Issue 16, Monday 11 November 2002

52 years of combined service  

The dynamic duo of Eileen Cieslak and Joan Groves have recently celebrated their 25th and 27th anniversaries of being the Caulfield campus telephonists. Both also received the 25 year service medals at the recent ceremony at Clayton.

Having begun their jobs in the days of Caulfield Institute, Joan starting in 1975 and Eileen in 1977, they are a team and an excellent one at that!

Below are some reflections from Eileen on her time at Monash.

"Starting campus life working in a cleaner's broom cupboard, surrounded
by mops and buckets, was a great leveller. 

"We then progressed into A building, this time into the cafeteria ladies' change room, which we were to redecorate with our many postcards and greetings sent from academic and general staff overseas travels." And of course there was the compulsory Elvis poster, Eileen, being a huge fan 

Twelve years on saw real progress when Eileen and Joan moved into the
Campus Director's area - new switchboard, new desk, new department, new boss. 

"Talking of stories . . . Telephonists are a bit like barbers and barmen - everyone has a story to tell them, and Joan and Eileen's callers have shared many a high or low story over the years."

They have heard about weddings, the birth of babies, divorces!!  

"There was the PhD student who very proudly visited just a few months ago with his beautifully bound thesis to show us first, before he delivered it to Monash for approval accompanied by a very proud Dad.

"Having been here for so long, 52 years of service between us, we have
witnessed many personal events, both joyous and sad.  Some of the saddest events resulting in the deaths of much liked and respected staff
members, causing us to have to delete that staff member's name from the telephone directory.

"Then... Hurrah, in no time at all, we would be celebrating the birth of
someone's baby, someone's graduation and someone's retirement and believe me, there have been zillions of those. All good people.

Along with the good there have been the bad with the main downside of the job being the angry callers like the little kid who thought he rang Caulfield Tech across the road (now T Block), and proceeded to tell Joan, just what she could pass on to the headmaster (can't repeat it here).

"Then there were the many hoax callers who caused much disruption to exams, and not to mention to the telephonists. The New York based lawyer for American Express, who harassed us continually for weeks over the 'bad debt' of a staff member.  We ended up referring the matter to Telstra, who in turn, referred the matter to the FBI so we were told!

"Then there is always the irate caller, who insists on abusing the telephonist for the transgressions of the university, or it's staff. That is when our 'sweet empathy' really kicks in. Such patience and tolerance... it would try the patience of a saint, so they say!"

Eileen's and Joan's memories go 'way back'.  

"Here at Caulfield, we remember when the Student Union was the old clubhouse for the bowling green, we remember the 'bog' and the Phoenix Palm trees that were down the middle of Dandy Road, (now the tram track).  The disused Caulfield market site, (now the Plaza), the old Police Station, (now Coles), and 'green pub', known then as G block, has come full circle.  We even had a swish staff club in those days. We remember the attic in 4 Queen's (anyone who was moved into this, seemed to attract the 'sack'). We saw the beautiful houses, with leadlight windows, pulled down. We all chipped in to have the campus cats desexed (a couple of these cats are still surviving thanks to Angelina and Wanda).  

"Then there was the campus kangaroo named Adam adopted by one of the mailroom girls. He even had his own ID card and was often found hanging on the back of the Campus Director's chair. A most popular member of staff was he, the kangaroo, as well as the campus director!

"We remember the day that we girls and boys on level 1 got up to a bit of mischief, and donned the Pro Vice-Chancellor's cap and gown, and posed for photos at his desk (he was OS at the time, so we had such fun). Of course we mailed copies of the photos to the boss in England, and they very conveniently passed him in transit. He had quite a chuckle on seeing them on his return!

"We have had calls from parents of students who are at 'wits end' about their child threatening to drop out as well as the student who feels harassed. We have managed to get these callers help by referring them to counselling at Community Services. We have helped visiting academics find local accommodation, a decent feed, and we have even minded their luggage, while they attend a conference.  

"We tell visitors where they can get a good 'cup of coffee', and then we see them off in a taxi when it is all over.

"We even demonstrated our 'community service' when many years ago, a sexually abusive caller inadvertently rang our office, over several months, and we always politely transferred 'Frank' to a counsellor who was almost able to get him some 'real' help.

"During activities week one February (during the Gulf War) in the midst of a religious ceremony for the commencement of the academic year, held in the Clayfield room and attended by visiting clergy, staff and students  the Student Union was conducting camel rides out on the lawn of the old SU building in full view of the large windows in the Clayfield room.

"Picture a group of clergymen - a priest, a minister and a rabbi - all jointly praying for peace in the middle east, and here in the background, were these camels being ridden by 'Arab head-dressed' students, passing by, out of view of the clergymen. We, who could see the camels, were trying to stifle some giggles."

And finally . . .

"It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with, and to talk to, such wonderful friends, colleagues, academic, general and trades staff over the years, and we could only wish for an 'extension' of more time to offer our services."

Eileen and Joan enjoyed a lovely morning tea to celebrate their milestones.

Joan and Eileen in the early days.

Summer vacation achiever awards

Thanks to joint cooperation between the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Faculty of Business and Economics and MONSEACS staff, six first year accounting students will be undertaking work experience over the summer break.

Applicants for the summer vacation work went through an online application and interview process conducted by Kate Reith from Pitcher Partners, Geoff Speight from Monash's Department of Accounting & Finance and Marie Dermott from MONSEACS.

Overall standards were high and Caulfield was proud when asked to provide an extra two students as more companies than expected were offering work experience.

The successful students from Caulfield were: Luke Vesey going to BHP Billiton; Alex Cook - Cadbury Schweppes; Sandra Chui – Picher Partners; Adnan Bilwani – Accountancy One Smith Read; Tom Angelopoulos – Gaddie Metz & Kahn; Michael Addorisio – Boyd Partners.

Presentation of the awards took place in the evening at the Institute of chartered Accountants where students were introduced to their prospective employers. Invited guests included family, friends, staff from the faculty and MONSEACS.

Congratulations to the successful students and appreciation for the continued support from the Faculty of Business and Economics, ICAA and industry.

No rest over summer: While others might take time off to go to the beach, these students will spend their summer holidays hard at it working for a range of firms and expanding their work experience.

New directions around campus

Staff, students and visitors shouldn't have too much of a problem finding there way around campus now with the installation of new directional signage pictured below. 

The new directory boards, installed by Facilities and Services, are colour coded with the map set on a grid for easy identification of locations.

Monyx - What, why, where and when

Monyx is a new company formed to provide the services previously delivered by:

• Unicomm (including Unicomm Catering), Careers and Employment (MONSEACS), Sports and Recreation Association, and Monash University Bookshop, at Clayton Campus

AND

• MONSU Catering, CITSU Bookshop and sports and recreation, student assistance, student affairs, service desks student facilities and administrative services previously provided by Monash University Student Union (MONSU) Inc. at Caulfield and Peninsula Campuses.

In addition, the event management functions provided by the Conference Management Office and Monash University Facilities and Conference office are now part of Monyx

Monyx is jointly owned by students and by Monash University through Monash Commercial, and is governed by a Board of Directors comprising 3 University appointed directors and 3 student appointed directors.

The Monyx structure is still being finalised but is currently based around 6 key service provider areas - Sport, Student Affairs, Student Assistance, Retail (including Bookshops), Food and Beverage, and Careers and Employment.  These service providers are supported by Monyx services including Finance, People and Culture, IT, Service Desks and general administration.

In the new environment at Caulfield:

• A Caulfield Student Council, known as MONSU Caulfield, will operate autonomously as the representative arm of the student body, and will provide programs like orientation, student events and clubs and societies. Membership of the Council and its sub committees is determined through annual elections conducted among the students on campus. Tim Wilson has been re-elected as President of the Student Council in 2003. Monyx will continue to provide staff, office accommodation and equipment to support the work of the Student Council.

• A Campus Service Council has been created to provide recommendations to Monyx and the university about the provision of services on the campus. The Service Council comprises 10 students, a representative of the local community and three University staff (John White as Campus Director, Andrew Dixon representing general staff and Max Jory representing academic staff).

Naming and badging of facilities under Monyx is currently being discussed by the university, Monyx and the Student Council and should be resolved shortly.

The focus of Monyx is on delivery of seamless service across campuses and on providing service excellence. It is intended that revenue generated by Monyx from off – campus operations will result in better services and facilities on Monash campuses, and that there will ultimately be less reliance on the Amenities fee to fund those services.

Any inquiries about Monyx should be directed to Peter Hughes, Monyx Site Manager at Caulfield Campus, on extn 32562.

A quick referral guide to student support services

Community Services together with other support services on campus has developed a quick referral guide about the range of valuable services available to students on campus. 

Each of these services cross-refers where appropriate.

Relay for Life fun fundraisers

Monash University's Peninsula campus is again coordinating the Cancer Council's fundraising event Relay for Life.

Many of the Monash/Monyx teams are holding fun fundraising activities. If you would like to support Relay for Life, below are some fundraising activities that everyone is invited to participate in.

	Have a 10 minute, melt in your chair massage and support Relay for Life.
Melissa.Latu-Lutui is dedicating her lunch break to any department or individual who would like a visit to massage tired and worn out muscles. The cost of the melt in your chair massage is $10. All the money will go to Relay for Life. A receipt can be issued. Melissa is a fully qualified masseur. Bookings must be made through Melissa via email or by calling extn 32358.

This weekend Relay for Life will be held from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday at Ballam Park in Frankston.

The first lap of the relay is dedicated to cancer survivors in honour of their courage, strength and victory over cancer. Caregivers and family are welcome to join them, while the rest of the teams line the track for encouragement and support. The candlelight ceremony, held at dusk, gives participants an opportunity to light a candle tribute in honour and support of someone fighting cancer or in memory of loved ones. You do not need to be part of team to participate in these ceremonies and anyone is welcome to attend. For further information, contact Julie Ryan on extn 44015.

Diary dates

22 November Marketing seminar 'Children and their brands', by Trish Robinson and Steve Kates. Ramler Conference Room, 12.30 pm.

11 December Monash Marketing Awards for Excellence. Park Hyatt Melbourne. Tickets: $77 students and financial members of the 
Monash Marketing Alumni Association, or $88 staff/others. For further information, please call the committee on extn 32982, email or visit the website.

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 Director - Caulfield 

Contributions can be emailed to Julie. Ryan@adm.monash.edu.au by 5 pm Thursdays.