Prominent Australian author and social commentator Dr Hugh Mackay (pictured) will deliver an Exploration Series public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Monday 9 November.Dr Mackay will consider the nature of communities, social cohesion, and the concept of connectedness, as explored in his latest book The Art of Belonging, in which he proposes it's not where you live, but how you live.Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "Dr Mackay's presentation is the fourth lecture in the Explorations Series in Port Macquarie for 2015. These public lectures aim to share the latest thinking with the community and encourage people to think about issues facing society today. As a social researcher and author Dr Mackay has published 16 books, has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt University and three other universities. I encourage all to attend for a thought-provoking presentation."This free CSU Explorations Series public lecture will be at The Glasshouse (level 2, meeting rooms) on the corner of Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie, from 5pm to 7pm Monday 9 November. Tickets are free and available now from the Glasshouse box office.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will showcase the education of the next generation of health science and allied health professionals on Monday 2 November.Federal Assistant Minister for Science, The Hon Karen Andrews MP, will join localMP and Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, The Hon Sussan Ley, on a tour of the University's Centre for Community Engagement and Wellness, a purpose built primary health care facility for key allied health professions.Head of the School of Community Health at CSU in Thurgoona, Associate Professor Megan Smith, said "We are particularly looking forward to the Ministers' visit, as their portfolios of science, health and aged care align well with the work we are undertaking at the facility".Open to the public for consultation and treatment for a range of health conditions, the Centre is part of CSU's School of Community Health which provides training opportunities in a team-based clinical environment for podiatry and physiotherapy students.

A specialist wine testing laboratory is moving into the Cellar Door at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange to service the Central West wine industry.With the Cellar Door closing to the public at the end of week, the space at CSU in Orange is being leased to Vintessential Laboratories. Once a laboratory fit-out is complete, the ISO17025 accredited operations are planned to commence in January 2016.Vintessential also operates laboratories in wine districts in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. The company offers a range of testing services for wine, cider, beer, water and plant material. They will also sell laboratory consumables, and winemaking products such as yeasts and enzymes.Vintessential was founded in 1995 by Mr Greg Howell - a graduate of the wine science degree at CSU. Mr Howell said "We are thrilled to partner with Charles Sturt University to help support the flourishing wine industry in the Central West."CSU Chief Financial Officer Mr Paul Dowler said, "As an institution focused on research, teaching and learning, Charles Sturt University is keen to foster strong industry engagement in a manner that supports the Central West region."However, CSU continues to offer its stock of boutique wines online and through its Experimental Winery at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Wagga Wagga Cellar Door remains open for business.Mr Dowler said, "Plans are in place to develop a Shiraz and Chardonnay through the experimental winery with the 2016 vintage to be available later next year.CSU farewells Winery Marketing Manager Mr Justin Byrne at the end of the week. He will continue his involvement with the University's new business model by developing online material.Mr Jeff Clements, from Western Regional Wines, will service customers in the Central West as well as the Blue Mountains.The Cellar Door at CSU in Wagga is in building 404, near car park 11, McKeown Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga. It is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm and 11am to 4pm on week-ends. Please call (02) 6933 2435 or go online here.

The Border region is hosting film premieres with a difference as students from three local high schools examine how university education can help Australian communities be more sustainable.The five short films have been produced from photos and video footage taken by students as part of the Learning Communities project run by Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Institute for Land, Water and Society.In a 'trip of a lifetime' nearly 300 Year 10 and 11 students from Murray and James Fallon High Schools and Wodonga Senior Secondary College travelled for five days to speak with representatives from CSU in Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne and Deakin universities.They also met environmental champions from Sea Shepherd, Environmental Justice Australia, Voices of the Valley and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and learnt how they could help address sustainability problems, regardless of the career paths they chose.CSU lecturer Dr Marie Sheahan said, "The students saw first-hand how university courses and their careers can have lasting influences on the sustainability of the community, particularly in ensuring all citizens have access to caring professionals who can help them."The next film by Year 10 students from Murray High school will be launched with their parents and friends at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from 6pm on Tuesday 27 October. All films will be shown free to the public at the Flourish Festival being held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona on Saturday 14 November, starting at 2pm.

The broad scope of occupational therapy (OT) as a key health profession will be on display during the annual conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga.The final year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy students from the University's School of Community Health are hosting the conference, Under the Umbrella: The Scope of OT from 8.30am to 5pm on Thursday 29 October.As part of their four-year degree, 29 students are involved in the event and will speak on topics about which they're passionate. The conference is open to local health practitioners as well as the wider community. The conference will cover topics such as upper limb assessment and interventions, paediatrics, issues facing new graduate OTs, mental health and rural practice. Keynote speaker is Ms Leah Wiseman, Senior Occupational Therapy Manager with Albury Wodonga Health.The 20 minute student presentations will be delivered from 10am in the Community Engagement and Wellness Centre, building 715, Ellis Street, near car park 8 and the Clinical Skills Centre, building 667, Bromfield Circuit, near car park 8.The conference is being held during OT Week 2015 from Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 October. The occupational therapy students at due to graduate from CSU in December.

An exhibition of works by 11 final-year graphic design students is on display at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October. EXPORT is the 2015 graduate exhibition of multiple works by Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design/Photography) and Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga. Lecturer in graphic design Dr Belinda Paulovich said EXPORT is a diverse showcase of multi-disciplinary graphic design practice that captures the collective creativity of the graduating students. "This exhibition represents the culmination of several years of hard work and illustrates the talent, skills and expertise of the group as they transition to professional practice," Dr Paulovich said. "I congratulate the students on the perseverance, dedication and professionalism they have demonstrated in making this exhibition happen, and I wish them all the very best in their future endeavours." The exhibition was formally opened on Friday 16 October by Dr Neill Overton, CSU senior lecturer in art history and visual culture and course director for the Master of Creative Practice. The opening night was well attended by staff, students, their families and friends. The EXPORT exhibition is at the HR Gallop Gallery (building 21), Darnell-Smith Drive (off car park 2) at CSU in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October.

Funds raised by students and staff who recently competed in the Amazing Race at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be presented to representatives of Daffodil Cottage on Friday 23 October. CSU Head of Campus in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid said, "The community of Charles Sturt University in Bathurst was galvanised by the offer of a matching donation for the first $2 500 from an anonymous donor. This brings the overall total of this fundraising event to $8 921.20. Setting a challenge for students and staff like this was an inspired move, and although he wishes to remain anonymous, our sincere thanks and admiration go to this donor, whose connections with the University and Daffodil Cottage have been of enormous benefit to both." Professor Reid will present a cheque for $6 421.20 to representatives of the Daffodil Cottage Building Expansion Project Fund Raising Committee Mr Doug Kinlyside and Mr Robert Rawlings, and Ms Desiree Burgess, Daffodil Cottage Unit Manager. Ms Monica White and Ms Alesha Elbourne from the top fund-raising team the Creative Comm-rades will also be present to represent staff and students, along with Dr Jae Major, Associate Professor Jane Mitchell and Dr Matt Winslade, members of the event-winning team the Terrific Teachers. The presentation is at 10am Friday 23 October at Rafters (building 1413) at CSU in Bathurst.

A seminar will be held in Canberra on Friday 23 October to examine the relevance and importance of humility to modern life.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will officially launch its newest massive open online course (MOOC) at Denison College at Kelso in Bathurst on Thursday 29 October. CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said the What's Uni Like? MOOC aims to build students' pre-tertiary achievement levels and explore aspects of the transition to university. "The What's Uni Like? course is accessible, self-paced, and addresses the key areas of academic writing and reading, student expectations, digital literacy, and online learning skills," Professor Coyle said. Project Lead, Mr Josu Abrego-Sanz, said, "The MOOC is being promoted to Australian universities, other higher education providers, and to high schools and TAFEs across the nation with the aim that  it will be used as a resource to broaden participation in Australia's higher education sector." The project was funded by the federal government through its Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) to help increase participation in tertiary education by students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. What's Uni Like? is informed by current research and best practice, and in particular by the national Office for Learning and Teaching-funded project on the Effective Teaching and Support of Students from Low SES Backgrounds. It involves collaborative work with partners in the HEPPP-funded CSU Future Moves program, including government and independent schools and the Department of Education and Communities. What's Uni Like? was also introduced at the recent Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success (STARS) conference in Melbourne.