An historic documentary exploring Muslim people through Australian history is the subject of a free screening in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 18 August. Highlighting Australia’s first interaction with Muslims, the Macassans, who travelled and traded well before European settlement, the documentary chronologically navigates the milestones for the Muslim community post-European settlement. The film captures the ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity of Muslims Down Under, and tells the stories of Muslim pioneers and their descendants, beginning with the pivotal role the Afghan camel herders played in the development of outback Australia, to the successful integration Muslims have made into modern Australian society. In the Footsteps of the Ancestors: Muslims Down Under by Ms Nada Roude can be seen at the Riverina Playhouse from 6pm. The event is hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in association with the Islamic Council of NSW.

Five outstanding Riverina high school students will embark on a multicultural experience of a lifetime when they represent the Charles Sturt University (CSU) at the World Youth Leadership Conference at Burlington, Canada from 27 April until 6 May. Vanessa McCormick, Amanda Dacey, Murray Le Lievre and Ryan Smith from Mount Austin High School and Kooringal High School’s Tara Bryan will meet with Head of CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus Professor David Green on Friday March 23 at 10am. The theme of the 2007 conference is “Youth Leading Communities - Making a Difference”. Over one thousand young people from around the globe will explore issues surrounding culture, social planning, economics, government and the environment. The Riverina students will be accompanied to the conference by former Mount Austin High School Principal Dennis Bishop.

Places are still available for a new course directly addressing the shortages of doctors and dentists in inland Australia. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) new Clinical Science degree, launched by CSU in 2006 and offered from the University’s Orange Campus, allows students to complete a degree specifically designed to prepare students for graduate entry into medicine or dentistry. Under a collaborative agreement signed with the University of Sydney (USyd), a number of rural and regional students from this course are eligible for facilitated entry into dental and medical degrees at USyd. Course coordinator Dr Debbie Burton said the course will see regional would-be doctors and dentists begin their training in regional Australia. "This is a great opportunity for suitable regional people to access a career path that they might not have previously considered," Dr Burton said. Further details on the CSU Clinical Science degree are available from Dr Burton on (02) 6365 7828.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a political forum as part of the Political Market Day for students on its Bathurst Campus from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 7 March. The political forum is organised by the University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) in consultation with the Head of Campus at CSU Bathurst Professor Greg Walker. It will include a cross section of representatives of political parties including Liberal, Labor, Nationals, Democrats, Socialist Alliance and Greens. “CSU supports and encourages informed debate on a range of social and political issues and given that this is an election year, we consider it important for our students to engage with and participate in the election process,” Professor Walker said. The event will include information stalls, speeches by politicians and candidates, live music and a barbeque.

Music, sunset and the leafy surrounds of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will set the scene for a recital by members of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music as part of the public lecture series hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU).  The ‘Music under the leaves’ recital, on Friday 4 November, will feature works for a combination of flute, guitar, violin, viola, bass, drums and vocals. Musicians Mr Jeff Donovan, Ms Tamaris Pfeiffer, Ms Lauren Davis, and Mr Brett Thompson will perform along with jazz ensemble The Conmen. Ms Davis said the informal setting means families will be able to come along and enjoy the recital. “This is a wonderful opportunity to sit outside and listen to a wide variety of music in a beautiful location,” she said. “As a musician it is a good way to reach a wider audience and promote a greater interest in music.” CSU wine and cheese will be served after the performance.

The pressures facing girls from intense marketing, popular culture, technology and the ‘cult of celebrity’ will be among the issues discussed during a free public forum to be held in Wagga Wagga this evening, Tuesday 25 October. Hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council, the forum will hear from a panel of local experts on the topic, What’s Happening To Our Girls? The forum is part of the Edversations Professional Forum organised by the School of Education at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The discussion will be held from 6pm to 8pm in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street in Wagga Wagga. The members of the panel are: social work lecturer Ms Ruth Bailey from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga; Principal of Wagga Wagga High School (WWHS) Mr Michael Powell; WWHS 2012 School Captain Ms Laura Byrne; and allied health professional from Riverina Headspace, Ms Jessica Samways.

Resources collated in a national education project, to be launched in Canberra on Wednesday 26 October, will provide a major boost for early childhood education students says Professor Sue Dockett, project team leader from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Murray School of Education. “Funding for the Early Childhood Education Workforce Project was available for only a limited time, so it has been really important that the outcomes of this project are sustainable. Although funding for the collaboration will finish, the resources will have a life of their own. They will have an influence far beyond the life of the project and will be freely available across the country. Regional and remote communities, in particular, will benefit in lots of ways. The studying teachers are working in communities where there aren’t many educators and they should feel valued and important. This project recognises the value quality educators give to a community. They can upgrade their qualifications and stay within their chosen community It’s a chance to look at career options without necessarily having to change location, so quality education is accessible and the profession is gaining and retaining the best qualified educators.”

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Contact Centre (CC), located at the Bathurst Campus, was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's 2006 Team Award for Performance Excellence in a ceremony last night (Monday 26 February). Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said, “This annual award recognises and rewards outstanding contributions to the achievement of CSU’s objectives and priorities. My congratulations and sincere appreciation goes to the CC team, and to all nominees for their ongoing contribution to CSU’s community.” Manager of the CC Ms Kerry Browning said, “We are delighted to be recognised for our contribution to CSU. It reinforces that we are one University working to achieve common goals.” The CC provides a first point of contact for prospective students seeking information about courses, fees, scholarships and accommodation. In 2006 they handled approximately 155 000 enquiries by phone, email and on the Internet.

The role of trade unions in vocational training is the topic of the first international visit to be hosted by Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Centre for Organisational Performance, Ethics and Leadership (OPEL) in 2007. International human resource management academic, Professor Jonathan Winterton is a Professor of Human Resource Development and Director of Research and International Development at the Toulouse Business School in France. He will give a seminar on trade union approaches to vocational training on the Wagga Wagga Campus at 12noon on Wednesday 28 February. In conjunction with the European Union and its agency for vocational training, Jonathan has helped develop the European Credit Transfer System for vocational training and developing improvements to training systems in Lithuania and Turkey.