Wellbeing at Monash newsletter – June
Read about the latest Wellbeing and Monash Sport events, services and activities. Monash aims to assist staff in achieving a healthy work/life balance using a holistic approach – mind, body, spirit and the community. There are some great prizes to win so read on!
- Contact us at wellbeing@monash.edu
In the June edition:
Wellbeing events & news
GLOBAL Monash walk/run – Wednesday 15 June, special guest Merv Hughes
All Monash staff are invited to take a step toward better health and participate in the Monash GLOBAL walk/run at their campus.
Delivered in conjunction with Wellbeing at Monash, Monash Sport and Andrology Australia, the third bi-annual GLOBAL walk/run coincides with Men’s Health Week – aiming to increase the awareness and knowledge of men’s health.
Registrations so far:
Alfred: 22
Bendigo: 9
Berwick: 17
Caulfield: 44
Clayton: 201
Gippsland: 25
Parkville: 45
Peninsula: 19
Special guest Merv Hughes will be attending the Clayton event. Staff can register to participate in the on campus GLOBAL 3km walk or 5km run.
Date: Wednesday 15th June, 12.15pm-1pm
Interested: Register online
Take time out for you! Register now for your free health check
All Monash staff members have the opportunity to participate in free WorkHealth health checks.
The one on one free health checks will take approximately 20 minutes and is a great opportunity to learn more about the state of your health. The checks are delivered by an independent company, your results will remain private and your employer will not receive any personal information about your health.
You will receive immediate results and advice on:
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose
- Cholesterol
- Waist circumference
- And more
Upcoming campuses include: Parkville, Caulfield, Clayton, 700 Blackburn Rd, F&S and HR
How to book: Learn when the health checks will be at your campus via the booking system. https://monash.fitness2live.com.au/(you must have logged in with your authcate to view this website)
Forget the excuses, Weight Watchers at work is here!
Monash staff the opportunity to enrol in a new Weight Watchers Program. With the convenience of weekly meetings on campus*, you’ll get the guidance that you need to succeed and stay on track to achieve your weight loss and lifestyle goals.
About the program: The program will consist of one weekly meeting for 13 weeks and commences in June.
Cost: $233.35 for 13 week program (payment must be made upfront by cash or card at the first meeting). Some private health insurance providers provide a partial refund.
How to register: Attend a lunchtime information session at Clayton on Thursday 9th June, register online. Staff from:
Peninsula, Caulfield, Alfred, Parkville and Gippsland campus staff send your interest to join a program to wellbeing@monash.edu with your campus in the subject line. A minimum of 12 people required at each campus for the program to proceed.
Give your time to others
Did you know that volunteering can be a great way to improve not only your mental wellbeing, but also your physical health? On Volunteer Gateway you can find many positions that will build your communication and leadership skills and help keep you fit and active, as well as providing a benefit to the community! In fact, some volunteering programs, such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, have a component of the program specifically devoted to physical activity.
Volunteer Gateway can also be of benefit to community organisations wishing to advertise specific volunteering positions or community events.
For enquiries or further information contact Volunteer Operations
Peninsula staff committed to Health Hour
More than 60 staff attended Peninsula Health Hour where Professor Leon Piterman encouraged Peninsula staff to take time out and get involved in the new wellbeing programs and services available to Peninsula staff.
Free 6 week Movers and Shakers Program: The 30 minute lunchtime classes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Grab a colleague and Register here. Classes include 7 June: yoga. 14 June Body Pump, 21 June: Cycle and 28 June: Fit Ball
4 week Fit Camp commences mid July, register here
Has your department registered for a healthy lunchtime SWAP?
EResearch, HR, Facilities & Services, ITS, OHS, Engineering and Medicine have all registered for the Staff Wellbeing & Activity Program.
SWAP has been designed to bring on campus activity to your office! With 30 or 60 minute yoga, zumba, boxing and pilates classes from just $8 per person, get your colleagues together and organise a class at a time that suits you!
Download the new SWAP brochure for all pricing and program information.
Book now for the July school holiday program
Your child will love the fun, exciting activities at MUSHP. Activities include swimming, indoor and outdoor sport, water polo, adventure days, cinema, science, cooking, drama and music, art and craft.
When: The program will run from 4th-15th July. Bookings open Monday 6th June and close Friday 17th June. Visit the booking webpage.
The Monash Science Centre also offers a school holiday program.
Have you tried a walking meeting?
Monash staff are being encouraged to step away from their desks and onto their feet in order to increase physical activity in the workplace
Recent studies show a direct link between prolonged periods of sitting and increased incidence of cardio-vascular diseases, even for people who are generally healthy. Here are some suggestions to get moving at work:
• Schedule a walking meeting – Get out of your office and get moving! Step out for active and productive conversations
• Walkabout inductions -a great way for new staff to learn their surroundings on foot
• Walking groups – don’t book a room, schedule weekly walks for your department meetings
• Walking maps– download campus walking maps
Desk time could increase your risk of bowel cancer
Employees who work for 10 years or more behind a desk may have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, West Australian researchers say.
University of WA PhD student Terry Boyle says the research suggested sedentary behavior by desk based professionals may increase the risk of cancers of the distal colon and rectum.
The research categorised jobs into five groups including sedentary to light activity such as teachers, medium activity such as nurses, heavy activity such as farmers, and very heavy activity such as miners.
Compared with employees who did not spend any time in a sedentary occupation, study participants who spent 10 or more years working at a desk had almost twice the risk of distal colon cancer and a 44 per cent increased risk of rectal cancer, the study found.
The findings were independent of how much physical activity sedentary workers did outside the office.
“Going for a run or going to the gym doesn’t seem to counteract the negative effects of sitting down all day. ‘It’s important that office workers try to stand and take a break from sitting every 30 minutes, and do things like get up from their chairs and walk down the corridor to talk to colleagues rather than sending an email or making a phone call.” Mr Boyle said.
The study has been published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Thinking of riding to work?
Here are some great tips about riding to Monash
Visit Bikely for great bike routes to get to Monash – search for Monash University and your campus and bike routes that others use will be displayed.
Make sure you have all the required safety gear – a helmet is mandatory in Victoria, front and rear lights are required at night and a low light and a high-visibility vest is recommended. Any good bike shop will help you out.
Health benefits – save time by riding to work – use your trip to work towards the recommended target of 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Financial benefits – Paying too much in car parking fees – riding to work is free, as is parking your bike at any Monash University campus.
Environmental benefits –every motorised form of transport emits greenhouse gas – bikes don’t!
Register for the Clayton Campus Bike Arrival Station
Competition winners and your chance to win
For your chance to win a Village Cinemas movie ticket tell us what you think of the new layout of the newsletter or provide a suggestion for Wellbeing at Monash or Monash Sport (or any wellbeing service you would like to see) Provide feedback via email wellbeing@monash.edu
Monash Sport news and offers
Staff Membership Offer & Cardio Challenge:
Looking to steer clear of that annoying winter weight? Monash Sport is here for you.
For a limited time only, Monash Sport are willing to waive your first month fees when you join up on a twelve month or direct debit membership!* Offering a wide variety of exercise alternatives from our experienced and qualified staff, this offer will not only save you money, but could also lead to a happier and healthier you.
In line with this membership promotion, Monash Sport is also running the ‘Cardio Challenge’. Any member who is able to complete 450 minutes of cardio exercise during the month of June, will be awarded with selected TeamMONASH merchandise for free.
For further information please contact:
Caulfield: 9903 2358 or Fitness.Caulfield@sport.monash.edu.au
Clayton: 9905 4103 or Clayton.Fitness@sport.monash.edu.au
Peninsula: 9904 4496 or Fitness.Peninsula@sport.monash.edu.au
Exams at Monash S
port
From 3 June until 17 June, the Recreation Hall will unfortunately be unavailable to all regular users. Due to the facility being required for the semester one examination period, no court bookings will be taken during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience.
One a lighter note, be on the watch out for a special offer available from 18 June! Come visit us after exams are over for more information!
Monash Games (21-22 June)
One positive aspect of the fast approaching cold, winter months is that it means the fifth instalment of Monash Games is just around the corner! At a time when it is important to remember the less fortunate members of society – those exposed to the freezing weather – Monash Games offers the chance to compete in a fun and friendly environment while raising much needed money for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.
Catering for all Victorian Monash campuses, the games offer staff and students alike the opportunity to participate in a variety of modified teams sports over a two-day period.
Monash staff have the choice of competiting with the students over the two day competition, or can also participate in an exclusive staff-only competition run on the Thursday or Friday lunchtime!
The friendly atmosphere of the tournament ensures that participants of all different skill levels, from beginners to advanced sportspeople, can enjoy representing their campus and taking part in university life. The tournament also presents a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and form lasting friendships. Volunteers to aid the smooth running of the tournament are also required, which provides another way for people to become involved in the action.
So whether indoor soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, cricket, dodgeball or just having a good time is your thing, register now for Monash Games at your local campus and become part of one the most enjoyable and rewarding competitions of your university life!
Monash University Alpine Lodge
To celebrate the opening of the 2011 winter snow season we are offering 10% off all bookings for the Monash University Alpine Lodge!
Discounts for staff
Fresh milk, bread, fruit and vegies delivered to your door, Aussie Farmers Direct offer
Monash staff, family and friends, receive $20 off your first order. Aussie Farmers is a 100% Australian owned fruit and vegetables, groceries and organic food, delivered to your door free! Visit the discounts webpage for full details
Don’t have health insurance? Now’s the time to join.
Free on campus consultations
HBA will be onsite at Caulfield, Clayton, Berwick and Parkville during May and June holding personal consultations. Appointments available between 8.30am and 4pm. Register now to book in for your consultation. Register for Clayton on 22 June or Caulfield on 21 June.
Its crunch time – June 30.
Once you’re over 31 the Government’s Lifetime Health Cover* loading adds an extra 2% on top of your standard premium for each year you delay taking out private hospital cover. You can claim immediately on most extras, including general dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic and optical.^ Offer ends 30 June 2011. Join the Monash Corporate plan today and you could win a luxurious package to the Gaia Retreat and Spa
Monash staff who sign up as a new member with HBA on the Monash University Corporate Health Plan receive access to a specially designed corporate suite of Health Insurance products. These products contain built-in savings that are not available to the general public.
Visit a HBA Retail Centre or call 1800 649 406 and quote the Monash University corporate group number – 122265. *Payment must be made by payroll deduction. For detailed information see health insurance discounts.
10% off magazine subscriptions
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
- Good Health & Medicine
- Madison
- Money
- Motor
- Shop Til You Drop
- Wheels
To receive the 10% discount on subscriptions, visit www.magshop.com.au/monash-staff Offer valud until: 31 May 2011. If you order by phone please quote discount code: P10MUNI
Travelling soon? Discounted Airport Lounge access
Sign up for a discounted airport lounge membership and enjoy the benefits! Lounges include
Priority Pass: access to 600+ lounges worldwide
Virgin Blue The Lounge
Qantas Club Lounge
Visit Airport Lounge discounts for more information.
Other discounts available to Monash staff:
Visit Monash discounts for more information