Issue 3, Monday 21 February 2003

Welcome to new Professor in nursing

The courage and dedication of World War II nurse Sister Vivian Bullwinkel (Mrs Vivian Statham) will live on with the appointment of the inaugural Vivian Bullwinkel Professor of Nursing (Palliative Care).

Professor Margaret O’Connor has recently been appointed to this innovative research and teaching position, which has been established by Monash University’s School of Nursing in collaboration with the Peninsula Hospice Service, the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) and Peninsula Health.

Professor O’Connor has herself had a long and distinguished career in the area of palliative care in roles including nursing, management, strategic planning and education. She has an enduring interest in combining her clinical interests with her research and education roles in an effort to bring practice and theory closer together.

According to Professor O’Connor the position represents a significant appointment in relation to the development of palliative care in Australia, where there are few such dedicated roles in the nursing sphere.

"I am excited about the prospects of the role in particular because two of the partners are domiciliary services, where I have spent the majority of my career," she explained

"Additionally, the partnership is a unique opportunity for the development of research across settings of care including home care, in-patient hospice and acute care."

School of Nursing head Associate Professor Tony Barnett said the position was developed with Sister Bullwinkel’s philosophies in mind.

"By all accounts Sister Bullwinkel was as much a humanitarian as a nurse who constantly put others’ needs ahead of her own, dedicating her life to the sick and dying and exploring ways their lives could be made more comfortable,” he said.

“Even after returning from the suffering inflicted on her and other POWs during World War II, she continued to dedicate her time and effort to the sick and dying."

Professor O’Connor will officially take up the position, which is based at  Peninsula campus, in March.

$43k for literacy and numeracy research

Professor Marilyn Fleer from the Faculty of Education has received a $43,000 government grant to explore literacy and numeracy related issues of children in the local Hastings and Crib Point areas.  

The grant is part of the Commonwealth Government's Literacy and Numeracy Innovative Projects Initiatives, which aims at exploring new teaching and learning methods to better prepare children for school life.

The project will involve a number of staff from the faculty working in consultation with parents, teachers and other staff in early childhood settings, with the overall aim of improving literary and numeracy skills of children.

Community Services news

Complementary therapies

Community Services' Complementary Therapies day for semester one will be on Mondays.

The masseur will be on campus fortnightly starting on 3 March and a Reflexology/Reiki practitioner will be here monthly from 11 March, or more frequently if the demand exists. So treat yourself to something special!

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccines are now available at Community Services and are $15
each. Contact extn 44223 to make an appointment with the Campus Nurse.

Investing in your future

Paula Romberg from RetireInvest Malvern is pleased present two FREE workshops designed to help women build their financial independence.  You are welcome to attend one or both workshops.

Getting Started - Thursday 20 March at 1pm in C1.02.
This interactive workshop is ideal if you want to learn about investment principles. Learn how to take financial control by increasing your knowledge about investments, how tax affects your investment decisions and how to manage risk.  Paula will discuss superannuation, whether to repay your mortgage or invest and how making additional contributions before tax to superannuation may benefit you.

Beyond Basics - Thursday 27 March at 1pm in C1.02.
The second interactive workshop lets you explore ways to get greater financial choice. Drawing on the basic principles from the first workshop Paula will compare different investment strategies, delve a bit further into tax and investing and look at borrowing to invest. 

Each workshop will run for approximately 50 minutes, with questions encouraged during the session. A light lunch will be provided.

Bookings are essential and must be made with Kate Chamberlain at RetireInvest Malvern on 9500 1460. Choose the workshop that’s right for you. Or attend both.

NOTE: RetireInvest is more than happy to run similar seminars on campus for men if the demand exists. Please contact Paula Romberg on 9500 1460 to register your interest.

Peninsula notes

The staff social club is holding a free BBQ lunch this Friday 28 February from 12.30 pm at the MONSU BBQ area. Everyone welcome.

The campus paper recycling company, Paper Away, now collects recycling bins late Tuesday mornings. Bins do not need to be put out overnight for pick up Monday and should be put out Tuesday morning.

It has come to Campus Administration's attention that petrol caps from pool cars have been stolen and replaced with broken, non standard caps. If future incidents of this nature occur, cars will be checked thoroughly on their return. When using pool vehicles, please report any suspicious damage or theft from vehicles. 

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula