Issue 19, Monday 23 July 2001

With less than two weeks to go, the planning for Monash Open Day at Peninsula campus is on track.

While Monash Open Day offers prospective students a chance to explore the range of academic and social opportunities available to them at the campus, it is also a chance for the community to visit their local university campus.

As well as the important course advice, there will be a range of interesting activities at the Peninsula campus throughout the day..

Current students will again acts as guides and hosts on the day and will be easily identifiable in their white windcheaters with the big blue 'i' on it.

As in previous years, an exit survey will be conducted with visitors given the opportunity to win a trip for two to the Gold Coast.

Nursing initiatives boost professional opportunities

Essentials of Law for Health Professionals is a guide to Australian health care law, co-authored by School of Nursing lecturer Debra Griffiths with Kim Forrester from Griffith University in Queensland.

As stated by Victoria’s Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson in the forward to the book: "The law can be a mysterious and troubling beast". And according to Ms Griffiths, the health profession is not immune to complex and challenging legal issues.

"While terms like 'negligence' and 'medical litigation' cause health professionals to shudder, these areas are small compared to the many legal situations health professionals can be drawn in to," Ms Griffiths explains. "It is therefore important that people within the industry are aware of the many domains of relevant law and ideally, it should be understood from a perspective that guides their daily practice."

"The book emphasises the major legal points and includes summaries on how the law relates to a range of health practice issues."

Also launched was The Virtual Patient, an interactive CD-ROM designed to simulate real-life emergency and critical care scenario. Written and developed by Debbie Kiegaldie from the School of Nursing, The Virtual Patient gives students the opportunity to manage a complex clinical case study in a teaching rather than a real environment.

"The CD-ROM incorporates vital signs, arterial blood gases, breath and heart sounds, chest X-rays and ECG readings as well as a range of other clinical and diagnostic information," Ms Kiegaldie explained.

Both initiatives were launched at a Nursing Alumni dinner attended by past students from Gippsland and Peninsula campuses.

Debbie Kiegaldie demonstrates The Virtual Patient.

Debra Griffiths and Beth Wilson launched Essentials of Law for Health Professionals

MONSU events keep you laughing

A star studded line-up is planned for MONSU's second semester events calendar at Peninsula campus.

The calendar kicks off with 'Laugh It Up' this Thursday 26 July, featuring performers comedians David Hughes and Dave O'Neil from Triple M, and Dave Grant from the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

The evening will be hosted by Kevin Watts, DJ for Vanessa Amorossi's national Australian tour and the athletes at the Olympic Village nightclub.

Tickets for this event are only $5 or $10 at the door, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to get tickets on the night as they are selling fast.

Other events scheduled for this semester include:

• Friday 10 August - 'Sex It Up' night with special guests Big Brother evictees Andy and Gordon;
• Thursday 23 August - 'Nah Mate' with Hung Le from Wog Story and Sensitive New Age Killer in conjunction with  Multicultural Week; and
• Thursday 6 September - 'The Semester That Was' with Peter Hellier and Dave Callan   from Rover Live  as part of the Peninsula Festival (Peninsula and Proud).

Tickets for 'Laugh It Up' and other events are are available at MONSU reception. All proceeds from the second semester events calendar go to Relay for Life.

The three Daves (clockwise from top): Dave Hughes, Dave O'Neil and Dave Grant will 'Laugh It Up' in the Seahorse Tavern this Thursday night.

ESOS Act and Migration legislation changes

New changes to the legislation on education for overseas students, the National Code of Practice and amendments to the Migration Act 1958 have recently come into effect.

The changes will impact upon university staff, systems and policies dealing with international students. Monash International will be running an information session on the ESOS Act and Migration legislation changes on Monday 30 July, from 1pm to 3pm in the Conference Room of Building C.

All faculty staff (academic and general), administrative and services staff are invited to attend the briefing. Staff interested in attending the session are asked to register their interest via email to Robyn Masters by Thursday 26 July.

Notice board 

Staff Social Club

A membership drive for the staff social club will be held this Thursday 26 July.  If you are already a member of the club, come down and enjoy the sausage sizzle being held at 12.30 pm at the MONSU barbecue area. If you're not a member, come down and join on Thursday. Membership for the Monash Peninsula Staff Social Club is $15 and can be paid by cash or credit card.

Lunchtime concerts

The lunchtime concert program will again be held in the George Jenkins Theatre at the Peninsula campus this semester.

The program of concerts for second semester is:

• 24 July – violin and piano
• 31 July – saxophone quartet
• 7 August - Colin Hopkins Trio
• 14 August – Viva Voce Chamber Choir
• 21 August – soprano, clarinet and piano
• 28 August – flute, trumpet, oboe and piano
• 4 September – soprano and oboe

For further information, contact Bruce Morton on extn 44214

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula 

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