Offcourse

Biggest Morning Tea – Raising funds for The Cancer Council

During May The Cancer Council encourages work places to host “biggest morning tea” events to raise funds for cancer research.On Thursday 21 May, staff from the Academic Services Group in the Faculty of Business & Economics hosted a morning tea in the Foyer area of Building N. Close to 60 staff came together and enjoyed some really delicious savoury and sweet treats.The morning also provided a great opportunity for staff to catch-up in an informal atmosphere.

( Some of the delicious offerings provided at the Biggest Morning Tea)

The following week on Thursday 28 May, MONSU Caulfield hosted a second fundraising event at The Gryph Inn.This was well attended by students and staff of MONSU and other on-campus staff.The Gryph Inn provided warm, homemade scones, frittata, coffee any way you like it and chilled champagne served with either a strawberry or mango puree. This event also provided another opportunity for staff to get together and socialise.



Thanks are extended to staff who attended one or both events and rest assured that the funds raised have been forwarded to The Cancer Council.

TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship 2009

In mid-May, staff may have heard and seen some Chinese students competing out on the common lawn to win the Melbourne heat of the Chinese New Talent Singing Competition.  

Television Broadcasts Limited Hong Kong, searches out new singers to enter the Asian music industry.  The winners have a chance to join music companies in Hong Kong and release an album.   The Monash Chinese Student Association was a key player in organising and supporting the competition and worked closely with the competition organisers to ensure that one of the heats was held here at Caulfield.  

Positive Psychology

Positive Monash aims to bring positive psychology to Monash, providing different perspectives to help people foster strength, optimism and confidence.

Late in 2008 Positive Monash held a competition asking staff and students to convey their positive stories about their time at Monash.

More than 60 entries were received covering different aspects of university life, from volunteering, favourite teachers and the welcoming environment at Monash.

In this edition of Offcourse we present the final two of the four winning entries:  

Vineeta Juthani


MY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE- AN ORIENTATION EVENT
“Hurry up!” I rushed my friend as we were getting ready for yet another Orientation event. It would sometimes be tiring to attend about three to four Orientation Programmes in a day, a routine feature of a student’s first week at Monash. But, there was something intriguing about this event called “Fast and Furious.” I was somehow waiting for it.

When we got there, we were warmly greeted by our enthusiastic organisers. I could instantly fit into the cosy and friendly ambience, where so many international students were introducing themselves, sharing their cultural diversities and learning a new way of making a “fast and furious” friendship network. In the games we played, we learnt distinguishing between striving for excellence and perfectionism, happiness tips, the experience of being “in the zone” and how it leads to high performance and satisfaction, motivation and creativity. But, there was something more important than that, that I came back home with, which had a lasting impact. We were given a “Grateful Diary” and recommended to use it daily. Every day, we were supposed to write at least three sentences beginning with the lines “I am grateful for...” and complete it.

I sat down that night and began to think of the events that happened that day which I could appreciate more, add value to and feel thankful that they happened. To my surprise, I could jot down six! But then, all days are not the same. I wondered how would I be able to think of things to be grateful for when I am tensed, stressed, when I’ve had a bad day or just a quiet day. How could I infer something positive from them? But, I was still keen on trying. I liked the concept.

Gradually, as time passed, I realised because of this daily exercise I was changing. There was a general wave of optimism that I could live with each day, and sometimes pass it on. I started looking forward to that time of the day when I would unwind, “think of things differently” and carve a happy memory for myself. As I sit back now, I feel happy about having a variety of experiences to be grateful for. I remember negligently losing my favourite sweatshirt one day and bitterly crying for it. What could I be grateful for in this case? I remember writing, “Today, I can’t think of something I am grateful for, but probably I have grown up and I am grateful for that because publicly I didn’t crib a lot about it.” Another day I wrote, “I am grateful to the lady I met at the crossing who showed me the way to Swanston St.” Why? Because after walking together for a while, when we were departing instead of the normal greeting, ‘have a nice day,” she said “Have a great Life!” That was a powerful statement. It was uplifting and I decided to pass it on and it is now included in my mobile phone’s voice message. When I had a quiet day, and there was no occasion to think of, I would write, “I am grateful to God for the gift of Life.” I started valuing occasions when I listened to my favourite song, cooked for a friend, clicked pictures of a rainbow, for the feeling of “HOPE” that someday my wishes will be fulfilled. It’s crazy that I could also be grateful to the storm which happened after forty years in Australia (in April 2008) because I attended a different tutorial class on missing the regular one and realised I enjoyed it more.

A feeling of positivity engulfed me wherever I went, and I would be all smiles. I decided to add a twist to it and on special occasions I would not only write it but I would say it out too, that is, tell the other person, “Thank you, I am grateful to you for this.” It would cheer them up. I felt ecstatic.

I had transformed by learning this new virtue of Life. And then after six months, I reached the last page. My experience was complete. Life moved on. There was a break in my daily updates. I was still happier, but by human nature, forgot about the beautiful things that happened in Life after the moment passed. Time went by; I began feeling incomplete, missing something. I could barely wait for ten days and there I was, at the stationery shop, trying to find a replica of my Grateful Diary to resume my “Life” again.

It is aptly said by William Arthur Ward, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.” I believe we must not miss out on any opportunity as we have few years on the planet, let’s be grateful for every moment, good and bad and leave a legacy that transcends pure gratitude to a state of Divine Spirituality.

And how better, could I have ended my article. You can guess. I am truly grateful to Positive Monash to have given me this opportunity to share my experience, about not the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues.

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Boon Phiaw Kho

I’m an International student currently in the fourth and final year of my Pharmacy course. This year, I am a senior student ambassador, where I got the opportunity to represent the faculty in various events. I am also a student advisor of the International students’ association, a regular volunteer at Global Friendship series and an O-week mentor.

If someone had told me at the first day of Uni that I will be so involved in Uni life by the time I nearly graduate, I would definitely told him or her that “haha you must be high on drugs.” I was the kind of guy whom in a party you might find in the corner of the room, trying my best to look invisible.

I came to Melbourne on a wing and a prayer, my far reaching dream of studying overseas luckily realized by a scholarship from the Malaysian government. I was a true Mama’s boy, spending most of my teenage year cooped up in my home studying, living a relatively sheltered life. I was low on confidence and have limited social skills. To compound the problem, I missed the first three days of orientation, which later make me realized that orientation is the best time to establish friendships. I have problems with my English pronunciation, which on reflection contributed to my trepidation to open my mouth. For the entire first year, the only three close friends I have in Uni are those that came to Melbourne with me on the same scholarship. They speak Mandarin.

Today, I can’t spend enough time in Uni. Even though I only have two days of lectures each week, I was there nearly every day. It was fun to be able to see familiar faces in Uni, stopping for a quick chat now and then. “I love Uni,” was the reply I gave to friends who happened to catch me in Uni, to which they fired back more than once - “You are crazy!”

I did not start out having a plan to achieve so much in Uni. I never knew I had the capability to. But in life, there are always someone and something which can change your life forever.

Sometimes people do touching things without them realizing it. One of the moments that I remembered vividly is the first time when a senior approached and talked to me randomly in Uni. In the country I came from, seniors don’t usually take the initiative to talk to juniors, they are venerated creatures one stage above in the student hierarchy. What he asked that day are simple questions like what your name, where are you from, how do you find it studying here etc. Probably nothing significant to a lot of people, but by just talking to me, he made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and a having sense of importance. It was like “wow, a senior actually stopped and chatted to me – I’m not invisible after all.” A lot of people doesn’t realise that a shy kid like me craved someone to make the initiative and speak to us. It is not that we are aloof or anything, but it is just hard for us to start a conversation. And he made a difference by just doing that.

At the end of the first year, I managed to get on the committee board of Parkville International Students’ Association (PISA), thanks to one of my initial three friends who recommended me in. Helping International students is something that I am passionate about, as for someone who had gone through the entire gamut, I know the feeling of a just arrived student. There’s this cultural shock and the need for an amount of time to settle down and fit in. Hence I am eager and willing to help.

The president of PISA at that time was another senior whose actions had a huge influence on me. During the first meeting, I was so overawed by the whole thing that I didn’t utter a word at all. I felt so out of place. He was the one who warmly welcomed me to the committee, and immediately said that my first job was to write and design a flyer to be distributed to every new international student during orientation for the next year. I was like “cool, everyone will read what I have to say!” You bet I spent a lot of time and dedication on that flyer. He was also the first person who entrusted me to run an event on behalf of the society. I told him I do think I can manage to do it initially, and he kept rebutting back that “Yes you can!” It was a soccer tournament. So I liaised with the committee of the other club who was the joint organizers, set the rules and made sure everyone is dressed in the correct colour. The game was nothing to shout about, I played goalie and let in 8 goals, but his believe and confidence in me that I can do a good job on my own is what touched me to the core.

If some seniors lead by caring and having faith in you, others lead by example. Last year PISA held a charity concert to raise money for Operation Stitches, and I was part of the team. It was mad – late night meetings to get things done, massive amount of email communications to plough through each day, auditions to find performers, taking care of the sound systems, figuring out the logistics etc. It was the first time we are organizing something so big, and there are lots of self doubts and tension on the air on whether we will pull it off or not. It happened without a hitch and we ended up singing on the tram tracks and streets the whole night. The feeling was one of a kind. The one who really pulled us through was the event director. She had a never-say-die attitude and kept her head high while everyone is losing theirs. When tickets sales are low, she took to the streets and approached strangers and proceeded to sell them the event. She was the one who taught me that having the belief and confidence in yourself can make everything possible.

One idea I had while in PISA is to produce this ultimate survival handbook crammed with every bit and pieces of information I think a new International student need to know to settle down. At that time, I don’t have enough confidence yet that I can pull it off, and was busily typing my ideas down in Uni when I met a PhD student who enquired about it. He loved the idea so much that he helped me with the writing process, as well as printing and publishing it. Together, we successfully launched the booklet last year. It was a nice feeling to have people who believe in you and your idea. We are still firm friends now.

I considered myself very lucky to be able to get into this Uni. There are just a lot of opportunities for me to grow. I managed to get a vacation scholarship where I did some research and have the opportunity to present them to lecturers in a whole department. It was a surreal moment to have professors and associate professors sitting down there listening attentively to your talk. If you want to know how jelly legs really felt like, try do what I did. I was also given the opportunity to promote the Faculty via the ambassador program. It was a fun job, talking to prospective students about the exciting campus life and my experience as a student. The program also provides us with leadership and public speaking training, as well as a mentorship program. We also got to attend events where we got to meet people like an Olympic gold medal winner, a long distance swimmer, an Antarctic explorer, an award winning environmentalist and various pharmacy leaders and hear them speak.

When I first started, there was not much event in the campus for International students. Luckily this couple of years we also have the Global Friendship Series. I am proud to be the first student volunteer to sign up. I felt that this was the best event HWD had ever come up with – a free event where students can have fun and make friends across all year levels and ethnicity. It was through GFS that I learnt how to concoct cocktails, dance the salsa, making lamingtons and witness my first ever AFL match – and making a lot of friends in the process. We have our ups and downs but overall I believe the initiative was a success and should be continued. Whoever come up with the concept of free food and fun is a genius.

This year, I took up an advisory position in PISA and also sacrificed celebrating Chinese New Year in order to be an O-week mentor because there is a burning desire inside me to pass this forward. Those seniors helped me without wanting anything in return, and I figured the least I can do it to be there and befriend all the new students, making myself available if they need help. O-week was the best week of my life this year. A personal achievement in O-week that I am very proud of was introducing myself and speaking to each and every student individually during the International students’ registration day. And I got to deliver an informal speech to them. It may seems nothing much, but for an inherently reserved guy like me- who once got on stage, said nothing and came back down - it took a huge effort and courage. After I did that, I knew I had come a long way.

Activities for Staff to get involved in on Campus:

The Quilting Group

Experienced and non-experienced sewers, people interested in craft are welcome.  Currently working on quilts to donate to the children of Berry Street.  Contact Adeline Christie via email:  Adeline.Christie@buseco.monash.edu for further details.

Book Club

This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month and would welcome some new members.  Contact Wendy Plones via email: wendy.plones@buseco.monash.edu.a for further details.

Campus Singers

The Caulfield Campus Singers meet Tuesdays on a fortnightly basis.  Students and staff are most welcome and encouraged to join.  Sing as a group and for fun (and the occasional performance) and once again, no experience required, just your voice.  For further information contact Kerrie Lister on ext. 32500.

Mid-Year Clean Out – Reuse and Recycle

Following the successful 2008 end of year clean out campaign to recycle office waste throughout Victorian campuses, the Office of Environmental Sustainability is conducting a second wave of collections.

This is a FREE service for departments and schools to dispose of no longer wanted items and ensure they do not end up on landfill sites. Reusable items will be offered to other departments, staff, students and local charities. The remaining material will be passed on to recyclers.

Collections are scheduled to start at the beginning of July.

In the coming weeks more detailed information will be sent to you outlining how the campaign will proceed. In the meantime, we would ask you to start considering the items you would like to select for recycling.

Last year’s month long campaign resulted in more than 50 per cent of the collection being diverted from landfill tips. A total of 19.11 tonnes of metal was collected, 3.42 tonnes of wood was recovered and 8.38 tonnes of e-waste was sent for recycling.

If you have any queries please contact Jeremy Settle of the Office of Environmental Sustainability on ext 20825 or email: Jeremy.Settle@its.monash.edu.au

On Campus Dry Cleaning Service

MONSU Caulfield Service Desk now offers a Dry Cleaning Service.  Pick-up and Drop-off on Tuesdays and Fridays.  3 garments cleaned for the special price of $18.90.  The Service Desk is located on Level 2 of Building S.

Short Term Accommodation Clayton Residential

Does your department/faculty have new staff members requiring temporary accommodation until they find something more permanent? Or, do visiting academics who have been invited to work with your department, need accommodation for a short period of time?  

Monash Residential Services is able to offer the following accommodation suitable for single, double and family occupancy:  

·  Eight double storey, 2 & 3 bedroom, fully self contained and appropriately furnished townhouses located on Clayton Road and conveniently close to the University, Clayton train station, Clayton shopping district and Monash Medical Centre.

·  A fully self contained house on Beddoe Avenue, five minutes from the University and also a two minute walk to child care facilities.

·  Three newly renovated motel style rooms (studio), located at Normanby House on the north east side of the campus.

See below for the Monash Residential Services Staff Accommodation website which contains useful information on the accommodation mentioned above, prices, facilities, how to book, etc.

http://www.mrs.monash.edu.au/staff/

For any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to call ext. 56200 or email on sta.mrs@adm.monash.edu.au  

Positive Psychology Discussion Group

Anyone is welcome to join this informal discussion group.  Come along to learn about Positive Psychology, to find out how to be happier and to get more out of life.  You can attend all sessions or select the ones which interest you.  Feel free to bring your lunch. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month (except July meeting) in B1.54 from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m.  Upcoming topics include:

16 July – Win-Win

6 August – Optimism

3 September The hedonic treadmill

1 October – Perfectionism

5 November – Happiness

3 December – What’s your passion?  - Peak experiences.

Women's Networking & Support Group

If you enjoy meeting other staff on campus over lunch, why not join the Caulfield Women's Networking & Support Group?  The group meets monthly on Mondays and always has interesting speakers. If you would like to join or have further queries, please contact Helen Dunne on ext. 31595 or via email: helen.dunne@adm.monash.edu.au

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

This month we profile Yolanta Kwiecien of Monash College.

How long have you been with the University?

I started working at Monash College (previously Monash International) in 2003. Since then, I have taken on the duties of Program Coordinator for Economics and am enjoying the challenge of maintaining a high standard of teaching, both for students located in Melbourne and offshore.

Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?

I spent time at La Trobe University during my research toward a PhD in Economics that I had successfully finalized in 2000, and afterwards I moved to working for the State Government. However, I soon found myself missing the academic atmosphere found at university and I was happy to be back on the Campus.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love reading and ransack my local library often. I adore old movies, especially British murder mysteries, though recently my children have gotten me hooked on the surprisingly addictive Wii gaming console! If I have the opportunity, I like going horse riding in the nearby countryside. But I especially enjoy getting together with my friends and trying out new restaurants and cafés.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

I am currently in the process of introducing a new curriculum for two Economics subjects with assistance from my team of teachers. Another exciting challenge is putting together a customized textbook, compiled from various sources especially for the needs of my students. So far, it’s looking great and I hope to have it ready in time for the second trimester.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

I am very lucky to be working in an area I love. I’ve always been passionate about Economics and I love being surrounded by young students who either share that same interest or discover it through learning. I have been teaching for many years and have never ceased to be rewarded by the experience. Now, I have the chance to shape their learning on an even deeper level in my role as Program Coordinator.

The name of the last book you read or are reading?

I am reading “The Ascent of Money” by Niall Ferguson and “The Conscience of a Liberal” by Paul Krugman. But when I’m catching the train, I read “Rubicon” by Tom Holland.

Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, where is your favourite destination and why?

Two years ago I went on a whirlwind tour of Italy and fell in love with the culture and the slow-paced relaxed lifestyle. I’d love to go again but take my time and soak it all in – maybe over a glass of wine in Umbria somewhere.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

This quote from Ella Fitzgerald struck me when I first heard it – “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

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