Project management students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst are helping a local business prepare for the onset of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Students from the School of Marketing and Management will be presenting their ideas for strong brand positioning for Accessible Living Options (ALO) to the Chief Executive Officer Ms Cheryl Keogh and five members of the ALO Board on Wednesday 3 June. "Working on a real project for a real client is the best way for students to learn the intricacies of marketing and project management," adjunct lecturer in Marketing, Communications & Project Management Mr Andrew Mashman said. "With the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme funding at ALO fast approaching it is important for the business to have a strong, viable plan for brand positioning to help their clients get the most of their service." 34 students will present their ideas as six teams on Wednesday 3 June at CSU Bathurst. Local media are invited to attend.

High-achieving students were presented with scholarships and prizes at a special ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Tuesday 26 May. Four students received scholarships offered through the CSU Foundation, and nine students received prizes for outstanding performance in their respective studies in Schools in three CSU Faculties (Arts, Business, and Science). Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie, Professor Heather Cavanagh, welcomed the students their families and guests, and CSU academic leaders who made some of the presentations. These included CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann, the acting Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Arts, Professor Tracey Green, and the Associate Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science, Associate Professor Lyndall Angel. Professor Cavanagh said, "Charles Sturt University, and our donors, are committed to providing all students with the opportunity to access higher education and reach their full potential. It is important that we provide regional and low socio-economic students with the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere."

High school students will experience a wide range of allied health programs available at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga from 9.30am to 2pm on Thursday 28 May. The University's School of Community Health will host a MyDay for more than 90 students from schools in Albury, Moama, Wagga Wagga, and Wodonga. MyDay aims to showcase CSU courses to high school students who have expressed a particular interest in an area of study. During the day, the students will be involved in practical sessions to showcase programs including physiotherapy, health and rehabilitation science, podiatry, speech pathology and occupational therapy. The students will also hear from CSU staff about entries and pathways into the University, scholarships, and international study opportunities through CSU Global.

A re-worked version of The Bacchae by ancient Greek playwright Euripides will open at the Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 26 May. The play has been developed and is performed by third-year theatre/media students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, and is directed by lecturer Mr Adam Deusien. "This production of The Bacchae is a reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy that interrogates a contemporary world obsessed with the 'self'," Mr Deusien said. "The original play deals with an ancient Greek god who feels he isn't being worshipped properly, but this relationship to the gods is a bit outdated in our increasingly secular world. What we wanted to propose is that we have replaced any sense of spirituality with a worship of self, and that we are more interested in self-promotion than self-investigation. When we are stuck in a world of all heat, but no light, what are the results?" The 80-minute long CSU production has a vibrant and exciting design that draws heavily from pop culture and fashion, and showcases many of the physical and creative talents of the theatre/media students. The Bacchae plays at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434), CSU in Bathurst, from 7pm Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May, with a 1pm matinee on Saturday.

The annual Bathurst Winter Feast at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is on Friday 19 June. Head of Campus Professor Jo-Anne Reid said the Bathurst Winter Feast is an opportunity to celebrate the food and wine of the region and highlight the skills of CSU staff. "The whole idea of a Winter Feast is attractive, and we are excited that it has grown so successfully over the past few years," Professor Reid said. "It's a great way to brighten the winter, connect with old friends and contacts, and make new ones. The food will be prepared from excellent regional and seasonal produce, and the wines are outstanding." The CSU catering team have designed a special degustation menu matched to a range of new and old Charles Sturt wines. These include the 2010 Reserve Sparkling (awarded Trophy for Best Sparkling at the 2015 Sydney Royal Wine Show), and a selection of Museum wines. The CSU Winery team will be on-hand to host the evening and introduce the wines. Tickets are $90 and can be purchased on (02) 6933 2435, or csuwinery@csu.edu.au, or online winery.csu.edu.au. Numbers are strictly limited. The venue is Rafters, in building 1413, near car park 26, at CSU in Bathurst.

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will band together on Friday 22 May to create a wildlife corridor to assist local birds. The wildlife corridor at CSU in Orange will help birds to complete their foraging circuit around the dam. The tree planting event has been organised by lecturer at the University's School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences Dr Cilla Kinross, with the support of CSU Green."I noticed when I was doing my PhD in Orange that many of the birds would come to the end of the small existing windbreak, then turn around and head back. Alternatively, they had a long flight to the next windbreak. Neither of these options are efficient and having a full circuit means less energy expended on 'travel' and more on the good stuff like food," Dr Kinross said. CSU staff and students will gather from 9.45am to 12pm on Friday 22 May 2015 at CSU in Orange  to help create the wildlife corridor.

Students studying history at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be given an expert guided tour of the historic 'first settlement' precinct of Bathurst on Thursday 21 May. PhD researcher and lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mr Sam Malloy, said the excursion ideally suits the subject's learning objectives which concentrate on the social and political influences of Australian history from 1788 to 1901. "With 2015 marking the 200th anniversary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaiming the site of Bathurst, this excursion will form a valuable 'public history' aspect to the students' studies," Mr Malloy said. "I hope other history classes, including primary to secondary schools, will take advantage of this new opportunity to explore one of Australia's most historic sites." The tour will be led by historian and adjunct senior lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Robin McLachlan, who has been instrumental in highlighting the historical significance of Bathurst's 'settlement site'. He has researched and written interpretative panels and an illustrated guidebook, From Flag Staff to Town Square, which focuses on the history of the site during its period of colonial settlement. Dr McLachlan, said, "Sam's class outing is demonstrating how the settlement site, with its interpretation signage and other features, such as the exhibit of maps and pictures in the Bathurst City Community Club, together with the Flag Staff, is now akin to an open air museum, or perhaps an outdoor history classroom."

After 14 years as a paramedic in NSW, Mr Phillip Ebbs has a wealth of experience that he's keen to share in his new role with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie.  Before taking up the role of senior lecturer in paramedicine, Mr Ebbs worked as a paramedic and manager across Sydney and regional NSW, attaining the rank of Superintendent and recently spending 12 months as an Acting Assistant Commissioner. He has been a member of NSW Ambulance Incident Management Teams for a number of operations, including the Lindt Cafe siege and the recent Hunter storms. Mr Ebbs said he's looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of his new role on the Mid-North Coast. "As part of the School of Biomedical Sciences I'll be supporting paramedics and managers in Australia and internationally as the profession meets new challenges associated with a changing scope of paramedic practice, new opportunities in health technology, national registration for paramedics, and increased requirements to work seamlessly with health and emergency service partners." Mr Ebbs assisted with the introduction of world leading stroke, mental health, cardiac, trauma and sub-acute care programs across regional NSW, particularly in the Hunter and Mid-North Coast.  He has also volunteered in Papua New Guinea, and has flown as a paramedic on helicopters in New Zealand during a paramedic exchange program.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will co-host a Biggest Morning Tea fund-raiser for the Cancer Council on Thursday 28 May. Head of Campus of CSU in Port Macquarie Professor Heather Cavanagh said CSU staff and students are encouraged to participate in community and charity events. "We see this as an important part of the university's commitment to the health and welfare of our communities, and indeed all of Australia," Professor Cavanagh said. "However, this year's Biggest Morning Tea here has a twist. We will not only be joining with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to raise money for this great cause, but we will be competing with each other for who can bake the best cake. The Council have a battle on their hands!" CSU and Hastings Council will taste-test their cupcakes and submit their best for judging. The Mayor, Councillor Peter Bessling, Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Heather Cavanagh, and the president of the Country Women's Association branch in Port Macquarie, Ms Alice Miller, have agreed to be the judges for the competition's final tasting. As well as staff and students, elderly residents from the local area will be invited to visit CSU to make a gold coin donation for a 'cuppa and cake'.