Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS), based at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus, continues to influence ‘best water management practices’ across the globe. The economics of irrigation systems, climate forecasting and sustainable waste water irrigation and salt management techniques were closely examined by an official delegation of engineers from Argentina during a recent visit to the Riverina. Mr Horacio Diez from the Council of Federal Investment, Mr Juan Cristobal Acuna, Minister of Planning and Public Utilities, and Mr Salomon Lafi, Irrigation and Water Resources Secretary, were guests of CSU and the NSW department of Primary Industries. The party was also briefed on innovative research being undertaken at the EH Graham Centre, an alliance between CSU and the DPI,  before touring the olive oil research laboratory and a 100 year old olive grove located at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus.

Research to investigate whether liquid carbohydrates and protein combined with exercise can improve muscle growth is being carried out by Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher Dr Stephen Bird. He will test if the carbohydrates and amino acids commonly found in “sports drinks”, in combination with weights exercise, can influence the body’s hormonal response to improve muscle growth and reduce muscle breakdown. Dr Bird, from the CSU School of Human Movement on the Bathurst Campus, says his research needs “around 20 ‘untrained’ males aged 18 to 29 years. By untrained I mean those who haven’t or aren’t currently doing weight training. They will be asked to commit to participate twice a week for an hour each time, for twelve weeks, and they will be fully supervised by trained nutrition and exercise professionals during the study.” Volunteers looking for further information can contact Dr Bird on (02) 6338 4155.

Innovation in Australia’s agriculture, horticulture and wine industries will be showcased during a visit to inland NSW this Thursday 9 August by a parliamentary delegation from Morocco. The seven member party will tour the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. The Moroccan delegation, lead by the national Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Mr Abdelwahad Radi, will investigate managing and utilising water for irrigation, CSU research into crop root development and water use, forage evaluation and livestock nutrition. The group will also tour Australia’s only accredited laboratory for certifying olive oil exports. The delegation will later visit the Griffith and Leeton irrigation areas.

A group of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students are out to "put the sting" into their more fancied rivals when they compete in the water polo competition in the upcoming Australian University Games, to be held on the Queensland Gold Coast from 23 to 28 September. The CSU Bluebottles, comprising nine CSU students from its Albury-Wodonga and two from Bathurst campuses, boasts seven regular top grade players who have represented the Ovens & Murray Association, NSW and Australian Country Teams. In July, the Bluebottles walked away with a bronze medal at the Australian universities’ East Coast Challenge and are confident of an even better performance on the Gold Coast. Team captain Matt Hogan, who played for the last three years in England and before that had stints with the Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Dolphins in the Australian National League, said, "We are going to the Gold Coast confident in our ability to be competitive. After our top three finish in Sydney we can go to the Australian University Games believing we are a medal chance.” The Bluebottles are looking for support from the Border community to get to the Games. Anyone interested can send an email to csubluebottles@hotmail.com

Frost and fog greeted athletes on the first day of competition at the 2009 Eastern University Games that started at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Monday 6 July. The cool weather remained but cleared for the successful completion of all rounds of competition. Teams manager for the CSU teams, Mr Nik Granger, said that the more than 1 500 participants from 15 universities were assured that while Bathurst weather isn’t always like this, it could be worse. “At least it’s not windy and snowing,” Mr Granger joked. “Last week, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, suggested that the weather could provide our CSU teams with a home-town advantage, but I suspect that all the competing students come from such a wide range of geographical backgrounds that whatever the weather, it will still be a level playing field. Our main wish is that all the participants enjoy a wonderful competition and return safely to their home campuses with fond memories of their time at Bathurst and CSU.”

When three days of intense competition concluded in Bathurst yesterday, Charles Sturt University (CSU) was named the Australian University Sport 2009 Eastern University Games Overall Champions, for highest overall points scored by all its teams. CSU also placed third in the points-per-capita category. The Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Ian Goulter, congratulated the students and praised the organisers for the smooth management of the Games. “I am delighted that the Games have been staged here so successfully and thank everyone involved for a job well done,” Professor Goulter said. “I am particularly proud that Charles Sturt University won in the University’s 20th anniversary year, as well as winning gold medals in several individual sports. My thanks also go to Bathurst Regional Council and local businesses for their support for the Games.” CSU teams Manager, Mr Nik Granger, said “This is a great way to top off what has been a fantastic week of competition for our nearly 300 competing students who come from a number of CSU campuses. They have represented their University and participated in the right spirit, and should all be proud of their efforts. We would also like to thank the University for supporting this event, as it has been a great way to celebrate our 20th anniversary year by hosting – and winning - the games here in Bathurst.” The 2009 Australian University Games will be held on the Gold Coast from Monday 28 September.

Theo Barker was not only a much-loved member of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) community and Bathurst region, but also an eminent historian. The Bathurst District Historical Society (BDHS) declared him official Bathurst Historian and made him a Life Member in recognition of his “legendary” involvement in the Society over a period of more than forty years. He was also given the honour of being made a Life Fellow of Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE), having arrived at Bathurst Teachers College in 1956, eventually retiring in 1979 as MCAE’s Head of History and Geography. When Theo died in 2003 at the age of 84, the Theo Barker (1919-2003) Memorial Lecture was inaugurated by CSU and the BDHS. This month’s second Lecture in the biennial series will feature Dr Pamela Freeman, a winner of the NSW Premier’s History Prize. Dr Freeman will trace the way that Mary McKillop’s childhood influenced her work in Bathurst.

Ms Tarryn Clarke, a final year honours student in the School of Human Movement at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst Campus is seeking participants around Bathurst to take part in research into Type 2 diabetes. “I am investigating the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, which is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia,” Ms Clarke said. “I want to find out whether there are benefits of combining resistance training – that is, using exercise weights – in combination with a dietary supplement to improve participant’s sensitivity to insulin, glucose control and oxidative stress. If this research is proven correct, we might be able to reduce the incidence of diabetes and limit the progression of the disease and complications arising from it.” To conduct the study Ms Clarke is looking for sixteen males with type 2 diabetes aged between 40 and 60 years who have not used weights in the past six months. “They must take the dietary supplement for three weeks then commit to an acute resistance exercise session for four weeks,” Ms Clarke said. The participants will be supervised by individuals who are trained in resistance exercise training. For further information and register interest, contact Ms Clarke on telephone (02) 6338 4422.

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedies, depicting a naked lust for power at any cost. Written four hundred years ago, its central theme of power and ambition has contemporary parallels, making the play as relevant now as when it was first written. The University Theatre Ensemble’s production is directed by John Bolton, an award winning director from Melbourne, and features third year acting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU). The play is also designed and stage managed by final year students in CSU’s degree in design for theatre and television production. The play’s director John Bolton has taken an innovative approach to the play by producing a shorter, clearer, playful and vibrant piece of theatre working with the students to dissect the text and incorporate the motifs and symbols at the heart of the play.