Testimonials

Rob Jensen

Basketball Team Captain for 2011 Australian University Games (AUG)

"I joined Monash Basketball for the 2006 Uni Games when we went to Adelaide, and being part of Team Monash on these trips has been some of the best weeks of my life. being able to say that I was part of a basketball team that not only won gold, but was part of a basketball team of 500 Monash students that were Australian University Games champions is a source of immense pride for me. And that's not it, as I know for a fact that we had some of the best fun of our lives doing it. Going through what is certainly a physically and financially, probably mentally and spiritually, draining week, with your team mates is an experience that you all share as friends long after you collapse back at home. That is everything that is Uni Games for me, being able to come back with great friends and stories and say 'but we still somehow won' and I look forward to the same thing happening this year."

Tim Chau

President of Monash Badminton Club at Clayton campus

"I started with the Badminton Club even before I started going to Monash as my parents are at the club (who both attended Monash) so I have been going to the club ever since I was little. Then when I came here for Uni I got more heavily involved in the club because they needed more student members to help run the club as we have both student and non-student members. It's a really good club as it is a social club and a badminton club, so as well as playing badminton you get to meet a lot of new people and I think out of all University clubs, Monash has the highest level of badminton as all the good University players come and play at Monash because they know there will be good competition.

I have not only benefitted in terms of sporting opportunities but in terms of taking positions within the club. I have been able to rotate through treasurer, president, social chair and it just gives you skills in terms of handling money, leading the club, giving speeches, organising events and meeting new people. All those roles really give you better opportunities which are useful for later in life with interviews and different situations.

Being a part of this club adds an extra dimension when you are studying at Uni as you've got your studies, which are important, but you're also focusing on training and keeping your physical health and I think that's important; healthy body, healthy mind. Also, when the workload gets pretty tough around mid-semester, late-semester, exams, you always have this release where you can come and play badminton with no stress."

Briony Mack

Netball Team Captain for 2011 Australian University Games (AUG)

"This is my 5th year of involvement with Monash Sport and will be my 4th year playing netball at Uni games, and another year I coached the women's team. In that time we have won a silver, gold an dbronze medal. When I was in first year I played for Monash Uni netball club and the girls in the team got involved in Uni games - that year (2007) a girl in the netball team, Pip Ulbrick, was also Team Monash captain, so it's always been something I've aspired to. Uni games has been an amazing expereince for me, I've made so many friends from all different sports and its given me opportunities I would never have dreamed of - such as playing with people who compete at a national level, as Monash's suport of elite athletes allows them to play Uni games. Having had such a great time playing Uni games, it only seemed natural that I give back, taking on the roles of team manager, coach, and team captain - getting more involved has only meant that I've enjoyed it more."

Joe de Haan

Community Member

"My name is Joe de Haan, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It is more than 20 years ago that I arrived from Cape Town (South Africa) to settle in Melbourne. I first joined a different Gym in Armadale for a year. However, as this was not what I wanted, I saw an advert from Monash University, which is within easy reach for me living in Carnegie.I do remember meeting with Gary the manager, a very friendly young man, who showed me around and introduced me to the other staff members of the Gym. Whenever I called the staff members on duty for assistance they were always polite and extremely helpful in assisting me with whatever problem I experienced during my workouts. For that I am very grateful.

Having seen the great changes and improvements during the years, all the new extra equipment from the U.S.A, the many members with whom I have associated, the Gym has changed into a very special place for me. I would also like to mention that the current staff members are extremely friendly, and are all like a big happy family. It's really a huge pleasure for me to have had such wonderful association with Monash Uni for such a long time. With every success for the future,"

David Jakovincic

Collection and Facilities Coordinator at Caulfield Library and Social Sport Participant

"Given the University prides itself on staff keeping active it was an easy choice to get involved with Monash Sport. My association began when staff in the library discussed soccer as a way to keep active, this led to myself meeting Kris (social sport coordinator) and the idea of an indoor soccer competition was born. This has been great for staff fitness and for interpersonal relationships between staff and students. We often find ourselves playing teams who recognise us and strive that little bit extra to beat the Library soccer team. The popularity of thew competition has seen it grow from one division in its infancy to three strong divisions with demand growing. I have nothing but praise for Monash Sport and what they do. Without their dedication and helpful nature such activities around campus could not be achieved. We all look forward to continuing the great relationship between us."

John Weymss

Gym Member

"I saw the Gym on Moorooduc Road 2 years ago and thought procrastination time is over. It has been a great move and at 55 I am now fitter than I have ever been. I particularly enjoy the group circuit sessions with Nat and Kylie and the group sessions provide the motivation to make regular visits. There is now a little team of unlikelies; it's great."

Toni Atkins

Gym Member

"In the agonising aftermath of a very tough session with Nat I believe the Gym has prolonged my life! Some years back I was unable to get down on the floor let alone up. Now I am the next contender fpr the pver 60's weight lifitng. The instructors I consider lift above their weight are Nat and Kylie. Both personify the elements of someone passionate about their job, have high-developed people skills and make the gym a pleasure to attend - if we survive it."

Marlo Urquhart

Gym Member

"Doing a Bachelor of Emergency Health at Monash since 2009, the gym has kept me fit whilst completing my degree. Motivated to keep coming back. Tri-weekly morning circuit classes were especially good to get members involved and to push them through the workout. Repeating assessments every few weeks such as beep test, flexibility test was good to see our own improvements. Gym instructors who run circuit were motivated, enthusastic, ancouraging and friendly. This includes Nat and Kylie."