Wellbeing @ Monash and Monash Sport newsletter – May 2015
Browse the Timeout newsletter for information on what’s new in Wellbeing at Monash. Read about the latest Wellbeing and Monash Sport events, services and activities.
For information about latest events, special offers, discounts, and news, subscribe to the newsletter by emailing wellbeing@monash.edu
In the May edition:
- Wellbeing events and news
- Monash Sport news and offers
- TeamMONASH news
- Employee benefits and discounts
Wellbeing Events and News
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a great opportunity for you and your colleagues to get toget
her to share a cuppa and some healthy and delicious food, while raising funds for those affected by cancer.
In 2014, Biggest Morning Teas held held across Australia helped raise a staggering $11.9 million dollars to help beat cancer. This terrible disease accounts for 3 in 10 deaths in Australia.
Get involved this year and do your part by organising a morning tea in your work area.
While the official day for the morning tea is Thursday 28 May, events can be held throughout May and June.
To host a morning tea, simply register your morning tea online. For more information and for some great ideas on how to fundraiser, go to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
No time for exercise? Get healthy during your lunch break!
No time to exercise after work? Why not grab a few of your colle
agues and register for one of the many SWAP wellbeing activities available to Monash staff at a time convenient to your group.
You can join one of the existing programs available to all staff, or you can arrange a program for your area at a time and location suitable to your work group.
Programs include boxing, pilates, yoga or zumba from just $8.50 per session (minimum 8-10participants).
Learn more about the range of SWAP programs available.
Caulfield staff: Register for a 6 week lunchtime pilates program commencing 11th May, 12.10pm-12.55pm or 1pm-1.45pm. Pilates improves core strength, flexibility and posture. Tone and strengthen the deep and superficial abdominals, gluteal, hips and thighs. Learn more and register online
Mental health programs available
With one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness this year, it’s important we at Monash continue to encourage our friends, workmates and family to seek help when they need it, without fear or stigma.
Monash provides a range of programs to assist staff , students and their family members to improve their mental health. Upcoming programs available to staff and staff groups include:
Mental Health Awareness
A seminar that has been specifically designed for staff who may become aware of a colleague in distress. You will learn about the symptoms and warning signs for the common mental health problems (an
xiety, depression, psychosis and self-harming behaviour) and be provided with information on the support services available with the University and in the wider community.
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: Free for staff groups
To book: Minimum of 10 participants, and venue with AV equipment required. Contact Clare Swanson, clare.swanson@monash.edu
Mental Health First Aid Training
A workshop to equip you with resources to help someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis until professional help is available
Upcoming dates:
Caulfield: 2 & 3 July
Berwick: 14 & 16 July
SafeTALK: Suicide awareness & first response training
Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help, either directly or indirectly. This 3.5hour workshop helps you identify and work with these opportunities. SafeTALK stresses safety while challenging beliefs that inhibit open talk about suicide.
Upcoming dates:
Peninsula: 8 May, 9:30am
Caulfield: 10 July, 9:30am
Stress Release Program
Designed to help you reduce stress, improve wellbeing and resilience, and increase workplace performance using mindfulness. It is an experiential program consisting of weekly practices, cognitive strategies and reflective activities designed to enhance both the professional and personal life of staff
Duration: 6 x 60 minutes sessions
Upcoming dates: Peninsula: Tuesday July 28, Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, Sep 1, 10am-11am
Mindfulness for wellbeing, resilience and performance – for Supervisors
Includes Part 1 and Part 2 for staff with the addition of Part 3, which explores how supervisors can incorporate mindfulness into teamwork and workplace culture.
Those wishing to deepen the understanding of mindfulness and the ability to apply it should look at doing one of the 5 or 6 week courses offered.
Upcoming dates: Friday 24 July, 1:30pm (half day)
Location: Wellington Rd
Register online
Lunchtime drop-in meditation sessions
Guided mindfulness 30 minute meditation sessions. A great way to get started with mindfulness or to deepen your existing practice. Free to students and staff. Learn dates and times of mindfulness sessions at your campus
One on one nutrition consults, at the right price!
The Monash Nutrition Clinic is offering Monash staff, friends and family one on one consultations at a reduced rate. Just like a teaching hospital, where you are seen by trainee doctors, the Monash clinic is staffed
by trainee dietitians, supervised by an experienced and qualified Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).
Location: The clinic is located in the BASE (Be Active Sleep & Eat) Facility in the Faculty
of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science adjacent to Clayton campus, Monash University and is available to staff, friends and family of Monash University and Monash Health, and the local community.
Availability: Thursday’s 10am to 2pm, with the exception of the first Thursday of each month, which is from 3pm-6pm
Cost:
- $15 charge per appointment (new or review)
- $5 charge per appointment (new or review) for students, pensioners and concession card holders
If you have an illness such as diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol, you may be eligible for free treatment under an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan. Please discuss this with your GP prior to making a booking.
Bookings: For more information, or to make a booking, telephone: 9902 4270, email: base.nutrition@monash.edu or visit The Base Nutrition Clinic
Not sleeping well? Visit the Healthy Sleep Clinic
Everybody’s sleep problems are different. The Monash Healthy Sleep Clinic offers comprehensive assessments and individualized treatments that are tailored to each client. You will receive an
initial consultation with a sleep physician to determine whether the treatment program is right for you. If suitable, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment and then develop a multi-component program based on each client’s needs.
Cost: The initial consultation with the sleep physician is bulk billed.
A small fee covers the comprehensive CBT-I package or circadian re-entraining. This includes visits with our sleep psychologists, which are rebatable through a care plan provided by your GP.
Learn more and how to book: Visit the Healthy Sleep Clinic or email insomnia@monash.edu for more information.
Diabetes prevention seminar, are you at risk?
Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease with nearly 1,000,000 Australians currently diagnosed and 280 Australians developing diabetes each day. The good news is that up to 60% of cases can be prevented.
At this session you can learn how to reduce your chance of develop
ing type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke, by attending an information session delivered by DiabetesVictoria, will cover topics such as:
– What is diabetes?
– Symptoms and complications of diabetes
– Risk factors linked to type 2 diabetesHow to prevent type 2 diabetes
Date: Tuesday 14 July, 12-1pm
Venue: Campus cinema, ground level, campus centre, Clayton
Fresh fruit delivered to your meeting and event
At Monash we encourage staff to make the healthy choice when providing food for staff meetin
gs and events. Why not try a delicious box of fruit at your next meeting and event?
FruitAddicts offers Monash departments an excellent fresh box of fruit, with free delivery to Monash campuses and 10% discount off the following prices –
Box of 30 fruit pieces $28
Box of 45 fruit pieces $38
Box of 60 fruit pieces $48
To order contact Steve at FruitAddicts or phone 1300 438 378 and quote ‘Monash Wellbeing’. Payment can be made via cheque, credit card or monthly invoicing.
You can order these and find many more suggestions in our Health Smart Healthy Catering brochure or the Catering How To Buy Guide.
Donate your old eye glasses
Do you have old eye glasses sitting in your desk draw? Wellbeing @ Monash is now collecting used eye glasses for the Lions Recycle For Sight Program.
Send your unwanted eye glasses via internal mail to Wellbeing @ Monash – OHS, 1st Floor, 30 Research Way, Clayton
For staff:
Monash Sport news and offers
SWAP Numbers Just Keep on Growing
Monash Sport and Wellbeing at Monash has seen a huge increase in the number of programs being undertaken by staff. A whopping 53 programs have been run so far this year compared to the 17 we ran at this point last year.
With a range of fitness classes and group activities offered like Boxing, Pilates and Zumba there’s never been a better time to grab some few colleagues together and get involved. Not only do the classes offer health benefits by lowering the effects of a sedentary lifestyle they offer all staff a great way to get active, socialise and reduce stress levels, particularly through those busy periods.
For more information, or to get involved click here.
AFL Tipping Competition – Win a TV!
Do you think you are the best tipster at Monash? It’s not too late to get involved in our AFL Tipping Competition. Anyone can still be in the running to win some great prizes, any late registrants receive the average score per round to date!
You’ve got to be in it to win it, sign up today to be in the running to claim the following prizes for the best tipsters at Monash:
1st – 50 inch Full HD Smart LCD TV
2nd – 1 year Fitness + Aquatics membership at Monash Sport
3rd – PlayStation 4
4th – Fitbit Charge
5th – Fitbit Flex
Individuals can also set up their own private leagues within this new system. Simply create your league after you have registered via the website. Who is the best tipster in your office?
Make sure you register via: http://afltipping.monash.edu/
Monash Games are Coming Up – Register to Participate
Staff vs staff, faculty vs faculty, departments vs departments
From Wednesday 22 – Friday 24 July Monash students and staff will have the opportunity to get teams together and compete for glory, recognition and most importantly bragging rights!
The event caters to staff who are unable to dedicate a full day to the competition, providing them with staff only competitions during lunch on the Friday.
So gather your colleagues, pick a sport and get ready to have a great afternoon battling it out in the sports arena! Sports available will be Basketball, Volleyball, Futsal and Mixed Netball and teams from all Campuses are welcome to play.
Registrations are opening soon so don’t miss out! For more information please click here.
Semester 1 Group Fitness Timetable – out now!
The Semester 1 Group Fitness Timetable is now in full swing.
With all your old favorites as well as brand new classes, there is something for everyone on the new timetable. Enjoy the all-new Energise, Core and Abs and Zumba Gold. Keep an eye out around the centre and on our website for the new timetable.
Group Fitness classes at all campuses are included in all Fitness and Fitness + Aquatic memberships. Not a member? Join today! Monash University Staff get a discounted rate.
We want your feedback!
In order to build the best team, we all need to work together. Please let us know your thoughts on any of our programs, SWAP, Group Fitness, etc via our online feedback system. Let’s kick some goals together!
Water Wise Program Launched
Last year alone 266 people drowned in Australia, with the highest risk group being 25-34 year olds. Monash recognised that whilst many students have been brought up learning how to swim, others may have come from remote areas without access to swimming facilities or programs preventing them from learning this life saving skill.At the beginning of this year the Water Wise program was launched as a fully funded learn to swim program. It is open to all current Monash University students, teaching them swimming skills to a beginner level. The initiative was designed to increase the water safety and swimming ability of Monash Students.
We believe that by increasing the number of students with the ability to swim we can help reduce the incidence of drowning. Funded by the Student Services and Amenities Fee, since it’s launch date in January more than 450 students have signed up to this valuable program, with numbers increasing every week.
To find out more click here.
TeamMONASH news
Mother’s Day Classic – Register today!
Get moving to help find a cure for breast cancer! Breast cancer strikes one in nine Australian women. The Mother’s Day Classic is the biggest community fundraising event for breast cancer in Australia. With over 80,000 people participating nationally, this walk/run event gives people the chance to make a real difference to the lives of those diagnosed with breast cancer.
When: Sunday 10 May 2015
Where: Alexandra Gardens and the Tan Track
Registration fees: $35-220
Options: 4km, 8km run/walk
See our website for more information.
One World Festival – A Hit!
Running from 14 – 16 April, One World Festival celebrated the various culture backgrounds of students at Monash University. Situated on the Lemon Scented Lawns and the Northern Plaza, the event offered a variety of food, entertainment, social sports and volunteering opportunities.
Over 10,000 students and staff visited One World Festival over it’s three days at Clayton and it was great to see such a vibrant celebration of international cultures here at Monash.
Monash Triumphs Over Melbourne University in the Annual Varsity Challenge 
For the second year in a row Monash has competed against Melbourne University in the Varsity Challenge and come home the Winner.
The Varsity Challenge was created as a way for the two top sporting universities to compete over a two week period in Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Hockey, Basketball and Volleyball, as well as Men’s only AFL and Mixed Touch Football. The games drew together large groups of not only participants but spectators, who not only cheered on the sidelines for games held at Monash but also took advantage of the free transport to away games to cheer our teams to victory.
The final results placed Monash with 6 Men’s Wins to Melbourne University’s 5 and 6 Women’s Wins to Melbourne University’s 4.
Volunteering at Monash
Volunteering at Monash is a brand new online system that is set up to match students with thousands of Volunteering opportunities both internal and external to Monash.
Operated by the team at “Careers, Leadership and Volunteering”, opportunities range from getting involved in the TeamMONASH Support Crews, or becoming an Open Day Ambassador to joining your local Neighbourhood Watch. Launched in March this year the program already has over 400 students registered with numbers continually increasing.
The program offers you the opportunity to advertise your own volunteering opportunities via the website or you can send it around to your own students. To get involved click here.
Alternately, if you’re looking to volunteer, we also have a great opportunity for staff to volunteer with the St Kilda Football Club. Staff, students an alumni can get involved in the fun of an AFL match day. You can bring a friend of two, and each of you will get a free ticket to each game you volunteer at, some merchandise and the opportunity to get involved in the pre-game activities in and amongst the crowd. For more information or to register your interest, click here.
Volunteering is a rich and rewarding experience for Monash University Staff.
See our website for more information.
Emer Casey Fun Run!
Ovarian cancer is often dubbed the “silent killer”. It is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy in the western world. The Emer Casey Foundation is dedicated to addressing these problems. This year the Emer Casey Foundation will support the fantastic research into ovarian cancer being carried out in Australia by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The funds will help researchers learn more about ovarian cancer and create better outcomes for women touched by the disease.
When: Sunday 31 May, 2015
Where: Jells Park, Wheelers Hill
Registration fees: $25 online, $30 on the day
Options: 5km, 10 km run/walk
Registrations will open shortly, please see run4ec.com.au for more information. Or, contact us via participants@monash.edu
Employee benefits and discounts
Monash staff have access to a great range of employee benefits and discounts including accommodation, travel, travel insurance, airport parking and car hire and plenty more.
Read more information about the range of employee benefits and staff discounts
Peppers and Mantra Queensland hotel special offers
Staff have access to the exclusive Departure Lounge with discounted rates at selected Peppers,
Mantra and BreakFree properties throughout Australia, Bali and New Zealand.
May special offers include:
- Peppers Beach Club, Palm Cove, Qld from $179
- Mantra Portsea Port Douglas, Qld from $105
- Peppers Salt, Kingscliff, Qld, from $129
To read more about these and other May specials view the discounts flyer here.
For pricing, availability and to book visit Departure Lounge and enter the password: monashstaff
Rates are best when searching for 3 night+ stays. If you have any reservations enquiries, email departurelounge@mantragroup.com.au.
Cheaper public transport travel for staff
All Monash staff (including sessionals and casuals) have the opportunity to participate in the Monash Commuter Club scheme and get 10% off their annual Myki pass which can be used on metropolitan trains, trams or buses all year round.
You’ll save $99.50 on a Zone 2 pass and $150.15 on a Zone 1 and 2 pass.
To avoid fare increases and the need to top up your myki for 12 months visit the Monash Commuter Club
Join BUPA and enjoy the benefits
Get Bupa hospital and extras cover by 31 May and choose one of three gifts as a thank you. See the current offer here.
Monash BUPA offer:
Bupa provides staff access to the Monash Corporate Health Insurance Plan, with:
- A suite of health cover options not available to the general public
- Competitive premiums
- No GAP optical packages
- No GAP physio and dental for kids
- Switching from another fund is easy
- A single room or your money back # conditions apply
- Your premiums paid through direct debit/credit card*
For pricing and detailed information:
Visit the BUPA Corporate webpage:
- Username: monashuni
- Password: healthplan
Or see Cover for Corporate (pdf 3Mb), for more information about benefits see the Corporate Benefits Guide (pdf 388kb).
Join the Travel club
Travel Club is a private leisure club which gives you access to amazing holiday deals and travel products to destinations all over the world. Backed by the global Flight Centre Travel Group, Travel Club offers Monash University staff access to the best deals together with a dedicated, highly experienced consultant.As a member of Travel Club you will have access to specially negotiated holidays, products and services tailor-made for you.
And, as a bonus, all Monash University staff who register will receive a $50 gift voucher upfront, and one every year after that, to put toward their next holiday*. With Travel Club’s “Price Promise” you can be sure you’re getting the very best price, Travel club will beat any available quote you find*, that’s how committed they are to ensuring you have the best value experience every time you travel.
So register today and start planning your next trip. *Terms and Conditions apply.
Enjoy a 10% discount on magazine subscriptions 
Staff can purchase a range of magazine subscriptions for themselves or for gifts. Available titles include Australian Geographic, Good Health, Gourmet, House and Garden, Money, Motor, Wheels, Top Gear, Women’s Weekly and many more.
To purchase click here.
10% off Rydges, Art Series and QT Hotels & Resorts
Get some great discounts on all Rydges, Art Series, QT Hotels & Resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. As a Monash staff member, you will receive:
- 10% off all your accommodation bookings
- Best rates online guaranteed
To start saving:
- Visit Rydges, Art Series, QT Hotels & Resorts and select your preferred location and stay dates
- Enter the Monash Corporate ID: PC102298 in the text box and save 10% off the best rates
Other discounts available to staff include:
- Andrew’s Airport Parking – 20% discount for staff, 15% for family
- Avis car hire – reduced excess and 3rd day of weekend rentals free
- BUPA Optical – 20% off sunglasses and lenses
- BMW & Mini Corporate Program – complimentary scheduled servicing for 4 years / 60,000km, use of a BMW during scheduled servicing, corporate pricing, reduced dealer delivery charges
- Convenient Kitchen home delivery meals
- Lite n’ Easy – 7 day meal pack discount
- Travel insurance – special rates for staff