PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 1
Monday, 23 February 2009

Peninsula campus rallies for bushfire relief

Staff at the Peninsula campus have rallied to raise funds and goods to support the bushfire relief effort.

Health Wellbeing and Development raised $411 at a campus morning tea supported by Campus Management who donated the money for the purchase of cakes. The cafe also donated $1 of their coffee sales to the appeal.

Donations of pet food and goods also flowed into the HUB, which was taken to the RSPCA for the many animals impacted by the fire.

Campus chaplain Reverend Jay Robinson said in such tragic circumstances people not directly associated with the fires can often feel distressed and helpless.

"Giving people the opportunity to help in a real way gives them a sense of meaning and purpose," she explained.

As well as providing in kind support in the way of donations and goods, campus staff were also encouraged to attended the campus's quiet room for an opportunity for reflection, meditation and prayer, if they felt the need.

"There will also be the opportunity to write a brief remembrance note that can be attached to our memorial tree, which will be Monash Peninsula's ongoing remembrance of those who have suffered loss in the bushfires as well as those who have fought the fires," Rev Robinson explained.

This tree will be available for the next little while for anyone to attach a note to. It will then be planted on the campus grounds as a living remembrance of the tragedies and loss that have occurred at this time in our communities.

The university has set up a bushfire relief website, detailing the many ways staff can assist with the relief effort. 

A further site has also been set to assist students who may have been impacted by the fires. Any staff who know of students who may need special consideration or support during this time can point them to the website to register their details.

Sad farewell for two Peninsula staff members

The campus recently mourned the sad lose of past Peninsula staff member Kate Boyle. An affinity for the ocean influenced many of Kate's life decisions, including spending 29 years at the Peninsula campus.

Coming from a large family in Tasmania, Kate joined the Navy at 18, where she worked in telecommunications. She left after three-and-a-half years to start a family, raising three boys.

After a variety of jobs and interstate moves, Kate came to Peninsula campus in the mid-1970s where she spent half of her time as a reference staff member, assisting students with their information needs. The rest of the time she maintained the databank, which served the Peninsula community, entrenching her place as something of a local historian.

Following her retirement from Monash in 2003 she maintained her involvement with the campus and last year was an instrumental member of the group that coordinated the campus's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Kate's passion for history and the environment was legendary. At one point she created some local history, when she chained herself to an old lemon-scented gum to save it from being chopped down during building renovations.

She was the key force behind the Vera Bradford Music Collection, which is housed at the Peninsula campus Library.

After her children had grown up, Kate started travelling extensively and was able to see much of the world. In a profile about Kate published in Monash Memo in 2000, she recalls a highlight of her travels was a summer semester unit she undertook at a Cape Cod Maritime School in the US, where she spent six weeks on board a schooner and another six weeks ashore studying.

Staff were also saddened to hear of the death of another friend and past colleague John Van den Berk who was a plumber at the Works Branch at Peninsula.

John lost a five year battle with cancer. Works manager Greg Brown said John was a good friend and put up a tough fight.

John had worked at the campus for 12 years and was a quiet achiever, going about his job efficiently and with little fuss. He was very well like by his colleagues in the Works Branch and was known as a bit of a practical joker.

He continued to work when he was first diagnosed with cancer but decided to take voluntary redunancy in 2004 to spend quality time with his family including wife Coral and two daughters, as well as play a bit of golf.

Business breakfast bring campus and community together

The Faculty of Business and Economics at Peninsula campus will again run a stella line up of speakers as part of the Business Associates Breakfast series.

In 2009, the program will again be delivered in partnership with Frankston City Council, Frankston Chamber of Commerce and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

These organisations continue to work collaboratively with Monash University to promote the series. The seminars provide a forum to bring together leading Monash academics and other community leaders and the local Peninsula community, providing a useful networking opportunity for members of the business, government and education communities.

The first breakfast will be held on Tuesday 3 March on 'Sustainability in the Workplace? Who cares!'  and will be presented by Dr Mark Luther. It will be held at the Peninsula Country Golf Club commencing at 7.15 am.

To join the Business Associates Program contact Narelle Krueger. For further information about the breakfast series visit the website.

Health and fitness for all

Monash Sport is holding Blast Classes every day of the week in the Group Fitness Room located in Building B. If you are already a member of the gym on Gym, the classes will be included in your membership. If you are not a member, the classes are $5. 

The half hour sessions are aimed at giving staff the opportunity to get out and do some exercise during their lunch break while still allowing time to change and eat.

Blast Class Descriptions

Cardio Blast
A non-impact indoor cycle class that is as much about inspiration as it is perspiration.  Sessions cater for all levels of fitness and experience.

Rock Hard
The simple, yet powerful choreography of Rock Hard moves combined with light weight resistance work throughout the entire session, with a focus on tummy, hips and thighs.

Body Blast
Work all the major muscle groups via a series of weight-bearing exercises including squats, presses and lifts.   This class is an effective way to get into shape with fat-burning, endurance and strength benefits.

Inside Out Blast
Increase core strength, energy and vitality through dynamic movement, designed to improve body awareness, posture and alignment.

Monash Blast
Your choice, campus walks, outside activities, let us know what you enjoy!

New bus service

A new shuttle bus service between the Frankston train station and the Peninsula campus has commenced operation from Monday 23 February 2009.

The free service will operate during the semester and exam periods. Students and staff wishing to travel on the service will be required to produce their Monash ID card.

The shuttle will provide five services from the station in the morning and five services from the campus in the afternoon. The timetable is available online. The bus stop at the station end is located in Fletcher Road, Frankston, opposite Chisholm Institute of TAFE.

What every man and women needs to know about their health

To raise awareness of men and women’s health issues and encourage men and women to be pro-active about their health, a free seminar is being held for Monash Peninsula staff.

The separate men and women’s health seminars will deal with male and female health issues below the waist and will be interactive so your questions will be answered. Men and women are welcome to attend both sessions.

Dates: Men's health - Thursday 19 March, 12.15-1.15pm. Women's health sessions during April will be held at Caulfield, Clayton and Parkville campuses.

To book click here.

Cost: free!

This seminar is proudly presented by Wellbeing at Monash, in conjunction with Andrology Australia and the Monash Women's Health Program.