Issue 36, Monday 4 December 2000

Campus manager says farewell after 27 years 

The farewell function was attended by many familiar faces from the past including Laurie Flynn, Joy Hille, Jennifer Trigger, Olive Cousins, Richard Trembath, Con Duyvestyn, Leon Costermans, Peter Ladd, Jim Luca and Michael Owens. 

Barry was also joined at the farewell function by some of his family including wife Eril, daughter Sarah and grandchildren Louis and Eloise.

Laurie Flynn, one time head of science education at the Teacher's College then registrar when the college merged with Caulfield Institute of Technology, said Barry had an immediate impact when he started at the Teacher's College in 1973.

"One of the first pieces of correspondence we received from Barry was a memo headed 'Petty cash'," Laurie recalled. "I didn't know what petty cash was - we used the term petty for many things at the college but never in reference to cash.

"Once we discovered the freedom 'petty cash' gave us, Barry's reputation was cemented."

Peninsula campus director John White said he came up empty handed when he went looking for the dirt on Barry but added that the three adjectives that best describe the man were "calm, wise and loyal".

"Barry always keeps his cool. He is also very wise, listening to what you have to say and providing advice that is always well thought out.

"Barry's loyalty to the campus through so many changes - mergers, crises, campus closure threats, different bosses and staff - is at the heart and soul of who he his."

After 15 years in private industry at BX Plastics before joining the then Frankston Teacher's College, Barry remembered coming out of his office for afternoon tea in the early days only to find that everyone had gone home.

"It didn't take me long to get into that way of life", he added. 

"This campus has been through many different eras. There have been a lot of difficult times and quite a few characters but there have also been many rewarding, satisfying times and a lot of great memories."

Barry's parting words, "You haven't seen the last of me", will see him back at the campus for the Christmas Lunch on 12 December.

Barry (left) with Fred Luca, Michael Mirra, Kate Warner, Lay Lin Oh,     Diana Dibben and Tanya O'Brien.

Spreading the Christmas cheer

A 'Christmas Gift Tree' for those in need has been set up in the Campus Administration building (building C). 

The tree has a range of tags indicating a suggested age and gender of the recipient ie boy, 8-12 years. Staff are encouraged to take a tag, buy an appropriate gift, and return the gift with tag attached by close of business Monday 18 December. 

All gifts will be donated to local charities. 

Orientation Opening Ceremony

A morning tea will be held prior to the ceremony, which commences at 11 am in the George Jenkins theatre. All staff are invited to attend both the morning tea and the opening ceremony, and any staff member who wishes to join the official procession should contact Julie Ryan on extn 44015.

Staff in the procession must wear academic gown. Staff who do not have their own academic gown but would still like to process can organise gown hire through Julie Ryan free of charge.

Local students come up with local solutions 

A group of students from the Faculty of Education at the Peninsula campus are delving into local Frankston issues and providing recommendations for improvement.

The third year students were given projects by the Frankston City Council’s Community Safety Management Team (CSMT) – a group of local people who are providing advice and information on community safety issues in Frankston.

The students have investigated safety issues relevant to young people and revolving around key areas that young people use including the train station, playgrounds, Shannon Mall and other recreation and leisure areas.

The students presented the results of their semester's work as well as recommendations for improvements to the council, local traders and community members recently.

According to Faculty of Education lecturer Dr Karen Malone, the council identified several key areas of concern from their Community Safety Plan earlier in the year but there was little funding available to further research the needs in the key areas.

Notice board 

Staff are reminded that applications for 2001 Staff Parking permits are to be submitted to Campus Administration at Peninsula Campus by Tuesday 12 December 2000.

Please refer to the information and forms forwarded to all campus-based
staff on 21 November 2000. If you have any queries, contact Ms Lay Lin
Oh extn 44339.

The university closes for 2000 on Wednesday 20 December and re-opens on Tuesday 2 January 2001.

Don't forget . . .

The final social club happy hour drinks for 2000 will be held on 7 December. A BBQ will also be held, which is free for social club members. The first two drinks will also be free. Starting at the Seahorse Tavern at 5 pm.

12 December Campus Director's Office & Staff Social Club Christmas lunch. Menu includes finger foods, trio of roasts, plum pudding, mince pies, beer, wine and soft drink. Cost: $14 for social club members, $15 for non members. Drinks commence at 12.15 pm with lunch served at about 12.30 pm. Bookings with payment must be made by Thursday 7 December. No bookings will be taken after this date and cancellations after 7 December will not be refunded.