Indigenous girls from two high schools in Albury and Wagga Wagga will take part in a camp designed to build their awareness of culture and higher education.The 20 students from Year 10 at Mount Austin and Murray high schools will attend the cultural careers camp, being organised by Charles Sturt University (CSU), from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 November.The event at the Borambola Sports and Recreation Centre is part of CSU's Future Moves, a program designed to encourage school students from regional and rural areas to attend university.Future Moves' Ms Lyn Cooper, said, "This is a chance for the Indigenous teenagers from different schools to explore their culture and their future in a fun and supportive environment."The students will take part in activities, such as kayaking and rock climbing, to build self-esteem and will be inspired by the journeys of other Aboriginal women."The girls will work with local artists, Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre and CSU staff and undergraduate student leaders on a range of activities and workshops over the three days.An 'Inspirational Women's Dinner' will be held from 6pm on Wednesday 23 November for the school students, community members, local Elders and CSU staff.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a University Day event for high school students in Years 10 and 11 from across the central and far west at its campus in Bathurst on Thursday 17 November.Prospective student adviser Ms Melinda Negus said, "We will have approximately 230 students from eight schools visit the campus. Students will receive a taste of university life, with campus tours, study skills sessions and 'Preparing for University' workshops, as well as some activities and entertainment on the library lawn for students to enjoy during their breaks."These sessions and workshops will give students a great start in to their HSC study and beyond into university by learning study skills and strategies, as well as an introduction into how to research, compare and prepare for university during their final years of school. Bringing students to Charles Sturt University in Bathurst for these activities will give them an idea of what university will be like for them in the future."Students from schools in Gulgong, Cobar, Wellington, Dubbo, Molong, Mudgee, Denison College Bathurst High School and All Saints College Bathurst will attend CSU in Bathurst from 9.50am to 2.40pm.

Academics and actors will come together at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga this week to inspire high school students to think differently about science and history.On Thursday 17 November, 25 Year 8 students from Wagga Wagga High School will attend a workshop explaining the science behind historical events like the bubonic plague.Academics from CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Animal and Veterinary Science will be joined by CSU Bachelor of Stage and Screen (Acting) students from the School of Communication and Creative Industries to bring history to life, all with a scientific twist."Our aim is to show these high school students that science can be fun and that has an influence on all aspects of society, both in the past and today," said Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam, a senior lecturer from CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences."This is not a regular laboratory session, with the help of actors in costume we will take the students on an interactive scientific journey through history."The program is an initiative of Dr Vanniasinkam, senior lecturer in plant science Dr John Harper, lecturer in acting for stage and screen Dr Dominique Sweeney and Wagga Wagga High School history teacher Ms Trish Henderson.The workshop will run from 10am to 12noon at the National Life Sciences Hub at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) accepted a generous donation from a Junee woman on Thursday 10 November to help with the funding of research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Mrs Margaret Flagg presented a cheque valued at $2 200 to the Head of the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences Professor Rod Hill.Mrs Flagg lost her 70 year old husband, John, to MND in November 2014 and has raised the money through community events such as a luncheon, bowls day and raffles."My husband was diagnosed with the disease in 2011," Mrs Flagg said. "I promised him I would continue my family's efforts to raise awareness of this dreadful condition as well as raise funds to help researchers working in this field."MND is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease affects the motor neurones that control the muscles which allow people to move, speak, breathe and swallow.  Professor Hill said, "Charles Sturt University is very grateful for the support of Mrs Flagg."Several researchers, including myself, are working in the general field of neuroscience."MND and other diseases of the nervous system seem to have common links where certain genes appear to have altered or messed up function. "Degeneration of the nervous system can have devastating effects.  Our researchers are trying to discover what is going wrong with these genes."

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) new campus in Port Macquarie will be officially opened by the Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP on Thursday 17 November 2016.Mr Hartsyker is the Member for Cowper and Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and will be joined by CSU Chancellor Dr Michele Allan at the opening which will take place from 12pm to 2:30pm at CSU in Port Macquarie next Thursday.The official opening will be followed by more celebrations including a Schools Day for local year 7 high school students on Friday 18 November and a Community Open Day from 10am on Saturday 19 November.Head of Campus for CSU in Port Macquarie, Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "The official opening of our Major Innes Road campus is the culmination of five years of determined hard work and represents, to date, a $27 million investment by the University and a $20 million investment by the federal government in this region."Charles Sturt University already contributes significantly to the economy of the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area and we only expect this to increase over the coming 10 years."Having Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie is helping to establish our city as the centre for higher education and research on the Mid-North Coast."On Saturday 19 November, we invite all the community to come and explore our campus at Lake Innes. From 10am take the time to enjoy guided tours, food, entertainment and presentations about the courses on offer and the exciting plans for future development of the campus and facilities."CSU in Port Macquarie currently has more than 550 undergraduate students studying on campus and employs 93 people. With new courses available in 2017 and international students set to join the cohort for the first time, student numbers are expected to increase.CSU is a leader in regional higher education, offering people across NSW the opportunity to access professional education regardless of background or location. CSU's courses, graduates and research help our communities to thrive and prosper economically, socially and environmentally.

Art lovers in Wagga Wagga will have the opportunity to learn of Islamic art from Australian perspectives in a special free lecture series in November and December presented by a CSU expert.Dr Sam Bowker, lecturer in art history and visual culture in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga, will deliver the five lectures over consecutive Monday evenings at the Museum of the Riverina's Historic Council Chambers.Dr Bowker said Islamic art spans over 1 300 years from Spain to Indonesia, and includes objects, architecture, textiles and calligraphy in many languages."It's the most global genre in art history, and it's complicated. I'm giving these lectures for armchair travellers who would like to appreciate some of the most beautiful things in the world."Most of the time I teach Australian, European, and Renaissance art for Charles Sturt University. But over the last few years I've been researching the art history of the Egyptian tentmakers. This led me to realise that many Australians have limited access to Islamic art, but we are curious about it. Only one Australian public gallery displays it regularly, and Charles Sturt University is now the only Australian university that offers an online subject in Islamic art and design for undergraduates."My lectures for the Museum of the Riverina are the same lectures that my students receive for the subject ART240: Introduction to Islamic Art and Design. Because this subject has considerable public interest, I'm extending an invitation to anyone who would like to attend." Dr Bowker was raised with an awareness of the complex history of the Middle East as his family worked for the Australian government in Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Jerusalem."Islamic art is an important part of that history, and we don't often see it here," Dr Bowker said. "This lecture series is a good way to understand aspects of the world that we don't often see on TV or in the newspapers - both in the past and present. I'm interested in challenging myths and expectations about this field - like the simplification that images of people are 'banned', or that you need to be a Muslim or speak Arabic if you want to study Islamic art, or that all the best artworks were made centuries ago, or that it's all religious stuff. Those claims are nonsense, and that's why I designed this subject."The series begins at 5.30pm Monday 21 November and concludes on Monday 19 December. Details can be found here: http://www.museumriverina.com.au/events/encounters-with-islamic-art

Produce sourced from the Riverina will feature strongly in the annual Vintage Dinner at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 11 November.Hosted by the Head of Campus for CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew, the four course meal begins at 7pm with canapés and sparkling wine on the lawn under the lemon scented gum trees, originally planted by Mr William Farrer more than 100 years ago.Food and beverage services team leader at CSU in Wagga Wagga Mr Toby Perry said, "We're using Riverina ingredients within each of the four courses, including Charles Sturt University olive oil, antipasto from Griffith, local Artisan bread, apples from Batlow, Hampden Bridge bacon, grass-fed beef and honey sourced from the region."There'll be dedicated Charles Sturt University wines to accompany each course of the dinner, which is being held at the CSU Convention Centre."A team of more than 24 chefs, waitpersons and wine servers will cater for the Vintage Dinner."In addition to the wine and food, live entertainment for the evening will be provided by Wagga Wagga jazz groove quartet, Captain Sassy Pants.  Ms Dayhew said, "This will be a wonderful event to celebrate community, high quality food and wine and great music. I welcome members of the wider community to come and enjoy this annual celebration."Tickets are $98.00 per head and can be booked online through Try Booking here.Two shuttle buses will provide transport from the city to CSU from 6.30pm and return at approximately 12.15am. Further details of the bus routes are available here.For further information about the Vintage Dinner, please contact Ms Patricia Schipp on (02) 6933 2292.

More than 700 students from 14 Riverina region schools will take part in the Australian Museum's Science on the Road program at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 November.The primary and high school students will learn how to collect forensic evidence from a crime scene;  attempt to erupt a volcano; learn the basics of nursing such as hygiene and cardio pulmonary resuscitation; and develop their own computer game, animation or website.Australian Museum's Manager Science Engagement and Events Ms Catherine Beehag said Science on the Road aims to bring science, in all its forms, to regional and rural NSW."Our goal is to make sure the students who attend are so engrossed in what they are doing and experiencing that they forget that they are actually learning about science. "We want the children who love science, of course, but we also want those students who think that science is boring and uncool. We aim to change that with our programs," she said.Ms Beehag said one of the most popular events in the Science on the Road is the Starlab Planetarium, a giant inflatable dome that allows the students to immerse themselves in the exploration of a galaxy, while traveling through time and space.Activities include: CSI World, Indigenous Science and Bushtucker, Spin Science, Nursing Needs You, Waterbug Watch, Worm Detectives, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters Show, Starlab Planetarium and Code Club.The full program is available here.

A new exhibition has opened at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga exploring a modern interpretation of South East Asian Peranakan inspired design through flora, fauna and cuisine.The exhibition, Reflection: My Peranakan Journey, is the work of Bachelor of Creative Practice (Honours) student Ms Kerri-Anne Chin.The numerous art works include motif designs and a large scale replica of a traditional Peranakan house. Lecturer in graphic design from the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Dr Belinda Paulovich, said "As graphic designers we're often asked to remove ourselves from our own social and cultural positions, experiences and biases, and view the world from the perspective of our client, our audience or our end-user."However, in this exhibition, Kerri-Anne has done the complete opposite."She reflects inwardly, considers the world from her own social and cultural position and displays a range of designs to present her experience of culture."In doing so, Kerri-Anne asks us to question the meaning of culture in our own lives."The free exhibition runs until Friday 11 November in the School of Communication and Creative Industries, building 21, near car park 5, Darnell-Smith Drive at CSU Wagga Wagga.