An analysis of 14 existing studies on Echinacea, published last week in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, shows that the herbal remedy can cut the risk of catching a cold, and reduce the severity of a cold by up to a day-and-a-half. This comes as no surprise to Dr Philip Kerr, lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry at Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. “I’m a tincture rather than tablet man myself,” says Dr Kerr. Echinacea supplements are available as tablets, extracts, tincture, tea and even in fresh juice. He adds it should be taken, “At the very first sign of feeling a bit off.” Dr Kerr says to watch for the “tingle on the tongue” as a sign of an effective Echinacea remedy. Echinacea effectiveness can be reduced by “the process by which the plant extract has been prepared, and which variety of the plant has been used,” Dr Kerr said.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member has shown a clean pair of heels to be crowned 2009 world champion long distance mountain runner in her age group. Competing as part of the Australian women’s team in the World Long Course Mountain Marathon 2009, held in Söll, Austria, Ms Colleen Middleton from CSU at Albury-Wodonga was placed first in the 45 to 49 year women’s age group and eighth overall in the women’s section and was a member of the second-placed Australian Women’s team. “It was a terrific experience to stand on the podium as part of the Australian team, and a real thrill to finally cross the finish line after the hard climb up that mountain,” said Ms Middleton, who ran the steep 42 kilometre course high in the Austrian Alps in just over three hours 50 minutes.

A major exhibition showing the early stories of migrants to Australia in the last century has been developed by Ms Bridget Guthrie at Albury LibraryMuseum, with research assistance from Associate Professor Bruce Pennay from Charles Sturt University (CSU). For over 25 years, objects owned by former residents of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre have been collected – photographs, toys, books, clothing and appliances. These have been gathered into a series of displays, including a large cabinet made from old suitcases, to go on show. The exhibition, titled The Bonegilla Story, is a permanent display to be opened by the Mayor of Albury City, Cr Alice Glachan, at 6pm on Thursday 19 November at the Albury LibraryMuseum, Kiewa Street, Albury. Professor Pennay will also give a guided tour of the exhibition with Ms Guthrie, starting at 11am on Saturday 21 November.

Three Charles Sturt University (CSU) professors will discuss the evolution of the ideas of Charles Darwin at a commemorative inaugural lecture and dinner in Bathurst on Tuesday 24 November. The inaugural Somerville Lecture is in honour of Professor Warren Somerville whose collection of world-class specimens is housed at the Bathurst Fossil and Mineral Museum in Howick Street, Bathurst. Professor Somerville will be one of the speakers, and the others are Professor Nick Klomp, Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science and Adjunct Professor David Goldney, a former lecturer and noted environmental consultant. “This will be a wonderful occasion, as it marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species on the 24 November 1859,” Professor Klomp said. “This book, as much as or more than any other, has changed the way we understand life on Earth. It is an honour to share the podium with Professor Somerville and Professor Goldney on this historic anniversary.”

Four staff members of Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be recognised for their long service to the institution, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, at a formal luncheon to be held on Thursday 19 November. Mr Mark Carden, a senior manager with the Division of Student Administration, will be recognised for 30 years of service to CSU and its predecessor institutions and local communities. Associate Professor John Atkinson and Mrs Susan Petzke from the Faculty of Business and Mr Philip Sefton from the Division of Information Technology will also receive awards for 20 years service. All are based on the Albury-Wodonga Campus.

Keen to pursue a career in early childhood or teaching? Information sessions will be held this week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Graduates and students will be on hand to talk about their experiences, as will the Head of School, Associate Professor Will Letts, and other CSU staff to explain the programs and entry requirements. The Program Director of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Dr Pat Dickinson, says, “Students, who have completed a two-year Early Childhood Diploma at an Ontario college with a B-average, can now complete the four year Honours Bachelor degree with two years of full-time study at Charles Sturt University. The course is one of only a few available in Ontario which provide early childhood educators with full credit for their two year diploma. As with the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies, this course has both Australian and Canadian faculty offering broad experiences to these students.” Read more about the CSU Ontario School of Education here.

People who rely on their voices for their livelihoods, such as teachers, singers and auctioneers, can receive assessment and care for the vocal tools of their trade at a free clinic in Albury starting in November. Speech pathology professionals from Albury Hospital and Charles Sturt University (CSU) along with CSU students will collaborate to offer an 'Intensive Voice Management Clinic' consisting of an assessment and five therapy sessions over three weeks. The sessions will be conducted by voice specialist and speech pathologist, Dr Alison Winkworth, and Albury Hospital senior speech pathologist, Ms Rebecca Clear, together with CSU final-year speech pathology students using the latest voice assessment and therapy technology. The clinic is due to start with an assessment session on Monday 23 November. Potential clients can contact Ms Clear on (02) 6058 4565 or email her rebecca.clear@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au .

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is providing scholarships in 2010 to assist students to meet the costs of study. CSU Equity Scholarships (CSUES) worth $2 000 a year are open to undergraduate or postgraduate students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Indigenous Access Scholarships (IAS) are valued at $4 253 for Indigenous students enrolled in courses on campus or by distance education. Recipients of the IAS also automatically receive a four year Commonwealth-funded scholarship. CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers says the scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. “The scholarships reflect CSU’s commitment to enhance the communities of rural, regional and Indigenous Australia by making it possible for a greater number of students to participate in tertiary education,” said Professor Chambers.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and international computing giant IBM have announced a scholarship and internship program that will see CSU information technology (IT) students gain invaluable industry experience with IBM in Bathurst while completing their degrees. Initially six students will receive scholarships from IBM while they work for 40 weeks part time with the global information technology provider, developing skills in application development and maintenance and IT helpdesk support. “This program provides an exciting opportunity for the University’s students to engage with one of the world’s leading corporations in providing quality courses and graduates for the information technology industry,” said Professor John Hicks, Dean of CSU’s Faculty of Business.