Offcourse

Issue 7 October/November 2007   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Relay for Life Fundraising Lunch - Thursday 25 October, 2007

Guest Speaker - Professor Susan Davis - Monash Alumna

About 80 staff, colleagues and members of the Caulfield Campus community came together to enjoy lunch and raise some funds at the Relay for Life Fundraising lunch on Thursday 25 October. 

The guest speaker, Professor Susan Davis, Professor of Women's Health and current member of Monash University Council and an alumna of the University (MBBS 1980, PhD 1989), gave a very enlightening and down to earth talk on the topic "Dealing with the impact of cancer". 

She spoke about the high prevalence of cancer in Australia and her research into women's experiences of the disease.  Professor Davis is developing a five-year project assessing the health and wellbeing of 1700 young women recovering from breast cancer.  The team plans to annually study their progress and gauge the benefits of different therapies and treatments.

"Some doctors will prescribe chemotherapy in the first case and if it gives a 3% better chance, they often take it.  But there are long-term effects that the patients are usually not prepared for," she said.  "As a society we need to start dealing with the consequences of these issues."

(Professor Rob Willis, Academic Director - Caulfield & Clayton, Professor Susan Davis and Leonie Boxtel, Director - Alumni Relations at the Relay for Life Fundraising Luncheon)

The luncheon raised over $400.00 which was donated to the Relay for Life - Murrumbeena event.

Our thanks to the Alumni Relations Office in sourcing and securing the speaker and to MamaDuke for the catering and generous support of this event.

Thanks also to Stephen Pogonowski (Media Office) for the majority of the words and photo for this article.

Farewell to some very dedicated staff at the Caulfield Health Service

Dr. Jill Grogan and the campus nurse, Judy Evans are to leave the University after 22 years and 13 years respectively.  Jill commenced as a general practitioner on the campus when it was Chisholm Institute of Technology and became Head of the Caulfield Health Service in 1993.  Their dedication to the campus staff and students has been exemplary and both have been instrumental in introducing healthy lifestyle programs that have created a better and healthier campus community.

Also leaving the University are Drs Jack Goldberg, Judy Carman and David MacDonald after 9, 7 and 6 years respectively.  We also say goodbye to Kay Ould, receptionist and friendly face at the counter after 5 years of service.

A farewell function for Jill and Judy and other members of the Health Service will be held on Thursday, 6 December at MamaDuke, Basement of Building H between 4.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.  To assist with catering, please RSVP to Christel Kent via email: christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au by close of business, Tuesday, 4 December.  

Movember Challenge

Male staff at the Caulfield Library are currently undertaking the "Movember Challenge".  

Funds raised during the Challenge are donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

The Challenge is currently in its third week and some of the boys are experiencing "mo growth blues", not used to having Mos, certain unexpected problems are arising. They are totally committed to the cause and will push on past the following:

• Cramping of style with the ladies
• “Daddy has scratchy whiskers mummy”
• Unwanted food attachment
• Being asked “which of the Village People are you?”
• Not being taken seriously
• Being that creepy looking guy on the train
• General ridicule

 Here are some before photos and "in-growth" shots of the team members:

Ben Conyers

Duncan Wingrave

Also supporting the cause is Robet Hornet, who normally sports a moustache, but for the Movember Challenge will be "mo free".  Here is his progress:

Robet Hornet

The Library team has currently raised $1,000.00 and is grateful to all sponsors and donors who have helped them achieve this amount.   If you would like to make a contribution, please go to http://www.movember.com/au/donate, enter the team’s registration number, 63313 and your credit card details. If you prefer to make a contribution via a cheque, it should be made payable to the "Movember Foundation" clearly marking the donation to Registration Number: 63313. Cheques should be mailed to to: Movember Foundation, PO Box 292, Prahran VIC 3181.  Cash donations can be given directly at the Library to any of the team members.  All donations over $2 are tax deductible.   

Christmas Cheer Market

The Campus is holding a Christmas Cheer Market to provide an opportunity for staff, family, friends and students to purchase beautiful handmade gifts. 

The market will be held on Wednesday, 28 November, 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the Clayfield Room, Building A. 

Stallholders include: beaded and resin jewellery, handmade natural soaps, shampoo, moisturisers, massage oils, gourmet food, greeting cards, Christmas stockings and decorations, handicrafts from abroad, soy candles and many more.

Stallholders on the evening will provide a donation to Guide Dogs Victoria.

Ride to Work Day - Wednesday 17 October

Approximately 30 Caulfield based staff  took part in the National Ride to Work Day on Wednesday, 17 October, 2007.  Staff left their cars in the garage and used pedal power to get to the campus and, on arrival, enjoyed a healthy breakfast kindly sponsored by MamaDuke.

All Victorian Monash campuses participated in Ride to Work Day this year with over 180 staff riding to work.  The Victorian based event is growing in popularity each year, with over 90,000 people Australia-wide participating in the event this year.

(Staff enjoy breakfast at MamaDuke after riding to work)

Campus Christmas Function & Celebration & Awarding of Prizes - 10,000 Steps University-wide Challenge

Professor Rob Willis cordially invites staff, students and members of the Caulfield campus community to the Campus Christmas Function to be held on Monday 10 December in the Clayfield Room (Building A, Room A1.34) 12.15 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.  

Food and beverages will be provided and there will also be some great entertainment.  

Also, please note, this function will also provide an opportunity for those who participated in the 10,000 Steps 2007 University-wide Challenge to celebrate the success of the challenge and to congratulate winners and award prizes.  

To assist with catering, please RSVP your attendance to Christel Kent via email: christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au by close of business, Thursday, 29 November.

Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment

All faculty, departmental and administrative heads are reminded that it is mandatory to "test & tag" all portable electrical appliances in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 : 2003 and the OH&S Act 2004. Please refer to the "Procedure for In-Service Inspection, Testing & Tagging of Electrical Equipment" on the OHS&E website.

Facilities & Services can assist in organising the testing of the equipment, it is however the responsibility of the faculty/department and/or administrative head to ensure this happens and that records are kept safe.  A record of the completed tests should be forwarded to Facilities & Services for mandatory record keeping as soon as possible following completion of the test, or by 20th December each year.  The one page record should contain the following information:

 - total number of appliances tested

- how many passed

- how many failed

- action taken

- date of testing

- name of testing company

Please note that any appliances with an expired date on the tag must be tested before use.

Further advice and assistance can be provided by Michael Rowlands in Facilities & Services on ext 32124.

Campus Watch

There has been a noticeable increase in petty theft on all campuses, particularly laptop computers.  All staff can help reduce the threat of petty theft by removing the opportunities for thieves.

Anh Luong, Crime Prevention Co-ordinator suggests the following simple steps to help prevent instances of theft:

- never leave valuable items such as laptops, mobile phones, wallets, purses, handbags and keys unattended;

- secure offices and any other places you may be responsible for when absent;

- report anyone or anything suspicious to Security - ext 32211;

- take advantage of the free anti-theft property marking service available through Campus Security.  Marking property with unique identifiers has proved an effective deterrent to theft whilst aiding the return of stolen property.

The Monash Campus Watch program is a proactive initiative designed to help reduce the incidence and impact of crime across the University.  For further information about Campus Watch contact Anh Luong on ext 20087.

Art & Design - Short Courses

Unsurpassed in its ability to reflect and transmit light, glass is a beautiful material to work with.

Whether you choose to do the Glass Jewellery Making course, the Fusing & Slumping course, or both, these short courses will provide you with the expert tuition and practical experience to create a unique piece to be treasured.

From beginners to practising artists, participants will find these courses valuable in terms of gaining glass working skills, to assist in folio preparation and for teaching purposes.   Why not explore these exciting mediums.

Glass Jewellery Making

Sat. 1^st & 8^th December 1.00- 4.00 pm 

Over two afternoons learn how to create fused glass jewellery ranging from pendants, brooches, earrings & hair pins. Glass cutting, firing schedules, surface decorations & finishing techniques will be covered.

Fusing & Slumping

Sun 2^nd & 9^th December 1.00 – 5.00 pm 

Learn how to make a collection of small fused and slumped glass bowls, platters & coasters. Glass cutting, firing schedules, loading of kilns, slumping, finishing techniques including sandblasting and engraving.

For more information and bookings visit http://artdes.monash.edu.au/news/glassart.html

Celebrate the Festive Season with MamaDuke

MamaDuke has released its Christmas menus and is currently taking bookings for "in-house" or "in-department" functions.  

Contact the Crew at MamaDuke on ext: 34166 or via email at mama@mamaduke.com.au for bookings and a copy of the Christmas menu.

Witnessing of Documents

If you need documents witnessed, please contact Christel Kent who will provide you with names of staff who can assist.

If you are qualified to witness documents and you are happy to be added to the list of those who can assist, please contact Christel Kent by telephone ext. 31000 or via email: christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au

Caulfield Profiles

Caulfield profiles will be held over until the December issue.

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