Wellbeing newsletter
August, 2008
Welcome to the August edition of Wellbeing at Monash. Each month you can read about wellbeing events, services and activities happening at Monash. By providing a wellbeing program to staff, Monash aims to assist staff in achieving a healthy work/life balance using a holistic approach – mind, body, spirit and the community. And of course there are some great prizes to win so read on!
Events and activities
Early bird registrations for the 10,000 steps challenge close 15th August!
There are some great prizes to be won by competing in the 10,000 steps Challenge. If your team completes the early-bird online registration form by Friday, 15th August all team members go into the draw for the chance to win:
- A Global Ballooning hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley for 2 people, valued at $450 (www.globalballooning.com.au )
- A weekend escape to Sydney donated by Voyager Travel. The escape includes return flights for 2 people to Sydney (www.voyagertravel.com.au )
The 2008 challenge will start on Monday 15th September as avirtual walk visiting all Monash campuses and finish on Thursday 16thOctober. Participants are encouraged to form teams of 8 (led by a teamcaptain) which can consist of Monash staff, family or friends, orstudents. A launch event will take place at the Berwick campus onMonday, 15th September at 10am.
Register now for the 10000 steps event at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/ohse/
Monash Wellbeing survey - now open
All staff members are encouraged to complete the 2008 Monash Wellbeing survey, complete the survey here. It only takes a few minutes and you can win great prizes!
Get on your bike!
With EastLink now open to vehicles it’s time for your next unique riding experience.
50km Around the Bay in a Day 2008 – Sunday 19 October
Get outside and active this Spring and enjoy a fun day out with family and friends on the 50km Around the Bay in a Day 2008 . You’ll get to ride over the Westgate Bridge, enjoy the festivities at the Altona Beach Break and Alexandra Gardens , and all participants receive a free event t-shirt! Register today!
Become a Friend of Bicycle Victoria
Being a Friend of Bicycle Victoria is free, and will keep you up to date with exciting bike news and events – plus it supports Bicycle Victoria. Visit the website here for more information .
Sharmaine Squire's Great Wall of China Trek for Cancer Research
Most of us have in some way been touched by cancer, either through an experience of our own or someone we know.
Monash staff member Sharmaine Squire from Marketing and Student Recruitment has recently had 2 family members affected by cancer and felt compelled to do something to honour her family members. In September this year Sharmaine is participating in her own (extended) version of the 10,000 steps challenge - the Great Wall of China Trek for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. For more information visit the webpage here
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
One in Six...have you had your hearing checked lately?
Hearing Awareness Week is an annual event held in the last week of August. Did you know that one is six Australians have some form of hearing impairment.
It provides an opportunity to raise community awareness of hearing impairment and ways to protect your hearing. It also provides an opportunity for the 22 percent of Australians aged 15 years and over who have a hearing impairment to share their experience and knowledge and help to create a greater understanding of their needs and aspirations. Find out more here
Work flexibility at Monash
To support your work life balance at Monash you may choose to consider some form of flexibility in their working hours. Any such arrangements will depend on the nature of the work being performed, the relevant workplace agreement under which the staff member is employed, and will require support from the supervisor. Possible flexible working arrangements may include:
- a compressed working week/fortnight;
- flexible start and finish times, and
- time in lieu of overtime.
For more information visit the Monash Work Life webpage or phone the Equity and Diversity centre 9905-5704
Melbourne Marathon
The Melbourne Marathon is an exciting event for participants of all ages and fitness levels. There are running and walking opportunities including
- Active Feet 5.5km walk/run
- The Coffee Club 10km
- Asics Half Marathon 21.1km
- Samsung Melbourne Marathon 42.195km .
All events will start and finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday 12 October 2008.At the conclusion of the event you can also 'hang out' with other TeamMONASH™ members in our VIP Marquee which offers massage, drinks and snacks for all team members. For more information visit the Monash Sport website here
Peace of mind is just moments away...enrol in a short course in Meditation
Stress is the body's natural response to danger. Chronic stress however is toxic becaue it leads to a build up of chemicals which harm all body tissues. Meditation is a natural way to restore and maintain balance in the systems of the body. In this state of balance, health and wellbeing is enhanced on physical, mental and emotional levels. Enrol now to restore and maintain your balance.
Dates: 7pm to 8.30pm August 7, 14, 21, 28, Sept 4, 11
Venue: 226 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield
Cost: $294, $267 if paid by 29th July.
Bookings/more info: Visit the Pathways 2 wellbeing website here
Summer looms, shed the unwanted kilo’s
Wellbeing at Monash is seeking registrations from staff interested in participating in a 13 week Weight Watchers program. The sessions will take place on work premises once a week from 12pm to 1pm or 1pm to 2pm. Session locations will be determined upon the number of registrations received for each campus.
Interested? To register your interest in participating click here. A cost is involved for the program, approximately $10-15 per week. For more information about Weight Watchers click here.
Freebies and discounts
Wellbeing at Monash is busy sourcing great wellbeing discounts for you!
Salary package Monash Sport memberships
Monash Sport has operations on its Caulfield, Clayton, Peninsula and Berwick campuses. Services include gymnasium, personal training, group fitness, pool, trips and tours and social sport. Each campus plays its distinctive role in its local community, providing facilities and opportunities for people and organisations, some facilitated by informal agreements and others by formal alliances. Monash staff members have the option of to salary package their gym membership. Visit the discounts page for detailed information
Looking for a Father's day gift idea?
ACP magazine subscription discount - now available! ACP magazines are offering Monash University staff members a 10% discount on the following magazines titles APC, Australian PC User, Australian Geographic, Australian Women’s Weekly, Cleo, Cosmo, Empire, FHM, Good Health & Medicine, Madison, Money, Motor, Ralph, Shop Til You Drop and Wheels. Visit the discounts page for detailed information
Other discounts currently available include:
Paying too much for health insurance?
Tired of cooking? Let Lite n Easy do the work for you
Discounted Virgin Blue Lounge access
Discounted Qantas Club access
Physiotherapy
Hot Air Ballooning
For a full listing of all wellbeing freebies and discounts click here
Win a double movie pass
For your chance to win a double movie pass, simply tell us your feedback on this newsletter or alternatively, name a wellbeing activity or event you would like to see introduced at your campus. Send your entry here. One entry per person, winners only contacted. Entries close Friday, 29th August.
More discounts to come
Keep an eye out in the next edition of Wellbeing at Monash for discounts on health insurance and magazine subscriptions. If you have a suggestion or contact of where you would like a discount for, send it here
Thinking Green
Simple things to be save water at home
Drinking water -Keep a container of drinking waterin the fridge so that you don’t runwater down the plughole waitingfor the water to cool.
Thawing frozen foods -Thaw frozen foods in the fridgeor microwave rather than placingthem under running water.
Washing vegetables -Save water by washing vegetablesand rinsing dishes in a plugged sinkor basin – not under a running tap.
Cooking vegetables -Microwave, steam or use a pressurecooker to cook vegetables, to retainmore flavour and use less waterthan traditional boiling.
Clothes washing -Wait for a full load of washing before reaching for the detergentas every load less saves 17 bucketsof water.
Visit Greening Up Our Act for more tips and information.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure
For staff interested in selling personal items, visit the Monash Marketplace to list the sale of your goods.
Community and charity activities
Support Daffodil day this August
Cancer remains one of Australia's biggest health problems. With 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, the chances are you'll know someone who has had this terrible disease. Funding research into cancer is one of the best ways we can work together to protect those we love, and that's exactly what the Cancer Council hopes to achieve with Daffodil Day, Friday 22nd August 2008. For more information visit www.daffodilday.com.au
Keep the kids busy on the winter weekend
Here are some things to do to keep the kids entertained on the winter weekend;
Melbourne Zoo and Werribbee Park Zoo -With more than 320 species on view, Melbourne Zoo offers a window into the diversity of the world’s wildlife. Visiting the Zoo is an opportunity to get back in touch with the wonders of nature – only 4km from the city centre.
Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard, Balnarring - Help milk the Cow and Goat, followed by separating the milk and cream and then churning the cream into butter. Grind some wheat into flour and bake some bread. The freshly baked bread will then be ready for a taste test topped with fresh butter for everyone to sample at lunchtime!
Puffing Billy - Australia's century-old steam train is still running on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the scenic Dandenong Ranges. Spend a great day out riding the historic train and exploring the Dandenong Ranges
Ice Skating @ The Docklands- Chill out this Winter @ The Docklands Ice Skating Rink! Suitable for children and adults.
Extreme encounters @ Melbourne Aquarium - visit Melbourne Aquarium for encounters with the largest, weirdest and deadliest marine animals in the world!
Donate your used clothing to help Diabetes research
Diabetes Victoria offers a great home clothing collection service for recycled clothing and household items in good condition. Last year Diabetes Victoria made more than 400,000 household collections and raised more than $500,000 for diabetes education, awareness and research. Clothing collected is sold to Savers stores.
Simply phone Diabetes Victoria on 9923 8400, provide your address and they will advise when they are in your area. Leave the items in a garbage bag at your front door and Diabetes Victoria will collect on the nominated day.
Do you like to learn new skills?
Why not enrol in a Monash short course? You can learn a new language, discover how to make the perfect coffee or even indulge in chocolate making. For a full list of courses available visit the Monash Short Course Centre website.
Useful links
OHS
Wellbeing at Monash Online
Health, Wellbeing and Development
Positive Monash
Monash Sport
Greening up our Act
Equity and Diversity
Health information links
Feedback
Tell us what you think of the first edition of Wellbeing at Monash or if you have any other feedback, at any time, send it here
Contacts
Bryley Sadler has recently joined Monash as the new Wellbeing at Monash Coordinator. If you have any questions or suggestions relating to workplace wellbeing activities, please contact Bryley via email or phone x20856.
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