Ants in the kitchen, ants on fence posts – are these sign that rain is imminent? “No”, says Australian ant researcher and Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student, Mr Wayne Robinson. “I hear these stories regularly, but it has never been scientifically proven that ants can predict rain. It has been seen, however, that some ant species react to other environmental cues, such as increasing day length or higher temperatures, and build up the entrances to their nests or move fertile male and queen ants to higher ground at the start of ‘normal’ rainy seasons. Ants don’t know it is going to rain; like our farmers, they are just hoping it will be a normal season.” Mr Robinson, who lectures in environmental science in Queensland, is currently at CSU at Albury-Wodonga to further his PhD studies of ants on Fraser Island off central Queensland. But Mr Robinson says he is still keeping an open mind on the subject. “As with any scientific research, the answer can be changed with new evidence.”

A close encounter with lions on a trip to South Africa has given a Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinary science student a taste for adventure. Fifth-year student Mr James Chadwick travelled to South Africa in September to attend the International Symposium on Wildlife Utilisation, which focuses on veterinary involvement in wildlife management. “The trip opened my eyes to the possibility of working with wild animals in southern Africa, a completely different world of veterinary work that I never knew existed,” said Mr Chadwick. “The highlight of the trip was assisting a veterinarian doing health checks at Lions Rock Sanctuary, which required sedating lions. While transporting the lions from the clinic to their rangelands, on the back of a ute, we noticed the sedative was wearing off and they started to twitch and growl, which was scary, but fun!” The CSU student is keen to return to South Africa to participate in further hands-on experiences and to learn new skills.

New students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario, Canada, are using the social networking system Twitter and email to communicate with their lecturer, Ms Jenni Munday. "As educators, we are constantly looking for new ways to create a sense of community for students who study by distance education. Using Twitter is a good way to create this community," says Ms Munday, who is based in Albury-Wodonga, Australia, at the CSU Murray School of Education. Each student joins Twitter and chooses to 'follow' the lecturer and all the other students, so everyone benefits from reading the tweets from each member of the group. “Students can ask each other questions and they receive feedback when devising their research questions for an upcoming assessment presentation. It is a more immediate way to study from afar,” Ms Munday concludes.

CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.

A special scholarship will be offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2010 in memory of the late acting graduate from Wagga Wagga, Ms Ann Gwynn-Jones. The scholarship will be awarded to a new student in the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) degree next year. Ms Gwynn-Jones graduated from the same course in 2001 but died a short time later. The Charles Sturt Foundation has joined with the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga to assist her family in raising funds to provide a perpetual scholarship. In aid of this, the School’s University Theatre Ensemble will present a performance of Gormenghast, a novel by Mervyn Peake. The performance on Saturday 31 October in the Riverina Playhouse will be directed by Mr John Saunders.

Dean of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Business Faculty Professor John Hicks has been appointed the new Head of the Bathurst Campus. He will commence in the position on Friday 22 June when the current Campus Head, Associate Professor Greg Walker, retires. Professor Hicks has had an extensive academic career and has worked as a senior economist in the private sector. He joined CSU in 1993. His current research interests include the application of macroeconomic policy at regional and national levels – especially in relation to China, the economics of education, the application of economics to business strategy and the economics of terrorism. Professor Hicks paid tribute to a job well done by Professor Walker. “Greg has done an outstanding job of engaging with the Bathurst community. And I want the University and community to continue to work together to achieve even greater outcomes.”

Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has received a top honour for his services as a leading advocate for heritage and community history in regional NSW. Associate Professor Bruce Pennay, an adjunct academic with the University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society [link] based at Thurgoona, has been awarded the Annual History Citation by the History Council of NSW, the peak body for historians in the State. The citation particularly applauded Professor Pennay’s “research, explanation and promotion of the migrant experience in the post-war years”, especially at the Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre near Albury-Wodonga. This year, Professor Pennay also received a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the Albury-Wodonga community.

Team Barracuda took out the finals of Animal Idol on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) last week. Each week, first year animal science students presented on a topic chosen by their course coordinator, with the added challenge of delivering their presentations in varying contexts, such as gearing the talk towards school children, or ‘unplugged’ without the benefit of electronic devices such as Powerpoint or overhead projection. The teams were then judged by an Australian Idol style panel. Cassandra Macdonald from Team Barracuda accepted the trophy, certificate and first prize of $1 000 at a barbecue last Friday 15 June, saying the experience was “good fun and a good experience. It definitely built up my confidence”.