Issue 17, Monday 18 November 2002

Relay for Life nets $100K for Cancer Council

Forty one teams contributed to raising an amazing $100,000 for The Cancer Council Victoria at last weekend's Relay for Life in Frankston.

The 24 hour event attracted teams from far and wide with teams coming from Moe, Emerald, Berwick and Clayton as well as many from the local Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region. The Monash contingent of 17 teams represented most campuses including Berwick and Gippsland.

Response to the event has been overwhelming with many participants already talking about what they will do next year.

Alicia Farrell from the Cancer Council congratulated the teams and the committee on a fantastic event.

"It was an absolute pleasure to attend such a well organised event
and great to see that all involved were enjoying themselves," she said. "I have heard nothing but praise from team members that participated in the Frankston Relay for Life event, with many already looking forward to participating next year."

The committee consisted mostly of Monash and Monyx staff. Special thanks to all the Monash teams, the Bob Greaves Children Working with Wood activity and Centre for Ambulance and Paramedic Studies for the first aid support.

Olympic Gold medallist and Frankston Relay for Life Patron Ms Debbie Flintoff-King read the Relay for Life Oath that signals the beginning and end of each Relay event.

Debbie and Frankston Mayor Cr Cathy Wilson cut the ribbon that starts the Relay where cancer survivors wearing red sashes and carers in green walk to the first lap of the event.

The Rev John McRae led the moving Candlelight ceremony where (from left to right) long term survivor Kerry Matthews, current cancer survivor Debra O'Brien and carer Margaret Saunders spoke of Hope, Courage and Love

While walkers continued throughout the night the candles reminded them of what Relay for Life is all about.

A man of many talents: Phill Smith from ITS and the Melbourne International Voices Men’s Choir provided a moving musical tribute following the Candlelight service.

Candle tributes in memory of loved ones lost and in support of survivors lined the track.

And a bit of fun: 88 Crew a Polynesian dance group provided some entertainment Saturday morning.

Grounds Committee report 2002

2002 has been a successful year for the Peninsula Campus Grounds Sub-Committee, which has met four times and helped achieve the following outcomes.

Synthetic Hockey Facility and related Car Park

Work on the $1.1 million Peninsula Hockey Centre (funded by a consortium of university, community and government interests) was completed in April and the facility is now heavily booked by local hockey clubs, schools and students for hockey and soccer training and matches.  The project also included the construction of a 75 car carpark to the northern end of the pitch, funded by the University which is used by staff and students during the week and by hockey pitch users at night and weekends.  Hydroseeding and mulching of areas around the pitch had been completed.

On-campus student accommodation

Five, six-bedroom houses for student accommodation were constructed by Monash Property Management over 2001 and 2002.  The residences were completed in April and are now fully booked.  They are sited overlooking the hockey pitch and the area between the two has now been landscaped with paths, planting and grass areas.

Electronic plant inventory

Geocode Pty Ltd has undertaken a full survey of all plants on the campus.  However, in doing this work, it was found that there were serious discrepancies between the official university plans for the campus and the actual locations of buildings as shown by Geocode’s aerial photographs.  The university is currently working to reconcile these plans.

Early Childhood Centre

Funding of $1.5 million was received from the University for the construction of a new Early Childhood Centre on two blocks of land owned by the University adjacent to the current campus.  Ron Unger Architects have completed the design and tendering of the project which includes significant outdoor areas for the children, incorporating natural settings that encourage exploration and inquiry.

A Building south plaza and Administration and Library forecourt areas

Plans have been developed for the renovation of A Building Plaza and for the landscaping of the Administration and Library Forecourt Areas. As both projects overlap with each other it has been decided that it would be best to run them as one project.  However, while funding of $850,000 is available towards the project in 2002, it appears unlikely that funding for stage 2 of the project will be made available in 2003.  As a result, quotes are now being sought to determine how much of the project can be completed with currently available funds and whether it is appropriate to proceed with this portion of the total project.

Disabled access

Tenders have been received, and funding made available, for the construction of a disabled access ramp from the Student Union Building to the Hockey Pitch/Student Accommodation precinct.  Work on this project will be completed before the end of 2002.

Signage

The installation of large signs on each building indicating the major user of that building, together with updated directional signage for the campus was undertaken during 2002.

2003 Project Submissions

The Sub-Committee also helped put together the submissions for non-operational funding for 2003 for Peninsula Campus Grounds and has sought funding for the following projects, although it is anticipated that not all will receive funding to allow them to proceed:

Appointment of new head landscape gardener

During the year, Kevin Beale, the leading hand gardener at peninsula campus retired and the Sub-Committee oversaw the appointment of his replacement, Patrick McDonald. Patrick has extensive experience in landscape design and maintenance and in staff supervision, having previously worked as Chief Gardener at resorts such as Uluru and Hamilton Island. Patrick has proven a valuable appointment and has already made his mark on the campus.

CareerStart reminder

CareerStart 2002, a three day job seeking program, will be held on 26, 27, 28 November 2002 at Caulfield. 

The program is being coordinated by Mary Gordon, Careers Counsellor at Monash Student Employment and Careers Service (MONSEACS).

CareerStart 2002 is ideal for penultimate year students and students completing their degrees. It covers areas such as resume/letter writing, interview skills, mock interviews, psychometric testing demystified and assessment centre activities. 

Many employer representatives will be in attendance and presenting the sessions including Accenture, Connell Wagner, Ford, Ernst & Young,
UBS Warburg, Grant Thornton, DST International and many more. 

More information can be obtained from Marian Longmire on extn 32114 or email Mary Gordon. Students can book a place for the sessions at any MONSEACS office or by contacting the representatives above.

Monash Sport

As part of the Monash University Sport annual review of services offered on campus, the Peninsula Fitness Centre is interested to hear from staff as to what exercise to music programs they would like to see offered by the gym and preferred times and days.

This year the centre has experimented with more of the 'wellness format'
classes but user and potential user should feel free to suggest other activities and classes they might like to undertake. We have also received interest in Pilates and would like to gauge interest levels for this class specifically.

Please email Paul Mitchell  with comments, ideas or suggestions.

The Peninsula Fitness Centre would like to thank members for your time and patronage this year to make Monash Sport Fitness Centre bigger and better.

Parking for 2003

STAFF (RED) PARKING PERMITS
Application forms for 2003 Staff Parking Permits are being forwarded to all campus-based staff this week. 

If any staff member does not receive these forms, please contact Ms Lay
Lin Oh on 44339 for a copy. 

The fee for 2003 is unchanged at $127.60 ($116.00 + 10% GST) for staff
who opt to pay by cheque/money order/credit card. The GST does not apply if the fee is Salary Packaged.


INTER-CAMPUS PARKING PERMITS
Faculties/Departments are reminded that the 2002 Inter-campus permit
expires on 31 December 2002 and that a 2003 permit will be required to
park in the yellow signed inter-campus parking areas at Clayton and
Caulfield from that date.

Application forms for the 2003 Yellow Parking Permits are available from
Security and Traffic Office at Clayton. The cost of the permit for 2003
is unchanged at $200.

Staff Social Club and Campus Director's Christmas lunch 

The combined Staff Social Club - Campus Director's drinks will be held on Thursday 12 December. Stay tuned for further details including location and cost. Flyers with all the details will be distributed to staff in the near future.

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula 

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