Issue 13, Monday 13 May 2001

Campus Director's drinks - report

A number of Peninsula campus staff were given an update on the many initiatives and activities taking place at the campus at last week's Campus Director's drinks. The following is a summary of John White's report.

• Master Planning

• The campus is currently working with the new Monash Property Management Company to develop a new master plan for the campus. All key areas operating on the campus have been asked to provide input. Some of the suggestions to be incorporated in the plan are:
• A new gym/exam hall/enrolment centre
• New offices and workshops for Works Branch
• Accommodation for the English Language Centre
• Additional teaching and office space
• A new childcare centre
• Providing easy access through A building so it becomes less of a barrier across the campus
• A landscaping master plan for the campus

• A Building

• Work is currently being undertaken to complete the fourth floor for Arts by refurbishing offices and teaching space
• Planning is nearing completion for work on Level 2 of A building for Education (to start early in Semester 2). This will provide facilities for Art and Technology Education teaching including printing/painting/sewing areas, kiln and clay working area, woodworking area, offices and storage, and gallery and showcase areas, including an outdoor gallery. Funding for this has been approved.
• The campus is working with architects on revamping the plaza area entry to A building (funding approved)
• Investigating feasibility of creating a 'Student Services Precinct' on the Ground Floor of A building incorporating Community Services, Monash International and Student Services

• Maintenance

• The university is moving towards a five year preventative maintenance plan for all buildings so they are brought back to and kept in as new condition
• Plans have been developed for all buildings at Peninsula so that corrective maintenance and ongoing maintenance such as painting, carpet replacement, roof and gutter cleaning, replacement of light globes, checking of essential services etc will be undertaken on a regular basis

• Student Accommodation

• Funding has been approved and work will commence shortly on construction of new student accommodation in the north-east corner of the campus alongside the oval
• Accommodation will comprise of four, six bedroom units and some extensions to existing properties, to provide a total of approx 40 new places in on-campus accommodation
• Expected to be completed before the end of the year

• Hockey Pitch

• MONSU and Monash University are working with Frankston City Council and the Mornington Peninsula Shire to raise funding to construct a synthetic hockey pitch on the campus
• The facility will cost almost $1m to construct with Monash, MONSU and the councils contributing $700,000 of this. There is currently an application with Sports and Recreation Victoria for the balance of the funding and we should know within the next couple of months if it has been successful
• The facility will be a sand-based synthetic hockey pitch, with lighting for after-hours use, for use by the university, local hockey clubs and the local community

• Child Care Centre

• The Childcare Centre has been housed in a portable building for 15 years and will need considerable renovation to meet new legislation coming into force in 2003
• Looking at feasibility of building a new centre that could be both a childcare centre and teaching/research facility for Education and Nursing
• A working party is currently looking at teaching philosophy and building requirements for a new centre and a number of architects are currently putting together fee proposals for the design of a new centre
• Funding will need to be sought from the university for the proposal to proceed, hopefully in 2002

• Frankston/Mornington Peninsula Local Learning & Employment Network

• The local region has been selected as one of 15 in the state for a government pilot program to coordinate and develop services to help with the employment, training and welfare needs of 15 to 19 year olds as region has highest youth unemployment rate and lowest school retention rate in the state
• The network comprises schools, TAFE, the university, adult education providers, training organisations, trade unions, employers, local government, employment agencies, youth representatives etc and is being chaired by Ivan Deveson
• LLEN has received $1.2 million over three years to work on the project and Monash is taking one of the leading roles in its development

• Orientation/Open Day – The campus had a very successful Orientation and we’re now planning for Open Day in August. Max Coulthard, Julie Ryan and a campus committee are coordinating events.

• Relay for Life – 17 & 18 November at Ballam Park – once again this event will be coordinated by MONSU and Monash. Planning is underway and the committee is keen to increase the number of teams overall as well as  staff and students participation. The Chairmanager is Ravi Chand from MONSU

• New Staff Induction – an induction session was held a couple of weeks ago for staff new (or relatively new) to Peninsula campus. Feedback has been that the session was useful so we might have another one around July.

• Women’s Networking and Support Group – has been operating since the start of the year and has monthly lunchtime meetings with speakers/workshops – if you’d like to join contact Helen Dunne
• Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – this fundraiser for the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria will be held Thursday 24 May from 10 am to 11.30 am in the Student Lounge next to the café.

A day at the races

Some may have been luckier than others at this year's Monash Peninsula Race Day but all had a great day at Mornington Racing Club on the weekend.

The nine race program started at 11.15 am, with the main race - the Monash Peninsula Campus plate - at 2.30 pm.

Shawn Cosgrove, radio personality from 104.3 GOLD FM, provided the entertainment for guests in the Silver Bounty Room as well as tips for the novice punters.

A highlight for many was when the winning jockey Noel Callow popped in to provide some insight into life on the track including diet regimes and the use of pantyhose (used to help the riding boots slide on easily).

Those who didn't have a winner on the track had the opportunity to go into the losing ticket draw for a chance to win a range of prizes including wine, Seahorse Tavern meal vouchers and a three month membership to the Fitness Centre.

Monash University Vice Chancellor Professor David Robinson congratulates owner of winning horse Freegold (pictured in the back ground)

For those with little knowledge of racing, the look of the horse and the 'prettiest' get-up was as good as anything else when tipping on the field.

Guests in the Silver Bounty Room included local councillors and council representatives, local politicians, principals, staff and friends of the campus.

Notice board 

 EDUCATION CREDIT UNION

Education Credit Union is looking for staff from Peninsula campus to help with some market research. A research company will conduct a brief telephone interview with Monash staff who are preferably not members of the credit union. This is purely a research project - no selling or direct marketing follow up will be involved. The telephone interview will be brief. If you would like to assist our efforts, please contact Deanna Iacopino on extn 54132 with your name, phone number and a convenient time to call. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to call Deanna.

ASIAN FOOD FAIR

Monash International will be holding an Asian food fair on Tuesday 22 May from 12 noon to 2 pm. The fair will be held at the BBQ area near the student union building.

SEAHORSE TAVERN DINING ROOM

The dining room in the Seahorse Tavern is now open for bistro meals as well as functions. The area is a non smoking one and group bookings should be made by contacting extn 44155.

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula 

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