The role of one's personal sense of direction in contributing to psychological wellbeing will be examined in a presentation by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic. Dr James Schuurmans-Stekhoven, a lecturer in the School of Psychology at CSU in Bathurst, will examine what is meant by 'having purpose'. "My talk aims to make a contribution to the ongoing debate about the degree to which wellbeing is predetermined by factors such as hereditary, and how that predisposes us to be 'temperamentally' happy and to what degree circumstances and our actions can influence wellbeing," Dr Schuurmans-Stekhoven said. "While a little more technical, the research presented in the talk shows that past claims that fixed temperaments, like personality, are important drivers of wellbeing, may have been overstated. Most past wellbeing research has overlooked the role of purpose (a non-temperamental state or mindset). When you simultaneously examine the relative contribution of personality and purpose to wellbeing, purpose seems to be the more important factor." Dr Schuurmans-Stekhoven's free public lecture will be held from 4pm to 5pm on Wednesday 19 March in building 1399 (old C7) CSU in Bathurst. The University's School of Psychology offers undergraduate and post-graduate studies in psychology, and may be studied on campus or by distance education. Read more here.

Recognising the importance of healthy students and staff, and wellness for a healthy workplace, Charles Sturt University (CSU), is holding a series of expos to highlight healthy activities and services that are available around Wagga Wagga. CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, said, "Our aim is to have student and staff health and wellbeing understood, valued and actively supported at all levels of our organisation." CSU's 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expos include workshops such as those on mental health issues, physical activity, financial stability and security, stress management and prevention, caring for the elderly, alcohol and drug awareness, time management and lifestyle balance, nutrition, and men's and women's health. The Expo will be held from 9.30am to 4.20pm Wednesday 19 March and from 10.30am to 3.20pm Thursday 20 March in the Convention Centre, building 230, near car park 17 off Valder Way, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will benefit from a wellness and wellbeing conference and expo on Tuesday 25 March. The CSU 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo is an initiative to enhance staff health, productivity and happiness. Dr Bev Moriarty, the Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, said, "The University's holistic approach to the treatment of workplace health and safety means it recognises and values the importance of staff and student wellness and wellbeing. The Wellness and Wellbeing Expo aims to make staff and students more aware of and engaged with the services available to them in our communities. The Expo will provide participants with information and the opportunity to participate in workshop activities such as yoga, and Pilates. This will help individuals to make better decisions about health behaviours which lead to better general health and wellness. We also hope this will help students to fulfil their academic potential and enjoy their student experience, and ensure our graduates are resilient well-rounded individuals." The CSU 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo at CSU in Dubbo is from 9.30am to 4.30pm Tuesday 25 March. More information about it can be found here, or email healthyu@csu.edu.au

Australia's pre-eminent astrophysicist, Distinguished Professor Brian Schmidt, will give a free public lecture at CSU in Orange as part of the University's Explorations Series. Professor Schmidt is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and astrophysicist at The Australian National University Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (formerly Mt Stromlo Observatory, near Canberra) and is known for his research in using supernovae as cosmological probes. He shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics with Professor Saul Perlmutter and Professor Adam Riess for providing evidence that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. Professor Schmidt leads Mt Stromlo's effort to build the SkyMapper telescope, a new facility that will provide a comprehensive digital map of the southern sky from ultraviolet and new infrared wavelengths. He will give a public lecture at CSU in Orange, Lecture Theatre 3, on Friday 4 April at 6pm. To RSVP email kmadden@csu.edu.au

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo in Bathurst on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March is an initiative to enhance staff happiness, health and productivity. CSU Division of Human Resources spokesperson and Expo organiser Ms Melissa Lombe said, "Charles Sturt University (CSU) recognises and values the importance of staff and student wellness and wellbeing. The University's holistic approach to the treatment of workplace health and safety aims for the Wellness and Wellbeing Expos to make staff and students more aware of and engaged with the services available in our communities. The Expo will provide participants with information, as well as the opportunity to participate in workshop activities such as yoga, and Pilates. This will enable individuals to make better decisions about health behaviours leading to better general health and wellness. We also hope this will empower students to fulfil their academic potential and enjoy their student experience, and ensure our graduates are resilient well-rounded individuals." The CSU 2014 SGE Credit Union Wellness and Wellbeing Conference and Expo at CSU in Bathurst (building 1470) is from 9.30am to 4.30pm Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March. More information can be found here, or email healthyu@csu.edu.au

Health researchers from around the NSW Central West have been invited to join forces as part of the Western NSW Health Research Network. The network includes universities, government agencies and peak bodies with interests in rural health, and is committed to reducing the health inequalities of people living, studying and working in western NSW. A social networking event is scheduled for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery Cellar Door in Orange on Wednesday 12 March. Dr Heather Robinson, Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, said anyone with an interest in the field was welcome. "The challenge in rural health research can be getting a critical mass," she said. "There are a lot of groups working in the area, but by joining forces we can more effectively compete for research funding, take on larger projects, and make better use of everyone's skills." The event will be held at the Charles Sturt University Cellar Door, Leeds Parade Orange, Wednesday 12 March, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Call Ms Kerry Madden on (02) 6365 7500 to RSVP or email kmadden@csu.edu.au .

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host almost 50 high school students on Thursday 13 March as they get a taste of university life. The MyDay event will showcase courses in the Faculty of Business, pathways to CSU and international study opportunities. "It's an opportunity for students to experience living and learning at Charles Sturt University and to find out about the support available to make their goals achievable," said prospective student advisor Mr Andrew Connell. Students from 14 high schools across the Riverina will attend the event from 10am to 2pm.

A photographic exhibition, Traumascapes, has opened at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. The exhibition features new works by local photographers Mr Chris Orchard and Ms Shona Pratt. The works argue that at the centre of the denial of climate change is a fundamental ecological illiteracy that visual literacy might help fix. Mr Orchard said, "As an artist and photographer, I believe there's an increasing need to open up the language of climate change, particularly the language surrounding psychology, and indeed psychoanalysis, where it specifically speaks to contemporary image culture. The exhibition is the way two artists with different backgrounds perceived the same spaces and the 'emotional' or 'spiritual' content of those spaces and tried to capture an essence of the landscape itself, or subvert that spirit to generate ironic landscapes." The exhibition in the University's HR Gallop Gallery (building 21, near car park 2) runs until Friday 4 April. Mr Orchard is an associate photography lecturer in the School of Communication and Creative Industries. Ms Pratt graduated from CSU in December 2013 with a degree in photography. The HR Gallop Gallery is open to the public from 9 am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host almost 50 high school students on Thursday 13 March as they get a taste of university life. The MyDay event will showcase courses in the Faculty of Business, pathways to CSU and international study opportunities. "It's an opportunity for students to experience living and learning at Charles Sturt University and to find out about the support available to make their goals achievable," said prospective student advisor Mr Andrew Connell. Students from 14 high schools across the Riverina will attend the event from 10am to 2pm.