Charles Sturt University (CSU) social researcher Dr Shelby Gull Laird has joined the local climate advocacy group Wodonga & Albury Toward Climate Health (WATCH) as a project partner. Dr Laird is a lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences and a member of CSU's Institute for Land, Water and Society. She researches the interac­tions of people with their environment through education, community engagement and even personal connections with nature. Last month WATCH received funding from the Our Place programto enhance its database for climate impacts. Dr Laird will also now provide academic guidance to the community group. "WATCH intends to increase its pool of database informants, incorporate data on adaption measures and post its database findings online," Dr Laird said. "It's hoped this will improve the quality and quantity of impacts data, increase the numbers of locals feeling engaged with climate change; and improve resilience to climate change as adaption success stories get shared." Dr Laird said she was very pleased to be coming on board in an advisory role and that she's looking forward to partnering with the community climate change group.

The organisers of the Tony McGrane Memorial Scholarship Dinner next Monday 15 September are honoured to announce that Mrs Ruth Shanks, AM, is the official guest speaker. Mrs Shanks was elected to the position of World President of the Associated Country Women of the World at the 27th Triennial Conference in Chennai, India, in 2013. Mr Geoff Wise, chair of the local organising committee for the Tony McGrane Memorial Foundation Scholarship for students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo, said, "Mrs Shanks is a long-term resident of the Dubbo district, and perhaps sets a precedent as the first Dubbo and Orana region resident to hold such a distinguished international role and responsibility. Mrs Shanks has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to her local, national and international interests. She has been a member of the Country Women's Association of New South Wales for 45 years, serving at both state and local levels, and has been a member of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) for 23 years. From 1995 to 2001 she was Assistant to the President of ACWW for the South Pacific, and from 2007 to 2013 was Area President for the South Pacific." Mr Wise said the Tony McGrane Memorial Scholarship Dinner aims to raise funds to support perpetual scholarships for full-time students from the Orana region who attend CSU in Dubbo. "Since the inception of the Scholarship Foundation, eight scholarships have been awarded to students from across the region," Mr Wise said. "Having a local person as our guest speaker who has demonstrated what can be achieved from both a personal and influential perspective is totally consistent with the vision of the late Tony McGrane and the aspirations of the Memorial Foundation Scholarships for local students." The Tony McGrane Memorial Scholarship Dinner at CSU in Dubbo is fully booked.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU's) Institute for Land Water and Society (ILWS) Director Professor Max Finlayson has presented a lecture as part of the Uniting Church's Murray-Darling Forum, Toward a new and risky path for the common good on Sunday 31 August in Albury. Professor Finlayson, a wetland ecologist, has extensive experience in Australia and overseas in water pollution, mining and agricultural impacts, invasive species, climate change, and human wellbeing and wetlands. The forum at Saint David's Uniting Church heard about the land and water issues in the Basin, including those covering water quality and quantity. Professor Finlayson said, "They also asked about the efficacy of environmental flows, water usage and the growing of various crops, the importance of irrigation for food security and whether all current farming choices were appropriate and how to deal with climate variability. The impact of change on the livelihoods and wellbeing of people across the Basin was considered with a strong emphasis on the need for pastoral and support for those most adversely affected. The discussions were held in an apolitical manner and showed the value of a dialogue and exchange of information about the choices we face and the consequences for the environment and people, and how these are interconnected."

If it's spring in Bathurst, it's time for the SPRUNG Festival at Charles Sturt University (CSU).The annual season of dynamic productions and performances by final-year theatre/media students at the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Bathurst under the SPRUNG Festival of Creativity banner will illuminate several on-campus venues from Tuesday 23 September for two weeks.The SPRUNG Festival coordinator, Ms Sarah Padget, said, "We have an exciting line-up of seven productions in the 2014 season that will provide audiences with opportunities to experience new and exciting work from emerging artists. While the Festival will be based at the Ponton Theatre at the University in Bathurst, performances will be staged at other on-campus locations including the state-of-the-art Creative Hub and several outdoor locations, enhancing the SPRUNG experience. The best thing about this year's Festival is that there really is something for everybody - from comedy, musicals and drama to outdoor spectaculars."The SPRUNG Festival will be launched at 6.30pm Thursday 11 September at The Elephant and Castle Hotel, corner of Keppel and Seymour Streets, Bathurst. There is free entry to the launch. Tickets for the Festival are available online via Try Booking, and at the door. Student and non-student tickets are available with special prices for those purchasing tickets to three or more exciting productions.

The Mid North Coast Science Hub, an initiative of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Mid Coast Connect, and the Macleay Valley Education and Skills Forum, will be launched at Kempsey Shire Council Chambers on Tuesday 2 September. The Science Hub has been established to unite local stakeholders, including educators and industry members with an interest in science, to promote science to more people on the Mid North Coast. Mr Johnathan Hewis, lecturer in medical imaging in the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU in Port Macquarie, said, "The Science Hub is an exciting development to promote interest and practical developments in science in this region. There are a wide range of science-based organisations in our community, many of which are little known, and businesses that are looking for opportunities to adopt and develop scientific applications. And unlike their metropolitan counterparts, students in regional communities often don't have the same opportunities to access science-based events. The Science Hub's first step to change that will be to stage a dynamic two-day Science Festival in November. Regional industry partners and science professionals from Charles Sturt University and the Australian Museum will lead a range of hands-on activities for primary and secondary school students which we hope will inspire some of them to pursue a career in science."

Pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are pledging blood for a national competition, the Vampire Cup from Monday 1 September to Monday 13 October. The annual competition for donations to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is the brainchild of the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA). Pharmers' Society at CSU in Wagga Wagga vice-president Jess Cole said, "Last year in the Vampire Cup, our Society attracted over 100 donations resulting in the club being presented with a new award, Young Blood. This year we would love the support of all our members and non-members. Donors need to register their support for Pharmers' Society at CSU in Wagga Wagga when making a donation".To donate, call 13 14 95 or go online here. The Wagga Wagga Donor Centre will have its mobile blood bank at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 23 September. The pharmacy program is a four year degree through the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) degrees in agricultural, animal, equine and veterinary sciences  will be on show at AgVision 2014 at Junee High School on Wednesday 3 September. Academics from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga will attend AgVision 2014 to provide information to high school students about the higher education opportunities available at CSU. They include: Professor of Agricultural Business Management David Falepau; Associate Professor in Veterinary Reproduction Scott Norman; Senior Lecturer in Plant Science Dr John Harper; Senior Lecturer in Animal Metabolism and Nutrition Dr Gaye Krebs, who will talk about a becoming a veterinary technologist; Senior Lecturer in Ruminant Health and Production Dr Alistair Smith; and Meat Quality Officer Mr Michael Campbell. Dr Smith, who will be joined by local dairy farmer Mr Sid Clarke at AgVision, will be promoting the roles that veterinarians play with farmers as part of the herd's 'management team'. "It is important that a dairy cow has a calf every year in order to produce milk and that in order to do that it is important that she is kept healthy and fed correctly," Dr Smith said. AgVision is held every two years and, as an Agricultural Careers Day, aims to inspire and inform Years 9 and 10 students about the range of careers available in agriculture, science and agri-business. Read more about AgVision here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will mark NAIDOC Day (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) with a special presentation on Tuesday 9 September. Aboriginal activist Dr Gary Foley will be the guest speaker on the topic 'Black Power from 1968 to 1972'. Dr Foley was instrumental in setting up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of the old Parliament House in Canberra in 1972. Mr John Nolan, community relations officer in the Office of Indigenous Affairs at CSU in Dubbo, said, "We're delighted that Gary will be able to join us to speak of his experiences and reflect on progress since that time and the many obstacles that remain. We're also pleased that this address will be available by video conference to staff and students on other Charles Sturt University campuses." Other activities start at 10am Tuesday 9 September at CSU in Dubbo, including a barbeque lunch organised by the Indigenous Student Centre. Dr Foley will speak between 1pm to 3pm.

The special dinner to raise funds for the Tony McGrane Foundation Scholarship for students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo has been boosted by the donation of a painting to be auctioned at the event on Monday 15 September. Mr Geoff Wise, Chair of the Tony McGrane Scholarship Organising Committee, said a painting by widely acclaimed Australian artist Mr Rex Newell has been generously donated by Sainsbury Automotive, Dubbo. "All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Tony McGrane Foundation Scholarship to support students from the Orana Area to meet their study costs," Mr Wise said. "Local fundraising and donations are generously supported by the University Foundation to provide at least one scholarship annually."The majority of tickets for the limited seating dinner have already been sold. Anyone interested in bidding for this painting is urged to promptly contact Ms Christine Stewart at the University on 0417 299 782 or chstewart@csu.edu.au to secure an opportunity to participate. Mr Rex Newell will personally deliver the donated painting to Sainsbury Automotive, Dubbo, on Monday 1 September, where it will be on display in their Honda showroom until the evening of the dinner on Tuesday 15 September.  He will be available in Dubbo for interview on Tuesday morning 2 September. Another of his paintings will also be available for sale.