual discipline and our imagination. It is important that every citizen has the chance to experience and express music in their daily lives. It is therefore very important that Charles Sturt University builds productive partnerships and collaborations with our colleagues throughout the education sector. Our goal is to build a strong link between the Mitchell Conservatorium and a new, innovative and exciting initiative at the University, the Creative Regions Lab. The goal of the Lab is to enable the creative industries and the knowledge economy in the central west because we recognize that the knowledge economy will help to future-proof the Central West’s cultural life. Music, sport, fashion, design, and media are crucial to us, so the aim is to use the capacity of digitization to support and grow the primary and manufacturing industries in our region.”

Aboriginal high school boys in Albury are being shown a bright future through a project being run in coming weeks by the NSW Department of Education and Communities, Charles Sturt University (CSU) and local Aboriginal men from Albury-Wodonga.  Mr Brett Biles, an Aboriginal man and CSU academic, is involved in the BroSpeak program facilitated by Mr Matthew Hogan from Murray High School to present local Aboriginal high school students at Murray High School with perspectives on personal growth and career options. “We are helping these students on their journey to develop life skills and identify and connect with their culture while encouraging the boys to engage with school. The program involves Aboriginal men from the local community providing advice, education and their stories on being successful and proud Aboriginal men,” Mr Biles said. CSU is helping expand the program by bussing Aboriginal students from Albury and James Fallon High Schools to also take part in BroSpeak. Albury Thunder Rugby League Club and Melbourne Storm are sponsoring the program with the BroSpeak group heading to Melbourne for a Melbourne Storm home game to speak with the Aboriginal players with Melbourne Storm before viewing the game on Sunday 25 August.

Early results from research run at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga have shown that reduced blood flow in people affected by the common diseases diabetes and hypertension may be due to altered shapes and numbers of red blood cells. Dr Ross Richards and PhD student Mr Prajwal Gyawali, with CSU’s School of Community Health, said 3.6 million Australians now have diabetes, with three in five of these also suffering from heart diseases, both of which affect blood flow. “I am now aiming to verify these initial findings on the changed shapes of red blood cells, which will require more participants in my study.” Mr Gyawali is calling for additional residents from Albury-Wodonga to take part in his research, which will help assess the severity and progression of diabetes and high blood pressure, and may also contribute to a better understanding of possible causes of these diseases. During a once-only, 30 minute visit to a research room at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Mr Gyawali will ask participants about their medical problems, dietary habits and medications, take body and blood pressure measurements and blood and urine samples for testing. To take part in the project, contact Mr Prajwal Gyawali on mobile 0414 932 057 or send an email.

Residential students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange raised more than $2 000 for the Orange and District Early Education Program (ODEEP) with a “Great Gatsby’ themed ball recently. The ODEEP centre is a community based, not for profit early childhood intervention service for young children with disabilities or delays in their development. Earlier this year the students presented the centre with $2 500 in funds raised through chocolate sales and other activities. Residential Coordinator Terri-Lee Duffy said the students were supported in fundraising for the ball through many local businesses offering prizes for the night and items to auction. “The major sponsor for the night was Harvey Norman Electrical who generously donated a flat-screen television. The Orange business community, and the community in general, have been very supportive,” she said. The ball raised more than $2 000, bringing the students fundraising efforts for the centre this year to nearly $5 000.

After eight years at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Executive Director of CSU’s Division of Marketing and Community Education, Ken Ball is leaving CSU to further his photography career. He cites the integration of the marketing website, the development of the CSU Contact Centre and the establishment of the CSU Outback Art School in Broken Hill as highlights of his time at CSU. Despite his burgeoning photography career, which includes three books and numerous exhibitions, he says he will always fondly remember his years at CSU. “It’s been great working here. CSU is quite entrepreneurial, the thinking here is different to a lot of universities which are set in a traditional mould and set in their ways. CSU is very responsive, and that makes the University what it is.”

A Federal Government inquiry into school students’ knowledge of Australia’s history has led to a new Charles Sturt University (CSU) history course for teachers being launched for 2007. Course coordinator and history and politics lecturer Dr Troy Whitford said there is a real gap in the knowledge students and teachers have about Australia’s democratic process and its history. “This course aims to address many teachers’ poor understanding of Australian history and help teachers to address the need to teach about Australia’s democratic processes and citizenship in their classes. The Graduate Certificate in History (Civics and Citizenship) relates to relevant sections in other teaching subjects for social science, geography and modern history giving graduates a big picture understanding, particularly in relation to the organisation and operation of the Australian democratic system,” Dr Whitford said. Enrolments for the postgraduate course, to start in 2007, will run until November 2006. The Federal Government will hold a summit on teaching Australian history in August this year.

Heather Bell has been appointed the Acting Head of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus. Mrs Bell has just returned from a six month placement at CSU Ontario where she worked as Campus Operations Manager, which was her role for the past five years at the Dubbo Campus. In announcing the appointment, Vice-Chancellor Ian Goulter congratulated Mrs Bell, saying “she will play an active role in strengthening the University’s links with the region and the delivery of service to the community.”  Mrs Bell says these are exciting times for the Dubbo Campus. “The Admin Focus conference saw over 100 CSU staff travel to Dubbo to see first hand the development that has taken place and that the construction is completed at Dubbo, we can cement our place in the CSU community as well as the Dubbo regional community.” She says she was delighted by the appointment. “Absolutely, I think I will now be well placed to encourage prospective students to visit the Campus and consider higher education, particularly those who may have left school a few years ago or those looking for state-of-the-art student accommodation.” Mrs Bell take over the role as Head of Campus from Professor David Battrersby who was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Ballarat University.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will present a free seminar on small business finance, in Orange on Thursday 12 September, as part of a series of Small Business Management Foundation Seminars. Course director for CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management, Dr Lan Snell will chair the seminar and said while small business funding options included venture capital and government grants, most operators looked to the bank. “This seminar provides participants with a greater insight into how banks assess risk,” she said. “It will give you hints and tips on how to mitigate these risks. It will also cover best practice in terms of cash flow management and other financial management issues.” NAB business banking executive Mr Will Armstrong will be a guest speaker at the seminar which is presented in conjunction with the Orange Business Chamber, NSW Business Chamber, Orange City Council and Orange Ex Services Club. “The Seminars will be short, sharp, and engaging sessions that address the challenges in small business management,” Dr Snell said. The topics include marketing, finance, and human resources.

Organisers of the annual BioBlitz are keen to see members of the Border community take part in scientific surveys of native wildlife found in national parks, reserves and private properties around Woomargama and Mullengandra, north of Albury. Ecologists from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Environmental Sciences will lead groups between Friday 6 and Sunday 8 September to survey native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, including endangered animals such as the Squirrel Glider Possum and the Spotted Quoll. Event coordinator Mr Sam Niedra from the Slope to Summit Partnership  (which includes CSU), said the weekend activities will include wildlife walks, talks, demonstrations and children’s activities, as well as a celebration of National Threatened Species Day on Saturday 7 September. “We are also holding a nature photography workshop on Saturday 7 September, run by experienced photographer Esther Beaton,” Mr Niedra said. The first day on Friday 6 September has been set aside for school groups, with the general community encouraged to enjoy free camping and facilities available around the Woomargama Community Hall and in the Woomargama National Park.