Dr Beth Wilson had her audience in stiches at the Caulfield International Women's Day luncheon.
12 March 2008
12 March 2008
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Dr Beth Wilson had her audience in stiches at the Caulfield International Women's Day luncheon. |
Celebrations were held on the Clayton and Caulfield campuses last week to acknowledge International Women's Day.
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated across the world on March 8 each year, recognising the social, economic and political achievements of women.
Over 300 people attended a lunch in the banquet rooms at the Clayton campus March 6.
Author and AFR journalist, Catherine Fox discussed the challenges and opportunities women face in the workplace, why there is inertia in many organisations and how to change this stalemate.
A further 230 people attended a lunch at the Caulfield Racecourse on March 7, hearing from Victorian Health Services Commissioner and Monash alumna Dr Beth Wilson (BA 1975, LLB 1977).
Dr Wilson had the audience in stitches as she talked about her experiences in the role, including receiving a media enquiry about male impotency while on a crowded train full of young men and being regaled with stories about people's health problems.
She even treated the audience to some harmonica playing.
Dr Wilson said most of the complaints she received in her role were about failures of communication.
"It so important to listen to people and treat them with respect and compassion," Dr Wilson said.
Dr Wilson said humour was also very important and we should all exercise our laughter muscles more.
"My philosophy in life is that you can find humour in any situation as long as you're not laughing at others. "People can find laughter in the most tragic of situations.
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Author Catherine Fox addressed over 300 at International Women's Day celebrations at Clayton. |
"I'm always amazed just how stoic and brave people can be in the face of adversity."
When asked after her speech what International Women's Day means to her, Dr Wilson said it made her proud of the achievements of women and reminded her how important it is for her to be a role model and mentor for women.
"We've come an enormous way since women were given the right to vote," Dr Wilson said.
"When I was studying law, I didn't know one female lawyer.
"Now they come and see me to talk about their careers.
"Before long they are senior associates in some of the biggest and most prestigious law firms and are raising their own families.
"It's a real privilege to be a part of that."
The speech was the first of two significant events of the day for Dr Wilson, who had to leave after making her speech to be inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll for Women.
Associate Professor, Jean Armstrong from the Faculty of Engineering was also inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll for Women, one of thirty recognised for their ability to inspire and motivate others, including other young women.
Jean was especially recognised for leading the way in encouraging women into the engineering profession.
12 March 2008
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A portrait of Vice-Chancellor Richard Larkins has been unveiled as part of an exhibition of past and present Monash Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors at Robert Blackwood Hall. |
A recently completed portrait of Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins is one of 12 paintings of past and present Monash Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors on long-term display at Robert Blackwood Hall, Clayton Campus.
An initiative of Monash's jubilee celebrations, the exhibition was timed to coincide with the first round of graduations in early March.
Monash University Museum of Art Director Max Delany said the display of portraits represented the University's leadership over the past 50 years, as well as the changing face of portraiture.
"Among the portraits are significant works by Fred Williams, William Dargie, Clifton Pugh, John Scurry and Wes Walters," Mr Delany said.
"We are also especially pleased to unveil the recently commissioned portrait of Monash's current Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Richard Larkins AO, by Melbourne artist Juan Ford.
"Ford's portrait has been completed in a heightened realist style, whilst also referencing the process and research involved in the making of the portrait itself."
Mr Delany said Monash's first Vice-Chancellor, Sir Louis Matheson, championed the acquisition of artworks for the University.
"Four decades on and the Monash University collection, now numbering over 1,500 works, is considered of national significance," Mr Delany said.
"The portraits currently on display in Blackwood Hall are an intriguing aspect of this collection."
12 March 2008
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Accounting and Finance students at UBS Bank, Zurich, during an International Studies Program tour. |
A group of Accounting and Finance students have had the experience of a lifetime on a European study tour.
The group of 35 students visited international financial organisations in Europe as part of the Department of Accounting and Finance International Studies Program, which aims to give students a practical understanding and appreciation of global financial markets.
The students were accompanied by Associate Professor Carolyn Windsor and lecturer Roger Love, from the Department of Accounting and Finance, as they travelled to financial institutions in Rome, Zurich, Brussels, Paris and London.
The trip included visits to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, Banca di Roma (part of the Capitalia Banking Group -- one of Europe's largest banks), UBS Bank, the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Alstom, the European Regional Office of National Australia Bank, and the London Metals Exchange.
Coordinator Roger Love said the trip was extremely beneficial for the students.
"The benefits of visiting the leading international capital markets - including European banks, European-based multi-national companies and influential European institutions - were particularly pertinent in light of recent financial market turmoil," Mr Love said.
"At UBS, Zurich, students had the opportunity to discuss the US$13.7 billion write down in securities affected by the sub-prime mortgages crisis emanating in the US."
The students were also able to discuss the financial ramifications of the European Union's climate change policy with an officer directly involved in the drafting of the policy.
The International Study Program is scheduled annually. More information is available at the Business and Economics faculty website.
12 March 2008
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A team of Monash scientists, led by palaeontologist, Dr Jeffrey Stilwell, has unearthed one of New Zealand's oldest and most spectacular fossil deposits. |
A team of Monash scientists has unearthed one of New Zealand's oldest and most spectacular fossil deposits, a collection of perfectly preserved bird bones thought to be about 65 million years old.
The scientists, lead by Monash palaeontologist Dr Jeffrey Stilwell, stumbled upon the historic find during a National Geographic-funded fossil-hunting expedition to the Chatham Islands, a group of 10 islets east of New Zealand famed for their unique flora and fauna.
While this newest deposit contains well-preserved bones of seabirds, dinosaurs and marine reptiles living during the Cretaceous (around the time New Zealand separated from the super-continent Gondwana), it is the seabird bones that most interest scientists.
Traditionally, bird bones are too small and fragile to last, however the bones in this deposit have somehow survived completely intact, giving palaeontologists and ornithologists a rare peek into the past.
"This find is quite spectacular and it's up there with the finding of the first dinosaur bones on the Chathams,'' said Stilwell, who is based at Monash Clayton.
"In fact, it is equally significant because dinosaur bones preserve easily, but bird bones don't preserve too well because they're so fragile. Also, we don't know too much about the early life of modern birds."
Stilwell says the collection contains bones from four species of seabirds, some thought to be up to one metre tall.
While the bones appear to resemble those of cormorants, Stilwell believes they belong to several unidentified species.
Similarly, the discovery of tracts of other "mystery" fossils, including a giant toe bone from a giant eight-metre tall carnivorous dinosaur, suggests the area, which is now largely seabed, was once a rich eco-system in which seabirds co-mingled with marine and terrestrial dinosaurs.
Stilwell says it also suggests land bridges may have once existed between mainland New Zealand and the Chathams.
12 March 2008
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Help us Green Up Our Act by carpooling to campus. |
Monash is encouraging staff and students who rely on their cars to get to campus to participate in a new carpool scheme.
Commuting to and from university in a carpool arrangement reduces traffic congestion, helps you save on petrol and brings down our overall carbon footprint.
The new initiative is part of our commitment to "Greening Up Our Act".
The University is offering a great incentive for you to get involved! There are now more than 600 carpool spaces set aside for people willing to share rides to a Monash campus. Plus you will get a full refund on your 2008 parking permit if you decide to use the carpool service (however you must return your existing permit by March 28.)
If you decide to participate, you must arrive with at least one registered carpool passenger and two valid carpool permits must be clearly displayed on the dashboard.
To register for carpooling or to find a carpool buddy go to the Monash Transport information website.
Once you register, your carpool permit and refund can be collected from your local Security and Traffic office.
All of the spaces in the carpool scheme can be found on your campus at the following places:
Clayton: On the top level of multi-storey car parks (North 1 and South East 4) and also Central 11 Car Park which is in the middle of Union Loop Road.
Caulfield: At the top level of the multi-storey car park next to the shopping centre.
Peninsula: To the right of the main entry roundabout.
Berwick: On the gravel area at the far end of the car park.
For further information on carpooling or any other parking related issue you can submit a question at ask.monash or alternatively you may email parking2008@adm.monash.edu.au.
12 March 2008
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Student placements in Aboriginal schools and settlements are helping promote cross-cultural education amongst tomorrow's teachers. |
Study placements don't get more hands-on than Monash's Indigenous education program where students are invited to live and work in traditional Aboriginal communities.
The program, which aims to foster cross-cultural understanding among non-Indigenous students, has seen final-year Bachelor of Education students spending up to six weeks in local Indigenous communities in Victoria, but also remote Aboriginal settlements in Queensland and the Kimberley in the Northern Territory.
Though many of the placements are standard, offering students the chance to hone their newfound teaching skills in real-world schools, placements within traditional Indigenous communities offer the students a rare and privileged glimpse into life of Indigenous Australians.
Last year's three-week placement in Maningrida, a remote Indigenous community in Arnhem Land, saw students being taught to hunt by the traditional owners of the land.
As members of the community, even temporary ones, they were allowed to help find food, everything from crabs and fish to mussels in the nearby mangrove swamps.
Another final-year, Bachelor of Education student, music major Jo Powell, undertook her placement at Yirara College in Alice Springs. In addition to learning the skills needed by teachers in every classroom - from creating lesson plans, to creating discipline - Powell also had the opportunity to "jam" with local desert musicians and watch, first hand, the collaboration process involved in putting together traditional Pitjantjatjara music.
Monash's Indigenous education program is one of the country's most respected with such staff members as Yorta Yorta elder Henry Atkinson.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Education in a Changing World website.
12 March 2008
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Monash Chancellor Alan Finkel, Secretary to the Federal Treasury Ken Henry, Victorian Treasurer John Lenders, and Monash Vice-Chancellor Richard Larkins. |
One of Australia's highest-ranking public servants, Secretary to the Federal Treasury Ken Henry, delivered the second annual Ian Little Memorial Lecture in Melbourne earlier this month.
The lecture is held in memory of the Mr Little, who graduated from Monash with an honours degree in economics in 1977 and went on to become the Secretary to the Victorian Treasury before his death in June 2006 at age 50.
Dr Henry delivered the lecture to an audience of more than 200 distinguished guests from State and Federal governments, the business and university communities on March 4.
Dr Henry paid tribute to the strong contribution Mr Little made to the formulation of public policy in Victoria.
"Ian was not motivated by the adrenalin rush of the quick-fix," Dr Henry said. “For him, problems worth worrying about had a strategic dimension. They demanded a long hard look, an evidence-based analytical crunch and their solutions demanded painstaking implementation."
Dr Henry spoke about the vast range of issues Mr Little engaged in, including implementing initiatives of the 10-year National Competition Policy developed in the mid 1990s, dealing with the fallout from the High Court's decision on business franchise fees and the difficult issues resulting from the collapse of Australia's largest general insurer, HIH.
Dr Henry said that Mr Little's work program would have been enough to consume most people and what Mr Little put into it would have exceeded the capacity of most.
“But it was not this work program that defined his contribution to Heads of Treasuries. The fact is, Ian was never comfortable letting issues come to him: he went looking for them. What defined him, then, was his public policy ambition: more than ambition - vision."
The Ian Little Memorial Lecture was organised by the Faculty of Business Economics and funded by Monash University and the Victorian Government. It will continue to be delivered annually by a distinguished scholar or leader in public policy or economic management.
12 March 2008
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If you want to get fit, but traditional gymwork doesn't appeal, the folk at Monash Fitness reckon they have the solution - dancing. |
If you want to get fit, but traditional gym work doesn't appeal, the folk at Monash Fitness reckon they have the solution - dancing.
Monash Sport in Caulfield has introduced a weekly Latin dance class, teaching staff and students to jive, salsa, samba and cha-cha like a champion.
"Dancing is such a great way to keep fit," says Jeremy O'Halloran gym manager at Monash Sport Caulfield. "It's fun, but it's also pretty intensive and builds your fitness level, your stamina and your core strength.
"It's also great for your co-ordination - even if you think you have two left feet, which we all do!"
Monash Sport Clayton already holds three weekly dance classes (Tuesdays at 1pm, Thursdays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 3pm), which are among their best attended and include lessons in everything from hip hop to salsa.
Caulfield's cardio-friendly dance classes will be held every Wednesday at 5:30pm and the emphasis will be getting fit while having fun.
Television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars are topping ratings across the country and, as a result dance classes nation-wide are filling up fast, with some studios even having to turn students away.
Monash Sport Caulfield has been inundated with requests for dance classes from inspired staff and students wanting to learn to dance and, as a result, in addition to the weekly dance classes, they will run more specialised, six-week dance courses later in the year.
2008 is a huge year for Monash Sport with plans to introduce morning group training sessions as well as an inter-faculty fitness contest.
12 March 2008
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The Monash University Accident Research Centre has acquired a new portable driving simulator. |
The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has enjoyed a major boost to its driver-testing capabilities.
MUARC has acquired one of the world's most advanced portable driving simulators, the EF-X, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
The portable simulator features state-of-the-art 3D visuals that create an exceptionally detailed driving simulation which replicates the full range of driving conditions including night, rain, fog and bright sunlight.
The first major project involving the portable simulator will focus on testing the skills of drivers aged 65 and over -- whose numbers are set to more than double on Australian roads in the next 30 years.
MUARC has also announced a major upgrade to its most advanced driving simulator, which has been based at MUARC's Clayton headquarters since 1998, to make it one of the most sophisticated in the world.
The simulator's data has played a major role in many important road safety initiatives. The upgrade will include significant improvements to the simulator's technical capabilities, computer technology and driving simulation reality.
Professor Brian Fildes, MUARC Chair of Road Safety, said the new portable simulator and the simulator upgrade would enable researchers to collect better data on the behaviour of Australian drivers than ever before.
"This will further support MUARC's reputation as the largest and most influential injury prevention centre in the Southern Hemisphere," Professor Fildes said.
12 March 2008
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Associate Professor Peter Reed, Managing Director of Lee Hecht Harrison, Australia, Bruce Anderson and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Owen Hughes. |
Monash's Master of Business Administration program has joined forces with Lee Hecht Harrison, one of the world's leading career management companies, to further develop its top-ranking personal and professional development program.
Lee Hecht Harrison will provide a series of career workshops to help students assess, plan and manage their career paths.
"This is a most exciting innovation," said Associate Professor Peter Reed, Director of the Monash MBA program, which is the highest ranked MBA in Australia.
"Our students will have the opportunity to develop career management strategies with the help of experts from one of the world's leading career management organisations."
Lee Hecht Harrison is the flagship brand of Adecco Human Capital Solutions, the world leader in workforce solutions.
In 2007 Lee Hecht Harrison was ranked in the top 10 for leadership development programs in North America.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity of partnering Monash University's Graduate School of Business to provide a world-class career management program for MBA students," said Bruce Anderson, Managing Director of Lee Hecht Harrison, Australia.
"Lee Hecht Harrison has a similar partnership arrangement in the USA with the Yale School of Management and Wharton to participate in their global leadership programs and we are most excited that Monash is about to become part of this elite group."
5 March 2008
The first two graduations for 2008 have been held at South Africa and Gippsland. The progress made by both these Campuses in the last 5 years has been quite remarkable. At the South African graduation, 178 students graduated in a moving ceremony. Most of the graduands were the first in their families to attend university and their experience will have a transformational effect on their families. The graduands came from all the southern African countries. Over 2400 students are expected at the Campus by second semester this year, a far cry from the 480 of 2004.
The Gippsland Campus is also making stunning progress. New student commencements are about 100 above target. The Graduate Entry Medical School has taken its new students in state of the art new facilities. A large, environmentally friendly new auditorium and function centre is nearing completion. It will replace the "Binishell" which although distinctive has reached the end of its lifespan and will be demolished. The new auditorium will be the site of the regional meeting of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in October this year. New student residences will be constructed with the help of Commonwealth and State funding. Research activity is increasing markedly. Contrary to many regional campuses, Gippsland is now breaking even financially and its future is bright. The new Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Bartlett will take up her post in August. The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Harry Ballis is doing a wonderful job in the interim.
With the new Federal Government, it is a frenetic time in relations between the universities' sector and government. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr has announced a broad-ranging review of innovation strategy. He has also announced that the Research Quality Framework (RQF) in the form which the previous government intended is to be abandoned and a new approach has been signalled. The Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, is to be developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in conjunction with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and will assess research quality using a combination of metrics and expert review. Health and medical research will have evaluation driven by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Guidelines for the allocation of funding from the Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) are to be released and consultations will be held in relation to them. The Government is also undertaking consultation following the introduction of the so-called "VSU" legislation on how student support activities and facilities are to be supported. The Federal Government has signalled that it will use individually negotiated funding "Compacts" with each university to drive diversity in the sector and to support the individual missions of each university. There is no clarity about how these will work and it is possible that there will also be a review of higher education funding. The 2020 Summit has education as one of its subthemes. In addition to this activity at the Federal level, the State Parliament has announced a review of the legislative framework for Victoria's universities.
These activities are occurring at a time when the Federal departments are in a state of great change with the former functions of the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) now distributed between the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Research (DIISR). It is clear that policies relating to universities will be split between two departments and that there will be many aspects separate from universities and indeed from education that will compete for the attention of these Departments. Effective advocacy will be required.
Meanwhile, at Monash, Orientation Week activities have been completed successfully and the teaching year has begun. The Senior Management Summit and Council Summits conducted during February have identified the priorities for the University for the next five years as it works towards its goals for 2025.
Despite the turbulence in the sector, all the signs for Monash University in its 50th year are positive.
12 March 2008
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Name: Arthur Veno
Org. Unit: Faculty of Arts
Title: Honorary Research Fellow
Dept: School of Political and Social Inquiry
How long have you been associated with Monash University?
23 years
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
Universities and private practice in North America, Africa and Australia
What exciting challenges are ahead in your current role?
I am about to start the promotion for my new book The Mammoth Book of Bikers and hope to start working on documentaries relating to the politics of policing outlaw motorcycle clubs.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
I particularly enjoy the credibility, collegiality, fun and the feeling of belonging which the position offers.
Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, where is your favourite destination and why?
Along with Tusiatala (Robert Louis Stevenson) and Margaret Mead my favourite country is Western Samoa. To me, Western Samoa represents the epitome of an integrated and tolerant society set in breathtaking beauty. Samoan people respect their own people as well as strangers who arrive in peace and friendship.What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Hmmm. That's a tough one. I can narrow it down to three. My Mum gave me this advice: "Listen to others, but think for yourself."
"Keep 'em laughing" - I have got myself out of the most difficult situations following this advice provided by P. T. Barnum.
Finally, a biker woman once told me "I may have entered this world crying; but, I will leave it laughing." Humour and a positive attitude makes the world shine, no matter how dark the day is.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
I hope to die in the fabulous geothermal hot pools in Atearoa (New Zealand).
I am a member of the Religious Society of Friends (The Quakers).
12 March 2008
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| Monash University enrolls its first students in 1961. Pictured is the physics department staff from that year. Photographer: Terry Martin, Courtesy of Monpix, Monash University Archives. |
Monash University enrolled its first students 47 years ago this week (13 March 1961).
Classes began with 347 students taking classes in Arts, Engineering, Economics and Science.