Offcourse

Issue 7 July 2006   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Opening of new Spiritual Centre 

Monash’s Caulfield campus opened its Spiritual Centre earlier this month, with a ceremony and the lighting of a symbolic candle by Campus Manager Ms Helen Dunne. 

The Spiritual Centre is a non-denominational space available for groups and individuals to use for spiritual/religious activities such as seminars, meetings, study and prayer. 

A Quiet Space is also available, providing an area for individuals to have time-out from their work to meditate, pray or relax. 

Mr Joshua Beggs, Chairperson, Chaplaincy Committee of Management (Caulfield), welcomed guests to the opening and acknowledged the gracious work of the Chaplains associated with the campus, including Rabbi Yehuda Devries, Reverend Yvonne Poon, Father Peter Hoang and Clayton Chaplaincy coordinator Reverend Dr Barry Rogers. 

Mr Beggs also expressed his gratitude to Caulfield Campus Management for allocating space on campus for the Spiritual Centre. 

“The allocation of this space shows the dedication of Monash in recognising the emotional and spiritual needs of staff and students, which I’m very pleased about,” he said.  

“We would also like to thank Facilities and Services, in particular, Sylvia Hadjiantoniou, who managed the renovations, the Chaplains for their involvement on campus, Art and Design student Florentina Munteneau for providing artwork for the centre, Suzanne Wolf and Linda Bird for organising the opening function and Community Services for managing the centre.” 

Community Services Counsellor Ms Eliza Bram explained the concept of the Sharing Tree, which has been placed in the Spiritual Centre to allow visitors to hang messages offering words of wisdom to fellow staff and students. 

The Spiritual Centre and Quiet Space, located on level one of building B, have separate entrances and can be used simultaneously. Both areas can be booked through University Community Services on +61 3 9903 2500.

(Caulfield staff and students are now able to take time out in the Spiritual Centre on campus, opened last week by Monash’s Chaplaincy Committee (from left) Reverend Peter Hoang from the Catholic Church; Reverend Yvonne Poon from the Anglican Church; Manager, Community Services (Caulfield campus) Ms Suzanne Wolf; Mr Joshua Beggs; Rabbi Yehuda deVries from the Jewish Faith; and Reverend Barry Rogers.)

Multi-cultural Week - Tuesday 8 August to Thursday 10 August

OSS (Overseas Student Services) and MONSU Caulfield have put together some great activities to enable staff and students to celebrate Multicultural Week. 

Tuesday 8 August - Europe/Latino Day - some very fast dance moves by some very experienced salsa dancers, while many enjoyed fresh tacos.

Students enjoy the free salsa dance lesson

This was followed by some traditional Greek dancing and delicious Greek desserts. And then all were encouraged to participate in the Brazilian percussion class.

Wednesday 9 August - Asian/Middle Eastern Day - the student lounge was jumping with the African drumming and dancing and then all were mesmerised by male and female belly dancers.

Thursday 10 August - Australia Day - why not get along and enjoy traditional Aussie fare - party pies and sausage rolls, vegemite on toast and fairy bread and top it all off with a yummy lamington.  Or attend the Aussie beer tasting or even learn how to make ANZAC biscuits and/or sticky honey joys.

All staff are most welcome and encouraged to attend.

Spirituality on Campus   

The Chaplaincy Group is convening a working party to look at bringing Spirituality into the campus.

Many students and staff are feeling the absence of a sense of meaning and spirituality (not organised religion) in the busy life of campus.  Now that we have our beautiful new Spiritual Centre it seems an opportune time to look at how we can create something in and around it. 

All interested staff and students are invited to a meeting to start this discussion on Thursday August 24 at 1.15p.m. in the Spiritual Centre on Level 1 of B Building.  Lunch will be provided.  

Please reply to Linda Bird at University Community Services on 9903 2922 for catering purposes by Monday 21 August.

Election to University Council of an Academic Staff Member   

Election to University Council of an Academic Staff (other than  professors) Member.

In accordance with Monash University Statutes 9.1 and 9.2, nomination of candidates for the election to Monash University Council of one academic staff (other than the professors) member are invited. Candidates must hold either a full-time appointment or a fractional appointment of not less than 0.4 and must have held that appointment for a period of more than six months. 

The member elected will hold office from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2008. Full details and nomination forms are available at: 

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/execserv/elections/council/staff/index1.html

MPA Extended Hours & Services on Caulfield Campus

The Monash Postgraduate Association (MPA) has recently extended its hours of operation at the Caulfield office.

The office will be open (during semester) all day Tuesday (9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) and Wednesday (9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.) and Thursday afternoons (2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.).  All postgraduates and staff are invited to drop in to meet the MPA staff.

In addition, the MPA Advocate can offer confidential advice to postgraduates with concerns or questions about any aspect of their experience at Monash.  The MPA Advocate can be contacted by email (zuzana.quinn@adm.monash.edu.au) anytime, and is available to meet in person at the MPA Caulfield office by appointment only, on Friday mornings.

Online Gallery of Student Work  

The Faculty of Art & Design now have an online gallery of student work which can be accessed via the Faculty's homepage:

www.artdes.monash.edu.au

If you would like images for promotional/communication purposes, this is a great place to start. 

This is a continual "work-in-progress" with Visual communication images to be added shortly.  All other studios are represented and student names/courses are also pending.

Shiatsu Therapy on Campus  

Shiatsu therapy is massage-style body work based on Eastern traditions. Each treatment is tailored to suit each client’s special requirements and may also include dietary and exercise options.

Shiatsu provides a relaxing experience to reduce stress and promote health and wellbeing.

Sessions are generally 1 hour. Staff and student discounts apply.

To make an appointment with Alex Caldwell, call the Health Service on 9903 1177.

Language & Learning - New Name, New Location

The Language & Learning Office and Resource Centre has moved to Level 3, Building C - just above C&B Cafe and just near the escalator. 

It has also changed its name:  Language & Learning is now part of the Centre for the Advancement of Learning & Teaching (CALT).  Contact telephone numbers remain the same. Pop-in and take a look.

University Holidays & Closedown Dates

Monash University will close for the annual Christmas/New Year closedown period as follows:

• Wednesday, 20 December 2006 is the last working day for 2006; and
• Tuesday, 2 January 2007 is the first working day of 2007.

The statutory public holidays for the 2006/07 Christmas/New Year period are as follows:

• Monday, 25 December 2006 (Christmas Day);
• Tuesday, 26 December 2006 (Boxing Day); and
• Monday, 1 January 2007 (New Year's Day).

Consequently the last working day for 2006 will be Wednesday, 20 December 2006 and the first working day for 2007 will be Tuesday, 2 January 2007.

Further and more detailed information is available at:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/sss/news/holidays

Justice of the Peace on campus  

Rod Simpson, Justice of the Peace, is available on Tuesdays from 10am to 2.30pm in A1.19 to provide a Certification and Statutory Declaration/Affidavit witnessing service.   If you need documents witnessed at other times please contact Christel Kent who will provide you with names of other staff who can assist.

Media Communications Office  

A reminder that the Media Communications Office has a presence on campus.  Robyn Anns is working at Caulfield on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and her office is 3.115 in Building H.  Robyn can be contacted on 0417 568 781.

Religious Service - Rosary Prayer 

Rosary prayer is available Monday to Friday 12.15 p.m. at the Campus Spiritual Centre,  Building B, Level 1.  For additional information please visit website:  monashcatholics@blogspot.com

Caulfield Profiles

This month Dr. Philip Mendes, Senior Lecturer - Department of Social Work has agreed to be profiled .....

What is your position here at Monash Caulfield?

Senior Lecturer in Social Policy & Community Development in the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences

How long have you been with Monash?  Where did you work before coming to Monash?

I've been at Monash since January 1995 except for one year in 1997 working as a Social Policy Officer for the Australian Association of Social Workers. Prior to Monash, I worked as a child protection worker for the Victorian Government, as a social worker with both Centre Link and the Salvation Army St Kilda Crisis Centre, and as a political organizer for the Australian Jewish Democratic Society.  

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• Watch the Kangaroos win games;
• Play tennis and squash;
• Listen to late 1960s/early 70s music: Dylan, the Doors, The Who, Small Faces etc.
• Spend quality time with my wife and two children.  

Do you have a favourite quote you would like to share?

“Stop your theoretical navel gazing, and focus on promoting social change in the real world.” 

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Still trying to combine advocacy with scholarship. Academics have an obligation to participate in and influence policy debates and hopefully outcomes.  

Have you travelled very much?  If so, where was your favourite destination?  If not, do you have plans to travel soon?

Just got back from holidaying and teaching in Singapore. Have also visited Malaysia, the UK, most of Europe, the USA, and Israel and Egypt in the past. Would like to go back to Singapore again. It is a very friendly place. Also love touring around the UK.

If you would like to be "profiled" in an upcoming edition of Offcourse, please email me at Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.