PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 4
Monday, 11 May 2009

International course focuses on wellbeing for all

The first Oceania international TAFISA course was recently held at the Peninsula campus attracting representatives from a range of countries including Vanuatu, Samoa, Korea and Pakistan.

Establish in Oslo in 1969, Trim And Fitness In Sport for All is a world leader in encouraging the concept of sport for all and physical activity. The organisation is active in 120 countries and works with regional bodies in Africa, America, Asia and Europe, also operating with UNESCO, IOC, WHO and other international organizations.

The leadership course was jointly hosted by Monash Sport and the Peninsula campus with TAFISA General Secretary Mr Wolfgang Baumann and TAFISA treasurer Mr Brian Dixon also attending the four day long program.

A range of speakers presented on a variety of topics such as 'Planning community initiatives for active schools', 'Ingredients of health active communities' and 'Engaging diverse groups in sport an physical activity'.

Keynote speaker Professor Brian Oldenburg is the inaugural Chair of International and Public Health at Monash University and has more the 25 years' experience in public health research.

International participants also had the opportunity of experiencing the local Frankston and Mornington Peninsula regions with visits to local wineries and Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings, which was also used a case study to highlight how community facilities can work for all.

Eating with the environment in mind

It may be true that 'you are what you eat' but it is also true that what you eat and where it comes from can have significant environmental impacts.

The Office of Environmental Sustainability has given staff and students the opportunity to explore the environmental impact of what they eat with the Sustainable Food Festival that was held recently at the Peninsula campus.

In conjunction with Health, Wellbeing and Development's 'Campus Connect' Program, a number of stalls were set up in the campus lounge aimed at demonstrating how the Monash community can improve their environmental impact through their food choices.

The program included a demonstration from indigenous chef Greg Dimoplous, as well as ‘The Great Monash Cook-Off’ between staff and students in a competition to produce a three course meal using the same sustainable ingredients.

The aim of the event was to provide an opportunity for staff and students to consider the environmental impact their eating habits have while experiencing how easy it is to choose, prepare, cook and share food that is good for them, good for the environment and tastes sensational.

Breakfast club

For the last few weeks, Wednesday mornings have begun a little earlier than usual for campus Chaplin Rev Jay Robinson.  On arriving at the campus at about 7.30am, she opens up the HUB at Health Wellbeing and Development and starts preparing to serve pancakes to a group of around 100 students and staff. 

Jay's Breakfast Club is proving popular with staff and students at the Peninsula campus with a regular clientele attending. Jay says it's great to greet people in the morning with: “Would you like to join us for a pancake breakfast? It’s free!

"There are a group of students who come each week to help out with the set up, cooking, preparation and cleaning up of the Breakfast Club," she explained. Together with the pancakes, those attending get tea, coffee and cordial as well as a variety of toppings including whipped cream, which is a favourite.

Those joining in can either catch up on the morning news as newspapers are supplied or catch up with each other before the rush of the day begins. "There are even a couple of study groups who meet before they head off to their lectures for the day," Jay said.

Every now and again the Breakfast Club also attracts some of the exchange students on campus with the most recent being a group from Japan who were very keen to learn how to use a BBQ as well as the recipe for our light–as-a-feather pancakes.

The Breakfast Club is held every Wednesday morning during semester from 8.15am to 9.15am outside the Health, Wellbeing and Development area in building A, as well in the George Jenkins Theatre lounge. For further information, contact Jay  on extn 44682.

Reflections on Holy Week

by Rev Jay Robinson

With students and staff at the university away until close of business on Maundy Thursday, I thought it would be great to create a space for reflection around the events of Holy Week.

My first challenge was in finding a space, which just happened to be the open room next to the Health Wellbeing and Development reception area on the bottom floor of Building A.  I had to clean the space of furniture, signs and posters, and get permission to use the room, but all this done we were ready to set up.

Bruce, Steph, Jenni Forbes and I rolled up on the Palm Sunday afternoon to put my ideas and thoughts into place. We had no idea who would see what we were creating, but that didn’t matter. It was a space to stop, think and experience the events of Holy Week, to find ourselves caught up along with the disciples.  It was an opportunity to connect in a deeper way with the journey to the Cross.

During the week both Christian clubs on campus spent time in the space. Staff members from Health Wellbeing and Development also spent time here, one even commenting that it made her feel like going back to church again.  Emails were sent out to both staff and students to tell them about the space, not too sure how many read the emails, but it was a great space, and a great opportunity to bring the true meaning of Easter to the campus.

Postgraduate Study Centre

The Postgraduate Study Centre located in Struan has continued to attract a wide variety of users including staff and students from other Monash campuses.

First opened in 2007, the centre has continued to develop a reputation for providing a supportive space for graduate and postgraduate students to undertake study.

It currently has over 150 registered users with 20 per cent of users coming from a campus other than Peninsula. Registrations have been received from students in Peninsula based course including education, occupational therapy, nursing, physiotherapy and business as well as students from IT, engineering, geography, arts and health sciences.

The centre offers postgraduate students complimentary printing and scanning facilities, seven fully equipped workstations, wireless study space that is laptop ready, a student study lounge equipped with plasma and DVD/video player, a seminar room, fully stocked kitchen facilities, MPA and MRGS programs. The centre also has safe and secure swipe access making it available 24 hours, seven days a week.

As well as providing facilities and services to students, the centre is a place where students from all faculties can meet, share ideas about their research, and study and support each other. It is also a venue for meetings and seminars relating to research and postgraduate study.

Campus Director Professor Phil Steele, says it is important the graduate and postgraduate students have a purposeful space in which they can undertake study and network with other students.

"It is great to see the registrations for this centre continue to increase and it being used so heavily all year round," he said. To register for access to the Postgraduate Studies Centre visit the website.

Monash Postraduate Association and the Monash Research Graduate School regularly run seminars, lunches and other events in the centre with the next one scheduled for Thursday 11 June. The day will consist of various seminars and a free lunch. Postgraduate and graduate students are asked to provide suggestion of specific topics they would like covered.

For ideas about the types of seminars and workshops that are currently available, search the exPERT booking system. If there is a topic that is not covered suggestions for new topics are always welcome. Please provide suggestions to Dina Galanopoulos  by Friday 8 May.

Who Gives-a-woop?

Providing a broad student experience is an important part of the learning environment at Monash. And then there is the opportunity for Monash to learn from its students.

Faculty of Education student Charlotte Roberts is passionate about making a difference. She has started a campus based program called 'Project Givawoop' to "celebrate love, laughter, listening and learning" 

"Project Givawoop is really a launching place for people to explore ideas about how they can help others with by creating a giving culture and encouraging students and staff to dedicate more time helping others to also find the joy of giving," Charlotte explained. 

Charlotte believes that it is the the small things initiatives that can lead into larger projects. "Just creating a space where people can share ideas and information with each other can lead to creative thinking and hopefully generate a more connected community." 

Project Givawoop had its first gathering on Wednesday 6 May in the campus lounge with the aim of eventually linking to different organisations and groups who are interested in helping others.

"We are hoping to generate 'giving projects' for the Monash and local Frankston communities as well as support the different organisations at the cmapus to improve the wellbeing of students and staff," Charlotte explained.

Project Givawoop is also hosting Free Hug day every Monday morning for the next seven weeks outside the library at 10 am. For more information about Project Givawoop, email Charlotte.

The Federal Budget and you

In these tough economic times, where will the Federal Budget take us and what does it mean for everyday life?

The ins and outs of the budget announcements will be analysed by Senior Economist from the Commonwealth Bank, Craig James, in the the next Business Associates breakfast on Tuesday 2 June.

Craig has worked in banking, finance and journalism for 27 years. He will unravel the complexities of the Federal Budget and outline how it is likely to affect Australia’s economy and local business over the next twelve months.

The breakfast will be held at the Mornington Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Mornington (Mel Ref 146 2A). Cost is $38 per person. Registration are via the Business Associates Breakfast website.

Japanese cultural fair

Students currently undertaking courses at the English Language Centre will present a Japanese Cultural Fair on Wednesday 20 May in the George Jenkins Theatre lounge.

The students have organised a range of demonstrations including origami, calligraphy, flower arranging and a traditional tea ceremony.

The fair gives the students the opportunity to engage with the campus community as well as practice their English conversational skills.

The Cultural Fair will be on from 12 noon to 3 pm and all staff and students are invited to attend.

Health prizes

Two scholarships are available to students at Peninsula studying a health related discipline.

A $500 essay prizes is open to any undergraduate health student at Peninsula. >more

A $1000 Research Study Scholarship for a Masters student in a health discipline at Peninsula. >more