Staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will be acknowledged for outstanding service with the presentation of annual awards on Wednesday 13 August. The 2014 CSU Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, and Faculty and Division awards, aim to strengthen professionalism and reward staff for their commitment to the University and its mission. CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, said, "As an institution committed to advancing the public good, Charles Sturt University relies on and acknowledges the dedicated service of its staff to achieve its goals. It is important that the University recognises the many individuals and teams whose innovative and sustained contributions benefit our students and regional communities. This is a welcome celebration of the University community's efforts." The Vice-Chancellor's awards include categories for excellence in leadership, sustainability, innovation, performance, teaching and research. The Faculty and Division awards recognise improvements in workflow, knowledge and understanding, cost-savings, work to enhance the student experience, and building the service culture at the University. A full list of the awards can be found here.

Women academics at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, and Albury-Wodonga will celebrate 'Bluestocking Week' (11 to 15 August) with a range of events. Bluestocking Week is a celebration of the contribution of women to university and intellectual life, and is an initiative of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). At CSU in Bathurst the celebration at Rafters at 2.30pm Thursday 14 August will feature fireside discussions, coffee/hot chocolate and nibbles, and a performance by the CSU ukulele group, 'CSUkes'. There will also be a sample display of photos by female activists from a Bluestocking photo exhibition coordinated by CSU NTEU members which will be launched at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Monday 11 August. The event at CSU in Wagga Wagga, titled 'Depraved and Corrupt Women', will feature readings of selected passages from banned and challenged books written by women. This will be from 4.30pm to 6pm Thursday 14 August at the CSU Cellar Door, near car park 11, McKeown Drive. One of the organisers of the event in Bathurst, Dr Kristina Gottschall from the CSU Centre for Indigenous Studies, said, "The theme this year is 'Crossing the Line', which focuses on fighting attitudes that seek to silence the voices of women, and highlights the importance of women speaking out and sharing their stories and views. Several female CSU academics from diverse backgrounds have been invited to share their stories about being an academic, and what education means to them."

The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Canberra will host a multi-faith community memorial service for victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy as part of the National Day of Mourning on Thursday 7 August. The Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, the Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard, said, "The tragic loss of life on flight MH17 has touched all Australians and we join with grieving families here and around the world to commemorate this sad event. This solemn memorial service will direct our prayers and wishes to all who are suffering, and offer our hopes for the peaceful and successful investigation and recovery efforts underway in Ukraine. All who grieve and share the desire for a peaceful world are welcome to attend." The service, to be held in conjunction with the Canberra Interfaith Forum and the ACT Council of Churches, will be in The Chapel at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture 15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT, from 5.15pm to 6pm Thursday 7 August. Please direct enquires to Ms Margaret Roberts on (02) 6272 6203 or acc-c@csu.edu.au.

Tradies will be encouraged to put their feet up at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Community Engagement and Wellness (CEW) Clinic during August for Tradies National Health Month. CSU podiatrist Mr Brent Smith said, "A recent study found nearly one in five Australians suffer from foot pain, with a disproportionate number of men aged 20-34 years, and young people suffering from untreated foot pain. This pain could be caused by ingrown toenails, sweaty and smelly feet, tinea infections, and overuse injuries affecting the legs and feet such as shin splints. Tradies who are required to wear steel toe-capped boots for work are more likely to suffer problems with their toenails because of their footwear."  Mr Smith said podiatrists were also surprised at the perception that podiatry was only for older people, "so we would like to see more younger people, particularly tradies for whom feet are so important for their work". To book an appointment on any work day in August, contact Lyn at the CEW on (02) 6051 9299.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students can learn about travel scholarships and overseas study opportunities at the second biannual CSU Global Showcase in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 6 August. Dr Shevahn Telfser, manager of CSU Global, said, "The CSU Global Showcase celebrates the many varied experiences that students have when studying at the University. It will be held on several campuses, including online, over the coming weeks, and is a wonderful event that lets many students showcase the opportunities they have had to study overseas and the benefits they gained. It will be a great opportunity to meet returned exchange students, past short-term program participants, incoming exchange students from partner universities, and CSU Global staff to share stories and details about the various programs on offer." CSU Global administers scholarships worth $3 000 to $5 000 to study in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Korea. The CSU Global Showcase will be on-campus in Wagga Wagga from 12 noon to 2 pm on 6 August at 'eat@20', building 20 near car park 2, off Darnell Smith Drive at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students can learn about travel scholarships and overseas study opportunities at the second biannual CSU Global Showcase in Albury on Thursday 7 August. Dr Shevahn Telfser, manager of CSU Global, said, "The CSU Global Showcase celebrates the many varied experiences that students have when studying at the University. It will be held on several campuses, including online, over the coming weeks, and is a wonderful event that lets many students showcase the opportunities they have had to study overseas and the benefits they gained. It will be a great opportunity to meet returned exchange students, past short-term program participants, incoming exchange students from partner universities, and CSU Global staff to share stories and details about the various programs on offer." CSU Global administers scholarships worth $3 000 to $5 000 to study in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Korea. The CSU Global Showcase will be at CSU in Albury-Wodonga between 12 and 2pm on 7 August at 'The G', off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Pharmacy  students have raised more than $8 000 to support people with acquired brain injuries. The Pharmers student club from CSU in Wagga Wagga raised the money for the  James Macready-Bryan (JMB) Foundationas part of an annual fundraising drive by the National Australian Pharmacy Student Association (NAPSA). The students sold chocolates and raffle tickets, fired up the barbeque and held trivia, bowling and paintball events. "The Pharmers Club has participated in the Charity Cup event for a number of years and being able to help those who are less fortunate gives us so much satisfaction," said Club President Ms Eleanna Ballis. "Through the JMB Foundation the money will help support people with acquired brain injuries and their families, helping to meet their financial, rehabilitation and accommodation needs." The CSU club was awarded the coveted NAPSA Charity Cup for raising the most money per member during the event from Tuesday 1 April to Friday 16 May 2014.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will take a significant step forward with a ground-breaking ceremony for the $42 million stage one of its new campus on Friday 8 August. Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie, Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers, will welcome guests to the Lake Innes campus site five kilometres from central Port Macquarie. "This is a very exciting for Charles Sturt University and an important landmark for developing education on the NSW Mid North Coast," Professor Chambers said. "The ceremony will formalise the start of construction on stage one of Charles Sturt University's permanent campus at Port Macquarie. It will accommodate over 1 000 students and 100 staff, and support a broad range of courses and research drawn from all Faculties. The University acknowledges the strong support of the Mid North Coast community and the hard work of many people from the community which has made the establishment of a permanent campus at Port Macquarie possible." Professor Chambers noted that planning is well advanced for developing student accommodation at Port Macquarie and preliminary planning has commenced for stage two of the campus. Find out more about the new campus to be constructed by Watpac Limited here.

 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) communication student is raising money for Bathurst charities Glenray Industries and Carenne School as part of her ambition to be a 2014 V8 Ambassador. Twenty-two year-old Ms Leilani Vakaahi from Forster, NSW, graduated from the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst in 2013 with a degree in journalism and is currently undertaking second degree in commercial radio. She is presently working full-time at radio 2BS/B-Rock in Bathurst as an executive assistant in sales, and announcer and program producer. "It's such a great feeling to be out in the Bathurst community, fundraising for and creating awareness about two highly valued services - Glenray Industries and Carenne School," Ms Vakaahi said. "I've been blown away by the support that the Bathurst community and local businesses have shown, and I'm glad to have their support to make a positive difference. I'm inspired by the work of Glenray Industries and Carenne School, and I'm thankful for the support of the V8 Ambassador Program and Bathurst Broadcasters in fundraising for these important services." In the lead up to the annual Great Race V8 Ball on Friday 10 October, Ms Vakaahi will face an interview panel to determine the winner of the V8 Ambassador Program. Ms Vakaahi is holding a trivia night and raffle at the Panorama Hotel, Durham Street, Bathurst, at 7.30pm Tuesday 9 September with over $5 000 worth of prizes donated by local businesses to be won. Students and the wider community are welcome.