PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 9
Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Stustainable education showcased at Peninsula

The Frankston Federation of Schools celebrated the achievements of their children and teachers with a Science Exhibition held at the campus recently.

Children from the Federation of Schools, which include Derinya Primary School, Frankston Primary School, Frankston Heights Primary School, Overport Primary School and Frankston High School, have taken part in a project investigating environmental science and water management issues. The exhibition showcased a selection of work completed throughout the year.

The project has been completed in partnership with the Faculty of Education at the Peninsula campus through the work of Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie.  Dr Cutter-Mackenzie, research project director, together with research assistant Helen Widdop Quinton, is conducting a research project to evaluate the project’s outcomes, including capturing students' and teachers' perspectives about their teaching and learning experiences.

"Environmental issues are so important in today's world, and young people are extremely receptive to ideas of environmental sustainability," Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said. "The Science Exhibition is a culmination of the year’s initiatives. It not only provides an opportunity to showcase excellence in our schools, but provides a forum for the children to share their learning with others and to spread their messages of positive actions that can be adopted by everyone to work towards a sustainable future."

To further develop the idea of sustainability and community awareness, the children walked to the Science Exhibition from their local schools, instead of taking the bus. They also made a gold coin donation to support the National WaterAid Campaign, which provides not just water, but also sanitation and hygiene education to some of the poorest people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.

In addition, pre-service teachers from Monash University contributed to the project by volunteering their time in the schools as teacher associates, which provides them with valuable teaching experience as well as the opportunity to take new messages into schools in the future.

10,000 steps winners

The 2008 10,000 Steps challenge as been walked and won, with the winning team from the past two years, Campus Cruisers, handing over the coveted trophy to the Peniroos, consisting of staff from the Library and Works Branch.

Peniroos team members from the Library included Fiona Lowe (Team Captain), Michael Barry, Helen Dacy, Tilly Hadju-Chai, Paula Todd, Kathryn Unsworth and Anne Young, and Tony Douglas from Works Branch.

The Steptember challenge saw 12 Peninsula teams complete an average of 13,212 steps during the course of the challenge, which took participants on a virtual walk between all Monash campuses including Malaysia and South Africa.

The challenge culminated in a campus walk led by Campus Director Phil Steele who congratulated all the staff who participated in the 10,000.

Nursing news

Reflections on nursing

Final year Bachelor of Nursing students have produced thoughts on their journey to becoming nurses by developing a range of art work being displayed in the Library.

Reflections on Nursing is an annual event which gives students the opportunity to explore their creative side to develop different types of art showing their feelings about the course and their experiences while undertaking their degree.

The display, coordinated by Kathryn Unsworth, is currently on the ground and first floors of the Library.

New lift launched

The School of Nursing and Midwifery building has received a significant boost with the completion of the new lift. The $270,000 project was a funded minor works project completed following the campus's accessibility audit. The lift is quite visible from the outside of building E with the unique glass gum leaf design facade, which was designed to blend the lift with environment.

Diploma of Health Sciences launch

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Steven Wesselingh (pictured), officially launched Monash College's new Diploma of Health Sciences at the Peninsula campus recenlty.

The first intake of students are currently undertaking Part 1 of the Diploma at the campus, which focuses on biology, chemistry, maths, health and academic skills, preparing them for Part 2 of the Diploma and studies in the faculty in the area of biomedical/health sciences.

The diploma provides an alternative pathway for students to enter a range of degrees in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences including the Bachelors of Health Science, Nursing, Emergency Health and Biomedical Science

Melbourne Cup winner

Tanya O'Brien from Campus Administration won the best hat at the recent Melbourne Cup lunch for her unique and stylish hat incorporating her own cup line up including Melro Bin Son, The Collegiate, Do'In the Business, Man of Steele, Jules in the Crown and Paraletics.

Take part in driving research

The Monash University Accident Research Centre is currently recruiting participants for a research project looking at driving performance using the new state-of-the-art portable driving simulator.

MUARC is looking for participants aged 18 years and older with a current driver's license with particular focus on people between 18 and 55.

Participants will be asked to complete the following:

• Questionnaires relating to your age, driving experience and health factors;
• A drive in a state-of-the-art portable driving simulator.

The entire experience should take about 30 minutes and can be completed at John Collins Holden in Mornington.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Anna Devlin at MUARC on extn 51862 or email your name and contact phone number to psim.enquiry@muarc.monash.edu.au 

Monash Wellbeing extended offers

Monash Wellbeing has successfully negotiated great discounts for all Australian based Monash employees with the following companies:

HBA Health Insurance – staff can now receive between 4% and 6% discount off premiums, and a bonus 1 month free. Payment can be made by payroll deduction or direct debit. View more info here

Holiday and travel discounts – Just in time for the holiday season, Global Destination Management is offering great discounts on accommodation, flights, holiday packages and hot specials. View more info here

Other great offers include:

Monash Sport memberships - Monash staff members have the option to salary package their gym membership. View more info here

Tired of cooking? Let Lite n Easy do the work for you - take $25 off the first delivery for a full 7 day pack. View more info here

Discounted Virgin Blue Lounge access -- Normally, $349 per year (plus $199 joining fee), Monash staff can purchase the membership for just $220 and a once off $99 joining fee. View more info here

Qantas Club discounted access- staff have access to a great discounted membership rate for the Qantas Club. Memberships can be salary sacrificed. View more info here

Hot Air Ballooning - Global Ballooning is offering Monash staff members a 15% off discount of the RRP, a great Christmas or special occaision gift idea. View more info here

Magazine subscription discounts - just in time for Christmas! Receive a 10% discount on titles including Australian Geographic, Australian Women’s Weekly, Good Health & Medicine, Money, Motor, Wheels and more. View more info here

Your feedback matters! Tell Monash Wellbeing what you think of these discounts and if you have any suggestions. Send your feedback here

Diary dates

Tuesday 18 November - School of Nursing and Midwifery Vivian Bullwinkel lecture, presented by Professor Simon Stewart BA, RN, BN, Grad Dip Ed, PhD. NHMRC,Senior Research Fellow, Professor and Head Preventative Cardiology at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. The lecture will be held at the Nurses Memorial Centre in St Kilda Road from 5 pm to 7.30pm. This is a free event but registrations are essential. Please contact Sharni Randall.

Thursday 4 December - 'ABS Census 2006 information session'. This session will be of particular interest to academics/researchers as it will introduce you to the new 2006 Census information to be released in November, which will be available free of charge from CDATA online. Time: 10 am to 12.30 pm (includes morning tea). Location: Peninsula campus library. As 30 participants are needed for the session to run, please register by 14 November by emailing Paula.Todd@lib.monash.edu.au  Enquiries to Paula on extn 44303.

Thursday 4 December - Fire Safety at Work Training session. Presented by OHS and CHUBB. Cost: $60. Time: 10 am to 12 noon. Registrations by 19 November. More info 

Frankston City most sustainable in Australia

Frankston city has been named Australia's moat sustainable city as part of the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign.

The Award recognises Frankton's commitment and investment in a wide range of environmental sustainability initiatives and its support of local community projects.

Frankston City Council's submission focused on the development of the Frankston 2025 Community Vision, a long-term vision for a sustainable future, which includes initiatives such as halving garbage waste,  working in weed management, the introduction of a local industry efficiency program encouraging businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable work practices, and the 'Adopt a Baby Street Tree' program.

More information about the award and the council's initiatives can be found on their website.