In 2005, then 20 year old Mr Josh Bullock was given a lift to his Dubbo real estate job by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member and in conversation mentioned he would have liked to be a teacher but did not do well in the Higher School Certificate. By the time he had closed the car door and walked into work, he had new aspirations to complete a degree in teaching. Mr Bullock paid his way through his CSU Bachelor of Education degree working as a plumber’s labourer and now has a full-time teaching job at Wellington Primary School. Lecturer in Teacher Education, Ms Maria Bennet says Mr Bullock can graduate with pride. “Josh was always keen and passionate about what he was doing and very involved in the whole uni process and furthering his career,” she says. “It’s great to see Josh fulfil his dream of working in education. He has the right qualities to be a fantastic teacher.” Mr Bullock will attend the CSU Graduation ceremony in Dubbo on Wednesday 24 March along with 94 fellow graduates.

Leading Australian energy supplier Country Energy has sponsored the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Remote Telescope by installing a dedicated high speed fibre optic line stretching 1.5 kilometres to enable students around the world to study the universe as seen from the Southern Hemisphere. The initiator and administrator of the CSU Remote Telescope, Associate Professor David McKinnon, from the School of Teacher Education in Bathurst, said the generous offer by Country Energy ensures the viability of the long-running project by providing up-to-date technological links to the Internet. “Country Energy has taken the ‘long view’ to assist starry-eyed school students everywhere. I’m over the moon! The in-kind support consists of plant labour and parts, which is mainly an optical fibre cable backbone link and termination devices. This will ensure faster and more secure download times and viewing opportunities for students,” Professor McKinnon said.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) justice studies lecturer will be locked up in a Bathurst shopping centre as part of the Time 4 Kids campaign to raise awareness and funds for youth intervention programs operated by the local Police-Citizen Youth Club (PCYC). Dr Diane Solomon-Westerhuis from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Bathurst will be temporarily detained in the Bathurst City Centre shopping complex from 1pm to 2pm on Thursday 15 April and is seeking donations for her $500 ‘bail’ to assist the Time 4 Kids program as part of National Youth Week, which runs from 10 to 18 April. Dr Solomon-Westerhuis said, “Time 4 Kids and similar programs can be significant turning points in young people's lives, giving them opportunities they may not otherwise experience. The hard-working PCYC volunteers and staff are to be congratulated for putting in the effort to promote Time 4 Kids, so we should give as much as we can to support them - and to get me out on bail!” Contact Dr Solomon-Westerhuis on (02) 6338 4648 to pledge your support to raise her ‘bail’, or contact Bathurst PCYC manager Mr Matt Brealey on (02) 6331 2191 or 0407 226 202. All donations are tax deductible.

Ms Kath Read has travelled from South Australia to take part in residential classes in Orange as part of her distance education studies in Ecological Agricultural Systems  at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Tired of sitting at a desk in her career as a successful graphic and web designer, Ms Read decided to quit her job and complete a permaculture course in Adelaide. Having gained the certificate, she has now moved on to a degree which she hopes will see her consulting in third world countries, ensuring farms can be more sustainable. “If you want to get somewhere and be taken seriously, I think a degree is the best thing you can do,” Ms Read said. “By coming along to the residential classes, I can meet like-minded people taking the course, and bounce ideas around before heading back home and continuing my studies.” Residential schools for distance education courses are taking place on CSU campuses across central and southern NSW throughout the week.

A visiting international expert on the transition of children from preschool to formal schooling will discuss the effects on children of starting school in a seminar to be hosted today, Wednesday 7 April by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Professor Inge Johansson from the University of Stockholm in Sweden will speak on Transition from preschool to school: some experiences from Sweden and future challenges at the seminar to be held at the CSU Murray School of Education in Albury-Wodonga. “In Sweden, nearly all children go to preschool before they start school up to the age of six years, moving from one state of familiar surroundings to new experiences, from one educational culture to another,” Professor Johansson said. “How does this affect the children and their forming of identity? What is the role of parents and teachers in the transition? What can we learn from research in this field and what are the challenges for the future?” Event organiser Professor Bob Perry said Professor Johansson’s visit highlights the importance the Murray School of Education places on bringing international expertise to regional Australia.

The highest academic accolade open to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate will be presented to an Information Technology (IT) specialist from Wagga Wagga. Mr Greg Smythe, Operations Manager for the Riverina Media Group will be awarded the University Medal by the Chancellor Mr Lawrie Willett, AO during a ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Thursday15 April. Mr Smythe will receive the Medal as he is awarded his Bachelor of Information Technology degree. The CSU graduate manages the operations department of the Riverina Media Group in Wagga Wagga and helps maintain the IT infrastructure for locations across south-western NSW. “I found the information technology course challenging but, thanks to a passion for this area and a very understanding family, I managed to successfully complete this course by distance education,” Mr Smythe said. The University Medal grants special recognition to CSU graduates whose academic performance is ‘superlative’. “Mr Smythe has been outstanding in achieving and maintaining High Distinctions throughout his CSU studies. I am confident that he will continue his exceptional academic performance in the Honours course in which he is now enrolled,” said Courses Manager Dr Tanveer A Zia from the School of Computing and Mathematics at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

The effective management of diabetes, one of Australia’s major health problems, will come through input from a range of health professionals, not just a general practitioner (GP), says Professor of Rural and Remote Pharmacy Patrick Ball of Charles Sturt University (CSU). In response to the Federal Government’s plan to keep the growing number of diabetics out of hospital, Professor Ball said one-on-one professional input from diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are needed to tackle the health problem. “While additional resources are welcome, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s plan seems to lack a clear appreciation of how the outcomes will best be delivered, particularly in inland Australia,” Professor Ball said. “While the GP must always be kept in the information loop, routing all the resources through already over-worked general practices is unlikely to be the best way to achieve the outcomes for which the government is aiming.” Professor Ball believes the successful control of Type 2 Diabetes requires that the diabetic takes their prescribed treatment but successful management also requires a change of diet and lifestyle.  “This has to come from the person, the family and the community.  How can one person change their diet if the rest of their household will not?  How can people walk more if we don’t have safe streets and pavements?” questioned Professor Ball.

Parents of Newcastle senior high school students will be able to discuss life after high school with regional university advisers at the Hunter School of Performing Arts on Wednesday 21 April. Local mother of two, Ms Brenda Powell, whose youngest son is in Year 12 at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, believes the session will be of great benefit to anyone with a senior high school-age child. “It’s a great opportunity to look at the alternatives to our closer universities,” she says. “I don’t think a lot of people realise that regional universities can give their children a fantastic university experience. Living away from home means students can immerse themselves into university life and develop skills they wouldn’t necessarily get if they were living at home and just visiting the campus to attend lectures.” The Parent Information session is part of the Regional Universities Road Show which sees Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University and the University of New England pooling resources to bring university information to those who need it.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Dubbo City Council (DCC) will renew their cooperative agreement when representatives sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CSU in Dubbo on Wednesday 31 March. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, said, “We are building on the strong foundation of the existing MoU to continue important collaborative work to benefit regional Australia. Under the MoU, the University and Dubbo City Council will enhance each other’s strategic direction. Our focus is on sustainable economic, environmental and social development within the local government area and broader region. In particular, we are keen to explore and maximise opportunities that mutually benefit communities, businesses, government and Indigenous agencies in Dubbo.” The agreement will be signed by Professor Goulter and the Mayor of Dubbo City Council, Councillor Allan Smith, in the presence of CSU’s Head of Campus in Dubbo, Dr Bev Moriarty, and Councillor Matthew Dickerson, a member of the CSU/DCC Working Party.