Charles Sturt University – Wagga Wagga
Host: Mike Whitney
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University (CSU) is an Australian multi-campus university in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It has campuses at Bathurst, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga. It also has specialist centres in Canberra, Manly (Sydney), Goulburn and Broken Hill.
The University was established on 1 July 1989 from the merger of several existing separately-administered Colleges of Advanced Education including the Mitchell College of Advanced Education in Bathurst, the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education in Albury-Wodonga and the Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga,[1] through the enactment of The Charles Sturt University Act, 1989 (Act No. 76, 1989). It is named in honour of explorer Charles Sturt.
Charles Sturt University is particularly well known for its degree courses in media and communications, the visual and performing arts, viticulture, agriculture, nursing, radiography, teaching, theology, accountancy and library and information management. The University's winery has been, for some thirty years, the producer of acclaimed table wines and, more recently, the University has entered the commercial market with its range of specialist cheeses.
Charles Sturt University Cheese Factory
Their cheeses are all handmade in their very own Cheese Factory using the finest quality and freshest Riverina milk - a recipe that has proven to be an award-winning combination. Their collection of trophies and gold and silver medals grows each year as testament to fine quality ingredients and great cheesemaking.
The Cheese Factory is located on the grounds of Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. Sales from their boutique factory began through the Cellar Door in 1999 and have expanded rapidly since then.
The CSU Cheese Factory is operated by Barry Lillywhite, a cheese-maker and cheese show judge with an unbridled passion for all that he does.
CSU Cheesemaking Course
At present, CSU offers a cheesemaking course for those wanting to make small batches of cheese for use in their own kitchens.
The course is held in their food pilot plant and is restricted to 10 people per session. Several different cheeses are made over an intensive weekend session, including fetta, table cheese, ricotta, camembert, quark and mascarpone.
The 2 day workshop provides the opportunity to learn the skills required to make quality farmhouse cheese in your own kitchen at home.
As the course combines the insight of their head cheesemaker with that of their food science lecturers, participants acquire knowledge of both the practical and theoretical side of cheesemaking. Participants may take home the cheese they create, along with cheesemaking hints and the phone number of their cheesemaker, who has been known to receive calls at odd hours from participants eager to ask questions.
The workshop is completely hands-on to ensure that your experience is almost on a one-to-one basis with their lecturers.
The workshop is conducted in Charles Sturt University's (CSU) own cheese factory and food pilot plant, using the local milk from the Riverina. The factory has been turning out their unique award winning cheese since its inception in 1999. The Australian native flavour collection of cheeses is now widely available in selected supermarket chains and speciality food stores throughout Australia under the name of Bidgee Cheese.
Over the 2 day cheese making course, students make approximately six to eight different types of cheese which can be taken home to enjoy. Along with the practical skill you’ll also be given the recipes, the background science to making cheese and troubleshooting notes to avoid any mishaps after leaving the workshop.
Charles Sturt University Winery
The CSU Winery is an integral part of Australia's leading wine and food science school and as such is at the forefront of viticultural practices and wine making techniques.
The winery focuses on excellence, using state of the art technology without sacrificing tradition. It is seen as important that the winery reflect the same environment as other commercial Australian wineries, being market driven and producing the quality and styles of wine that obtain ready acceptance from discerning wine consumers in the open market place.
The winery focuses on its own range of premium table, fortified and sparkling wines and since its inception in 1977 have been awarded 25 trophies, 93 gold, 172 silver and 425 bronze medals in National Wine Shows!
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More Information Charles Sturt University Winery & Cheese Factory
The next Cheese Making Courses are on 7th and 8th of June, 26th and 27th of July, 2nd and 3rd of August 2008. Cost is $459 per person for two days.
The easiest way to get to Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga is to hop aboard a QantasLink flight from Sydney. The trip takes just over 1 hour and one way prices start from $114 per person. |
Prices correct as at 10/05/08
Little Bunda Cottages
Gorgeously set in rolling paddocks overlooking the lights of Wagga Wagga and Charles Sturt University’s cellar door, Little Bunda Cottages are a unique self-contained accommodation.
Featuring mudbricks and French doors, wide cool verandahs and polished timber floors with accents in redgum and ironbark, the style is quintessentially Australian.
Redgum furniture handcrafted by regional artisans is complemented by a fully equipped kitchen in Tasmanian myrtle and applebox with quality appliances, microwave, dishwasher, oven and ceramic cooktop. The stunning open plan living/dining area with soaring raked ceilings offers 180° views of city lights and starry nights. A generous club lounge is accompanied by stereo and tv/video, while a separate desk area includes internet access. The cottage also enjoys good mobile coverage.
Ducted heating and cooling, a contemporary bathroom with spa bath and separate shower plus spacious bedrooms with mohair throws and sundried linen ensure a sweet repose. And for the weary traveller, award winning locally blended ground coffee, leaf tea and homemade biscuits provide a warm welcome.
Up to 6 guests can be accommodated. Provisions for continental and cooked breakfasts, and special occasion regional produce hampers are available additional to the tariff.
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More Information Little Bunda Cottages |
Prices correct as at 10/05/08