Offcourse

Issue 11 November & December 2006   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Academic Director's End of Year Function 

On Friday, 1 December, Professor Rob Willis hosted the annual campus Christmas function in the Clayfield Room and it was terrific to see a record number of staff, students and members of the campus community attend. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Larkins also attended to provide an update on University matters during 2006.  Some highlights and lowlights of the year he reported on were:

- that Monash had come through the AUQA Audit with flying colours.

- Research performance had improved significantly, resulting in increased research revenue.

- Planning processes are now all in place and budget targets are likely to be met.

- Lowlights included the large number of general and academic staff offered separation packages.  The Faculty of Information Technology was the most severely affected, but there was also a significant reduction of staff in a number of central service areas, mainly due to the introduction of the "VSU" legislation. 

- Fundraising must be increased in order to provide facilities required to be competitive in research at a high level and to provide the services and experiences our students deserve.

Professor Richard Larkins, Vice-Chancellor & President, addresses the Caulfield Campus Community

Academic Director, Professor Rob Willis also reported on the following Caulfield campus matters:

- approval to commence Stage 2 - development of the western end of the campus (Plaza).

- Building H - Arts to Level 5 - IT to consolidate on Levels 6 and 7 and Advancement to Levels 9 and 10 - final decision yet to be made on who will occupy Level 8.

- The increased feeling of campus community - many thanks to Helen Dunne and Christel Kent for all their efforts to maintain and improve campus community.

- The Monash Caulfield Band - thanks to Rowan Crosbie-Goold, Brett Adams, Mary O'Shea, Rod Thomas and Owen Hughes.

- Many thanks to all staff and students for a great year.

Professor Rob Willis, Academic Director, addresses the Caulfield Campus community.

Brett Adams, Lead Guitarist with the Caulfield Campus Band

Caulfield Campus Band Members, l-r: Rowan Crosbie-Goold, Rod Thomas, Mary O'Shea, Rob Willis, & Owen Hughes

10,000 Steps - The Monash Challenge 

Congratulations once again to the Caulfield Campus for winning the University-wide 10,000 Steps Challenge for 2006 - a virtual walk from Perth to Broome. 

Congratulations also to the team from Social Work at Caulfield - Not So Social Walkers - this was the winning team from 140 teams across the university.  Carolyn Worth, a member of the Not So Social Walkers, took out the award as the highest stepper in the Caulfield team. 

Joy Karton accepts the trophy on behalf of the 10,000 Steps Winning Team:  Not So Social Walkers from  Professor Richard Larkins & Professor Rob Willis

Global Corporate Challenge 2006

Rob Willis was also pleased to congratulate and present a gift to the members of the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) 2006 team who placed sixth out of 1600 teams.    Members of the 2006 GCC team were:  Jacqui Hughes (Monash University Venues), Jason Ceddia and Rosemary Demirtas (Caulfield School of IT), Renee Gedge (Community Services), James Lenihan (Faculty of Business & Economics), Peter Lausch (Library) and Felicity Allen (Psychology). 

Over 1600 teams participated in this year's Global Corporate Challenge and members of the Caulfield campus 2006 GCC team contributed towards the combined step total of 19,828,872,710 steps. 

Jason Ceddia & Renee Gedge - two members of the Global Corporate Challenge 2006 team, together with Linda Bird from Community Services

Campus Treasure

Rob Willis was pleased to announce our first Campus Treasure is Michael Scorgie.  Michael Scorgie is the Academic Development Manager with the Department of Accounting & Finance.   

Michael has been a great contributor to enhancing campus community spirit.  He has lead weekly walks when Judy Evans, Campus Nurse, is not available, scouted out routes for the weekly walks which incorporate points of interest and are of an historical nature, different styles of architecture of houses and flora and fauna.  He suggested that "leisurely strolls" be introduced on a fortnightly basis for members of staff who do not want to do a brisk walk. All of this has been done with a "can do" attitude and a smile.

Farewells to Three Long-Serving Staff Members

Eileen Cielsak - Supervisor/Senior Telephonist, Caulfield Switchboard 1977-2006

In her 30 years of overseeing the switchboard at Caulfield campus, Eileen has not only dealt with some unusual inquiries but has also watched the institution grow from a technical school to a university campus. 

Starting off in a cleaner’s room, upgrading??? to the cafeteria ladies’ change room to her present accommodation, which has also gone through many refurbishments, just outside here in Building A. 

She recalls times during the 70s and 80s having a real sense of community – service areas such as the library and student records – where there was more face to face and hands-on contact with students and the physical space of the campus:  the present student union building was the old clubhouse of the bowling green and the “green pub” as it was known is now home to Art & Design. 

She has made many friends during her years here at Monash and will be missed by all – her “smile in the voice” greeting, her dedication to help all callers reach their destination and responding to callers in a courteous and efficient way.  We will also miss her weekly movie reviews and of course hearing her music as we pass by. 

We don’t know of her immediate plans, but we're sure that they will include quality time with her husband John and her family: daughter Francie, son Simon and four beautiful grandchildren.

Here is a copy of the poem that was written by members of the ITS Client Services - Caulfield team in honour of Eileen and read at her official farewell on Thursday 30 November:

The switchboard is womanned by Joan and Eileen

Their voices are known but their faces unseen

Eileen’s seen it all, from switch you see

From Monash to Chisholm and the old CIT

She began in a cupboard surrounded by mops

But her current location would have to be tops

30 years she’s been here our telephone gun

But the time has arrived for Eileen to run

From numbers to rooms, and toilets and faces
From people and staff and weird little places

Eileen knows it all, all this information
Behind the switchboard is her little station

When we dial 9 with an enquiry or two
Eileen replies “How can I help you”

I speak for us all and I speak from the heart

The campus is sorry to see you depart

So as we say goodbye and wish you the best

To hold back the tears will be put to the test

Goodbye, Goodluck, Farewell and “Adieu”

Know this Eileen, we will all miss you.

Professor Richard Larkins & Eileen Cieslak

Wendy Ashburn - Enquiries Desk, Caulfield Library, 1973-2006

Wendy is leaving Monash University Caulfield after working in the library at this campus for 33 years. Since commencing at Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1973 just after the Library had moved into “A” Building, Wendy has seen many changes including working through 2 amalgamations in 1982 and 1990 when this campus became part of Monash. 

Many students and academic staff have relied on Wendy for her assistance over the years helping with loans queries, room bookings and tracking down elusive videos.  

Many past students returning to Monash for further study are delighted to find Wendy’s familiar face still at the Enquiries Desk, and enjoy bringing Wendy up to date with the changes that have occurred in their lives since graduation.  

Retirement will bring new opportunities for Wendy and allow her more time to pursue her already established interests, one of which is as a wine taster and judge. 

Wendy - your Library and Monash University colleagues wish you all the best for the future.

Wendy Ashburn with Rowan Crosbie-Goold - Mull of Kintyre was played as a tribute to Wendy

Byron Nichols - Manager - Audiovisual Production Unit, 1975 to 2006

After 31 years service, Byron Nichols has left Monash University - Caulfield campus.  

As Manager he has overseen the development of one of the best media production units in any Australian tertiary educational institution. Byron and his team have worked with many academic and general staff in a career spanning Frankston State College, Chisholm Institute of Technology and Monash University, producing high quality materials in support of the academic and administrative functions of the University.

His career spans design, photography, film and video media, as well as administration and management, and he has taken in his stride significant technology and organisational changes whilst still contributing to the  vision and purpose of quality higher education. He was a member of the Staff Club Committee during the Chisholm years, and is a lover of fine design and music. 

We wish him well.

Leadership Expert at Monash

World-renowned leadership researcher, scholar and author, Professor Bruce Avolio will be welcomed to Melbourne by Monash University, School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and Department of Management on Monday 11 December 2006 at 10.00 a.m. in Building H, Room 2.35. 

This is a rare opportunity to hear a thought leader in the area of leadership talk about his latest research and leadership practice in Australia.  Professor Avolio will cover a range of leadership topics, drawing both on his research and consulting experience.  

Topics to be covered in the seminars are:

- How we accelerate the development of authentic leaders;

- The efficacy of micro-interventions;

- How we can use the capacities of leaders to facilitate change;

- Demonstrating return on leadership development investment to decision makers. 

He is the Clifton Chair in Leadership at the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Avolio is also Director of the Gallup Leadership Institute, Co-Director of the UNL and Gallup MBA/MA program in executive leadership, and Director of the Ph.D. program with a specialization in leadership at the College of Business Administration at UNL. 

Professor Avolio has an international reputation as a researcher in leadership and serves on the following four editorial boards: AMJ, JAP, JOB and LQ.

 RSVPs can be directed to Elisabeth.Wilson-Evered@med.monash.edu.au.

Shiatsu Massage   

Stuck for Christmas ideas?  This Christmas give relaxation and rejuvenation by giving a Shiatsu Gift Voucher.
Gift vouchers can be purchased for friends and family to receive a one hour Shiatsu massage session with Alex Caldwell.  Call in to Monash Caulfield Health Service, Level 1, Building B and pick up your vouchers.  Discounts apply for staff and students.

Fresco Smoothie & Juice Bar

Fresco now has some great seasonal fruit available at market prices through to Christmas and into 2007: 

Strawberries - $2.50 a punnet, Pineapples - $4 a whole, $2.50 a half - all available NOW. 

Bananas are back too in the Dairy Smoothies! 

New gluten free range also available - chocolate brownies, lemon fingers, muesli fingers............as well as a special Dairy Free Cake range. 

Check them out - next to C&B Cafe n Building 'C'

Witnessing of Documents  

Rod Simpson is currently away from the University.   If you need documents witnessed, please contact Christel Kent who will provide you with names of other staff who can assist.

If you are qualified to witness documents and you are happy to be added to the list of those who can assist, please contact Christel Kent by telephone ext. 31000 or via email: christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au

Caulfield Profiles

Due to the length of this edition of Offcourse,  Caulfield profiles will be held off until the first edition in 2007.

If you would like to be "profiled" in an upcoming edition of Offcourse, please email me at Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.