A survey about weight issues and obesity in Cootamundra by two Charles Sturt University (CSU) students has led to an initiative to encourage men to take practical steps towards a healthier diet. Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) students Ms Alana Hosken and Ms Lara Williams surveyed Cootamundra businesses and health professionals and members of the wider community on their opinions and current knowledge of weight issues and obesity in the Cootamundra population. As a result of their findings, the Cootamundra Community Health delivered a free cooking class on Monday 24 May to encourage men to eat healthier. “In our survey Cootamundra men knew the chronic health issues associated with obesity and agreed some practical cooking skills will help address the problem,” Ms Williams said. “The cooking class was very successful, with 19 people in attendance. The men indicated they learned from the education session and cooking demonstration,” Ms Hosken said.

The retiring NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Nicholas Cowdery, will deliver a public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 3 August. Ms Kath McFarlane, lecturer in justice studies at the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Bathurst, said, “We are delighted that the Charles Sturt University Occasional Lecture series will host Mr Cowdery to speak about Human Rights and Law and Order Politics. Mr Cowdery has had a distinguished legal career and his perspectives are often controversial. This timely free public lecture will be of interest to University staff, students and members of the Bathurst community alike.” The free public lecture will be delivered on Tuesday 3 August from 5pm to 6.30pm in the main lecture theatre (Room 2.23) in building S15 at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. Light refreshments will be available after the lecture.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) adjunct lecturer is shedding new light on dark matter, which makes up most of the Universe. Dark matter remains a mystery with no convincing theory ever having been put forward to explain its existence, according to Dr Allan Ernest from the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics. He says scientists struggle to explain dark matter and they need to use ideas that involve new, ‘made-up’ physics or as yet unknown, undiscovered particles. Dr Ernest says, “My theory uses well known physics and ordinary particles. When applied, ordinary matter can be made invisible by putting it into the right ‘state’, producing the dark matter halos of galaxies in the early universe. It’s a hypothesis that seems to be able to explain almost all of the observations of dark matter”. Dr Ernest along with Dr Matthew Collins will present the theory at the upcoming 18th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation in July.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will welcome visiting representatives of the British Council (Australia) on Thursday 7 June. Lecturer in the School of Communication Ms Fiona Green will highlight CSU’s features and student talents to Council representatives Mr Christopher Wade and Ms Grainne Brunsden during a tour of the Bathurst Campus. “The British Council wants to make the educational opportunities they’re offering to talented young Australians more widely understood so more people from right across Australia can take advantage of them,” Ms Green said. “They know many of the future cultural leaders of Australia are studying and working outside the coastal cities so their visit to CSU is part of a drive to get more of these people to apply for their scholarships and awards.”  Included are a $30 000 postgraduate award in the creative industries for someone aged 30 or below, and six ‘Realise Your Dream’ UK mentoring opportunities worth $10 000 each for 21 to 28 year olds studying or working in the creative industries.

The newly appointed Director of the National Wine & Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus, Dr Thomas Henick-Kling, says he wants to enhance the recognition of the NWGIC as a national and international leader in grape and wine quality research. Dr Henick-Kling is a wine microbiologist with commercial and experimental winemaking experience in Germany and Australia. He also headed the wine research and extension program at Cornell University in New York State, USA, for 20 years. Other aims include improving collaborations with other research groups from Australia and overseas, and increasing CSU’s research capacity in wine flavour chemistry and wine microbiology. According to Dr Henick-Kling, “Together with our industry and research partners, the NWGIC will develop the knowledge and train the workforce that the Australian wine industry will need to continue its success into the next 50 years”.

Students on the NSW North Coast can look forward to increased options and opportunities in higher education when TAFE NSW North Coast Institute and Charles Sturt University (CSU) sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding in Port Macquarie on Friday 23 July. CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers said the arrangement focuses on academic collaboration, including integrated programs that combine TAFE and university qualifications. “The agreement will increase the number and range of formal study pathways and articulation arrangements between the two institutions, which will allow students to complete a university degree without moving away from home,” he said. Institute Director for TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, Ms Elizabeth McGregor said that the MOU would support Commonwealth Government initiatives aimed at developing a more highly qualified population in regional Australia. “The local Education and Skills Forum is developing a collaborative approach to expand tertiary education on the North Coast, and TAFE NSW North Coast Institute and other forum members welcome Charles Sturt University’s decision to join us in these efforts,” she said.

Participants from Charles Sturt University (CSU) recently returned from a three-day OzGreen YouthLead workshop in Sydney. Thanks to sponsorship from CSU Green, one student and one trainee attended the conference “to gain leadership training and learn more about eco-social projects that forge pathways to sustainable futures,” said CSU Green manager Mr William Adlong. Ms Lucy Denniss-Arnold, a trainee at CSU, attended the workshop and was impressed with the calibre of young people who also took part. “Never have I been in the presence of a more compassionate, kind, welcoming group of people. They made the workshop a joy.” Ms Denniss-Arnold found the course inspiring and moving. Mr Adlong said that CSU Green may look to continue offering the sponsorship in future years. “It engages participants deeply with sustainability issues and builds commitment to take actions that make a difference.”

Visiting UK historian Professor Clyde Binfield will speak about renowned architect Edwin Lutyens at a public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Friday 6 July. Lutyens buildings are found in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, the United States and India. Presented in association with the Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society Riverina Inc. and Wagga City Council, the lecture will explore the rise, fall, and rise again of Lutyens’ reputation. Professor Binfield believes architecture should be read, explained and enjoyed, and, he says, for the historian, there can be no such thing as a boring building or a dull place.

When you’re buying trees to plant on National Tree Day, Sunday 1 August, it’s essential to ask some questions, says senior lecturer in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences Dr Geoffrey Burrows. “When buying native plants, it’s important that seed used in propagation comes from the local area,” Dr Burrows says. “For example, the Yellow Box eucalypt occurs naturally from Queensland to Victoria, but if you collect seed from somewhere other than your region, it means you are introducing genes that wouldn’t normally find their way to that place. You’re actually genetically polluting the local landscape.” Dr Burrows suggests shopping at a nursery that specialises in native plants where they are more likely to gather seed from the local surroundings. “You just need to ask if the seed is local before you buy the plant - that way we can naturally increase native biodiversity within the local area on National Tree Day.”