Some of Our Parts

We are having a gathering to celebrate the end of the exams. Originally, the plan was to have a “pub night”, but we’ve decided to meet at Penny’s new house in Sandringham instead.

Date: Sunday 24th November

Time: arrive between 12:30 – 1 pm.

Where: Penny Robinson’s house (contact her to get the address)

Bring a plate of food to share – preferably onion/garlic free. (And a foldable picnic chair, if you’ve got one!)
Meat can be cooked on the electric griller, or in frypan on the gas stove. (No BBQ outside – yet!)
There is a supermarket (Coles) near Sandringham station, if anyone needs to buy food on the way.

Transport options:

Drive: there is car parking in side streets, with no time limit.

Public transport: Get the Sandringham line train to Sandringham station, and then either walk (1.3 km), or get the 822 bus from Sandringham station to the “John Batman Gardens” stop on Bay Road.

RSVP to Penny Robinson (Penny.Robinson@monash.edu), preferably by Fri 22 November.

This event is also listed in the “I CAN Monash network” secret Facebook group.

The last I.CAN network meeting last Thursday was a success. We had a lot of students come to the meeting, where we had a great time introducing and talking amongst ourselves. We also introduced the concept of the I.CAN network during the meeting and the students enthusiastically agreed with what we are doing. We plan to run one more meeting during the semester and we are more than happy for you to come!

Our next I.CAN network meeting is on (updated)

Thursday 24 October 2013
Building 6, Room G08
1 pm – 2 pm

BYO Lunch

The topic for the meeting will be “Exam pressure, and how to cope with them”. Everyone is welcome to come to the meeting, especially students with Asperger’s syndrome or autism and students who know a relative or a person with Asperger’s syndrome or autism.

RSVP by Wednesday 23^st October to Penny Robinson at penny.robinson@monash.edu. We hope to see you there!

Chris, James and Penny

What is International White Cane Day?

International White Cane Day is held on 15 October each year to raise awareness of the importance of the white cane and how it can aid mobility and independence for a person with vision loss. This year marks 92 years since the white cane was invented by an Englishman who lost his sight in an accident and painted his black cane white to make it more visible to others.

What is the Watch Out, Cane About campaign?

Watch Out, Cane About is a pedestrian road safety awareness initiative being launched by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to address worrying numbers of pedestrians with vision loss reporting near misses and collisions with vehicles when trying to cross the road.

To help raise driver awareness, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is launching TV and radio community service announcements and an educational video on Youtube highlighting the following key ‘Dos & Don’ts’ tips for motorists.

To read more, visit the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT website.

A message from one of the I Can Network founders, Chris Varney:

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder about our exciting planning workshops this week! Many thanks for your support of them, whether through promoting them or RSVP’ing! Below are the details again.

City Planning Workshop: Wednesday 9 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm at Foundation for Young Australians, 21-27 Somerset Place (off Elizabeth St), Melbourne

Eastern Planning Workshop: Saturday 12 October, 2pm – 4pm at World Vision Australia, 1 Vision Drive, Burwood East

My mobile is 0432 405 384 if you have any queries in the lead up or need help with directions, building access, etc, on the day.

Would really appreciate your input during the workshop on how we create a meaningful program for young people on the Autism spectrum, bearing in mind the breadth of the spectrum and young people’s many different strengths!

Please spread the word far and wide about these workshops. More creative minds the better!

Thanks,

Chris and the team

Monash Alumni and all-round superstar Chris Varney and Monash Student, James Ong are planning to run a camp for young people and young adults on the Autism Spectrum in February 2014. The camp/s will be targeted to 15 – 24 year olds, and they are looking for your contribution to the content, messaging, facilitation and promotion of this camp.

They have put together some planning workshops for any young person on the spectrum or any person supporting young people to come along and make a contribution. Any piece of advice – however big or small – would be GREATLY appreciated.

The purpose of the camp is to bring together young people and young adults on the spectrum and engage in personal development. It’s going to be fun, and encourage you to push yourself to be bold, share talents, quirks, positive messages, coping strategies and develop a sense of community. This will be a positive experience for young people that grows everyone’s confidence!

They are seeking your input, and there are two workshops to cater to everyone’s different geography.

City Planning Workshop: Wednesday 9 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm at Foundation for Young Australians, 21-27 Somerset Place (off Elizabeth St), Melbourne

Eastern Planning Workshop: Saturday 12 October, 2pm – 4pm at World Vision Australia, 1 Vision Drive, Burwood East

For more information, email Chris at chris.r.varney@gmail.com

Join Monash students James Ong and Chris Varney, both of whom have Autism Spectrum Disorder, for a free lunch where you can learn about the vision for ‘I CAN Monash’ – a network of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who support each other to achieve personal goals.

I CAN Monash is a community of students who share a good laugh about the Autism Spectrum and the interests, talents, quirks and coping strategies that come with it. We exist to ensure that students and staff together create an enabling environment for you to get the most out of uni life!

These upcoming gatherings will provide a way for you to meet like-minded others and just hang out with a cool bunch of people!

WHEN?

Thursday 19 September & Thursday 10 October
12pm – 1pm
Building 6 (Faculty of Education)
Level 1, Room TLS110
Clayton campus

WHO?
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Engage with employers and services that actively support diversity in the workplace

The 2013 event has been designed to focus on students:

• From an Indigenous background
• With a disability
• From within the LGBTI community

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about inclusive employment initiatives
• Identify and market one’s unique skills and strengths
• Network with employers, other students, and University and community support services

VENUE: ANZ Docklands, 833 Collins Street, Docklands

FREE event. Registration essential at TryBooking

Employer Involvement:

ANZ, Accenture, Arup, Department of Human Services, IBM, PwC, Telstra, Teach for Australia, Woolworths

A joint Victorian NAGCAS Universities initiative

Coordinated in 2013 by Careers & Employment at the University of Melbourne

Proudly sponsored by ANZ

The annual R U OK? Day is again this year on NEXT THURSDAY, September 12th. Monash will be hosting a range of activities to promoting open and supportive conversations to let those who are feeling vulnerable that there are people out there that they can talk to.

Events (including an all-campus cake competition!) will be run at Berwick, Caulfield and Clayton – you can check out the calender here.

Make sure you check out the R U OK? Day website as well, where you’ll find a bunch of vital information about how you can contribute to someone else’s well-being, just by asking “are you ok?”.

The Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) is the world’s most diverse Model UN conference and gives students the opportunity to simulate leading organisations such as the United Nations and World Health Organisation. Students work in teams called delegations and propose solutions to many of the world’s pressing issues and gain skills in negotiation, communication and leadership.

Become a delegate

Monash Abroad will select a delegation made up of 20 students from all Monash campuses. The delegations will travel to the Harvard WorldMUN conference in Brussels, Belgium from 17-21 March 2014. We are looking for students with excellent leadership and debating skills, who will be our Monash University ambassadors at an internationally renowned conference. Students who are passionate about making a difference and keen to take on challenges are encouraged to apply. Delegates will be offered the following package:

Free conference registration

• 5 nights of accommodation in Brussels (for the duration of the conference)
• Travel scholarship amounts of:
  • Australian campuses AU$1000 per student
  • Sunway, Malaysian campus AU$1400 per student (approximately 4,119 MYR)
  • South African campus AU$1700 per student (approximately 15,263 ZAR)
  • Complimentary travel insurance (students from Monash Australia only)*

Apply now

• To be eligible for the Harvard WorldMUN 2014 Conference you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be an undergraduate/postgraduate full degree student from any Monash University campus
• Have completed 48 credit points of study in your degree (postgraduate students need to have completed at least 24 credit points)
• Have a minimum weighted average mark of 65%

Complete the online form to apply to become a delegate. The application deadline is 30 August 2013. Late applications will not be considered.

Selection and acceptance

If your application is selected you will be required to attend an interview. Australian candidates will have their interview at the Clayton campus in Australia, South African and Malaysian candidates will attend the interview at their home campus.

Successful candidates will be required to attend fortnightly training sessions from mid-September 2013 to the end of February 2014 (exam period excluded). Australian candidates will undertake their training sessions at the Clayton campus in Australia, South African and Malaysian candidates will undertake their training sessions in their home campus. Past WorldMUN participants will mentor and train future delegates and help them enhance their debating and public speaking skills. Students will take part in mock discussions and get familiar with the structure of the conference. All candidates must be available to attend the conference from the 16 to 21 March 2014 and independently obtain a valid visa for travel to Belgium (if required).

*Selected candidates from the Malaysian and South African campuses will need to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.

Join Monash students James Ong and Chris Varney, both of whom have Autism Spectrum Disorder, for a free lunch where you can learn about the vision for ‘I CAN Monash’ – a network of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who support each other to achieve personal goals.

I CAN Monash is a community of students who share a good laugh about the Autism Spectrum and the interests, talents, quirks and coping strategies that come with it. We exist to ensure that students and staff together create an enabling environment for you to get the most out of uni life!

These upcoming gatherings will provide a way for you to meet like-minded others and just hang out with a cool bunch of people!

WHEN?

Thursday 19 September & Thursday 10 October
12pm – 1pm
Building 6 (Faculty of Education)
Level 1, Room TLS110
Clayton campus

WHO?
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

George Bernard Shaw