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| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
PENINSULA ONLINEIssue 11
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Paul has been accepted into the program, which is run by the Commonwealth Government as a way to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia Pacific while making a positive contribution to their development.
Paul will spend 12 months as a Life Skills Officer in Kiribati (pronounced KIR-EE-BAS) located about 2000km north of Fiji where he will work with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) field office for the duration of his assignment.
Paul explained that two thirds of Kiribati's population of 100,000 people live in rural areas, with natural resources, unemployment, under employment, child health and environmental degradation all major problems in the region.
"In contrast, Kiribati has one of the world's largest fishing zones of over two million square miles, but this is often exploited by first world countries who over fish the region leaving very little in the way for sustainable growth," he explained.
Paul's role during his assignment will be to work with UNICEF on a number of projects including implementing and delivering the Life Skills program to Kiribati youth.
He will also be involved in conducting UNICEF information and training sessions for Kiribati government departments including the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development, Health and Medical Services and Education, Youth and Sport.
While the the UNICEF office in Kirabati is small (Paul will be joining the two other UNICEF employees based there) he believes that this will provide an amazing opportunity.
"It has been a goal of mine to work with the United Nations for many years now," he said "and this role will allow me to be involved at a grass roots level to make a difference in a region that is so economically and culturally different to Australia." Paul will continue his studies while on assignment.
Faculty of Education staff at the Peninsula campus have been given responsibility for providing professional development to teachers as part of the Federal Government's Australian School Innovation in Science Technology and Mathematics program.
The Science out of Schools project is a joint initiative of Mordialloc College and five participating primary schools - Aspendale Gardens, Aspendale, Chelsea Heights, Chelsea and Mordialloc.
Faculty of Education lecturers and project coordinators Dr Amy Cutter-McKenzie and Dr Wee Tiong Seah explains that the program is a great example of how the education sectors can work successfully together for the benefit of all.
"The project is multifaceted starting with Year 9 students from Mordialloc Secondary College undertaking a day of activities base on the 'Universe, infinity and beyond' whereby they will talk with astronomers, visit Starlab and undertake a range of hands-on and online activities," he explained.
Following this initial introduction, the students will then develop projects based on what they have learned. In addition they will be assigned a primary school and will run debates and help younger students in grades five and six plan and undertake these projects.
"Faculty of Eduction staff from Monash will collaborate with teachers to facilitate a broad range of projects while delivering a Values and Ethics professional development unit showing that science and maths are not as sterile as stereotypes claim," Dr Seah explained.
The Faculty of Science is also participating in the project, with current university students providing technical assistance as well as educating the school participants about the value and human side of maths and science.
"The overall aim of the project is to demystify the stereotypes often associated with science and maths with the end goal of improving the number of students undertaken careers in these areas."
 Dr Seah (third from left), Mordialloc College project coordinator Veronica Hayes (fourth from left) and Mitchell Fifield, Senator for Victoria (fifth from left) with Faculty of Science students at the recent launch of the project. |
Three hundred Monash University student athletes fought hard for the overall title of champions at the 2006 Southern University Games (SUG) held in Ballarat from the 3 to 6 July.
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Monash was victorious winning eight gold medals, seven silver and four bronze, adding important points to the overall national tally and triumph.
Peninsula was well represented within the Monash team with 20 students participating at the games. Peninsula student Alex McKenzie was the playing sport manager of the gold medal winning men’s AFL team (pictured), whilst an all Peninsula women’s softball team was runner up.
With this overall team success, the title was taken from the University of Melbourne, key rivals in the Southern Region of University Sport. Monash students competed against 1900 athletes from universities from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
The SUG acts as a qualifier for the Australian University Games (AUG), which will take place in Adelaide on 24 to 29 September. Additional athletes will join the team from individual sports and the SUG success will inspire great performances at the AUG.Ten Monash University student athletes, all from the Peninsula campus, competed at the 2006 Australian University Surfing Championships held at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland from 3 to 6 July. The team finished third overall behind the University of Wollongong and University of the Sunshine Coast.
Robbie Warden received bronze in the open long board and men’s stand-up, whilst Matt Prouten and Sean McDermott received silver and bronze medals respectively in open kneeboard.
Further south at the Gold Coast, four Monash University student athletes competed at the 2006 Australian University Distance Running Championships on the 2 July. Monash finished fourth overall winning one gold and two bronze medals. Dean Locke from the Peninsula received a bronze medal in the men’s half marathon.
As a result of the feedback received from several focus groups conducted last semester staff will notice several improvements to the food services on campus. Two new staff members have joined the team and improvements have been made to menus, coffee, ambience, design and service.
New Chef
A new local Chef, Leanne Hayes, has recently been appointed and together
with Michael Felsteads (Chef –Coco Red at Clayton) they have redesigned the
menu for The Upperdeck and The Seahorse.
New menu and healthy food options
The new menu includes a variety of healthy food options and also caters
for people with special dietary needs. The menu includes an increased range
of vegetarian, gluten free, low carb and GI meal options. A copy of the new
Seahorse menu is attached.
The Seahorse
In the Seahorse Tavern check out the new range of delicious Tortilla
wraps (low carbs and GI) or the Cantonese style calamari with stir fried
vegetables. We have also brightened up the space with a fresh coat of paint
and improved the layout by providing more lounge spaces. The comfortable
couches around the fireplace are the perfect place to relax and try our new
desert menu that includes sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and
vanilla ice-cream or the rich chocolate mud cake smothered in jaffa ganache.
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It's all about the coffee
We have listened to your feedback and made coffee a key focus of our
improvement strategy. Just like you we are passionate about our coffee and
have employed Chris Parker, formerly of Coffee Traders in Mornington as our
Barista. Chris joins our team to ensure that your coffee is just the way you
want it. The coffee supplier has been changed and
the machine has been relocated to improve traffic flow in The Upperdeck.
We want your feedback
We are interested in your feedback regarding the improvements and
would welcome any suggestions that you have regarding our service. A
feedback email address has been
set up for comments.
During a regular tree inspection carried out by the campus gardening staff a concern was raised about health of the large tree outside building C.
After much discussion with an arboriculturist it was agreed the tree should be removed as soon as possible.
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Based on the photograph of the rotten section taken from the tree trunk it is clear that the right decision was made. If this situation was left unchecked the tree may have fallen on building C or possibly a passer which could have resulted in some significant damage and/or a serious injury.
It should be pointed out that Facilities and Services have engaged a landscape architect to develop some planting layout designs for this area. This will ensure that this tree is more than replaced and we will now incorporate this area into our current redevelopment plans. By the end of 2006 all the pavement works in this area should be completed, after which time a replanting program can be commenced pending approval of 2007 funding submissions.
Monash Sport Fitness Centre is offering a self defence class, which everyone is invited to attend.
The Self Defence training will be presented by a qualified Karate instructor who will provide tips and techniques as well as useful advice about staying safe.
The class costs $ 8 and will be held on Tuesday, 15
August at 7 pm in the Conference room of the Student Union Building. The
class is open to members and non members, but
bookings are essential.
Enquire at gym for more details on 9770 1495
www.sport.monash.edu.au
All staff working on Open Day are encouraged to attend a briefing session being run by the University Recruitment Unit on Thursday, 27 July.
The sessions will cover topics and information including:
Session details:
Thursday, 27 July
F block lecture theatre
10 -11am
You do not need to register – just turn up on the day. If you are unable to
attend information can be accessed
online.
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