Offcourse

Issue 2 April 2007   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

International Women's Day Celebration 

The 8th of March is recognised around the world as International Women's Day.  The Caulfield Campus celebrated the event holding its 11th annual lunch in the Committee Room of the Melbourne Racing Club, overlooking the racecourse.

The Committee Room at the Melbourne Racing Club

Close to 270 staff attended the event to hear Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon give an inspirational account of her rise to the top of her career and the challenges she faced along the way.

Chief Commissioner Nixon spoke openly of lessons she'd learnt over her 35 years in policing.  These included respecting others, their backgrounds and their views; the need to develop by learning and continuing an education; being unafraid to put yourself forward; and having a belief that anything is possible.  She asked the audience, "what stops you doing and being what you want to be?"

(Michelle Kiosoglous (IWD Organising Committee) - Women's Officer - MONSU Caulfield, Suzanne Wolf, (IWD Organising Committee) Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, Professor Gill Palmer (Dean - Fculty of Business & Economics & Helen Dunne (IWD Organising Committee))

Purple, green and white are the official international women's days colours.

The colours originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), in the UK in 1908. The colours were said to represent:

- white for purity in public as well as private life
- purple for justice, dignity, self-reverence and self-respect (and representing the women's vote)
- green for hope and new life.

The colours unified the women's movement and emphasised the femininity of the suffragettes. The tricolour of the WSPU soon became a visual cue for the women's movement in other countries. Purple, green and white were worn on International Women's Day and were used for other women's movement banners and posters.

Staff from Facilities & Services - enjoy the lunch

Spirituality on Campus

The Spirituality on campus group is pleased to announce a regular weekly Spirituality forum. These will be held every Thursday from12.00 - 1.00 pm in the Spirituality Centre, Building B, Level 1. These forums are not connected to any specific religious group, but rather aim to allow students and staff to explore their spirituality in a variety of ways.

Forums coming up are as follows:  

Thursday  April 5 -  Buddhist nun, Ayya Sucinta Bhikkuni from Buddhist Society of Victoria will speak on the topic: "Cycling on - on what is your final destination?" 

Thursday April 12 - non-teaching week, no forum. 

Thursday April 19 - Exploring Jewish/Christian myths - Reverend Peter Beale (local Uniting Church Minister) & Melanie Landau, Centre for Jewish Civilization Monash University.  

Thursday April 26 - discussion around The Da Vinci Code.

Thursday May 2 - "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  

Further sessions to be announced.

Mindfulness Meditation will be held in the Spirituality Centre on Tuesdays from 12.00 - 1.00.

From time to time other forms of meditation will be presented.  New members are welcome to join the Spirituality on campus group which meets 2 -3 times each semester.  

For information please contact Eliza Bram or Suzanne Wolf at Health, Wellbeing and Development, ext 32500.

10,000 Steps - Happy Feet 

Happy Feet!  Happy Feet!  Happy Feet!

Just over 140 people from the Caulfield campus have taken up the happy feet challenge which started on Sunday 25 March.  Teams of 10 are pacing it out on the virtual walk around the Antarctic, having passed the Davis base and now moving towards the Mirny Base.

The Fiery Footnotes are currently leading the challenge, and with only 8 members in their team are setting a cracking pace.

During the first week of the challenge, the get ACCTIVE group  ran a competition amongst the participants of the Challenge, to name our mascot Penguin.  The group is pleased to announce that the penguin has been christened Napoleon.  Linda Bird from Health, Wellbeing and Development is the winner. When asked how she thought of the name, she said that after seeing his photo and noting that he was an Emperor Penguin, that the name Napoleon suited him down to the ground - or should that be ice?  Linda has won a pair of Adidas socks and a visit to her workplace from Napoleon.  Many thanks to all participants who entered. 

The first 10,000 steps challenge for 2007 is a happy feet walk across the Antarctic – six weeks – commenced on Sunday 25 March and finishing on Sunday 13 May (to coincide with the first Community Fitness Event for 2007 – the Mother’s Day Classic).  Check out the following website if you're interested in participating in the Mother's Day Classic:

http://www.sport.monash.edu.au/events/index.html

Catering at Caulfield Campus 

MamaDuke Cafe now has a new website and ordering system and expanded menu.

MamaDuke Cafe has extended its range of catering options and packages to cover all budgets. Their offerings cover breakfasts, morning teas, lunches, afternoon teas, functions, parties, dinners and suppers. Whether it's a student BBQ, staff meeting or cocktail party for international visitors this expanded menu can now meet all your needs. Please refer details via MamaDuke's specific catering website: catering@mamaduke.com.au 

This website is accessible via the Catering at Caulfield section on the Caulfield Campus website. You are now able to order online and various payment methods are accepted. A loyalty program, offering discounts, is now available to regular catering clients. Contact catering@mamaduke.com.au to request your loyalty card. 

The catering arm of MamaDuke Cafe now has a designated office where you can discuss your catering needs in person. Its location is office number 4 in the Caulfield Service Centre, current telephone number ext 34166.

(MamaDuke Cafe is open seven days a week from 7am - late)

From the office of Health, Wellbeing & Development

This month, Helen Whiteside, provides the following words on taking the "t" out of can't .  

Take a chance

Tackle head on

Tailor your walking program

Talk to team members

Tone down your worries

Tell yourself you can do it

Trip ups are normal

Treat yourself with rewards

Transform your physical and emotional well-being

Take the steps to change

Taste the thrill of success

Women's Networking 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

Community Quilting Project

A Community Quilting Project has been started at the Caulfield Campus.   The idea is to make quilts for worthy charities to give to special individuals in the community or to raise funds for the charity.  Basic sewing skills are OK (sewing lessons can be given if necessary). The group currently meets on Wednesdays.   If you are interested in joining this group please email Adeline Christie: adeline.christie@buseco.monash.edu.au  who can advise you of times and place where the group meets.  Also, if you are unable to join the group, but wish to provide a block for inclusion in a quilt (hand sewn or machine sewn) Adeline would be grateful for your donation.

Campus Book Club

Expressions of interest are also being sought from interested people who would like to see book club established here at the campus.  If this is something you think you may be interested in, please contact Coral Sheard via email on coral.sheard@adm.monash.edu.au

Global Corporate Challenge 2007

Interested in participating in the Global Corporate Challenge this year?  

the get ACCTIVE Group is currently seeking expressions of interest from staff who are prepared to commit to walking a minimum of 25,000 steps a day.  The Monash University Caulfield Campus won this event in 2005 and the 2006 team finished in the top ten.   The 2007 event commences on 24th May and concludes on the 25th of September.  (The event has been reduced from a five month to four month event). 

The Global Corporate Challenge is a virtual walking event - each team consisting of 7 people.  You should also be aware that with this Challenge, you are not able to convert other exercise into steps.  Only steps actually recorded on the pedometer are allowed.

The entry fee for the Global Corporate Challenge is $90.00 per person (plus GST).  Each participant receives a Global Corporate Challenge pedometer, drink bottle, sports pack and a percentage of each entry fee is directed towards funding Heart Research.  The get ACCTIVE group is trying to secure some sponsorship for the event, but it may also be worthwhile approaching your Head of Department and/or Dean to see if they would consider a financial contribution towards your entry fee.

If you think you would like to be a member of the team and are prepared to make this four month commitment to walking, please email Christel Kent via email:  christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au

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

Caulfield Profiles

This month we are thrilled to hear from Napoleon our 10,000 Steps Happy Feet Challenge Mascot ….. 

What is your position here at Monash Caulfield? 

Well, I’m currently on a contract position – commenced on the 25th of March, finishing up on the 13th of May  - official title Mascot.  There isn’t a position description, but  my mission while I’m here at the Caulfield Campus is to challenge and inspire participants in the Happy Feet challenge and also encourage other members of the campus to perhaps take up the next challenge. 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

When I’m not swimming in the deepest of oceans and fighting off monstrous sea lions, looking for food to feed my family, I like to hang out with the rest of the emperor penguin colony, sharing stories of the challenges of the day, listening to music, playing a bit of penguin soccer with an egg that might not have hatched – usual penguin activities. 

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

“By being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.”  Warner Bros.  

Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

Probably at another tertiary institution somewhere in Australia or perhaps the world.  Once word has got out about my time here at Monash University, and the good work that I will have achieved, other Universities will no doubt want to embrace the vision of the get ACCTIVE group – encouraging staff and other colleagues to walk 10,000 and more steps a day to lead a more active and healthier life. 

Have you seen much of the Campus?  If so, where was your favourite spot? 

I actually haven’t seen a lot of the campus ….  My first week or so has been spent in the Academic Director’s and Campus Manager’s Office, so I have met a lot of important people.  I have met Linda Bird, who very kindly named me and I am looking forward to seeing other parts of the campus.  I understand that there are some nice eateries and lots of activities I can do – spinning, join in one of the indoor social sporting competitions, visit to the Faculty Gallery.  I might even attend a lecture.  I am feeling a little bit cooped up over here in Building A so am really looking forward to getting out and about.  Look out for my campus adventures in later editions of Offcourse.

(Linda Bird, winner of name the Penguin competition, Kerrie Lister a fellow walker and Napoleon)

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