Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will host an information day – iDay – on Thursday 25 June for prospective students interested to find out more about available courses. CSU prospective student adviser Ms Bernadette Gammon said the iDay is a chance for anyone curious about studying at the University in Port Macquarie to talk to lecturers and students from all courses. "This will be an exciting day because the three information sessions – at 10am, 1pm, and 5pm – will include a presentation detailing the new campus for 2016 and details about four new courses to be offered for the first time in 2016," Ms Gammon said. "Representatives of our on-campus services and student bodies will be present, and as will representatives of the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) who will deliver a presentation in the middle of each session and answer questions." The new courses for 2016 include the Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism), the Bachelor of Communication (Advertising), the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations). "The fourth course is the Diploma of General Studies which is a great course for those who didn't get an ATAR, or didn't achieve the ATAR they wanted," Ms Gammon said. "It is a pathway program that provides guaranteed entry to many Charles Sturt University bachelor degrees." Ms Gammon urged anyone interested to attend to complete registration for any of the session at https://www.csu.edu.au/contacts/iday-port-macquarie, or register on the day. "You can just attend on the day and register at the door," Ms Gammon said. "But registering prior to the event will save you time on the day, and help us know how many to expect." The iDay sessions at CSU, 27 Grant Street Port Macquarie, are on Thursday 25 June at 10am to 12pm, 1pm to 3pm, and 5pm to 7pm.

Operating radio trackers used for wildlife research and learning some of the finer points about feet are just some of the activities planned for Year 9 students when they visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga this week. The students from Finley, Billabong, James Fallon and Murray High Schools;  Oaklands Central School; and Wodonga Middle Years College will visit CSU on Wednesday 17 June as part of the Future Moves program.  Program coordinator Ms Ilena Young said the day will introduce students to university life. "The students will take part in hands-on activities, tour the campus and eat lunch in the student canteen," she said. "By giving students a positive experience we hope to encourage them to think of tertiary study as part of their future." Undergraduate students from CSU's School of Community Health and School of Environmental Sciences will also lead some of the activities and share their experience of university life. Future Moves is a federally funded initiative, run through CSU and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

The growing need for more accessible recreation and tourism events will be discussed at a public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst this week.Manager of Event Access and Inclusion, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Mr Paul Nunnari and Director Easy Access Australia Publishing Mr Bruce Cameron will present a three hour seminar on Wednesday 17 June from 9.30am, hosted by the CSU Faculty of Education.The seminar is designed to raise awareness of a growing but largely unrecognised population base of less able people keen to participate in recreation, tourism, social activities, festivals, celebrations and community events. Participants will be introduced to key issues including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, what constitutes inclusive and accessible recreation, tourism and events, and how to make accessibility a part of business.The seminar is open to the general public, businesses and media. To RSVP email soteoffice@csu.edu.au

Possum skin cloaks and Indigenous art are part of the Marra Marra Badhang exhibition at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst to celebrate 2015 NAIDOC. Head of Campus Professor Jo-Anne Reid invites the community to attend the opening ceremony at 10am Monday 22 June, or visit the exhibition during the week. "NAIDOC is an important annual national event and the University is proud to celebrate it," Professor Reid said. "We are holding it early so as not to conflict with other planned NAIDOC events in July. This will be a very interesting exhibition, and I am delighted to invite the community to participate. It will commence with a 'smoking ceremony' conducted by Aboriginal Elders, and the curator of the CSU Art Collection, Mr Thomas Middlemost, will speak about Indigenous artworks in the University collection at the exhibition opening." The possum skin cloaks that have been made by Elders in Bathurst as a gift to the city for its 200th anniversary were made as part of a partnership project that commenced in November 2014 between Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, the Bathurst Wiradyuri and Community Elders, and Bamirra Arts. The 2015 NAIDOC Marra Marra Badhang exhibition at CSU in Bathurst is open from 10am Monday 22 to Friday 26 June during business hours at The Grange (building 1205) at CSU in Bathurst.

Ecotourism is a growing niche market in global travel and a free public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 10 June will explore the concept of ecotourism and what it means for local communities.  Associate Professor Rosemary Black from CSU's School of Environmental Sciences will explain the principles underpinning ecotourism. "Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel and should follow specific principles," she said. "However, the jury is still out on whether ecotourism delivers all it promises to tourists, the environment, communities and the economy." As part of the lecture, Professor Black will share her recent experience studying ecotourism in Africa. The public lecture is part of CSU's Explorations Series and will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the Glasshouse Theatre meeting room on the corner of Clarence and Hay Streets in Port Macquarie. Tickets are available from the Glasshouse Box Office. Read more about Professor Black in CSU News here.

Almost 30 school students from around the state will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 4 June to experience life as a university student. Students from 13 schools will participate in a MyDay for those interested in careers in education and. Students will participate in hands-on workshops, meet CSU students and academics, and tour the campus and accommodation. MyDay events are held across CSU to help future students gather the information and experiences they need to find the best course for them.

The Biggest Morning Tea co-hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PM-HC) on Thursday 28 May raised $500 for the Cancer Council. More than 30 elderly local residents attended and a similar number of CSU students enjoyed the morning tea which was served by members of the Student Representative Council. CSU student liaison officer Ms Clara Koch said, "The co-hosted morning tea was a delightful event. The University encourages its staff and students to participate in community and charity events as a practical demonstration of its commitment to the health and welfare of our communities. The associated inaugural cup cake competition between the University and the Council to see whose personnel can bake the best cup cake was fun, despite Council winning first, second and third places. The University's cake bakers will strive to improve their cup cakes next year!" The judges for the competition's final tasting (pictured) were Head of Campus, Professor Heather Cavanagh, the Mayor, Councillor Peter Bessling, and the president of the Country Women's Association branch in Port Macquarie, Ms Alice Miller.

Year 9 students from three regional high schools will participate in day-long Future Directions Workshops at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 4 June. Approximately 120 students from Orange High School, Parkes High School, and Kandos High School will share a memorable and interactive taste of university life while exploring ideas for their futures. Future Directions program coordinator for CSU in Bathurst, Mr Ben Morris, said events like this are an excellent way to start a conversation with students about their aspirations for further education. "After their workshop experiences students are often heard to say, 'I never considered university but now I really want to go'," Mr Morris said. The students will tour the campus and residences, explore the university library, and will have lunch in the student dining room. They will participate in two hands-on 80 minute Faculty-based activities delivered by CSU lecturers for courses including paramedics, nursing, theatre/media, personal development-health-physical education (PDHPE), and human movement studies. The students then finish the day with a question and answer session led by the student leader team who understand the transition from school to university. Future Moves is a federally funded initiative, run through Charles Sturt University and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

The Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriam Dayhew, has been named as the new Deputy Chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina. The Hon. Warren Truss MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, announced the three-year appointment of Ms Dayhew to the position. Ms Dayhew joins the new RDA Riverina Chair, Ms Diana Gibbs. These appointments will provide leadership for the 12-member RDA Riverina committee. Ms Dayhew has held the position of Head of Campus since late 2013. She is also the University Ombudsman. "Being part of the RDA Riverina is a great privilege. This group has a very strong reputation for supporting and developing services in the Riverina through connecting communities, business and government to projects, programs, services funding and to other people," Ms Dayhew said. "Working with the other highly talented members of the RDA Riverina to build partnerships and to be responsive to local priorities building economic initiatives is a challenge that I believe will be satisfying and fulfilling."