Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario is offering a final opportunity for students to train to be a teacher in just nine months. From September 2015, new government rules will mean that anyone interested in becoming a teacher in Ontario will have to complete a two-year training program. But Program Director for the Bachelor of  Primary Education Studies (BPES) at CSU in Ontario, Ms Paige Bennett said there's still time to enrol for condensed teacher education, to finish in May next year. "There is a significant advantage, both financially and time wise, to completing your teacher training in nine months," she said. "Many of our teacher candidates are changing careers and they want the flexibility and proximity that attending a local campus provides. Our graduates are highly regarded by the local school boards and the proof is that our alumni are getting teaching jobs even in this competitive market." Classes for CSU's Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) through the School of Education begin on Monday 18 August 2014 and finish on Friday 6 May 2015. Applications for the program are being received until Tuesday July 15 and can be lodged online. "The application process takes into consideration academic achievement and work with children along with youth and other related professional experiences," said Ms Bennett. The University is hosting an information session on Thursday 22 May from 7pm at CSU in Ontario, 860 Harrington Court, Burlington. CSU also offers a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and Master of International Education (School Leadership).

Scholarships worth over $300 000 will be presented to 90 Charles Sturt University (CSU) students in Wagga Wagga from 4pm on Wednesday 21 May. The prizes, in recognition of students academic excellence and personal achievements, include cash awards from local councils, international corporations, local businesses, community groups and individuals. Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare) student Ms Theresa Singhdeo has been awarded the Job Centre Australia Disability Scholarship. "At school I'd been told I wasn't smart enough to go to university but now years later I'm studying via distance education and loving it," she said. "After experienceing years of domestic violence, I'm passionate about supporting other women and this scholarship will help me study to gain the skills and qualifications I need to do that." It will be the last student scholarship ceremony officiated by CSU Chancellor Lawrence Willett, AO in Wagga Wagga, ahead of his retirement in late 2014. Read more about CSU scholarships here.

The influence of wine packaging on the behaviour of shoppers will be raised during the latest free seminar from the School of Psychology at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 21 May. The University of South Australia's (UniSA) Professor of Wine Marketing Larry Lockshin will speak on Shopping behaviour and the influence of packaging with a focus on wine in the seminar from 4pm to 5pm in room, 216 in building 26 atCSU in Wagga Wagga. Professor Lockshin said, "Shopping is one of the main activities for consumers and comprises over 30 per cent of Australia's GDP. The presentation covers recent research, which shows shopping is mainly a top of mind activity with little cognitive thought. Therefore, many marketing activities aimed at in-store shoppers are ineffective. The second part of my presentation covers four different experiments focusing on different aspects of packaging: What are the most important packaging elements that influence consumer recognition? What is the effect of shelf information on consumer choice? What is the effect of non-price promotions in wine stores? How much does the taste of wine matter in wine choice?" Professor Lockshin is UniSA's Pro Vice Chancellor Strategic Coordination and Head of the School of Marketing. He has spent more than 20 years working with the wine industry, first as a viticulturist and now as a marketing academic and consultant. The University's School of Psychology offers undergraduate and post-graduate studies in psychology, and may be studied on campus or by distance education. Read more here.

Teacher education students will read to school children at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo as part of the 14th National Simultaneous Story Time on Wednesday 21 May. Students studying the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) at the CSU School of Teacher Education will read Too Many Elephants In This House by Ursula Dubosarsky to approximately 71 Year-1 students from Orana Heights Public School in-step with thousands of students across Australia. Ms Anne McLeod, Faculty of Education acting Director, Professional Experience Unit and Transition Coordinator (Dubbo), and coordinator of the event at CSU said, "The National Simultaneous Story Time initiative encourages more Australian children in grades F to six to read and enjoy books. Our first-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) students need to contribute to community engagement as part of their course, and the National Simultaneous Story Time is a great opportunity to do this." The reading will take place in the CSU library (Interactive Learning Centre, building 901) at 11am Wednesday 21 May. Orana Heights Public School students will arrive at 10.15am and conclude their visit at 11.45am. Education students from TAFE Western's Dubbo College have been invited to attend also. As part of the NSW government's Great Teaching, Inspired Learning, partnerships are been brokered between schools and universities. Each CSU campus where teacher education is taught has organised Professional Experience Advisory Boards to engage in educational discussion and support for the community in which they exist.

The risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. or while tired, are being brought home to students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) during a drug awareness campaign until Friday 6June. Organised by the University's Health Promotions Service, the campaign involves parking damaged motorbikes and cars at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga. Health Promotions Officer at CSU Ms Coleen Pearce said, "These vehicles, which are on loan from local businesses, have been sign posted and cordoned off. They aim to show students what can happen if they drink and drive or take drugs and get behind the wheel. The awareness campaign supports the Plan B road safety campaign."

For the second year in a row, paramedic students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) volunteered to provide valuable support as medical responders for the recent Toyota Ironman Australia event in Port Macquarie. Thirty first and second-year paramedic students and two paramedic academics from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences worked closely with private paramedics, doctors, and nurses to care for spectators and any of the 1 700 athletes injured or requiring other medical care before, during and after the race. The paramedic students provided medical first response from motorcycles, assistance from three dedicated private ambulances, first aid to spectators and the public, and took care of athletes in the medical tent. Mr Joe Acker, senior lecturer in paramedics at CSU in Port Macquarie, said, "The students and staff contributed over 250 hours of medical volunteer time to Ironman, and I was so proud to see our students in their CSU paramedic uniforms willing to do anything and everything to make this event a success. This was an invaluable inter-professional learning experience for our paramedic students because they had the opportunity to work with experienced doctors and nurses in a complex team environment. Not only did they get to work behind the scenes at a world-class athletic event, but they were also able to see the tremendous value of volunteering in their community. They all gained hands-on experience while giving something back to their community." The paramedic students treated injuries and conditions that included oyster shell cuts, chest pains, dehydration, hypothermia, spectators who tripped and cut hands and face, bicycle crashes with abrasions and lacerations, strains and soft tissue injury, head injury, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, spectators who fainted, and a child with an allergic reaction.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) paramedic students will teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at several CSU Community Heart Safe Events in Bathurst in May. First-year paramedic students from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences supervised by lecturers will conduct the sessions, with the first event at the village of Perthville on Friday 16 May. Paramedic lecturer Mr Brian Haskins, said, "It is so important that as many people as possible know how to perform CPR, and we are delighted with the community interest in this program. The Perthville First Responders group has even purchased their own defibrillator (AED). I urge people to make the time to stop by one of these events to become familiar with the simple but lifesaving techniques. It doesn't take long to learn, or to possibly save a life. No previous skills or experience are necessary." The CSU Community Heart Safe Events are: 4pm to 5.30pm Friday 16 May at the Perthville Community Hall. CPR and AED (defibrillators) for Perthville First Responders. 10am to 3pm Saturday 17 May at the Family Fun Day at the Bicentennial Peace Park (at the children's playground, down by the river) William Street, Bathurst. 1pm to 3pm Monday 19 May at the Kelso Women's Group, Kelso. 4pm to 6pm Tuesday 20 May at the Bathurst District Prostate Cancer Support group.  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students and staff will undertake a training program to foster a culture that is inclusive of people who are of diverse sexuality or gender identity will be held at CSU in Albury on Friday 16 May. The Ally Program, launched last month by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann, will establish a network of allies who publicly support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI). Student equity and diversity officer, Ms Chai Palila, said, "The Ally Program is in place in a number of universities in Australia and New Zealand and we are very excited about its launch at Charles Sturt University. This is about supporting a higher education environment that is inclusive, safe and respectful of all people at the University." The Ally Program is an initiative of the University's Office of the Dean of Students.

Scholarships will be presented to Charles Sturt University (CSU) students next week to mark their academic excellence and personal achievements. A total of 31 academic scholarships will be presented to students at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday 20 May.Officiating at his last official ceremony at the Albury-Wodonga campus ahead of his retirement in 2014, CSU Chancellor Lawrence Willett, AO will welcome prize winners and donor representatives as well as family and friends and CSU staff. Winner of the 2014 David Battersby Award for Student Citizenship, Mr Lewis Tinley, will also give the vote of thanks on behalf of fellow scholarship winners, whose prizes will include cash awards and accommodation from local councils, international corporations, local businesses, community groups and individuals from Albury-Wodonga and surrounding districts. The ceremony will commence at 5.30pm on 20 May in the Boardroom, Gordon Beavan building (673), CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Leahy Street, Thurgoona. Read more about CSU scholarships here.