Offcourse

Issue 9 September 2006   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Relay for Life Fundraising Luncheon 

The annual Relay for Life Fundraising Luncheon will be held on Thursday 26 October and all members of the Caulfield campus community: staff, students and friends are invited to attend.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice and Coordinator of health promotion and lifestyle program in the medical course at Monash.  He will be speaking on the topic:  "Exercise is Powerful Medicine (and the side effects are good)". 

The lunch will be held in H116 - Level 1 Building H, Caulfield campus at a cost of $25.00 (includes $10 donation to the Cancer Council Victoria - Relay for Life Murrumbeena).   Donation will be receipted when you purchase your ticket.

A delicious buffet lunch will be provided comprising traditional Italian antipasto platters of roasted and cured meats, roasted and marinated vegetables, fine selection of cheeses, home-made salsas and dips, fresh variety of breads and Vikrims infused oils.  All of this will be followed by Biaggio's home-made pastries and petit four, fresh fruit salads and yoghurt.  Sparkling, red and white wines and soft drink included. 

With thanks for MamaDuke for providing the catering and generous support of this event.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the MONSU Caulfield Service Desk - Level 2 of Building S.  Please book as soon as possible as places are limited.  Please advise staff at the Service Desk if you would like to organise a table of 10, together with the names of those with whom you would like to be seated.  

What is Relay for Life?  Relay for Life is an overnight team event to raise funds for cancer research, education and patient support programs.  The Murrumbeena event takes place at Duncan McKinnon Reserve from 12.00 noon, Saturday 28 October through to Sunday 29 October.

How does it work?  It's a team event.  Teams are 10 people or more and the challenge is for teams to complete a relay-style walk or run.  Team members take turns to keep their baton moving, during the day, overnight, all the while enjoying the festive atmosphere that is created through live entertainment, camping, spot prizes and most importantly enjoying the company of hundreds of other people on the track.

Who can participate? Everyone is welcome - staff, students family members and friends of staff and students.  It is also an event where no training is required!!  People of all ages and all levels of fitness participate, children, grandparents, everyone is encouraged to participate.

So, if you're interested in being part of the Monash Caulfield team - if you can only spare 30 minutes or an hour during the weekend, you'd still be welcomed, email Nick Karavias:  nick.karavias@campuslife.monash.edu.au to express your interest.

For further information on Relay for Life log on to: http://www.relayforlife.org.au 

Campus Security Boosted with new Program

Earlier this year the University launched the Campus Watch Program.  Based on the Neighbourhood Watch program, it aims to encourage and promote greater awareness of campus security issues among university students, staff, visitors and key stakeholders by involving them in designing, recommending, promoting and assisting in the implementation of suitable preventive strategies to support a safe university environment. 

Security Courtesy Reminders will help increase awareness of the important role each of us plays in maintaining a safe and secure campus environment. Security officers who discover unattended, unlocked offices or unsecured property will leave a pocket-sized Security Courtesy Reminder at the site, identifying the potential risk and the benefits of a cooperative approach to security.

More security awareness education will also be provided through targeted information sessions, developed specifically for any identified needs. These currently include dealing with security issues related to armed robbery, cash handling and interacting with aggressive people.

Ms Anh Luong, Monash Crime Prevention Officer and Campus Watch program coordinator, said a cooperative approach to campus security would benefit all.

To keep the university community informed of security issues, a quarterly Campus Watch bulletin will be available online from early 2007.

As part of the launch of the Campus Watch program, a competition aimed at designing a suitable logo has been announced, with the winner to receive an iPod valued at $300, and three runners-up prizes will be awarded. Entries close on 30 October.

For further information about the Campus Watch program or for logo competition details, contact Ms Anh Luong on  9902 0087 or email anh.luong@adm.monash.edu.au.

10,000 Steps - 2006 The Monash Challenge   

Have you registered to participate yet?  It's not too late.  Registrations close Friday 13 October.  The 2006 Monash 10,000 Steps Challenge will involve teams of 8 people
led by a team captain over a 5 week period in a virtual 'walk on the western wild side' from Perth to Broome, starting on Monday 23rd October and finishing on Sunday, 26th November 2006.  Teams can include Monash staff, their family and friends. Team progress will be monitored by team captains who will also be responsible for encouraging their team members to reach their daily goals. And to boost enthusiasm, there will be prizes for team and individual leaders.

To participate in the challenge, participants can either form a team of 8 people (including a nominated team captain), or if they do not belong to a team, can register as individuals and be placed in a team by the Challenge Co-ordinator.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (KYN):
This year an additional theme of the challenge will be 'Know Your Numbers' (KYN).

This theme encourages individuals to get to know some of their body's vital statistics. Participants who wish can have their blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) i.e weight/height  checked free of charge (please refer to registration form on the website for details).

They will also be encouraged to see their own doctor to have their blood sugar and  cholesterol measured.

To register for the 10,000 steps challenge or for further information, go to the OHSE website at:

www.adm.monash.edu.au/ohse/wellbeing/wham-overview.html

Inquiries about the challenge can be made to OHSE on 9905 1016.

Textlist Ordering - Semester 1, 2007

Monash University Bookshop Caulfield is now taking textbook orders for Semester 1, 2007. Academics are requested to submit their orders by Wednesday 15 November, 2006.  The online textlist order form can be found at: 

http://www.bookshop.monash.edu.au/academics/MonashTextlist.html 

Please provide full title of text and edition number. 

Please note orders received after 15 November may result in texts being $10.00 more expensive due to air-freight charges. 

No texts required for Semester 1, 2007?  Please complete the online form and indicate that no texts are required.

THRIVE Booster Session

All present and past participants of THRIVE are invited to a THRIVE Booster Session:  "Cultural Competency: Working and Living with Diversity"
presented by Winifred Cunningham on Tuesday 24 October, 2006, 1.00 p.m. - 2.00 p.m. in the Clayfield Room.

Lunch will be provided and very kindly sponsored by the Faculty of Art & Design. 

Please RSVP to Michael Di Mattia via email:  michael.dimattia@adm.monash.edu.au by Tuesday 17 October.

Melbourne Racing Club - Parking

With the Spring Racing Carnival at the Melbourne Racing Club nearly here, a timely reminder that the MRC car parks will not be available for staff parking on Wednesday 18 October, 2006.

MamaDuke Cafe

Now trading on Saturdays - 8.00 a.m. till late.  Enjoy pastries such as bomboloni and brunch favourites liked baked eggs with tomato, pumpkin and bacon, or toasties filled with ashed brie, tomato and avocado.  Later in day offerings include freshly made paninis and Mediterranean-inspired salad, pasta and meat dishes.

Witnessing of Documents  

Rod Simpson is currently away from the University.   If you need documents witnessed, please contact Christel Kent who will provide you with names of other 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

Upcoming Campus Events

Please mark your diary with the following upcoming campus events:

Relay for Life Lunch - Thursday 26 October

Music Recital - Brian Chapman - Tuesday 21 November

Campus Christmas Function - Friday 1 December - Vice-Chancellor in attendance

Caulfield Profiles

This month Jacqui Hughes, Venues Administrator with Monash University Venues, has agreed to be profiled. 

What is your position here at Monash Caulfield?

I am part of the Monash Venues Office.  Our unit operates across the Caulfield and Clayton campuses.  We are responsible for the booking of centrally managed spaces which are used by internal and external clients.

How long have you been with Monash? Perhaps you could tell us a little about your time here at MONSU/Monash over the years.

I have been at Monash Caulfield for nearly 5 years since moving from New Zealand. Initially I was an admin assistant for MONSU Caulfield Student Assistance.  My time at Monash has been very enjoyable and challenging.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Making the most of every moment I have with my family and walking (see last question!)

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

I heard a quote on the radio last week that struck a chord .... "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."  George Orwell.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Enjoying good health and happy relationships.

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

In my life before Monash, I worked with the NZ Tourism Board and was fortunate enough to travel my homeland extensively.  My husband and I have a long term goal to travel to Europe.  Can't wait!

As a member of the 2006 Global Corporate Challenge, how are you managing the 24,000 steps plus per day?

It has required a major renegotiation and commitment of how I approach every day (the car is quietly gathering dust in the garage!)  I now walk 45 minutes to and from the train station everyday, I do as much "face to face" as I am able on campus (as opposed to emails!).  My lunch break is now a walking time for me.  And once home, it usually means another hour of walking.  I would highly recommend this challenge to fellow staff members as a very positive experience.

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