Issue 10, Monday 22 July 2002

Booktalkers visit Peninsula 

Local secondary school students entered a world of fantasy and magic when they delved into the creative minds of some of Australia’s most popular authors at a ‘Beyond the Real’ Booktalkers event held in the George Jenkins Theatre recently.

Fantasy fiction authors Garth Nix, Alison Croggon, Kate Forsyth, Natalie Jane Prior and Michael Pryor presented insights into their work. 

The Booktalkers program is an initiative of the Australian Centre for Youth Literature (ACYL) and the State Library of Victoria and is supported by Monash University’s Performing Arts Precinct.

The program included:

• short performances on the theme and/or books by young actors

• a reading and presentation by each author;

• Youth Talks Books - a panel of selected teenagers speaking on the
  books of the featured authors; and

• a general question and answer segment.

Students also had the opportunity to quiz each author during a question and answer segment. At the conclusion of the session the participants were able to further discuss books and literature with the authors and have their favourite authors sign books.

The aim of the program is celebrating reading for secondary school groups while encouraging students to become informed and enthused about the
books and authors.

Booktalkers programs will also be held at Clayton campus on Tuesday 6 August and Tuesday 15 October.

	Students had the chance to delve into the creative minds of some of their favourite authors and get books autographed after the session.

Security on campus

Over the last couple of weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of thefts on campus.

Would all staff please take extra precautions at this time and make sure their offices and other rooms, particularly those containing valuable equipment, are locked. Please also report any suspicious persons, activities or behaviour to Security  immediately on extn 44318.

Security is currently visiting every building on campus advising on security issues that arise and how to protect better against theft. 

The alleged suspect/s in some of the previous thefts is described as follows:

Male Caucasian aged late teens or early twenties - approx 5'10", medium build, dark, short hair and seems to always be wearing dark grey/black top with hood, dark pants and runners. He is often accompanied by a second male, also of scruffy appearance.

If you see anyone answering this description please ring Security immediately. Try to keep an eye on the suspect and the direction they
are heading and recall any details that might be of assistance to
Security. Do not under any circumstances approach this person or
attempt to apprehend him in any way.

If you have any concerns about how secure your area/office is, please contact Security who will be able to provide you with advise and assistance.

Project Nurture

Do you have a great idea for a campus event?

Project Nurture is a program aimed at facilitating innovative events and activities on the Peninsula campus. MONSU is now accepting proposals for Semester 2, 2002. 

Project Nurture funding will be made available for events that meet certain criteria. Project Nurture funding submissions will need to show that the event will achieve the aims of 'building campus community' and/or 'servicing previously unserviced' groups within the university community.

MONSU is keen to receive event proposals for campus events from all sections of the university community, including all students, clubs and societies, faculties and service areas.

Project Nurture information and proposal forms are available from the MONSU Service Desk or email Ravi Chand and a copy will be emailed.

For further information, contact Ravi Chand, Events Manager on 9783 4555.

Get thinking and help create a fantastic events program for the Caulfield campus community for Semester 2.

MYLIBRARY@Monash: Major Library database initiative

The Library has selected the Faculties of Business and Economics and Engineering to trial a new service during the first part of 2002. 

As this is a potentially major investment by the Library we need to obtain significant feedback from our users.  If the trial is successful, the library will move to full implementation of the service for all faculties, beginning in August 2002.

MyLibrary@Monash  is able to search across multiple databases simultaneously and report search results in one sequence.

At present between 30 and 40 resources are available for searching. Other relevant resources are included as  hypertext links which must be accessed separately.

Links are provided from the results to electronic copies of the full  text where a subscription is held by the Library. Currently around 10,000 titles have been made accessible.

Further information is available from the Monash University Library Portal.

Education Art on display

	Work by a range of students from the Faculty of Education is currently on display in the Arts Education Studio in A building.  The work is the first major display in the recently completed area and provides an excellent opportunity for staff to not only view the talents of the student but to see the new facilities first hand.

Peninsula notes

Farewell to Robyn Masters

Long time Monash International Office manager Robyn Masters is leaving the campus. Robyn, who has been at the Peninsula campus for six years, is taking up the position of Manager, International Office, at Clayton. Robyn finishes at Peninsula this  Friday 29 July.

A Guide to the Peninsula campus

A new edition of  A Guide to Monash University's Peninsula Campus (previously the Visitors Guide) is now available. If you would like copies, please contact Julie Ryan on extn 44015.

Staff Social Club

The staff social club is holding Christmas in July luncheon at 1 pm on Tuesday 30 July in the Seahorse Tavern. Cost is $12 for staff club members and $15 for non members. RSVP for the luncheon is by Thursday 25 July. Please contact Joanne O'Reilly or Michael Mirra for further information.

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula 

Contributions can be emailed to julie.ryan@adm.monash.edu.au by 5 PM Thursdays.