Issue 7 Tuesday 31 August 2004

Bluey Day 

Congratulations to everyone who participated in International Bluey Day. Special thanks to Hui-Hsing Lin (Library) and Michael Josem, (2004 Student President - MONSU, Caulfield) for volunteering to shave their heads .....

(Lin & Michael being preped for the shave off)

 and to Eileen Cieslak, (ITS Client Services), Coral Sheard, (Community Services), Helen Dickson (Library) and Meagan Wilcox (Library) for having their hair "dyed" blue and to Bruce Stephens (Business & Economics) for "dying" his hair and beard.

(l-r Coral, Eileen, Meagan & Helen

(l-r Coral, Eileen, Meagan & Helen give new meaning to the Blue Rinse Set)

Thanks also to Bruce Stephens (Business & Economics) who did a fantastic job as Master of Ceremonies and composing a special ditty for the event.

(Bruce Stephens, "Bluebeard" composed a special song for the event)

The Bluey Day Foundation is a foundation which raises money for treatment, support and research for children and families living with cancer and other life threatening illness. The event raised close to $3,000.00 and will no doubt will become an annual campus event.
 

(Lin & Michael still smiling and happy to pose with their new look!!) 

Vice-Chancellor Visits Caulfield

The Vice-Chancellor was a very welcomed visitor to the campus on Thursday 12 August. 

(Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins & Mary Aldred, Education Officer, MONSU)

Staff and students enjoyed food and beverages, courtesy of the Academic Director and listened to developments at Monash University.

Open Day - Sunday 1 August

As Open Day is the biggest single annual event, all staff and students who contributed  to Open Day are to be congratulated on its success.  The campus welcomed about 7,500 visitors which was a decrease on last year - perhaps due to the excellent weather! 

Hundreds enjoy the sunshine and the free bbq!!

MONSU conducted its free sausage sizzle/vegie burger bbq and had to seek extra supplies from the local supermarket to keep up with demand. 

Tim Wilson was once again our roving MC for the day, announcing upcoming activities and events and the Chinese Lion Dance drew a terrific crowd onto the common lawn at noon.  Jugularity also made a welcomed return.

Jugularity make a welcomed return to entertain the crowds on Open Day

The Service Centre was utilised for the first time and ensured all General Information areas were located on Level 1. 

Tim Wilson,as the Roving MC directs people outside the Service Centre

Launch of the Postgraduate Precinct

The official opening of the Postgraduate Precinct comprising the postgraduate lounge, MPA office and forthcoming postgraduate study space - took place on Thursday 5 August.  The postgraduate lounge has 24 hour swipe card access, computer facilities and a kitchenette.  

Also pleased to announce the opening of four new computer laboratories in Building T, Level 2).  This is one  non-teaching computer laboratory (for postgraduate students only) with 18 computers and a printer.

Health Awareness Week - 23-27 August

Healthy Breakfast 

An early start for some on Tuesday 24 August at The Gryph as part of Health Awareness Week.  Porridge, scrambled eggs, cereal, toast, tea and coffee were enjoyed by over 65 staff and students. 

Senior lecturer in the Department of General Practice Dr Craig Hassed spoke about stress and how it impacts on the body. He encouraged the breakfast crowd to think about a holistic approach to their  well-being and how they deal with everyday problems and events.

A panel of staff from the Health Service, Community Services and Monash Sport also provided advice on their services and general tips on health and sport.

(Dr. Craig Hassed at the Healthy Breakfast)

The Inaugural Health Awareness Week Walk for 2004 (including free lunch) 

Over 50 staff and students participated in the Inaugural Health Awareness Walk around the Caulfield Racecourse on Wednesday 25 August.  The weather was pleasantly mild for the 30-35 minute walk around the track. 

Upon return to the campus staff and students enjoyed a healthy lunch comprising a sandwich, a piece of fruit and muesli bar.  

As the Faculty of Information Technology had the most number of staff registered for the walk their workplace has won a personal training session in yoga or pilates.

Lunchtime Recital

A reminder that the next lunchtime recital will be on Thursday 23 September.  A trio comprising Brian Chapman on piano, Phillip Meichel on clarinet and Paul McMillan on viola will perform in the Clayfield Room from 1.05 p.m.

Riding for the Disabled

Riding for the Disabled (R.D.A.) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation and is part of an international structure dedicated to providing horse-riding opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Caulfield Mobile Unit is a new and vital branch of R.D.A. -ensuring everyone involved from riders to volunteers have fun and experience a most rewarding and happy opportunity.  Andy Rouget, Coach of R.D.A., Caulfield is a dedicated and competent leader and undertakes to promote this program to the highest level. The R.D.A. utilize horses that are assigned to appropriate riders and handlers by our coach.

The Mobile Unit, which transports these horses from Viewbank to Caulfield, is a  unique vehicle designed specifically for this purpose.

The R.D.A. are very fortunate to have the services of a band of dedicated and delightful volunteers, but  more volunteers are needed  to enable the program to continue.

Volunteers are required for Monday mornings and afternoon sessions (approx. 2-3 hours) and are required to walk/jog beside a horse while taking  care of a disabled rider and ensuring they stay safely on the horse.  There will be a trained coach leading the horse.

If you would like to help the R.D.A. and at the same time get some exercise while having an enjoyable time at the pleasant surroundings of the Caulfield Racetrack, please contact Marion Phone: 9752 9044 & Mobile: 0412 129 166. 

Monash Abroad

Monash Abroad will run general information sessions for interested students and staff at the Caulfield campus on:

Thursday 9th September at 1.00pm in B2.15
and
Tuesday 21st September at 3.00pm in B2.15.

At Monash University you can take full advantage of all the
opportunities available for studying abroad. Travel and live overseas, earn credit for your studies overseas and be eligible to apply for financial support from the university. Give yourself a competitive edge and challenge yourself!

Studying overseas is an enriching, life-changing experience. You can learn more about other peoples, languages and cultures. Spending time abroad opens a window to a world of new experiences. Students who incorporate overseas study into their academic programs deepen their knowledge and understanding of international, political and economic issues. They return from their sojourn abroad with a better perspective on world affairs and a broader understanding of their own country and its ways of life.

Campus Nurse Report

Osteoporosis Prevention – an issue for males and females

Osteoporosis means ‘porous bones’.   It is a disease where the bone density and structural quality of the bone change leading to weakness and bone fragility.  This means that the bones can fracture more easily.  Bone is a living substance in which tissue is constantly breaking down and being regenerated.  

   There are 3 important factors that effect bone strength

-         nutrition – especially calcium and vitamin D

-         hormonal activity (testosterone for the males and oestrogen for woman)

-         and exercise 

Everyone loses bone as they age, but not everyone gets bone thinning to the point that they have osteoporosis. 

Women lose up to 1% of bone calcium every year over the age of 35, except around menopause, when for 5-10 years, they lose bone at a much faster rate.

1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 60 will have a fracture due to osteoporosis 

How can further bone loss be prevented?

• Increase your daily calcium intake.  Around 4 serves of dairy food a day will provide your daily calcium requirements.  Other sources are canned fish with bones, such as salmon and sardines. Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium. Direct exposure to sunlight, fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver are good sources.
• Exercise regularly.  Two types of exercise are important with osteoporosis: weight bearing and resistance training.
• Avoid smoking and high levels of alcohol and caffeine.

Resistance training – increases muscle strength by pitting the muscles against a weight.   The muscle cells adapt to the extra workload by enlarging and recruiting greater numbers of nerve cells to aid contraction. 

Weight bearing exercise  - is exercise that makes your body work against gravity, such as running, walking, stair-climbing, dancing, tennis, or netball.  Each time your foot hits the ground you apply a stress to your bones, which respond by maintaining or sometimes increasing their strength. The higher the impact of the activity contact, the greater the benefit to your bones.   

An important fact to remember though is that if you stop exercising the benefit wears off.  Exercise is an activity for life. 

If you would like to know more, please contact Judy (Campus Nurse. Monash Caulfield Health Service ext 31177) or any of the helpful staff at the Gym. 

Judy Evans - Campus Nurse

Shiatsu massage available at Monash Caulfield Health Service

Shiatsu is a Japanese style of massage.  It is highly effective at reducing or eliminating pain, tension and fatigue.  Each treatment is tailored to your individual needs to achieve therapeutic benefits for backache, headache, digestive problems, asthma, Pre-menstrual Syndrome, anxiety, depression, poor concentration and much more. 

It is so convenient and affordable to come to Monash Caulfield Health Service for a Shiatsu Massage.  Staff pays a discounted price of $40 for 1 hour, or $25 for ½ hour.  No oil is used to you will remain fully clothed and you will leave feeling relaxed and energised.  Gift vouchers are also available. 

So treat yourself to a shiatsu massage with Arwen,  ext 31177 .

Round the Bay in a Day

What is it?

"It’s 5:30am on Sunday morning and Melbourne is still asleep. But down by the bay anticipation ignites the predawn air. With thousands of cleats clipping into pedals, we’re off, tail lights flickering, chains whirring.  As dawn breaks, a west-bound peloton silhouettes against the sky, ant-like against the massive pylons of the Westgate Bridge. East-bound bunches are swift and silent along Beach Road, their colourful team jerseys coming to life with the lightening sky.

Are you ready for Australia’s biggest 12-hour challenge ride?

Thousands of cyclists complete the 210km circumnavigation of Port Phillip Bay each year. It’s a ride that takes determination, a ride that takes stamina – and, it’s a ride that takes you to a new level of cycling, whatever your aspirations. "

Monash Sport has registered a team and if you would like to be part of the team that is already  up and “cycling”, contact Andrew Robinson on ext 54103.

Monash Sport  provide lunch, full route support and lane closures, a ferry ride across the heads, first aid support, plus massage at the finish. While Around the Bay in a Day® is not a race, you can opt to Ride Against the Clock and receive an official ride time or if 210km is not for you take part in the inaugural 100km Challenge and ride half the bay!  Unique cycling gear /clothing from the sponsorship of Monyx

Participation would require a modest amount of training preparation time of 6-10 hours per week leading up to the event on Sunday 17 October from 5.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.  It all depends on how you want to ride it…. iIf you are well
conditioned you may as one person put it “ I felt like I was on a motorbike all day….” Or you may opt to take your time and picnic along the way. 

 UniSuper Seminars  

UniSuper is holding a staff seminar to provide a range of tips and strategies to help you clarify and reach your retirement savings goals.  The seminar will be on Wednesday 15 September between 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.  Registration is free but essential, and closes on 8 September. 

Information and registration via:

http://www.unisuper.com.au/myunisuper/seminars.cfm

University Watch

Chris Riskas from Facilities & Services advises:

Thefts of personal items from the library.  Staff and students are requested to be aware of securing their personal items whilst in the Libraryr.

Staff and students are reminded that the evening courtesy security bus operates from March until mid November, between 5.30pm and 12.30am (every half an hour), Monday to Friday. The bus departs from near the Gatehouse and drops staff and students to their cars/homes within a kilometre of the campus. It is recommended that staff and students utilise this service for safety purposes.

The bus is free for Monash staff and students and timetables/maps of the 1km radius are available at the Gatehouse, Service Centre and MONSU Caulfield Service Desk.

Caulfield Services and Facilities Survey

Following feedback from postgraduate students at Caulfield, and to assist in campus planning, a survey of services and facilities was undertaken by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and published in May 2003.  A number of improvements that have been made as a result of the Caulfield Services and Facilties Survey can be seen at:

http://www.adm.monash.edu/cheq/improvements.html

Student Diary Cover Competiton

A competition for the 2005 student diary cover was held again this year and was extremely close and competitive, with twenty fantastic designs from students in a multitude of different courses
and backgrounds. The team of judges (Michael Josem, Caulfield Student President; Leo Ostroburski, Clubs Officer; Trish Brown, Bookshop; Jenny Allen, Faculty of Art & Design) unanimously agreed on the final winner of  the competition.

 "The strikingly remarkable colour of the winning design, combined with the  imagery of movement made it stand out from an extremely high quality field of competitors," said Leo Ostroburski, 2004 Clubs Officer and member of the judging team. "The bright blue ensures that the 2005 diary will represent
dynamism, and also make it stand out from a cluttered desk or dark bag," said Leo.

 

(Leo Ostroburski, Jenny Allen and Michael Josem with the the winning entry)

Caulfield Profiles

In this edition we profile Laurie Webb from the Faculty of Business & Economics.

What is your position  here at Monash?

Senior lecturer in the Department of Accounting and Finance and Director of International Study Programs. I have had thirty years at Monash which may sound like a life sentence to some, however I  continue to be stimulated and enjoy  a diverse range of interesting activities within the university and with professional associations whose committees I serve on. 

 I have been at Caulfield campus all this time apart from secondments and OSP in the US. on a number of occasions. 

What do you see as the three most significant changes, good and bad at the University and why?

 The seemingly inevitable but unwelcome bureaucratisation of the university .

The loss of colourful characters around the campus. Many staff members are caught on a treadmill that requires them to publish or perish. This creates a more pressured ego-centric group of academics who have less time for each other. 

Now for the good news.  The growth of Caulfield Campus through the visually impressive capital works programs of the past and present demonstrates the confidence expressed in the future of Caulfield . It is gratifying to me to have witnessed that development and the jewel in the crown status that Caulfield has achieved.

 Best achievement

 The Accounting International Study Program. I have been operating the program for 12 years during which time some 300 students have had a unique opportunity to visit world class organisations in Asia, Europe and North America. Such experiences for students of global classrooms was ahead of its time at its inception but now is a perfect fit with the university’s other significant international achievements and aspirations

 My Favourite Quotes:

“I have principles and if you don’t like them, I have some others that may interest you” Groucho Marx

“I don’t like spreading rumours but what else do you do with them?” (Anon)

 What advice to you give to struggling students?

If you first don’t succeed try, try, try again and then give up!

(Adapted from WC Fields)

 You have been to many parts of the world, where are your favourite parts?

Moniaive, Scotland; London; “Old town centres” of Europe; Nepal; and Byron Bay Lighthouse, (NSW)

If you would like to be "profiled" in the next edition of Offcourse, please contact Christel Kent on ext 31000.

Monyx Messenger

Take a look at Monyx Food & Beverage's monthly newsletter.  Please click on the following link to view August's edition of Monyx Messenger:

http://www.monyx.com/food/messenger.html

The monthly newsletter will keep you up-to-date with specials, features and upcoming events.

"Getting Published"

A seminar provided by exPERT & MPA - Are you planning to submit a paper for publication?  In this seminar the speakers will explore the procedures associated with writing and preparing papers for publication.  They will offer useful tips on all aspects of academic publishing, from selecting the right journal, formatting and presenting a paper for publication, and surviving the review process.  The presenters, Professor Amrik Sohal  and Professor Julian Teicher have extensive experience in the area of academic publishing.

Friday 3 September - 11.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m

Ramler Conference Room, Level 3, Building S.

 Accounting & Finance Seminars

September 3 - "Institutional Trading and Stock Returns" - Adrian Looi University of New South Wales

Room A1.37, Level 1, Building A, Caulfield campus at 11.00 a.m.

September 17 - "Voluntary use of International Accounts Standards:  An investigation of the relationship between choice of accounting standards and source of company finance in Germany" - Ann Tarca University of Western Australia

Room A1.37, Level 1, Building A, Caulfield campus at 11.00 a.m.

September 24 - "The Structure of CEO Compensation and Firm Performance:  The Australian Evidence" - Anna Wright of the University of Technology, Sydney

Room A1.37, Level 1, Building A, Caulfield campus at 11.00 a.m.

Caulfield Moves

Are you or someone you know making a move this year either to a new job, a conference or through a collaborative venture? Please let  Offcourse  know. 

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Manager 

Caulfield Contributions can be emailed to Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au