* CSU at Port Macquarie celebrates 131 graduating students on Monday 17 December * Family and friends invited to celebrate CSU graduands at graduation ceremoniesCharles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie congratulates the 131 students who will graduate at ceremonies held at the Glasshouse on Monday 17 December.CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Industry) Professor Heather Cavanagh will preside over the two ceremonies.Professor Cavanagh said graduation is one of the highlights of the academic year and that she looked forward to welcoming graduates, their families, friends, and the community to celebrate this special event."I congratulate our graduating professionals on the successful completion of their studies with us,” Professor Cavanagh said.Professor Cavanagh said the University in Port Macquarie was growing and it was exciting to welcome more graduates from the region.“It’s rewarding to be involved in the education of the next generation who will stay on in the region and enrich their local community,” Professor Cavanagh said.CSU Bachelor of Criminal Justice graduate Ms Grace Stevens said graduation was the satisfying culmination of years spent studying, at a University with a personal touch.“With the smaller classes we got to have a closer relationship with our lecturers, so we were more comfortable asking questions and sitting down with them for one-on-one sessions,” Ms Stevens said.Guest Mr Neville Parsons will give the Occasional Address to the Faculty of Arts and Education ceremony. Mr Parsons is CEO and Director of the Holiday Coast Credit Union and is a Board Member and Deputy Chairman of the Mid North Coast Local Health District, as well as a Board member of NSW Life Education.Guest Mr Alan Morrison will give his Occasional Address to the Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences ceremony. Mr Morrison is currently the Director Education for NSW Ambulance and Director of the Paramedic Education Program Accreditation Scheme for the Council of Ambulance Authorities.Local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Bill O’Brien (OAM) will conduct a Welcome to Country at both graduation ceremonies.Ceremonies location and timingThe graduation ceremonies will commence:* Faculty of Arts and Education - 9.30am* Faculty of Science and Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences – 2pmThe Glasshouse is located at 30-42 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie.

* 129 CSU graduates at annual graduation ceremony in Orange * 20th year since the commencement of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course at CSU * Graduation will be a reflection of significant results for both students and staffCharles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will recognise the achievements of 129 students at the annual graduation ceremony on Thursday 13 December. The testamurs will be presented to graduates at the Derek Pigot Auditorium at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange at 4pm. The students will graduate from the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Faculty of Science. Michael Newman will open the ceremony and deliver an Acknowledgment of Country with newly-appointed CSU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)  Professor John Germov as Presiding Officer. Head of Campus at CSU in Orange Dr Heather Robinson (pictured) said this year’s graduation will be a reflection on some really significant achievements from both students and staff, from all faculties. “Associate lecturer in clinical dentistry Dr Jessica Zachar won first prize of the Junior Category Colgate Competition at the annual meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Division, International Association for Dental Research.” “And 2018 will mark the 20th year since the commencement of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course at Charles Sturt University.” Dr Robinson said. The graduation will also welcome the Chief Executive of Country Education Foundation of Australia, Orange resident and CSU Alumni Ms Wendy Cohen to provide the occasional address. Dr Robinson said, “it is always a thrill to welcome back alumni to graduations and hear about their achievements over the years, particularly when they have entered back into the regional workforce in order to support local communities.” The CSU in Orange graduation ceremony starts at 4pm Thursday 13 December at the Derek Pigot Auditorium at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange.

* 67 CSU graduates at annual graduation ceremony  in Dubbo on Thursday 13 December * Ceremony to be held at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre * Graduates prepared for career opportunities in rural and regional Australia to support local communitiesCharles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will this week celebrate the achievements of its graduating students at its annual graduation ceremony. Sixty-seven students will graduate at this Thursday’s graduation at 9.30am at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. The graduation is expected to attract more than 270 guests. Students and guests will be welcomed by CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov and Aboriginal Elder Aunty Margaret Walker, who will provide the Welcome to Country. The occasional address will be delivered by CSU Alumni, Midwifery Consultant for the Local Health District and recent recipient of a NSW Premiers Award for individual excellence, Tammy O’Connor. Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis (pictured) said that Thursday’s graduation will be an opportunity for students to be recognised for their efforts and share it with family, friends and those who have supported them throughout their studies. “Charles Sturt University prides itself on delivering quality higher education to produce industry-ready professionals for careers in rural and regional Australia,” Ms Maginnis said. “The fact that our graduates from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health are highly sought after by employers, with a graduate employment rate ranking among the highest in the nation, is a credit to these student’s hard work.”CSU in Dubbo has positioned itself as a leader in rural NSW health and has been recognised with the external accreditation renewed for the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery and the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health). The CSU School of Teacher Education in Dubbo has enjoyed rewarding and ongoing relationships with schools and other educational institutions in the community. While the Bachelor of Social Work offered on-campus in Dubbo and online, continues to grow, with an increasingly valued reputation in the local area. Ms Maginnis said the Dubbo campus has made quality higher-education accessible to those in rural areas, providing a wonderful mix of course offerings online and on campus. “We are so lucky to have such fantastic facilities and strong relationships in Dubbo and beyond. These relationships are instrumental in assisting our graduates on their career path and in supporting local communities,” Ms Maginnis said. Students from all faculties from CSU in Dubbo will be acknowledged this Thursday, with Mr Thomas Nelson and Ms Grace Gower from Dubbo College Senior Campus as Yeomen Bedell, and Mr Geoff Wise who will be the Esquire Bedell. The CSU in Dubbo graduation ceremony starts at 9.30am Thursday 13 December at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre in Darling Street, Dubbo.

* Thousands to visit Bathurst for six 2018 graduation ceremonies on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December * Approximately 755 students will graduate from 22 Schools in three FacultiesCharles Sturt University (CSU) will host six graduation ceremonies in Bathurst on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December.These are part of the wider graduation season during December across all main campuses as well as in Parramatta (for School of Theology) and the Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne.The season starts on Monday 10 December in Wagga Wagga and concludes in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 19 December.Approximately 755 students will graduate across all ceremonies at CSU in Bathurst, and thousands of family members and friends will celebrate the achievements of the students.Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) and Acting Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Ms Jenny Roberts (pictured) said, “We congratulate our graduating professionals with their friends and families on the successful completion of their studies.“Charles Sturt University takes pride in producing job-ready professionals who enter the workforce very insightful, making a positive impact, creating an inclusive society, and inspiring others.“More than 750 graduates will receive their testamurs from the University in Bathurst this year.”Paramedicine graduate Mr Alki Pazpinis from Kensington in Sydney will graduate from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the 6pm ceremony on Friday 14 December. He said, “Charles Sturt University has taught me how to be a leader of the future through a variety of different leadership courses and opportunities to practice what I have learnt in order to better my practice. All these skills are transferable to my chosen career of paramedicine.”Thursday 13 December:Bathurst at the CD Blake Auditorium (the gym), building 1220 at CSU9.30am - 167 graduates from various Schools in the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences; School of Computing and Mathematics, School of Accounting and Finance, School of Psychology, School of Policing Studies, the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, the Centre for Law and Justice, and the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security. The Occasional Address will be delivered by NSW policing expert Mr Tony Trichter, who will join CSU in an academic role in 2019. 2pm - 164 graduates in the Faculty of Arts and Education; School of Teacher Education, School of Education, and School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Occasional Address will be delivered by psychologist Dr Michelle Mulvihill who grew up in Bathurst and attended MCAE before furthering her studies elsewhere and moving to the Southern Highlands.A graduate of note at this ceremony is Dr Ben Pham from Vietnam who will graduate with her PhD in speech pathology. Dr Pham studied at CSU in Bathurst and was involved in the VietSpeech project.6pm - 113 graduates in the Faculty of Arts and Education; School of Communication and Creative Industries, School of Indigenous Australian Studies, School of Information Studies, the Division of Student Learning, and the Academic Success Unit.Friday 14 December:Bathurst at the CD Blake Auditorium (the gym), building 1220 at CSU9.30am - 43 graduates in the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences; School of Management and Marketing. The Occasional Address will be delivered by current Head of the CSU School of Management and Marketing, Associate Professor Mark Frost.2pm – 136 graduates in the Faculty of Science; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Community Health, School of Environmental Science, School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.6pm – 132 graduates in the Faculty of Science; School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health (formerly the School of Human Movement Studies). The Occasional Address will be delivered by CSU alumna and exercise physiologist Ms Shannon Short. Her business, BODY FX Exercise Physiology Services, is based at the Ochre Health Medical Centre at CSU in Bathurst. Three PhDs in exercise science will be conferred at this ceremony.

* PhD uncovers new information on non-prescribed gluten avoidance * The research shows a complex relationship between bodily symptoms and psychology * It’s hoped the research will provide infromation for medical professionals A Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD graduate hopes her research will provide doctors with insight on why people without a diagnosed condition choose to avoid gluten in their diets.Dr Kyah Hester (pictured) from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Functional Grains will be awarded her PhD during a ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Monday 10 December 2018.Dr Hester’s PhD titled ‘Gluten avoidance – trendy food fad, or insight into complex psycho-physiological interactions?’ helps to identify the drivers of non-prescribed gluten avoidance.“Up to 20 per cent of the population is estimated to take part in gluten avoidance behaviours, far exceeding the number of people with gluten-related disorders such as coeliac disease,” Dr Hester said.“My research involved an in-depth study of non-prescribed gluten avoiders to measure participants’ perceptions, determinants of food choice, interpersonal experiences relating to their diets and a wide range of psychological variables, including personality traits.”“This research is the first to establish clear and distinct symptomology relating to non-gluten foods, indicating that this population is more accurately characterised by their response to all foods, not just gluten alone.”Gluten avoiders also exhibited distinct personality features that are likely to manipulate their attention to and interpretation of internal sensations. These findings are particularly important for health practitioners to consider both in the diagnosis and treatment phase of these individuals.”Research supervisor, Professor Anthony Saliba from the CSU School of Psychology said the research points to an underlying mechanism that is an interaction between food consumption and psychology.“This is further evidence that different people need to consume different foods, there is no ‘one size fits all’ advice you can give people on what to eat.“Avoiding gluten does not reduce symptoms, suggesting that further research is needed on the causes of these uncomfortable symptoms that some people experience. We will be continuing this work by looking into whether Psychological treatment might assist.“This work has been vital to show that people who avoid gluten are not currently being supported and given the seriousness of the symptoms and prevalence, continuing work in this area is a priority,” Professor Saliba said.

* Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) graduate Matt Champness to be presented with Agricultural Science Medal* Mr Champness is co-founder of a initiaitive to share stories of food and fibre production with consumers* Mr Champness has built strong links with industry to add to his study at CSU Promoting Australian food and fibre production is close to the heart of the 2018 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Agricultural Science medalist Mr Matt Champness.From Hamilton in western Victoria, Mr Champness (pictured) is the co-founder of ‘This is Aus Ag’, a grassroots initiaitive that aims to build trust between consumers and farmers by sharing stories through podcasts and social media.He said the project came from his participation in the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) 2030 Leadership Program.“Agriculture is quite vulnerable to social licence issues and I think if we can build trust people will understand that their food is safe and why we undertake certain practices to ensure we can continue to feed Australians and meet overseas markets,” said Mr Champness.“It’s a great time to be in agriculture, there’s a big focus on young people in agriculture, there is a lot of new technologies which is exciting, and although we are going through a tough season in the eastern states commodity prices are pretty good.”“The NFF has a target of growing Australian Farm gate output to $100 billion by 2030 and it makes you think what can I do to help our industry get there.”Mr Champness’ enthusiasm for primary production is evident in the impressive list of scholarship, training and leaderhsip programs he’s undertaken during his four years of study at CSU.Mr Champness attended the 2018 Crawford Fund Conference , took part in an exchange program to Texas Tech University in the United States, Syngenta connections Vietnam program, participated in the Agrihack and AWI tech eChallenge,  was awarded an AgriFutres Australia Horizon Scholarship and is an Australian Rural Leadership Foundation graduate.“It’s really important to get out there and meet with people in the industry to stay up-to-date and have a good understanding of what’s happening now and where we are headed in the future,” Mr Champness said.Mr Champness Honours research was supported by a scholarship from the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and investigated the use of salt supplementation to increase live weight gain of lambs grazing lucerne.He will be awarded a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) and the Agricultural Science Medal in a graducation ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga at 2pm on Monday 10 December.After graduation Mr Champness plans to volunteer in Lao PDR as a weeds agronomist in rice, part of a project to improve weed management in rice production to boost agricultural capacity in the developing country. This project is supported by the Crawford Fund and Australian Volunteers Program. Listen to the 'This is Aus Ag' podcast here: https://www.thisisausag.com/podcast.html

* Thousands to visit Wagga Wagga for six CSU 2018 graduation ceremonies on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 December * Nearly 800 graduates from 15 Schools in three CSU Faculties to be celebratedCharles Sturt University (CSU) will host six graduation ceremonies in Wagga Wagga on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 December.These are part of the wider graduation season during December across all main campuses as well as in Parramatta (for School of Theology) and the two CSU Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne.The season starts on Monday 10 December in Wagga Wagga, and concludes in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 19 December.Approximately 795 students will graduate across all ceremonies at CSU in Wagga Wagga, and thousands of family members and friends will celebrate the achievements of the students.Acting Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga Mr Aaron McDonnell said, “Nearly 800 graduates will receive their testamurs from the University in Wagga Wagga this year, and we congratulate our graduating professionals on the successful completion of their studies.“Sometimes we can get caught up with the busy-ness of the end of the year, so it’s wonderful to be able to stop and take the time to reflect and congratulate the many students who are graduating, and celebrate their achievements.“Anyone who has completed a long-term project or achieved a long-awaited goal will understand the sheer joy and excitement of a graduates at the moment they shake the hand of the Vice-Chancellor and receive their hard earned testamur.“The testamur our graduates will receive at the graduation ceremonies is their key to future success. Not only is it an important marker in their lives, an achievement they should be proud of, but it will unlock new opportunities for them. For some it will mean a new career, others it will mean they are one of many CSU graduates who will earn the highest paying salary of any graduate in the nation.”The schedule of graduations at CSU in Wagga Wagga is:Monday 10 December:Wagga Wagga at Joyes Hall at CSU9.30am - 207 graduates in the Faculty of Science; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Community Health, School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health.2pm - 126 graduates in the Faculty of Science; School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health, School of Environmental Sciences, School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, General Science.6pm - 114 graduates in the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences; School of Computing and Mathematics, School of Accounting and Finance, School of Management and Marketing, School of Psychology, School of Policing Studies, the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, the Centre for Law and Justice, and the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security.Tuesday 11 December:Wagga Wagga at Joyes Hall at CSU9.30am - 137 graduates in the Faculty of Arts and Education; School of Indigenous Australian Studies, School of Information Studies, School of Teacher Education, and School of Education.2pm - 90 graduates in the Faculty of Science; School of Animal and Veterinary Science.6pm - 121 graduates in the Faculty of Arts and Education; School of Communication and Creative Industries, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Division of Student Learning, and the Academic Success Unit.

* UK expert to speak at CSU in Albury-Wodonga * Plastic in the environment a huge and growing problem, with plastic ingestion by marine wildlife lethal * Plastic rapidly accumulating in the most remote regions of the worldDr Maggie Watson, lecturer in ornithology and seabird researcher in the CSU School of Environment Sciences and researcher in the Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) is hosting a seminar by a leading international expert.Dr Watson announced that Dr Alex Bond (pictured left), Senior Curator in Charge of Birds at the Natural History Museum in London will present a seminar at 3pm Wednesday 5 December at the School of Environmental Sciences at CSU in Albury-Wodonga.The seminar is titled ‘Trash talk: The story of the shearwater and the bottle cap’.Dr Watson explained that plastics are a long-lasting and increasingly problematic man-made problem in the environment which is injuring and killing increasing numbers of wildlife.“There are an estimated five trillion pieces of plastic floating on and in the world’s oceans,” Dr Watson said.“Increasingly, plastic that has broken down into very small pieces – microplastics − are contaminating the food chain.“Plastic is extremely durable in the environment, but the very qualities that make plastics desirable materials for manufacturing have dire consequences for the environment, and each year more than 8 million items end up in the world’s oceans.“Once there, these plastics act as sponges to absorb hydrophobic contaminants from the surrounding water, and are then often ingested by marine animals.“Over the last decade, Dr Bond’s research has demonstrated the severity of the problem for some of the most affected species, the consequences of plastic ingestion for marine wildlife, and the rapid accumulation of plastic in the most remote regions of the world.”

* Next Stage Growth program helps refine products and develop business skills * Expert guidance and fellow businesses provide insights and refinements * Program offers flexibility and potential to seek export marketsCharles Sturt University’s (CSU) CenWest Innovate has helped a former farmer develop his technology company through the Next Stage Growth program.Mr Hamish Munro is an unlikely tech entrepreneur, coming to it from a life on the land, but alongside business partner Mr Robbie Scott, the two are growing a business with eyes fixed on offering cloud-based technology solutions.With their business based in Central West NSW, Mr Munro found out about CenWest Innovate and decided to apply for the Next Stage Growth program to help him refine one of his products and to develop his business skills.“Coming off the farm I needed to understand marketing, social media, networking, customer management and even human resources ,” Mr Munro said.“We launched Zipmin and two other products which we are still trying to get off the ground but because it is expensive to tweak the products, I decided to apply for the program to help guide me in refining them.”Six months on and after completing Next Stage Growth, Mr Munro said it helped him evaluate the business model he was operating with and to “smooth out the rough edges”, especially when he turned his attention to the other less developed products he was offering.During the program Mr Munro and others completing it would meet on the first Thursday evening and full-day first Friday of each month so they could talk about a particular issue.“Over the eight-hour workshop a speaker would talk to us in-depth about a topic, like pricing or consumer insights, that I could apply to the business.“I struggled with pricing in the past, so now I am toying around with different models to find the one that gets the greatest acceptance,” Mr Munro said when talking about one of the topics that stood out for him.“On top of the mentoring we also got to know one another’s business and were comfortable in offering advice or a perspective that we may not have considered.“People spoke freely. Someone would throw in an idea or decision they thought of doing in their business which the collective thoughts of the group could then refine,” Mr Munro said.An added benefit of the program according to Mr Munro was its flexibility, and that it had the potential for helping him look at export markets.“As we offer a cloud-technology product we aren’t restricted to the Central West or Australia,” Mr Munro said.CenWest Innovate program coordinator Ms Christine Sweeney who is involved in Next Stage Growth program said Mr Munro was a great example of the type of people and businesses who benefit from the program.“Hamish had an innovative product but didn’t have the knowledge or the confidence needed to promote and sell it,” Ms Sweeney said.Next Stage Growth works well in these situations because business owners can tap into the resources and network made available to fill the gaps and build the confidence they need to promote their business.”Ms Sweeney said the CenWest Innovate incubator had been developed with the NSW Department of Innovation and funding from the NSW Government.“The Next Stage Growth program works with a variety of businesses, from small, to large manufacturers, construction, and machinery, and small tech.“Businesses in the regions are even more reliant on innovation for growth than those in metropolitan areas because the stakes are a lot higher if they lose a customer or income stream,” Ms Sweeney said.Ms Sweeney said CenWest Innovate and the program had received state funding for two years and that it had been extended another two through to 2020, its success and the confidence in the program.Aside from CenWest Innovate, CSU operates an AgriTech Incubator in Wagga Wagga, and the Walan Mayinygu Indigenous Entrepreneurship program.