A project developing models of health care that work for specific needs of rural and remote communities is nearing completion. Dr Julaine Allan from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences conducted research into why Molong and Canowindra have relatively good health services compared to other towns of a similar size. She says “confusion” over State and Federal government health services, and local communities being excluded from the decision-making process, can contribute to the inconsistency of health services from town to town. “Health services can also develop historically. A service tends to stay put. So, one town will have something that another town doesn’t, just because it has always been there,” said Dr Allan. “Next I want to look at small towns which are seeing increasing numbers of disadvantaged people moving in because of cheaper rental prices. They bring with them a greater need for health services. I want to work out what is the best use of limited resources in a large area.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Luke Tooze’s Australian Idol odyssey has come to an end. The 21 year old guitarist/singer made the top one-hundred list, but was knocked out of the popular television show at the latest round of auditions in Sydney. Luke, a second year teaching student at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus, performed the classic Whitlams song Buy Now, Pay Later, a decision that didn’t pay off when the show’s panel of judges axed his act. Luke admits he was disappointed, but adds he has walked away buoyed by the experience, has made a lot of new friends, and says he would encourage other young Australians with aspirations to make it big on the music scene to give the Australian Idol experience a shot. Luke was selected from hundreds of hopefuls during Australian Idol auditions at CSU’s Joyes Hall in April.

Freyer Colvin, a second year Equine Sciences student at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus, is also a skilled young horse rider who will soon represent Australia at two elite international equine competitions. Ms Colvin, as a member of the Australian Pony Club’s under 21 team, will compete at the one day Interpacific Rally in the United States on Tuesday 17 July. Freyer will then go on to the Nation’s Cup showjumping competition two weeks later in Washington State. Freyer, who has been riding horses since the age of six, says she is excited about her forthcoming trip, and proud to fly the flag for Australia, CSU, her home town of Launceston, and the state of Tasmania. The 19 year old says the excellent equine facilities located at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus allows her to achieve her academic goals while at the same time continuing to train and compete at an elite level.

Distance education science and policing students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will get hands-on experience with crime scenes this week as part of residential schools held on campus. Four crime scene scenarios have been established for students to build their skills in crime scene management, including the identification and preservation of evidence.  Former police Detective Senior Sergeant turned CSU academic, Mr Pieter Strik, has created the four mock crime scenes. “Students have the chance to develop skills including sketching the scene, preserving evidence from factors like weather and people accessing the area, and working in teams,” Mr Strik said.

To help celebrate the rejuvenating natural environment found on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona site, Dr John Rafferty, lecturer at the Murray School of Education, will conduct tours of the campus to highlight its environmentally sensitive buildings, water management and campus wetlands, as well as its native fauna and flora. “The tours are part of Biodiversity Month, which aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity across Australia and the world,” Dr Rafferty said. Single tours starting at 10am on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September will leave from the Thurgoona Learning Commons. A bird display from the collection of Dr David Watson, Associate Professor from the School of Environmental Sciences, will also be held in the Learning Commons. Tour bookings can be made at the loans desk at the Thurgoona Learning Commons, or call (02) 6051 9812.

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, will officially open a conference of Indigenous mental health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Friday 18 September. Twenty-one students of the University’s Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Program will travel from across Australia to attend the conference entitled Professional Issues in Aboriginal Mental Health. During the two-day conference, the students will deliver 10-minute presentations as part of their Bachelor of Health Sciences (Mental Health) degree. The Djirruwang program educates Indigenous mental health workers for mainstream mental health, community mental health services, Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community controlled health services. “We are delighted the Minister responsible for Indigenous health will be able to see first-hand the quality of our students training to be mental health workers for their communities,” said Director of the Djirruwang program at CSU, Mr Wayne Rigby.

The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Canberra held a special one-day conference on ecumenism, Handing on the Vision, on Wednesday 9 September. A special ceremony at the conference inaugurated the Centre for Ecumenical Studies (CES) within the ACC&C. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, the Executive Director of the ACC&C, welcomed this inauguration, describing the mission of ‘handing on the ecumenical vision’ as “part of the ACC&C’s core business”. In his presentation at the conference, Professor Haire spoke of giving reality to the ecumenical vision in the way that theological issues are addressed, saying, “It is absolutely important to focus on the central aspects of faith that all Christians hold in common”. A record of the inauguration was signed by Professor Haire, Reverend Professor Robert Gribben, the Chair of the Board of the CES, and the Reverend Tara Curlewis, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

A sod-turning ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Dubbo on Wednesday 16 September will mark the start of the building program for the new University Dental and Oral Health Clinic which is part of the CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Foundation Head of the School, Professor Ward Massey, said, “This is any exciting day for the University in Dubbo and when completed the clinic will enhance the practical opportunities for our students and dental care for the community of Dubbo and the surrounding region.” The dental clinic is a joint initiative of CSU, the Greater Western Area Health Service, and the University of Sydney, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2010 at a cost in excess of $8 million. The first sod of soil will be turned by the Hon. Mr Mark Butler, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, representing the Prime Minister. Also attending are members of State Parliament, dignitaries from CSU and its partner institutions, the Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, councillors from surrounding areas, Wiradjuri elders, and staff and students.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bachelor of Advertising degree strives to provide real, industry-partnered projects for its students, according to Brett Van Heekeren, lecturer in the School of Communication. “For example, advertising company Campaign Palace recently partnered us in a curriculum based project,” explains Mr Van Heekeren. “They issued us with a brief from one of their clients, then their Creative and Planning Directors flew to CSU Bathurst to hear our Principles of Advertising students pitch campaign executions and recommendations. Campaign Palace brought with them a CSU graduate from the course, Sarah Jacobs, who is now a junior planner there,” said Mr Van Heekeren. Jacinda Agnew is completing her second year of Bachelor of Arts (Communication-Advertising)/Bachelor of Business (Marketing). “The whole process was very rewarding, and it gave us a chance to pitch to people who are so important in the industry.”