Graduate research – October 2017
Family Cup Day for students with family
You and your family are invited to the annual Family Cup Day lunch (halal and vegetarian options provided). Meet other Monash families and join in the fun of face painting, petting zoo, and various group activities for kids and adults! Register online by Tuesday 24 October.
When: Tuesday 7 November, 11am – 3pm
Where: Northern Plaza, Monash Clayton Campus, Corner of Exhibition and Sports Walk
Parkville students: Join us for lunch
You are invited to a lunch for international research students studying at Parkville campus on Wednesday 25 October 12-1pm.
New students: After lunch, we will be providing information for newly arrived international students. Time: 1pm to 2pm.
For catering purposes, please register:
I will be attending lunch only
I will be attending lunch and the information session
International Students Work Rights
The Fairwork Ombudsman (FWO) has released an open letter to international students about your rights at work. If you are still having some work problems and need some legal advice, you can make an appointment with a lawyer at the Study Melbourne Centre on Thursdays (until 7th December). Email info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au or call 1800 056 449.
Tax Help
If you need help submitting your taxes, make an appointment with a tax help volunteer who can help you complete your taxes online using myTax. Lodge your tax return by the 31 October deadline to avoid penalties. You can also obtain Tax help from the Study Melbourne Student Centre on tuesday afternoons and wednesday mornings until the 31st October.
Community Safety Month
Every October, the City of Monash holds a Community Safety Month to remind us that we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe. There are lots of fun, interesting and practical safety events, workshops and community get-togethers for Monash residents to participate. For information about the activities on offer, visit the City of Monash website.
International Student: Essential Information – orientation workshop for research students
Whether you have studied in Melbourne before or just arrived, find out about the services and programs available to international research students to help you adjust to life on campus and become part of the local community. Workshops are run each month and cover accommodation and living in Melbourne, student support networks, visa regulations, work rights, adjusting to Australian culture and learning how to use your overseas student health cover.
The next workshops are:
Wednesday 25th October at Parkville Registration
Wednesday 8th November at Clayton Registration
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Opportunities
Volunteering opportunities for International Students
Study Melbourne has partnered with Volunteering Victoria to offer volunteering opportunities for international students across Victoria. Volunteering is a great way to gain employability skills, make friends and support your community. Only 200 places are available so contact Sophie Anselmi (s.anselmi@volunteeringvictoria.org.au) for more information.
Learn Lead Thrive
Communication is one of the most important skills employers want from graduates. Peer camp is offering a new program exclusively for international students to help push you outside your comfort zone into a place where you can grow into a powerful communicator and leader. Register for one of these communication stream workshops in October.
7 October – Kathleen Syme Library Carlton
14th October – Monash Generator Clayton Campus
21st October – Melbourne Polytechnic, Preston Campus
Free hard waste rubbish collection for students living in the City of Monash
The City of Monash is offering free waste collection for current International students living in the City of Monash from 20 November to 15 December. Prior to doing this, the council would like to collect information from current students about their understanding of hard rubbish and previous behaviours when disposing of hard waste. To take advantage of this free waste collection offer, you must book your rubbish collection online and nominate the week you want your waste collected on the form. Once you have booked, you will receive a sticker for your hard rubbish pile and an information brochure will be sent to you in the mail. Before the Sunday night of your collection week, place your hard waste out on the nature strip for collection. For more information, check out this offer on facebook or read about annual hard waste collection online. To speak to someone about this offer, contact Council’s waste services on 9518 3774 or email anna.mezzetti@monash.vic.gov.au.
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What’s On
FREE International Student Theatre – She’ll be right 
Don’t miss out on this powerful hour of storytelling about real life experiences from students from Brazil, China, Columbia, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam and Australia. This theatre performance has been written by International students and is a free performance presented from Study Melbourne, City of Melbourne, RMIT University and Australian Federation of International Students. This performance will transport you through cultural stereotypes, passions and dreams and the sacrifices made as students find a new voice in Melbourne and redefine who they are. Find out more and book tickets
When: Tuesday 24 October 7 – 8.30pm
Where: Library at the dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
The Unwritten Rules of PhD
This seminar is recommended for Research postgrads. It will cover how to avoid the pitfalls in getting your PhD and some good practice principles to help make your candidature a little more seamless. Places are limited so make sure to register online. A light lunch will be provided as well.
When: Tuesday 24 October, 11am – 1.00pm
Where: Clayton MPA Office Seminar Room.
Mosaic Festival – A Celebration of Multicultural Women in Victoria
Join VIRCWC (Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition) for a Mosaic Festival of live music, dance, cultural costumes, international cuisine and arts and crafts from around the world. This celebration of our women’s multicultural diversity is free and is a great opportunity to foster cross-cultural exchanges in the community.
When: Sunday 22 October, 10am -4pm
Where: Queen Victoria Market
Learn to Surf at Torquay
Learn how to surf at Torquay, Victoria’s surfing and beach capital. Book through the MPA website.
When: Saturday 18 November
Diwali at Federation Square – Saturday 14 October 11am -10pm
Diwali Lights at Light House – 18 – 24 October, 6pm – midnight
Melbourne Festival – 4-22 October
Tesselaar Tulip Festival – Until 10 October
Summer touch football at Princes Park – 4 – 11 October, 6.30pm – 8pm
Free Street Art Mentoring – 6 -7 October, 11am -4pm
The World Kitchen in Acland Street St Kilda – 7 October
Indian Street Food Festival – 20-22 October
Melbourne International Games Week – 22-29 October
Hooked on Gambling: By Choice or by Design – 11 October, 6pm – 7.30pm
Stand Up Comedy Prize Fight – 21 September -19 October, 8pm – 10pm
Bollywood Dance – 20 October, 1-2pm
Board Games Day – 26 October, 2-5pm
The Village Festival in Edinburgh Gardens – 27 – 29 October, 6-8pm
Spring Vegan Festival – 28 October
Arts Centre Market – Every Sunday, 10-4pm
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Tips for International Students
Are you Rent Smart?
If you need to break your lease before the end of the contract date make sure you follow these tips:
· Check your contract
· Give the proper notice period in writing
· If it is a fixed term contract then you will be liable for paying the remainder of the lease unless you find someone to replace you.
If you need more help, check out Tenants Union Victoria, the Off campus accommodation website or search Ask.monash.
International Student Engagement
If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu.