CSU Enrich_Spring 2018

Charles Sturt University Donor Magazine

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CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY DONOR MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

SCHOLARSHIP CREATES PATHWAYS NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDED BY CO2 AUSTRALIA GIRINYALANHA PARK SYMBOLIC SHARED SPACE NATURE & BIOSCIENCE PARK GROWS ON ORANGE CAMPUS 70 YEARS STRONG 70TH ANNIVERSARY FOR WAGGA WAGGA TEACHERS COLLEGE

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Front cover image: Celia Bevan, Donor. Photography – Jack of Hearts.

CSU Donor Magazine With special thanks to all those who contributed to this edition.

Contact us Foundation Trust – Charles Sturt University Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia Email csugive@csu.edu.au © 2018 Charles Sturt University CRICOS 00005F. F4868

Charles Sturt University Donor Magazine

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Welcome

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Scholarship creates pathways

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Co-creation of a shared space

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Pursuing a world worth living in

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Scholarship to keep Jacob’s memory alive

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Agnes lifts the barriers

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CSU bond 70 years strong

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The best job there is

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CSU staff give back

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Tracey's new start

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New scholarships

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Alumni appeal targets scholarships

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New approaches to learning

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CSU news

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“It’s a nice way for us to recognise

a military dependant or descendant.

It’s nice to know that we can make their journey through their study just that little bit easier."

– Mick Garraway, Commandant, Kapooka

Photography – Jack of Hearts

Welcome Welcome to the latest edition of Enrich.

The last year has brought significant changes for the Advancement team – we have much to be grateful for and much to celebrate!

As always, our biggest achievements are your achievements, so it is only fitting that I start by thanking you. Your generosity ensures we continue to bring our shared aspirations to life, providing opportunities and changing lives for both students and their families. We simply could not help CSU students fulfil their dreams and reach their potential without you.

In the last year we have welcomed 22 new donors and have seen many existing scholarships generously increased. This means with your help we offered $1.3 million in scholarships in 2018, the benefits of which will echo for years to come as our recipients go on to strengthen the communities and industries they live and work in.

2017 also brought a significant funding boost from the University, allowing the Advancement team to almost double in size over the next two years. We have welcomed a number of new staff members to the team, and more will be joining us shortly. The team has also moved out from the Division of Marketing and Communication and we have established ourselves as a standalone office reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students).

I am immensely proud to have been given the opportunity to lead the team through this exciting new phase of growth.

As part of this move we have a range of new activities underway and more big plans on the drawing board. We recently developed a new Advancement website, revamped our Alumni site and launched our new AlumniGive Program with our first ever Appeal. We look forward to sharing more of our plans with you as they progress.

The only sad news I have to report is that last year we said goodbye to Gael Evans-Barr. Gael has been a tremendous asset to the team and while we were sad to see her move on, we know she will continue to do great things in her new role.

And finally it was wonderful to see so many of you at this year's scholarship ceremonies. It is my favourite time of year. Our scholarship ceremonies give us all a chance to talk to donors, meet scholarship recipients and their proud families, and see the reallife impact our scholarships make.

So, thank you once more for all your support. As you read this edition of Enrich, I invite you to take the time to look back and celebrate all we’ve achieved together and look forward to another year of enriching the lives of our students and their communities.

Yours in giving

Sarah Ansell Director of Advancement diradvancement@csu.edu.au

Check out our new Advancement website csu.edu.au/office/advancement

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Scholarship creates pathways Indigenous students studying in the fields of Agriculture, Environmental Science, Ecotourism, Outdoor Recreation Horticulture, and Parks, Recreation and Heritage will soon benefit from a new scholarship provided by CO2 Australia.

Operating since 2004, CO2 Australia is an environmental services company with a focus on greenhouse emissions and climate change management, land management, revegetation and environmental consulting.

As Managing Director at CO2 Australia and CSU Alumnus James Bulinski explained, the company has a strong regional presence, with a key operations office in Wagga Wagga and many regionally based projects.

“Our company is committed to making lasting positive impact by creating effective pathways to enduring education and employment opportunities for Indigenous people. We are pleased to partner with CSU to establish this scholarship, as we see it as a way to support prospective students from Indigenous backgrounds to access higher education

opportunities and help young people to develop diverse, long-term careers in regional locations.

“As the company providing carbon offsets for CSU, we also see it as a way to continue to strengthen and broaden our relationship with a university that is so dedicated to environmental sustainability.”

In addition to providing financial support through a $30,000 scholarship over three years, CO2 Australia is committed to providing the scholarship recipient

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Pictured (above) Mr Brad Holt from CO2 and Sarah Ansell. (Left) James Bulinski Managing Director of CO2.

“James and the CO2 team have made this donation with

great thought and passion, we thank them for choosing CSU. We are excited about our shared future.”

– Justin Williams, Development Officer, CSU

with the opportunity to gain a broader set of professional experiences while studying.

Depending on the interests of the recipient, during the life of the scholarship this may include seasonal and casual work placements, student internships, support for student research projects, mentoring, job application and interview preparation, and invitations for the recipient to apply for suitable positions at CO2 as they become available.

“We believe that on‐the‐job training and work‐ experience is critical to setting students up for success when transitioning from study and into the workforce. That’s why we are committed to helping the recipient gain professional experiences. We hope that this approach will create pathways to employment for graduates.”

CSU Development Officer, Justin Williams said that CO2 Australia and CSU share a common goal in tackling environmental issues and strengthening regional communities.

“As Australia’s first certified carbon neutral university, sustainability has never been stronger.

We are always proud to have Alumni championing change and thank Dr James Bulinski and CO2 for offering their support to CSU students by way of this fantastic scholarship.

“James and the CO2 team have made this donation with great thought and passion, and we thank them for choosing CSU. We are excited about our shared future.”

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Co-creation of a shared space Girinyalanha is a Wiradjuri word that means ‘to talk together, to communicate, to engage in thought and feeling, and to share knowledge and culture’.

The word perfectly captures the intent behind the Girinyalanha Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park located on Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus. In line with the University’s push to embed Aboriginal cultural values within all of its courses, and boost support for Aboriginal students, the Park aims to create a new shared space for reflection and teaching.

As Lecturer within the School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Sid Parissi, explains, the idea for Girinyalanha arose from a need to encourage Aboriginal students into health professions. “With high mortality and morbidity rates, there is a huge need among Aboriginal communities in Australia for better health services and better health outcomes.

The literature says one of the best ways of dealing with this health situation is to have Aboriginal health practitioners. “This led us to look at what we need to do to better encourage the success of Aboriginal students within our courses – better retention rates and better success rates – then paths into various health professions. One study came up with several

things, including ways to ensure Aboriginal students feel less alienated in transferring from one cultural and social context into this very different Western mode of thinking, doing, acting and learning.

Shared ownership Phase one of this initiative is the Park Itself, which has been developed by CSU staff in partnership with the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council (OLALC) in an area of remnant bushland situated on-site at the Orange Campus.

As Sid explains "To help Aboriginal students feel more culturally at home on campus, CSU looked to take a section of remnant open forest and establish an Aboriginal cultural precinct there. What followed was 18 months of trust-building between CSU and various Aboriginal communities in Orange to establish an authentic partnership and create a facility that was both useful and meaningful. This took a lot of meetings, a lot of talking and a lot of discussion but once we’d decided on a direction that had cultural, educational, research and horticultural potential, we then applied for an internal grant to establish the Girinyalanha Park."

The aims of this ongoing initiative are many. The Park has created a tangible space which represents an engaged partnership with local Aboriginal communities while preserving an area of degraded remnant bush land. It also provides an ongoing

Charles Sturt University Donor Magazine

focus for preserving fast-disappearing Aboriginal knowledge of the uses of local species, while conserving rare and endangered local species, such as Acacia meiantha.

The Park will also continue to provide a foundation for research into the pharmaceutical, food and horticultural potential of local species, and provides a culturally appropriate education and recreational area to benefit both CSU and the broader community.

To date events including Welcome to Country ceremonies and cleansing ceremonies with ochre, smoke and water have been held at the Park, often combined with storytelling in the Yarning Circle, Aboriginal dance and a barbecue of traditional foods. “We've had CSU events, and events open to the wider Orange community, including an Aboriginal sky stories night where up to 200 people turned out to look through telescopes and learn about Sky Stories in a meeting of what I call Aboriginal science and Western science.

“That's this concept of partnership – rather than looking at Aboriginal ways of knowing and learning and doing as something naïve or distant, it’s trying to respect that knowledge that has been developed over 60,000 years and match it up with our Western ways of doing things.”

For more than two years, Wiradjuri man Greg Ingram has been involved in the Girinyalanha project. A

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member of the Gaambawananah Ngurambang landcare group of the OLALC, Greg has worked on both planning and undertaking work on the Park.

“I think the importance of place is pretty high. The team has really engaged with it. We also had an open day and community members came and took part in a traditional burn to prepare the site, so I think there's a lot of ownership of the site within the community.

“A lot of people have had input, not just the Aboriginal community. We've had people like the Rural Fire Brigade help and we've had lecturers out here planting. We've done some Aboriginal education sessions in the Yarning Circle, so I think it's starting to filter out really well. There’s been a lot of ownership by CSU too. The relationship is a lot stronger between the community and the University.”

Strong relationship James Riley, Operations Manager for the OLALC explained that the Park is not only a good tool for showing the craftsmanship and knowledge that exists in the local Aboriginal community, but also for encouraging Aboriginal students to take the leap and go to university. “The Gaambawananah Ngurambang team itself has a lot of partnerships within this community, but I think this would have to be the most collaborative relationship we have, in terms of our culture and CSU wanting to tap into that and

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to encourage people to come to the University and educate the people who are already here.

“CSU has really good intentions, as far as engaging with the Aboriginal community. It's not tokenistic.

It's not a relationship that stops once the work is finished. It's a continual thing where we're always chatting, we're always looking at ways of engaging with community and vice versa.

“It's really nice from an Aboriginal community perspective that CSU values the community's input and the community's thinking and not just a certain part of the community but Elders, school children, ourselves.

“I think Girinyalanha really typifies what the relationship is, because it's about walking together.

It's about doing things as a whole, standing together and moving forward. I reckon it really sums up the relationship. In my opinion, it's a pretty strong representation of what the Land Council and the wider community have with Charles Sturt – a real combined effort to bring about change on a whole raft of different levels, but bringing about change for the right reasons.”

There is still more to do The park itself is just the start of a much bigger vision for an Aboriginal cultural precinct which will bring together staff, students, business and the community to create a supportive and inclusive

learning environment where CSU students can grow and prosper. The newly established physical environment is a perfect foundation for a teaching, learning and engagement space which will provide the support and networks required to ensure the success of our students.

To assist in bringing Phase two of this project to life, CSU has agreed in-principle to provide a location on campus to establish a shared educational facility. As well as providing a culturally appropriate space for the education and support of our students it will allow for a multi-dimensional learning experience.

The development of a shared space will allow Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council to relocate their horticultural enterprise, which currently does not have a permanent home. The Gaambawanahah Ngurambang landcare group, already an established business trains young Aboriginal people in horticulture, agriculture and land management and has ongoing revegetation and seed propagation contracts with organisations in the district. Co-locating the enterprise on the Orange Campus will also have benefits in terms of research (including climate change studies), educational outcomes, and improving crosscultural relationships through everyday interactions.

Such a facility will allow for increased study support and the creation of a range of pathways and networks to encourage Aboriginal students into health professions. It will be supported by other financial initiatives such as scholarships and grants.

Help us with this project Phase 2 of the project requires an estimated $240,000 to complete. This includes:

– Refurbishment of an appropriate building on campus to create an Aboriginal Education Centre, office space, recreational areas and community meeting rooms.

– Work on the grounds surrounding the facility to make it viable for propagation, crops and research.

– Landscaping including greenhouse, garden beds, watering systems and other facilities.

– Student scholarships ideally through the establishment of a scholarship fund which will provide scholarships in perpetuity.

We are better together.

Charles Sturt University is providing the land and premises as an in kind donation. The Foundation Trust is seeking additional support via a mix of in kind and monetary donations from the university, philanthropic individuals and organisations and private and public Foundations and Trusts.

Any support you are able to contribute to this initiative would be greatly appreciated.

For more information please contact Justin Williams on 02 6338 4680 or juswilliams@csu.edu.au. You can also donate online at www.csu.edu.au/give

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Help us make a difference At CSU, we are passionate about closing cultural and economic divides and drive change for the long-term prosperity of each graduate, our regions, and the world we all live in.

With your help, this worthy goal can become a reality. Translated from the Wiradjuri language, our ethos Yindyamarra Winhanganha – the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in – acknowledges the culture and insight of Indigenous Australians and powerfully speaks to CSU’s commitment to positive social change and our desire to help create a world worth living in.

We believe in creating flourishing communities, resilient people and sustainable environments. We know that each is connected to the other, and that the contributions of an individual can create positive change for the many.

As a university, we know education can be that change.

It creates opportunity, expands horizons and enriches lives. For that very reason, we believe education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or personal circumstances. Through your contributions, the CSU Foundation is able to help thousands of students access education and realise their true potential.

Thanks to the generosity, work and investment of many before us, we also invest in new projects, new research, new facilities and new collaborations that explore the potential of our communities.

But with more, we can achieve more.

You can direct your investment to student scholarships, research, infrastructure and technology, services and clinics in our communities, artistic and cultural endeavours or other special projects. The choice is yours. By contributing in this way, you will not only help us give every Australian, regardless of circumstances, the opportunity of a university education; you will also help our communities to remain healthy and safe, celebrate Australia’s Indigenous heritage, and ensure regional Australia remains the prosperous and thriving heart of the nation.

To help us make this a world worth living in, please email advancement@csu.edu.au or visit csu.edu.au/office/advancement.

Sofoni West, Pharmacy CSU Pharmacy Foundation Scholarship recipient

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Pursuing a world worth living in For more than seven years, CSU has sought to tackle the doctor shortage in rural communities by pushing for more doctors to be trained regionally.

Vocal in its call for improved health outcomes for regional communities, CSU has lobbied Education Ministers and local politicians, commissioned an independent assessment into the economic impact of its own proposed medical school, and rallied community support right across rural and regional Australia.

Having worked towards this outcome for so long, in May we were heartened by the $83.3 million Stronger Rural Health Strategy announced in the 2018 Federal Budget. This funding will establish the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network to provide end-to-end training in regional cities via: − A partnership between Western Sydney University and Charles Sturt University at Orange − The University of NSW at Wagga Wagga − The University of Sydney at Dubbo

− Monash University at Bendigo and Mildura

− A partnership between Melbourne and La Trobe universities at Shepparton, Bendigo and Wodonga

Charles Sturt University Donor Magazine

Commonwealth funding for the establishment of the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network is undoubtedly a win for regional communities across the Murray-Darling Basin who deserve the same access to high-quality healthcare services as those living in capital cities.

It also demonstrates the very active role CSU plays in advocating for our communities and ensuring they grow and flourish. We provide opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge, skills, attributes, habits and professional networks for a meaningful life and successful career. Giving the right people access to higher education ensures that our students go on to contribute to their communities.

We also help our regional communities to be strong and vibrant by ensuring they have the intellectual capital, social capital and the infrastructure they need.

That’s where our big-ticket initiatives such as the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network come into play. We advocate for or initiate high impact programs for our communities that deliver lasting economic, social and environmental outcomes.

By focusing our research, intellectual capital and assets in this way, we seek to create tangible, longterm benefits to our communities.

But there is so much more to be done – so many other initiatives that could make a real, measurable

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difference to rural and regional people. That’s why we seek the support of our valued donors. If you share our goal to ensure our towns, cities and regions prosper, we’d love to discuss how you might be able to support our projects going forward.

Drop me a line at sansell@csu.edu.au and join us in our pursuit of a world worth living in.

Sarah Ansell Director – CSU Advancement

Other practical examples of how CSU brings people and knowledge together include: − The AgriPark at Wagga Wagga, where international agricultural companies, knowledge-rich agribusinesses, food producers, innovative small-medium enterprises and CSU will work side-by-side to tackle complex global issues. − CSU Dental clinics that directly ease the shortage of dentistry and oral health services in our regional footprint. − Innovation hubs that support entrepreneurship, innovation and small business management capacity for a range of audiences, including Indigenous entrepreneurs.

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Scholarship to keep Jacob’s memory alive Port Macquarie students have banded together to raise funds for a new scholarship to remember CSU graduate Jacob Berry.

Jacob Berry was in the prime of his life.

Well known and well liked around CSU’s Port Macquarie Campus, Jacob graduated from his Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) degree in December 2015 and was on a surfing holiday with friends in the Cook Islands in April the following year when his life was tragically cut short.

Having fallen off the scooter he was riding, Jacob suffered serious head injuries. Despite being evacuated to Auckland for medical care, Jacob never recovered.

His organs were donated to five people who are all doing well now thanks to this life-giving gift.

To those who remember him, this kind of generosity was just a part of Jacob’s nature. CSU students are keeping his generous spirit alive through the Jacob Berry Memorial Scholarship.

Port Macquarie Student Representative Council (SRC) Treasurer Ashley Hendry said the driving forces behind the scholarship have been the SRC, Student Liaison Officer Clara Koch, Kate Wood-Foye from Rydges and Jacob’s parents.

“We raised $5000 in our Orientation Week and the Jacob Berry Memorial Beach Ball held in June last year was an overwhelming success. To date the fund has raised over $38,000.00.

“Jacob was on the bar staff at Rydges and they offered their function room for a night and a lot of help in organising the ball. They were so excited when they heard we were fundraising and they couldn’t offer their support to the event quickly enough.”

Ashley said support for the scholarship has been amazing. “A lot of the second- and third-year students knew Jacob, so they are coming along to a lot of our events, which was just awesome.

We had more than 150 people attend the ball.

Students and community members dressed in their beach ball bling, all coming together to raise funds for the scholarship.

“His family has been so supportive and I think they are honestly our biggest cheerleaders. When I said to Jacob’s mum Julie that we wanted to just raise as much money as we can for Jacob, she threw her arms in the air and said, ‘Yes! Thank you. I love it. I can’t wait.’ She’s really on board and is helping fundraise for the scholarship.”

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Pictured at the Beach Ball are (from left) Lyndon Tapiolas, Candice Tapiolas (sister), Julie Berry and Paul Berry.

Photography – Meraki Photography

Jacob’s name will live on Fellow SRC representative Grace Stevens is very happy to lend her time and energy to these fundraising efforts. “Before I heard of the Jacob Berry Memorial Scholarship, I first heard about Jacob Berry and what a good person he was.

“It’s really incredible not to have known someone but feel a sense that you know him through other people who share great stories about him and his generosity to his friends. That’s why I personally wanted to support such a great scholarship.

“It’s not just about the scholarship; it’s about keeping his memory alive at Charles Sturt University. It’s just one of those things – you never know when something like that is going to happen.

“I’m more than happy to give my time to raise money for a memorial scholarship in his name and it’s a really cool experience to be able to do something like this with the uni – to be able to give someone the memory that they deserve is such a special feeling.”

On May 18 this year at a second Beach Ball, Tahlia Rance was named the inaugural recipient of the scholarship.

Sarah Ansell, Director of Advancement, has praised Port Macquarie students for rallying to support CSUgive and Jacob’s family.

“The students’ support has really demonstrated the values of CSU in action. The CSU Foundation is very proud to be able to assist in setting up this legacy scholarship in Jacob’s memory and we are humbled by the fundraising achievements to date.

“The CSU Foundation team will manage the funds and the scholarship application process to ensure that the students’ wishes are met and Jacob’s memory is honoured annually in a way that I’m sure would have made this community-minded young man proud.”

You can contribute to the Jacob Berry Memorial Scholarship at: www.csu.edu.au/donate

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Agnes lifts the barriers Originally from Ireland, Agnes McInerney understands what it’s like to forge a new life in a new country.

This experience is part of the reason Agnes established the Lifting the Barriers Refugee Scholarship.

Agnes McInerney wants to help students who find it difficult to access higher education.

As daughter Tansi explains, her mother’s experiences settling in Australia are part of the reason why she established the Lifting the Barriers Refugee Scholarship, a $42,700 annual scholarship designed to help refugees access tertiary education in their new country.

“My mum was born in country Ireland in the 1930s and moved to the city (Dublin) to work until the age of 24 when her brother paid for her passage to Canada. It was while working in Calgary that she met my father, who was an Australian on a working holiday. They married in 1960, and then decided to move to Australia.

“I think she identifies with what she imagines to be the experience of young refugees arriving in Australia – settling into a new country where you know nobody, where you’re financially vulnerable, and where you are a long way from your emotional support systems. Although she has had a very full life, I think she identifies with those for whom a higher education is a barrier, because it’s not something that she was able to access herself."

Agnes first looked to create a scholarship for high school students but thanks to an existing relationship with Charles Sturt University – including the James McInerney Memorial Scholarship – she opted to establish the Lifting the Barriers Scholarship instead.

“There’s a sentimental connection with CSU that derives from my father’s experience of going to the Wagga Agricultural College in the 1950s. Our connection with CSU has very much been driven by our relationship with Justin Williams (Development Officer). Over the years, that personal relationship with the university – the trip we’ve made up to the Wagga Campus, the positive experience of meeting recipients and their families at scholarship ceremonies – has been quite rewarding. So, when the gap in support at higher education level became quite apparent to us, we started talking to Justin about doing something for people from refugee backgrounds.”

Both Tansi and Agnes are personally involved in selecting the scholarship recipient. “We heard stories of great vulnerability and adversity and trauma. Some of those stories were hard to read, but it also confirmed our belief that refugees arriving in Australia have already overcome a range of insurmountable obstacles and need assistance to rebuild their lives.”

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Agnes Tansey (middle) and the parents of the 2015 James Mcinerney Winner (Tom Stewart) Andy and Marie.

“I think she identifies with what she imagines to be the

experience of young refugees arriving in Australia... where you are a long way from your emotional support systems.“

– Tansi McInerney

Value of higher education When asked about her family’s legacy, Tansi says it’s consistent with the value her parents placed on higher education and the opportunities and choices it creates. “Me and my five siblings are adopted, and throughout our childhood had an additional nine foster children staying with us too. We grew up with children from families that were experiencing crises, disadvantage, short term illness, mental illness and other challenges.

“I think it’s very easy to forget how lucky we are and how unlucky others can be. Mum and Dad raised us to be aware of our privilege. In my case, as an adoptee who met my birth mother when I was 25, it was quite evident that my life would have been very different had I not been adopted by James and Agnes McInerney. I would not have had access to a higher education and I possibly would not have

been raised to believe myself capable of achieving a higher education. Consequently, I feel strongly about supporting those with less privilege than me.

“Speaking personally, I was the recipient of a scholarship myself when I did my Bachelor degree, and I remember feeling the validation of knowing that a panel of people selected me and thought me capable. It’s incredibly validating, motivating and life-changing. The opportunity to be able to then pass that on to other individuals is something I feel quite deeply about. We hope that this is a life-changing opportunity for the recipient. I think we both believe that by lifting the financial barrier, the recipient can focus on overcoming all the other barriers to achieving at university. We sincerely wish that the recipients of this scholarship can complete their study, and that they can get a job and focus on rebuilding their lives here in Australia.”

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CSU bond 70 years strong “We were a very close-knit

community where people cared about one another.

People shared. Everything was discussed. I always said we were more like sisters and brothers than students.”

– Winifred Wilcox (nee Walshaw)

The graduates of the Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College share a special bond. More than 300 of these intrepid educators converged on Wagga last October to mark the 70th anniversary of the College.

Winifred Wilcox (nee Walshaw) was one of the first students to set foot on the Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College campus in 1947 and was on the first editorial staff of the College magazine, Talkabout, which is still in production today.

Winifred returned to Wagga Wagga last October, one of 300 alumni from around the country to celebrate the occasion.

“This was a wonderful place for development. We were encouraged towards all round development, and we were told to then do that with our students.

We developed mentally, physically, socially and spiritually and I always felt spiritually was really the inner core of the person, not a particular religion, but the development of the feelings and the mind.

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Pictured (right) Kevin and Winifred Wilcox.

“I am grateful that Wagga Wagga Teachers College fostered my abilities, gave me a fulfilling worthwhile career and a feeling for life that has sustained me throughout the years.”

Moving from Bathurst to Wagga as a 16-year-old in 1966, Brian Powyer credits the Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College for providing the foundations for his career, which included four principalships, Deputy President of the Primary Principals’ Association and advisor to the NSW Education Minister.

“It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. There were countless great moments, so it’s hard to say which is the standout. There were sporting activities I was involved in and even the lectures were good as it was the first time we were exposed to what you would call true academics. It just lifted the whole concept of what academia was about.”

Contributing to future generations Brian said the College community remains strong, connected by a desire to give back. This occurs through the annual Wagga Wagga Teachers’ Alumni Association scholarship for an up-andcoming student teacher. “Every member of the WWTCAA has probably made a contribution to the scholarship over the years, either on a regular basis

or via one-off payments,” Brian said. “It gives students much-needed finances and also recognises the scholarship required in teaching.

“Importantly, it also continues the link between generations. We've got our pioneers who are all in their 80s and 90s now contributing funds and supporting talented young teachers to come into the field.

“I contribute because the type of students the scholarship targets are probably the students I had in my schools, those who find it a little bit harder to pay the bills at the end of the week, so I feel that I'm also indirectly supporting somebody who deserves support.

“And we’re now starting to get people who received a scholarship some time back reflecting on how important it was in their career. Hopefully, they become the next generation to contribute to the scholarship fund or become mentors encouraging the generation behind them.”

For more information on the Wagga Wagga Teachers’ Alumni Association, please contact Bruce and Lesley Forbes on bruceles@bigpond.com

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The best job there is When he was captain of West Bathurst Public School, Darren Denmead never dreamed he would one day be the school’s Principal. He thanks CSU and his four scholarship donors for recognising his potential.

When Darren Denmead returned to CSU as a mature age student to study a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), he could not have imagined how life-changing it would be.

Having completed a Marketing degree straight out of school, Darren decided that he wanted to make a difference by becoming an educator.

“I chose to return to CSU because I had heard many positive things about the teacher education courses and had several friends who had gone through the degree previously who enjoyed the experience.

“As a mature age student, I asked questions and interviewed a number of CSU Education faculty members before I decided to apply. I had completed a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) years before, so felt I owed it to CSU to make up for my inept commitment and performance then as a young man!”

Studying later in life was a completely different experience for Darren, who was dedicated to putting in the work. Part of his drive came from receiving four scholarships: Dr Henry Nowik Scholarship (in 2006); Gerry & Helen Baber Scholarship (2007);

White Family Scholarship (2008); and the Western Research Institute Honours Scholarship (2009).

“Receiving those scholarship was my best CSU experience. I just couldn’t believe how much everyone wanted to help and to see me succeed.

“As a mature age male student in an Early Childhood education degree, these scholarships meant a great deal. It was incredibly liberating and refreshing, but I also felt an immense pressure to succeed at a high level for my teachers, donors and my family. They all made such a big financial and emotional commitment to me that I did not want to let any of them down.

“Financially, the scholarships meant I could give up casual employment to supplement my income, which not only gave me more time to focus on studies, but also allowed me to spend more time with my family.

“Even more importantly, they provided a huge boost for me personally on many levels. I was encouraged by the support, and heartened to know that determination, motivation, passion and respect were rewarded. These scholarships showed me that age was no barrier and, most significantly, that others could sense potential in me, which was a wonderful, life-changing feeling.”

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Pictured (above) Darren Denmead, West Bathurst Public School Principal and CSU Alumnus, doing what he loves best.

In addition, Darren received personal support from his donors, including “the amazing Jan White”.

“This support kept me going and working toward my goals even when things were difficult. I felt I owed it to them to do well and to be the best educator and person possible. It was good pressure – a sense of obligation that really spurred extra effort.

“Jan gave me the best advice I ever received, which was to understand your own values and your beliefs, and learn how to share those effectively with everyone you meet.”

Without these scholarships, Darren doubts he would have risen to the role of Principal so quickly.

“My donors fostered an ongoing belief in my vision and skills. This has led me to pursue leadership positions in schools and the community and I am sure this would not have happened as quickly, or perhaps not at all, if it was not for this support.

“I thank all my donors for making me see that anything was possible. You gave me the strength and knowledge to believe in myself and what I stand for and I am eternally grateful for your support.

“I want my donors to know that I am Principal of the school I went to as a child, one that I truly love, in a position to make a difference every day in the lives of our children, their families and all of our amazing

staff. I honestly believe this would not have been possible if not for the faith and guidance shown to me in my time at CSU.”

To learn and to hope Darren said that at university he was inspired to make a difference and enrich the lives of every child in his school, and reports that nothing much has changed in the years following graduation.

“I love learning and teaching and my enthusiasm grows each day. I still love my job and am passionate about education.

“I have actually presented numerous times to first and fourth year students over the past few years. I love helping CSU students as I want to help them prepare for and be inspired by the best job there is.

“Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the idea of making life a little bit more special for our kids and their families? No matter how trying the day, I go home knowing that someone has made me smile and laugh, and that I have helped children to believe in themselves and to love learning. The job is very demanding, but there is no better feeling than when you help kids to learn and to hope.”

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CSU staff give back Staff at CSU understand the power of higher education to expand horizons and improve career opportunities.

That’s why so many staff support the CSUgive workplace giving program. Commencing in 2015, CSUgive allows staff to directly contribute to student scholarships. As Director of Advancement Sarah Ansell said, the program provides another very tangible way for University staff to directly change lives.

“Every day in so many ways, CSU staff change lives.

By making regular donations through payroll, staff can actively demonstrate their belief that regional Australians deserve access to higher education.

“It’s been three years and we now have nearly 200 staff giving to the program. This year, we passed the $100,000 milestone, which goes back to student scholarships and has long-lasting implications for recipients and for the communities they go on to live and work in.”

Seeing the impact Two staff members supporting CSUgive are Kris Harrison and Justine Rye, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Support Officers within CSU’s Division of Marketing and Communication.

In their department, Kris and Justine oversee email communications with both current and prospective students but don’t often get the opportunity to see students face-to-face. Giving to CSUgive is a nice reminder of their connection to tertiary education.

For Justine, the decision to start regular donations through payroll was personal. “My nephew attended CSU and was lucky to be studying in his hometown, but a lot of his university friends were not local.

It was hard for some of them to study full-time, support themselves and try and earn an income and make ends meet.

“That’s why I give. For a small contribution, I know it can go a long way and I know that the funds we contribute are provided to the students that really need help.”

Kris started her regular donations two years ago.

Through her role, Kris assists with online scholarship applications. “You just get a feel for how great an opportunity these scholarships are for students, so I thought ‘why not’.

“It was a simple process through payroll, and I know the funds are directed to where they’re most needed.

“I attended a scholarship ceremony last year where the CSUgive Scholarship was awarded. It is one of those moments that you think, ‘Wow – this is a big deal’. It’s a life changer for some.

“Seeing the recipient’s family or friends come along also reinforces the importance of it all and it’s a proud moment for the student and their family.

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Pictured (left) Justine Rye. (Right) Kris Harrison.

"Making the effort to apply, filling out the form, getting all the relevant documentation, is not always easy – so they have jumped that first hurdle and are now underway to one of the most important, and hopefully exciting, times of their lives.

“It brought back the feeling of how I felt when my kids finished Year 12 – seeing them up on that stage on the cusp of the rest of their lives is a magical moment.”

Justine adds, “It’s great to see the students receive their scholarship as it really gives you a sense that you’re helping out.”

Money makes a difference Since it began, CSUgive has funded 23 scholarships, and Mary Munro is one of this year’s recipients.

Growing up in the small rural town of Cumnock, Mary wants to become a teacher working in rural areas. “I have always had a desire to help others learn, as I believe education is the gateway to a better future, providing opportunities, freedom and guidance to the generations of tomorrow.

“Becoming a teacher has always been on my horizon. My desire to study a Bachelor of Education at Charles Sturt University emerged as a direct result of my experiences as a student and my various teachers, who inspired me to learn, challenge myself and always strive to achieve.

“However, I know I have great challenges to face along my university journey. Embarking on a four year course with possibly two years of further study is both challenging and financially demanding.

“With this scholarship, I feel I will be able to complete my degree and further studies to become the best teacher I can be.”

Currently living and working in Orange, Mary commutes to the Bathurst Campus each day. She is using her scholarship to assist with petrol costs as well as textbooks and course fees, easing the financial pressure.

“I admire both of my parents immensely for their strong will, determination, and their continuous support, however they are not currently in the financial position to support me through my studies and, although I have two jobs, my wages are not sufficient to cover the costs of university.

“This scholarship makes me feel as though the future is not as daunting. Scholarships like this assist so many students like me to achieve their tertiary studies, and education is the most valuable asset one can give.”

For more information on the CSUgive workplace giving program, visit csu.edu.au/go/give/donate/staff-giving

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Tracey's new start “Our first reaction was

to stand looking at each other in complete disbelief, followed by a lot of squealing and jumping around. We were both completely in awe and grateful that we have this gracious gift.“ – Tracey Padwick

Tracey Padwick knows what it takes to start over.

Undertaking a Bachelor of Social Work at CSU in Port Macquarie, Tracey is forging a new life for herself and daughter, Emma, after leaving a violent relationship. “I was in a very violent marriage, which eventually left my daughter with partial brain damage.

“During this time, I was also diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulamatosis and spent three months in hospital undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

This disease has a 20 per cent survival rate – I am blessed to have been in remission for five years.”

Once she recovered, Tracey decided it was time to build a new life in Tuncurry/Forster. However, due to the circumstances of her marriage, she and Emma were left with nothing.

They managed to set up a home close to Tracey’s elderly parents and the services Emma needs however travelling from Tuncurry to Port Macquarie for classes and to work placements in her 12-yearold car was taking a financial toll.

News of her $20,000 Carole and Stan Droder Scholarship came as a delightful surprise. “Emma answered the phone and bought it to me on speaker, so she was able to hear the news.

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Pictured (above) Tracey Padwick with Richard Evans (Executor of Carole and Stan Droder Scholarship).

“Our first reaction was to stand looking at each other in complete disbelief, followed by a lot of squealing and jumping around. We were both completely in awe and grateful that we have this gracious gift. To say this scholarship will help is such an understatement.”

Tracey used the scholarship to ensure her little gold car – affectionately called Nugget – is roadworthy until the end of her degree. She also caught up on utility bills and purchased a replacement laptop, as her old computer had been stolen from her car.

“Having a computer means I no longer need to go to the library to type out assessments. Being able to do them at home gives me the most precious gift of all: the gift of extra time.”

When Tracey graduates she hopes to find work in the area she lives, where there is a lack of services.

“I have looked into the possibility of starting a mobile service offering counselling services to many of the homebound pensioners or disabled in the area.

“Having someone to shed light on services that could help with situational incapacity would be a useful commodity in the community. I learned that from experience.

“Until graduation, the feeling like life is financially under control is a gift that means so much. The financial stress that comes with being a single studying parent has abated and I can now focus on my daughter and my studies.

“I could never express it in words what this scholarship means. Thank you seems so inadequate but it is all I have. We will be forever grateful and indebted to the Droders for their kindness. They have brought a blessing to our lives.”

The power to change lives A bequest is a gift that keeps on giving.

It has the power to transform many lives.

In 2016, CSU received a $3million bequest from Carole and Stan Droder. The endowment has so far provided $278,000 in scholarships and prizes for 46 students studying full-time across six campuses.

These scholarships and prizes help students from lower to middle income NSW families from trades, small farming, small business or administrative support backgrounds. Students receiving the scholarships may be from single parent families or be a single parent themselves.

Contact Kirstie Grady on 02 6338 4834 or kgrady@csu.edu.au for more information on how straightforward it is to leave a bequest to CSU. Alternatively, contact your preferred legal adviser for advice.

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New scholarships With your help, we are able to do more Whenever a new or existing donor offers a new scholarship, we are humbled, grateful and more than a little excited. With one in seven university students regularly going without food and other necessities because they cannot afford them, and one in three regularly missing classes because they had to work, you can understand why.* Scholarships give CSU students the freedom to concentrate on their studies knowing their necessary expenses – accommodation, living costs, text books and computers – are covered. In some instances they are the only thing that makes a university education possible.

With your help, we have been able to offer the following new scholarships and assist more students to access higher education.

Ron & Stephanie Camplin (OAM) Scholarship When Ron Camplin bought 2BS in 1969, Bathurst was a town of around 16,500. Today there are more than 40,000 residents, growth Ron attributes to having CSU in town.

*Universities Australia Student Finances Survey 2017

Ron and his beloved wife Stephanie are known as passionate supporters of higher education. Their long affiliation with the University began in 1982 and has been strong ever since. Any student studying an undergraduate degree on the Bathurst Campus, either online or on campus, is eligible to apply for this $5000 scholarship.

A special shout-out to Ron who celebrates 70 years in radio this year. You’re an inspiration, Ron!

Gilgandra Shire Council Nursing Scholarship Located in CSU’s footprint, Gilgandra is a vibrant rural community of 4400 people. Committed to developing skills in the Gilgandra community, Gilgandra Shire Council has come on board to provide a $9000 scholarship to current or commencing Bachelor of Nursing students with a demonstrated interest in aged care or disability services.

The scholarship provides financial support and parttime work at the Cooee Lodge aged care facility while studying, with the guarantee of a full-time registered nurse role upon completion.

As an added bonus, Gilgandra Shire Council will also pay 25% of the student’s HECS debt for every year they are engaged in full-time employment with Council thereafter.

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Scholarship winners Katie Kildey and Lydia Scotti (front, centre) with Councillors of Gilgandra Shire. Cr Gina Johnson, Cr Noel Wrigley, Cr Noel Mudford, Cr Brian Mockler, Cr Doug Batten (Mayor), Matthew Wilson (Director Community Services), Cr Deidrie Naden and David Neeves (General Manager).

Gilgandra Shire Council staff were so impressed with the calibre of the applicants for the Nursing Scholarship they decided to add an additional two prizes: The Jack Towney Hostel Prize valued at $1500 and the Cooee Lodge Prize valued at $1000.

Alexandra Catherine Henderson Prize When Alexandra Henderson lost her life in a farm accident in July 2017 she had just started her studies at CSU. Combining her interest in conservation and social justice with her passion for horses, in March 2017, Alexandra spent time at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe where she was able to work with horses and wildlife, including lions, as part of a rehabilitation program.

Thoroughly enjoying her time there, Alexandra was preparing her own application to return to Africa via the CSU Global Africa Experience in 2017.

Alexandra’s mother Dorothy said establishing this memorial prize will help enable other students to learn. “The scholarship has allowed us to provide Ally with a meaningful legacy benefiting students and doing the work that she had planned to do, inspired by her own experience in Zimbabwe with wildlife and children.”

Lainy McFarland Memorial Scholarship Lainy McFarland was a loving person, daughter, sister and friend. She passionately cared for and rescued animals and lived a life dedicated to animal well-being. A distinguished third year Veterinary Science student at Charles Sturt University, Lainy was a two-time Dean’s Award recipient for Academic Excellence, who still managed to work and devote time to community service.

Passing away suddenly in 2016, Lainy is deeply loved and missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. Everything Lainy did, she did with love.

The Lainy McFarland Memorial Scholarship has been established by Lainy’s mother Laura, as a way of spreading this love to another veterinary or animal science student.

Sharon Golconda Leadership Scholarship St Martin’s College, in consultation with the Golconda family, has established an accommodation scholarship in the name of one of their former residents. Honouring the memory of Sharon Golconda, this scholarship provides assistance with accommodation costs for a student studying on the Wagga Wagga Campus and residing at St Martin’s College. We thank Sharon’s family members for their valuable contribution.

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Photo (from left) Roger Patching Course-Coordinator – School of Communication, David Lowy, Westfield Holdings with Professor Mal Walker Acting Dean of Faculty of Arts, 1991.

Thanks also for the following new donations: Agnes Tansey – Lifting the Barriers Refugee Scholarship (see page 16 for the full story)

$42,700

CO2 Australia Scholarship (see page 6 for the full story)

over three years

Rotary Club of Oberon Prize

was given for an

Mal Walker Memorial Prize

$30,000

$30,000

annual prize of $1200

$25,000

was given for an annual prize of $1500

Equity Trustees Foundation Work Placement Scholarship

$20,000

Essential Energy Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Scholarship

$10,000

with one-year paid work experience

OMG Media Indigenous Pathway Scholarship

$4,000

Boston Private Wealth Scholarship

$3,300

Blooms The Chemist Jim Matthews Scholarship

$3,000

Online Study Student Representative Committee Postgraduate Scholarship

$3,000

Rules Club Wagga Wagga Scholarship

$1,500

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Alumni appeal targets scholarships Under the banner of Alumnigive, CSU has launched its first-ever Annual Alumni Appeal.

A philanthropic program, Alumnigive helps CSU Alumni work with the University to support current students and worthy activities through the donation of their time, expertise of financial donations.

“It is our hope that our Alumni can match the staff donation figure quickly. In fact, we have set a target to raise $300,000 by 2019 in time for CSU’s 30th anniversary. If just 10% of alumni donate $15, we will hit our target to provide an additional six $3000 scholarships a year, in perpetuity.

“Through the generosity of our Alumni we hope to directly ensure university remains an option for all students, regardless of their circumstances.”

Director of Advancement Sarah Ansell – herself a CSU graduate and long-term donor – said funds raised will go towards establishing Alumnigive Scholarships. “As a community, we understand that collectively, through small acts of kindness, we have the power to make the world a better place.

For more information on Alumnigive, visit www.csu.edu.au/alumni/alumnigive/give-now or email give@csu.edu.au.

“Our graduates have first-hand experience of the value of education and the opportunities it brings.

Currently we can only fund 4% of total scholarship applications, with many students living below the poverty line and many more potential students simply not able to afford to attend university at all.

Under the Alumnigive program, there are many ways to support the work of CSU and help make this a world worth living in.

“We’re calling on the support of our strong Alumni network to contribute to scholarships for those who need them and ensure that social or financial circumstances do not prevent a student from reaching their full potential.”

− Supporting CSU recruitment activities

Sarah said one initiative addressing this need is CSU’s staff giving program, which has raised more than $100,000, and she is hopeful that the Alumni appeal will follow suit.

Many ways to help

In addition to the appeal, Alumni may wish to give back in other ways, such as: − Mentoring and providing career advice − Giving a guest lecture

− Providing curriculum support and advice − Speaking at CSU events

− Joining a University board or advisory committee − Volunteering support at a range of events

www.csu.edu.au/donate

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New approaches to learning Following a long career in nursing, including a stint as an educator in aged care facilities, Dr Maree Bernoth is now Associate Professor of Nursing with CSU’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health. Since 2009, Maree has taught undergraduate nursing students about communication, aged care and research. She also supervises PhD, Masters and Honours students.

“My best experiences at CSU have been the relationships I’ve built with the students and having them engage in learning. I get a lot of feedback saying that I encourage students to be the best they can be, and I do not accept a 'p' [pass mark] makes a degree. These students are going to be out there working with people. They need the best skills that they can have.”

You only need to talk to Dr Maree Bernoth for a short while to see how passionate she is about teaching the next generation of nurses.

Maree’s drive to see her students reach their full potential has led her to explore new ways of teaching and learning. “I'm curious about learning and about why some people embrace learning and love it, and why some do not.

“It’s the students who don’t embrace learning who challenge me. They annoy me, but it's that annoyance, it's that thorn, that makes you keep thinking about, 'Well, how am I going to get these people on board?'. One of the outcomes of this questioning is that last year we wrote a book.

There are textbooks about ageing that are as boring

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and unengaging as you can possibly get, so they potentiate the stereotype that ageing and working with older people is boring. But it’s far from it.

“I said to my co-editor, Denise Winkler, 'How do we engage students?' and she said, 'You win their hearts and then you bring them along'. Winning their hearts, we went back to our Indigenous peoples. They told stories. When we were kids, we heard stories. So, we included the stories of older people. We've filmed them, so the students can watch their stories, or read about them in the textbook. We've got older people teaching the students about ageing. Who better?”

Approach recognised The textbook Healthy Ageing and Aged Care has been highly commended by the Australian Association of Gerontology and was named the Best Tertiary Student Resource in the 2017 Educational Publishing Awards as voted by editors and writers around Australia.

Maree was thrilled with the recognition. “To be shortlisted was gob-smacking but to win? To win!

We took a risk writing that way… traditional books have the theory, and here we were producing a book that's got stories and tables. We've taken a different tack and I was waiting for peers to laugh at us. To win meant that we were validated in our approach.

“This is not just a resource for students; it's also important for older people. They have so much enjoyed being part of this. If we want to break down stereotypes and ageist attitudes, we need to expose people to each other, and because I bring older people into the classroom, this is an opportunity for well distanced generations to learn from each other.

"We have people approaching us because they’re interested in what we’ve done, and they want to do the same in their communities.”

Maree believes this kind of community engagement is a hallmark of CSU. “What we need to do especially in rural and regional communities is to grow our own professionals, and CSU’s nursing course is developing nursing professionals to work in rural areas. My mantra is ‘working with’. I'm out there developing relationships with the hospital acute care sector and with the residential aged care sector to build opportunities for our graduates and provide those facilities with the graduates who are going to contribute to their communities, wherever they are.

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“Basically, it’s Directors of Nursing and CSU willing to work together, and we're having success where other strategies haven't worked.”

Rising to the challenge Part of Maree’s challenge is finding new and interesting ways to keep students engaged in learning. “One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in my time at CSU is the increase in online students.

I found that a bit of a challenge because my strength is face-to-face, engaging and building relationships with students who are in the classroom, but that challenged me to think about how I build relationships and then translate that into the online environment.

“Some of the strategies I've put in place include the use of games, magazines instead of modules, the textbook we wrote and videos we’ve produced. I have to say, one of the highlights is watching the students who struggle and struggle, grow and succeed. My husband has been a patient at Wagga Rural Referral Hospital a few times and seeing the students out in the clinical field being confident practitioners and listening to them interact with patients are very satisfying moments.”

New web resources The NSW Family and Community Services sponsored Maree Bernoth and her team (Denise Winkler and Clarissa Hughes) to develop a website that encourages and supports anyone teaching ageing to recognise the wealth of knowledge and experience older people have, and so include them in the teaching process.

Called OPTEACH: The Older person as expert in training the next generation of health professionals, the website contains a wealth of support material and suggestions for how to include an older person in education or training events. It also has support material for the older person, so they are well prepared to share their knowledge and experiences with students in any setting – university, TAFE, RTO, clinic or aged care facility.

To explore OPTEAC visit www.opteach.com.au

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CSU NEWS On our quest to create a world worth living in, our students and staff are constantly kicking goals, reaching great heights, pushing through boundaries and breaking new ground. As an organisation focused on changing the world, it’s little wonder that CSU makes news. Here is the latest from CSU’s newsroom.

CSU welcomes Syngenta to the AgriPark

Nurses’ attitudes influence Indigenous health The critical urgency for Indigenous Australian cultural competence in the health sector is the focus of new research led by CSU lecturer Dr Jessica Biles into the influence of health professionals.

The global evolution of seed care treatment will take a front seat in a new research and development (R&D) partnership between Syngenta and CSU. Following the launch of its Australian Seedcare Institute at the Seed Federation conference in June, Syngenta is set to locate one of its global network of 14 facilities at CSU’s AgriPark. The Wagga Wagga Seedcare Institute will leverage world-class expertise and technology to service the Australian broad acre cropping market and open up opportunities for Sygenta to collaborate with other AgriPark tenants.

CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development & Industry), Professor Mary Kelly, said the AgriPark is CSU’s long-term strategic initiative to create an agricultural ecosystem in the Riverina, in which innovation and productivity is accelerated through deliberate and pro-active collaboration and co-location, and the University is delighted to have Syngenta join the Park.

For more information on AgriPark, visit www.agripark.csu.edu.au

“The literature shows there are four major reasons Indigenous Australians access mainstream health care later, or not at all, in comparison to nonIndigenous Australians. One of the four cited reasons is the biases, attitudes and behaviours of health care professionals. Nurses comprise 56 per cent of the healthcare workforce. They have the ability to positively influence people and communities.”

Dr Biles’ study sought to understand the experiences of nursing students learning Indigenous Australian content. “Through curriculum and personal learning experiences and the ability to connect with people, undergraduate nursing students did change, grow and develop their understanding of Indigenous Australian culture and health.

“This research reveals an important model of learning. It shifts the onus from the ‘problematic patient’ who doesn’t access healthcare and refocuses to the nurse who willingly considers how their individual attitudes, biases and behaviours influence care and ensures that health services are inclusive to all Australians.”

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Stem cell research aims to improve osteoarthritis

Upstairs Startup Hub launched in Bathurst

CSU is contributing to national research exploring the effectiveness of using a person’s own stem cells to treat their arthritis.

CSU has joined NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Bathurst Regional Council, and Reliance Bank to co-found the Upstairs Startup Hub in Bathurst.

Dr James Wickham, lecturer in anatomy and physiology at CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences in Orange, is one of the lead investigators in this ground-breaking, potentially diseasemodifying research.

“The purpose of this study is to formally follow-up and record the effectiveness of stem cell injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis. A secondary objective is to determine whether stem cell therapy offers disease-modifying potential and therefore whether it can limit, prevent or possibly reverse the progression of arthritis,” Dr Wickham said.

The study will be the first to use autologous (from your own body) stem cell therapy. “Initial unpublished results indicate that participants will substantially benefit in terms of reduced pain and increased mobility."

The research is being undertaken with Associate Professor Julien Freitag, the Clinical Director and Study Doctor at the Melbourne Stem Cell Centre.

Launched in April, Upstairs has 32 dedicated workstations and hot desks for entrepreneurs, and everything a start-up might need, including breakout spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, 24/7 access, internet and a kitchen.

Professor Mary Kelly said CSU is proud to be part of an initiative designed to create new, innovative businesses in the Bathurst region. “Upstairs will have a real impact on further developing knowledge and open up pathways to further innovations in our regional communities in the NSW Central West.

“Along with the University’s CenWest Innovate, AgriTech Incubator and Walan Mayinygu, Upstairs is another branch of entrepreneurial opportunities for the wider community and CSU students, alumni and academics.”

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Pictured (above) Dr Waseem Afzal.

Harnessing digital animation to counter extremism A digital animation to assist in the ongoing efforts to counter extremism around the globe is being developed at CSU. CSU academics – information scientist Dr Waseem Afzal and animation and visual effects expert Mr Andrew Hagan are leading the project.

“The project draws on my earlier research for the Australian Army which looked at extremist propaganda in news bulletins, magazines and social media and the kind of information extremists used in their messages,” Dr Afzal said.

“By combining some of the informational cues used in this propaganda with Andrew’s expertise in animation, we hope to develop an animation that will inform counter radicalisation research.”

The project, Using virtual reality to counter extremism was presented at the 2017 conference of the Association for Information Science and Technology, the peak association in the information science discipline.

Course targets serious crime Policing students from three states have learned the value of up-to-date investigative interviewing software at a residential school at CSU in Port Macquarie. Police officers and detectives worked with the students to develop their strategic and tactical interviewing skills during immersive reallife interviews with suspects in various major crime scenarios, such as murder and arson.

Mr Daren Jay, lecturer in the CSU Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, said it was a productive exercise.

“For the first time, students were able to plan, conduct and evaluate interviews with suspects using the TILES System® interview management software, a solution currently being trialled by two police forces in the United Kingdom.

“Innovative teaching methods like these in cuttingedge teaching facilities will help future-proof our students’ skillsets.”

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Reconciliation, Recognition and the Uluru Statement

World-first research into wellbeing of new paramedics

In marking 10 years since the Federal Government’s apology to the Stolen Generation, CSU acknowledged the significance of the apology as a significant step toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

CSU is playing a key role in an international study into the mental wellbeing of new paramedicine graduates. The International Paramedic Anxiety and Wellbeing and Stress (IPAWS) study will investigate whether key indicators of psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction and social support among graduate paramedics change with occupational experience.

In an opinion piece issued during Reconciliation Week, Associate Professor Dominic O’Sullivan wrote about the significance of the apology and, in turn, the need for an Indigenous voice in parliament.

“The Uluru Statement is a simple though far reaching proposal. It is representative of a significant body of Indigenous thought. If it is to be rejected, it ought to be because reasoned deliberation has produced a better, fairer more inclusive and respectful democratic model. In the absence of meaningful political voice, one cannot say that the transgressions of the past will not be repeated.”

You can read Dominic’s commentary here www.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0006/3031980/Reconciliation_Week_2018_ Article3.pdf

The five-year longitudinal, quantitative study is being led by Whitireia New Zealand, a public tertiary institute of technology, through principal investigator Dr Elizabeth Asbury.

“This is the first, multi-centre international, longitudinal study of psychological wellbeing undertaken among paramedic graduates, and it presents a unique opportunity to explore the impact of the paramedic experience," Dr Asbury said.

"A truly international research project, recruitment centres are spread across Australasia, North America and Europe. Charles Sturt University has been instrumental in launching IPAWS across Australia and I cannot thank them enough for their help and support.”

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Advancement Office Charles Sturt University Locked Bag 588 Wagga Wagga NSW 2678 +61 2 6933 2067 advancement@csu.edu.au www.csu.edu.au/office/advancement