Monash Peninsula Research Forum 

Health and Wellbeing Research - Making University and Community Connections

The first Research Forum for 2006 was held at the picturesque Morningstar Estate Winery Convention Centre on 13 February from 9 am to 4.30 pm.  The day’s program was devoted to examining Health and Wellbeing Research and ways to foster and develop university and community connections in addressing issues of mutual interest and concern.

Representatives from Frankston City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Peninsula Community Health Service and Peninsula Health attended and met with senior academics from each of the schools and departments at Monash Peninsula campus and from the Faculties of Arts and Business and Economics on the Berwick campus.

The day’s program was opened by Professor Phillip Steele, Pro Vice Chancellor and Academic Director, Peninsula and Berwick campuses who was also the MC for the event.  During the morning session, the presenters were from Clayton, Peninsula and Berwick campuses. >>more

Professor David Copelov, Special Advisor to the Vice Chancellor, provided the opening key address and gave an overview of Monash University’s research vision on Health and Wellbeing, starting from identifying the particular leading strengths in both research and teaching.  He proposed that research into ageing, drug development and evaluation and the development e-technologies communications and their applications to health services are current strategic directions the University intends to pursue. >>more

Professor Carol Morse, Director, Health and Wellbeing Research at Peninsula, gave an overview of characteristics and meanings of wellbeing to individuals’ personal life, to interpersonal relations and communities.  She outlined the current interests in health and wellbeing research from the different sectors of the campus and indicated how these can be brought together to foster understanding, promotion, intervention and evaluation of relevant health and wellbeing issues,  She provided a short case study on opportunities for research into ageing issues in the Frankston Mornington-Peninsula region. >>more

Professor Helen Keleher, Head of Health Sciences, provided perspectives from and about health promotion and policy development that highlighted causes of health inequalities and issues pertaining to and emanating from inequitable wealth distribution.  Her focus incorporates community based health promotion initiatives and she referred to strategies to harness opportunity structures within various communities/groups and the need to promote and foster enhance health literacy among people at all levels of society. >>more

Professor Mike Ewing, Faculty of Business and Economics, approached and explored health and wellbeing from the perspectives of the multiple disciplines within business and economics.  He made a case for focusing on workplace wellbeing and showed how research into consumerism and anti-consumerism and activism contributes to public policy about health in general and certain health conditions in particular. >>more

Meredith McIntyre, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, presented a case study that is seeking to address the issues of teen pregnancy and parenting that typically results in young people dropping out prematurely from secondary education, perhaps never to return.  These young parents may then find it extraordinarily difficult if not impossible to resume/complete their education and undertake training that will enable them to enter into the paid workforce and provide a more secure standard of living for themselves and their child/children. >>more

Associate Professor Lionel Frost, Faculty of Business and Economics, and Dr Bette O’Brien, Faculty of Arts, Berwick Campus presented together.  Professor Frost spoke about exploring social capital as it affects health in many ways and fostering community connectedness especially among rural communities. >>more

Dr O’Brien, Rural and Urban Planning, spoke about the effects of spatial location and urban designs that ameliorate or increase social isolation of people at all ages and impact on their health and wellbeing and total quality of life.

A Panel Presentation was provided after lunch by Community Representatives.  The two Strategy Development Officers, Ms Christine Burrows, Frankston City Council, and Ms Jenny Macaffer, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council spoke about the development of their Councils’ Health and Wellbeing Strategy Plans with particular policy development in food and food security, communications and capacity training of staff, community art, substances use and abuse programs, and the Health and Wellbeing Report Card being developed.

Ms Nicole Regan, Child Family & Youth outlined the Best Start for Children initiative, perinatal capacity and child protection programs underway and Mr Rob Macindoe, Community Health in Peninsula Health spoke about the four program streams of acute care, palliative care/ rehabilitation, psychiatric services and mental health. Particular reference was given to  HIV/AIDS and drug and alcohol work and the increasing focus on promoting health independence for the aged.

 Ms Aida Cunskis, A/Manager, Aged Services and Care, Frankston City Council outlined the extensive programs that provide home and community based care for older people that aim to keep elderly people out of residential care.  Some key issues are to explore the meanings of being older in the region and to evaluate the quality assurance of existing programs.

Dr Kathy Avent and Ms Rosalba Drummond, Research Office at Monash University Clayton outlined the many funding opportunities for health research that include national competitive funds and philanthropic foundations.  Dr Avent explained to parameters that underpin Industry Partnership funding schemes that foster university-community collaborations in research. >>more

Professor Phillip Steele completed the day’s sessions by leading a group discussion on the next steps and directions to be taken.  Some key outcomes for further consideration and implementation were identified.  These include:

• Increasing the numbers of collaborative projects and seeking large competitive grants
• Overcoming the barriers presently operating in staff short term appointments
• Honours and graduate students spending weekly time within community agencies and services
• Community agencies to advise on particular issues for needed research 

The very informative and challenging day ended with informal networking on the balcony overlooking the magnificent rose garden that was backed by a calm blue sea reflecting the setting sun. Thanks to all presenters and delegates for a very successful day.

A second Research Forum is planned to occur in the winter session.

Professor Carol Morse
Director, Health and Wellbeing Research