"CSU has grown, and with growth sometimes the roots are forgotten, and you have to go back to them to maintain your success," said Doug Hill, who served as an associate professor of education at the university until 1998.

Beginning its life as an informal network of alumni, the 'Friends of CSU' committee has now been approached to provide an official function at the university.

It will be modelled on the long-standing 'Mitchell Emeritus Club' at the Bathurst campus.

Trish Gray worked in various roles at the university - including the deputy director of the international office - until 2002.

"Its history needs to be passed down, there are amazing stories out there about those who really built the place," Ms Gray said.

"We want to do more than talk, we want to do something.

"We're passionate about it because we grew with the university and we want to see it succeed," Ms Gray said.

Approached by the university's director of engagement, Sarah Ansell, the group's official launch has come on the eve of the university's 30th anniversary under the Charles Sturt branding.

"The university is trying to reach out, and we are responding and complimenting that," Mr Hill said.

"[Regional universities] have to have a focus on what's happening in the area, and how to document it.

"Universities provide a sound basis for research into the things that affect the community directly, that's why it's so important that the university reflects its original community-centred vision."

Mrs Ansell sees the group's role as being twofold.

Firstly, it will maintain the verbal history and social presence, and secondly, it will be instrumental in making community decisions.

"There are any number of ways that they can be involved. I'd love for them to assist with scholarships [for example], which is something that happens quite a bit in Bathurst," Mrs Ansell said.

"We have a certain amount of [corporate] history but it rarely goes down to a grassroots level to document those personal memories, so I'm delighted to know we have a group who will be doing that."

Recognising the exponential growth of the university across the country and the world, Mrs Ansell said that it was understandable that some of its former students and staff would feel it had lost its community feel.

But, she said that the university is still committed to making a dent on a local level.

"The university has put a lot of resources into the community in recent years at least. It's so important we are engaged with what's happening, and we do hope to do more in the future," she said.

Yet, Mr Hill and Ms Gray believe its growth should not impact its commitment to the locality.

"As you get bigger you lose the focus you had on the local areas and it's difficult to maintain the offerings to the community," Mr Hill said.

"[The university] has enriched the community, but it can do more."