Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange has welcomed the return of its second-year physiotherapy students after they completed placements in clinics around the region. Physiotherapy lecturer Ms Kay Skinner from CSU’s School of Community Health said the course, now in its third year at CSU in Orange, has been enthusiastically supported by health services across NSW. “This is the third year of the four-year degree, so we will have our first graduates at the end of 2013,” she said. “But we have already developed strong connections in the region with health services that have traditionally had trouble finding enough physiotherapists to meet demand.” The most recent placements were designed to allow students to focus on mobility enhancement, including assisting patients regain mobility following surgery or a fall, or helping pediatric patients with limited mobility. “Physiotherapists often work with patients recovering from surgery or an accident and are a key part of the health system,” Ms Skinner said. “There is always very strong demand for physiotherapists in rural and regional NSW, and one of the great advantages of basing this course in Orange is that students who have spent four years in the region are much more likely to live and work here after graduation.”

The annual presentation of awards for sports and social groups at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be held at the Blues Ball at the CSU Rafters Bar on Tuesday 2 October. Student support officer Ms Jean Ryan, said, “It has been a very successful year for our sporting teams as well as many individual athletes. This year our social, cultural and faculty-based clubs will also be recognised. The guest speaker will be former Olympic swimmer Mr Michael Klim, and the Blues Ball will be attended by the Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU Professor Andrew Vann, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ken Dillon, and the Head of Campus in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp.”

Students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange are preparing for a two-week tour of New Zealand as part of their Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management. The course is one of only a handful offered in Australia and has been designed to prepare students to meet the critical shortage of skilled managers in the agricultural sector. The University’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences academic Ms Shevahn Telfser said graduates were in demand from agribusiness companies and major banks seeking employees with technical agricultural training and skills in business, management and finance. “The New Zealand visit will include tours of agricultural and commercial properties, and is part of our focus on ensuring graduates are work-ready and prepared for an international workplace,” she said. “Agricultural business management graduates are sought after and most of our students have secured jobs even before they complete their degree.” Students studying via distance education will join students studying at CSU in Orange for the tour, which is scheduled for early October.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a gathering in Port Macquarie on Thursday 11 October for its graduates who now reside in the city and on the Mid-North Coast. Ms Michelle Fawkes, Manager, Alumni and Philanthropy, in CSU’s Office of Corporate Affairs, said, “The cocktail-style event aims to encourage Charles Sturt University’s many alumni who live in the region to reconnect. The Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, and the Deputy Chancellor, Ms Kathryn Pitkin, will attend the event. Guest speaker for the evening is Ms Kylie Little, co-owner of The Little Brewing Company and a CSU graduate. Ms Little and her husband, Warwick, who is also a CSU graduate, will offer tastings of their product range at the event. Another graduate, Mr Cameron Marshall, ABC Radio Mid-North Coast Regional Program Manager and Breakfast presenter, will offer a toast to the University.” The Alumni gathering will be from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 11 October at 27 Grant Street, CSU in Port Macquarie. Send your RSVP here.

It’s Spring and the annual SPRUNG Festival of creative performances will be staged by third-year theatre/media students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst. A special preview was held at the University’s Truskett Learning Commons on Monday 17 September. The full season commences on Friday 21 September and runs until Sunday 30 at various venues at CSU in Bathurst. The Festival’s Mr Cameron Moor, said, “The SPRUNG Festival program is a showcase for final-year students completing the Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media) at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst. It presents 30 performances in 12 shows over nine nights at three venues. These creative works are for adults and young people, and cover a range of genres include film, performance, theatre and music. The festival aims to engage and entertain the University and Bathurst communities by demonstrating a range of innovative performances. There’s something for everyone, so come along.” More information on ticketing and venues can be found here.

Acting students from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) are to train in the Chekhov and Stanislavski technique with a Russian director with an unbroken link to the two great men themselves. Leonid Verzub was a long-term student of Maria Knebel, an assistant to Konstantin Stanislavski and friend and collaborator with Mikhail Chekhov, Anton Chekhov’s nephew. In 1979 Leonid Verzub was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Russia and Theatre Director of the Highest Category. He visited CSU’s Wagga Wagga campus yesterday (Monday 20 November) at the behest of his former student Dr Ashley Wain who is now a lecturer in the CSU’s VPA. Verzub was here to meet the acting and design students with whom he will work next year when he directs the Australian premiere of Stars in the Morning Sky at the Riverina Playhouse. “It is a really rare opportunity for the students to work with someone who is a master director in one of the strongest and richest theatrical traditions in the world,” said Dr Wain.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange is one step closer in its quest to recover 70 per cent of the solid waste generated on campus by 2014, with the completion of its new recycling plan. CSU had already re-tendered its waste collection contracts and redesigned the system of large collection bins on the campus, and has now introduced separate recycling and general waste bins throughout the staff areas and student residences. Campus Services Manager Mr Mark Chapman said the campus generated about six tonnes of solid waste a month, and the changes were designed to increase the share of waste recovered for recycling. “We currently recycle about half a tonne of mixed waste and another half a tonne of cardboard each month, or nearly 20 per cent,” he said. “The roll-out of separate bins will help us improve on this figure and work towards achieving our target.” The 70 per cent target is an initiative of CSU Green, which is responsible for coordinating the University’s sustainability efforts across all its campuses. Co-mingled recycling is now available on most campuses and drop-off points for recycling mobile phones are also available, with charities benefiting from the proceeds.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has won the prestigious team award for the third year in a row at the Australian Universities Crops Competition. Held at Temora from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 September, the competition saw students from five universities tested on everything from seed identification and grain grading to business management and production practices. CSU Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Ms Georgina Rees from Lara in Victoria placed second in the individual student category. She will now travel to the United States to compete in the crops competition at the Chicago Fair in November. Lecturer in crop agronomy from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Dr Sergio Moroni said, “The standard of competition was very high and being named as the top team for a third consecutive year is an outstanding achievement. It was pleasing to see the confident performance of the Charles Sturt University students during the event."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students are taking their interest in environmental sustainability to the next step through a training program to help them make a positive difference in the workplace. On Friday 21 September, 11 students, including two distance education students from Queensland, will take part in the Green Steps training program being held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga.  It’s part of a six day program during which students will learn how to conduct an environmental audit for waste, water, energy and carbon use.  Identifying incentives for organisational change and communication skills are also covered in the training. Ms Nicola Smith from CSU Green said, “Green Steps also offers students the opportunity to apply and develop these skills in a professional workplace through an internship program.” Green Steps at CSU is a partnership between CSU Green and the Monash Sustainability Institute.