Wellbeing at Monash newsletter- March 2012
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.
Contact us at wellbeing@monash.edu
In the March edition:
Wellbeing events & news
Have you registered for your free WorkHealth check
All staff are invited to register for a free 15 minute WorkHealth check.
Participate in a WorkHealth check and receive immediate, confidential results and advice on blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, waist circumference and more.
Delivered by an accredited WorkHealth provider, your results will remain private and your employer will not receive any personal information about your health.
Dates: March – April
Locations: Alfred, Bendigo, Berwick, Blackburn Rd, Box Hill, Caulfield, City, Clayton, Gippsland, MMC, Parkville, Peninsula
How to book: Register for an appointment online at your preferred campus
Get Well 8 Week Challenge
Are you ready to make a change in the new year? The challenge includes:
Get healthy – online interactive daily meal planner, healthy recipes, information about diet, disease and essential elements to a balanced diet
Get happy – mindfulness and resilience strategies and techniques to help build your ability to reduce stress and improve focus, concentration and relaxation
Get active– lunchtime outdoor 45 minute class, twice a week, suitable for beginners (Caulfield Wednesday and Friday, Clayton Tuesday & Friday)
Monitor and track your progress using an interactive wellness tracker.
Program location and dates: Caulfield and Clayton, commencing 12 March (with a break over easter)
Cost: $18.75 per week (total program cost $150)
Register your interest: Email wellbeing@monash.edu with Get Well in the subject line and your campus, you will then receive a registration form.
SWAP to better health! In office pilates, boxing, zumba and yoga classes
Get out of the office in the new year and energise your body using the Staff Wellbeing and Activity Program (SWAP).
EResearch, HR, Facilities & Services, Education, ITS, OHS, the Alfred, Engineering and Medicine all participated in a SWAP Program during 2011.
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.
Introduction to mindfulness seminar by Dr Craig Hassed
Staff are invited to a lunchtime seminar by Dr Craig Hassed. The seminar will provide information on the science, principles and practice of mindfulness and its applications in areas including wellbeing, mental health, and resilience
Date: Friday 16 March, 1pm-2pm
Venue: Lecture theatre R7, Building 8, Clayton
Register online
Looking for a walking buddy on campus?
Fitness Connect is a new online program developed by Monash Sport that allows users to find and get active with someone of a similar fitness level and ability in exercise and/or sport.
Exercising with a friend makes working out more enjoyable with many studies indicating the benefits regarding motivation, support and exercise longevity.
Register your interest on the my.monash.portal
Book now for the April 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 2-13 April. Bookings open Monday 5 March. Visit the booking webpage.
The Monash Science Centre also offers a school holiday program.
Foodswitch – iphone app for the supermarket
Foodswitch is a great new free app developed by BUPA (HBA) with the George Institute for Global Health.
Using your phone camera, you scan a food item barcode and (using a traffic light red, yellow, green colour) it gives you a list of similar foods that are healthier choices, handy when in the supermarket!
Read more about the iphone app online . Download the app on itunes
Improve your mental health – weekly free mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness involves a series of simple meditative practices and cognitive strategies which help change unproductive thought and behaviour patterns. It could also be describes as an attitude to living. At our regular weekly calss, you are introduced to simple mindfulness practices that can significantly enhance your relaxation and concentration.
Berwick: Tuesday’ s12.30-1.30pm, Building 930, Health and Wellbeing Hub
Caulfield: Weekdays, 12pm-12:30 pm, Spiritual Centre, Room 1.56, Building B
Clayton: Wednesday’s and Friday’s 1:15-1:45 pm, Religious Centre, Building 9
Gippsland: Thursday’s 12pm-12.30pm, Spiritual centre
Parkville: Wednesday’s 12pm-12.30pm, Scott Building, Pharmaceutics Meeting Room 232
Confidential, external employee counselling and new Manager Assist Program
EAP is a professional, external, confidential counselling service available free-of-charge to all University employees and their immediate family members. The service can be of assistance when staff are experiencing work-related, personal and/or health problems.
Manager Assist is a phone consulting service available to University Supervisors and Managers, providing practical advice and support. The service is tailored to meet individual needs when step by step advice or a sounding board is needed.
Further information can be found on the University’s EAP website or phone 1800 350 359.
Training and development workshops
Register for a great range of development workshops through the HR Staff Development Unit, courses include:
Weight Watchers at Work Program
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 consists of one weekly lunchtime meeting for 13 weeks
Cost: $246 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: Send your interest to join a program to wellbeing@monash.edu with WW and your campus in the subject line. 12 participants are required for the program to proceed.
Gippsland walking group
Get out and about at lunchtime and join the Gippsland Walking Group.
When: Monday and Thursday 12.30 – 1pm
Meet: At the Knuckle – 1st floor, outside of E Solutions.
Leaders: Shane Paynter, Audra Glavas and Vonnie Boreham
Free Get Active classes – Parkville
Following the results of the Parkville health checks, Monash Sport are now offering free weekly classes. This is a great opportunity for Parkville staff to get out of the office and get active!
Boxing: Mondays 5pm, Cossar Hall
Boot Camp: Wednesdays 7.30-8.30am, meet at the Flagpole
Mindfulness meditation: Wednesdays 12-12.30pm, pharmaceutics meeting room
Pilates: Thursdays 5pm, Cossar Hall.
Enquiries: Contact Michael Jones, Monash Sport x51073
Online health articles
Wellbeing At Monash Online offers a great range of online programs and information for the whole family including articles on:
- Handling The News – Dealing With A Diagnosis
- Going Your Separate Ways – Starting Over
- Weight Loss Is A Family Affair
- Can You Find 15 Minutes A Day?
- Exercise Takes The Pain Out Of Panic Disorders
- The Pick Of Low Impact Exercises
- Caring For The Carer
- Sea Salt Versus Table Salt
- Actively Prevent Migraines
- Early Bird Kids Leaner
- Cut Out TV For Tots
- The Good Oil On Stroke Damage
- Getting Your Message Across
Do you suffer from low back pain?
Are you having difficulty with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed in the morning, vacuuming the house, gardening or driving the car?
- Are you aged between 18-70 years?
- Do you suffer from both low back pain and leg pain?
Read more information or contact Alice Noone or Judy Hankin alice.noone@monash.edu. x30553
ADHD – Do you have a male child aged 7-12 years
‘Attention Kids’ is a research study looking into why some children with ADHD have difficulties with motor skills and social functioning.
It is hoped the study findings will help us to understand why some children with ADHD have more trouble with balance, or might have more bumps or falls at home and at school. We may also develop an understanding of why some children with ADHD have difficulty with friendships and being successful socially.
We are seeking 120 male children aged 7-12 years (both with and without ADHD) to take part. Read more information or contact Tracy Taylor (Project Manager) tracy.taylor@monash.edu or x24560
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
Why fit staff are good for business
Keeping your employees satisfied through sports is almost as important as through bonuses, perks or other working conditions.
An employee that is less fit or active is less equipped when it comes to managing stress or maintaining energy levels, which in turn contributes to different sickness and disease that could affect a workplace’s performance and productivity.
Findings from workplace studies at Monash University suggest that companies that introduce workplace health programs enhance employee performance, creating a healthier work environment and aiding in employee retention.
The study of 2011 Australian Fitness & Health Expo also found that most employees now recognise the personal benefits of fitness programs in providing better mental health, happiness and ability to cope with stress. It was added that the new primary motivator for people to exercise was to feel good, rather than to simply looking good.
The Staff Wellbeing and Activity Program (SWAP) is a joint project between Monash Sport and Wellbeing at Monash and provides an opportunity for staff groups to get active. The program caters to all ages and fitness levels and is a great way for everyone to achieve their fitness goals and at the same time can improve staff wellbeing, productivity and morale. Give a new meaning to a ‘healthy business today’
Enhanced service and facility at MPARC
Monash Sport is taking a leap forward on the Peninsula with the launch of the new Monash Peninsula Activity and Recreation Centre (MPARC) facility.
This new facility is open to Monash University students, staff and the general community. It offers a large fitness centre, a group fitness studio, two court basketball stadiums with viewing platforms, an exercise physiology lab and a movement and performance studio.
The new centre is sure to enhance the campus’ ‘Health Active Community’ theme with its specialised teaching and learning spaces and facilities for public use.
Find out more about this fantastic leap forward for health and fitness on the Peninsula.
Stay active through sport competitions
Lunchtime and evening sporting competitions are held at Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses to help enhance productivity and build a sense of ‘team spirit’ in your workplace.
Monash Sport offers a wide range of competitions including indoor soccer, basketball, mixed netball, women’s netball and badminton that are suitable for all fitness levels .
Students, staff and wider community are welcome to take part in these competitions throughout the semester.
Do not miss this great opportunity to stay active and have fun. For more information about Social Sport 2012 and to find the timetables for different availability and location, visit the Monash Sport website
Looking to get ourdoors on your lunch break? Visit the new Informal Sport Zone
The brand new Informal Sport Zone facility is now open and features a synthetic surfaced outdoor soccer pitch and basketball court.
And the best part of this modern venue? It’s free for Monash staff and students.
The Informal Sport zone is located at the Clayton campus tennis court complex on former courts 9 and 10. It’s available for use around the clock with automatic floodlights for late evening sessions.
More time for your Sunday session
For those who love an early morning workout, Monash Sport has just the thing to get you up and about early on a Sunday morning.
To assist members in achieving their health and fitness goals more conveniently, Monash Sport is trialing increased operating hours on Sunday’s and is now open from 9am – 6pm. The change is based on member feedback and demonstrates our commitment to continuously improve our services.
We look forward to seeing you bright and early over the coming Sundays!
Sport at Monash Calendar
Don’t know when key events are? There will be no more excuses with the Sport at Monash calendar exclusive to Monash staff.
Conveniently feeding times, dates, locations and web links to everything ‘sport at Monash’ directly into your Google calendar, the Sport at Monash calendar is perfect for fitting in a planned or spontaneous sport and activity into even the busiest schedule!
To access the Sport at Monash calendar, login into the my.monash portal, select the Sport at Monash tick box and update your subscription. The Sport at Monash calendar will now appear overlaid on your personal Google calendar.
Fitness Connect
Fitness Connect is a service which allows users to find and workout with someone of a similar fitness level and ability in exercise and/or sport.
Exercising with a friend makes working out more enjoyable with many studies indicating the benefits regarding motivation, support and exercise longevity.
The service can be found through my.monash.portal
Semester 1 Group Fitness new timetable
Group Fitness is a fantastic way to meet new people or rekindle old friendships whilst exercising and achieving your fitness goals. New timetables are now operational and include more classes such as Zumba, BodyPump and Cycle!
You can find the timetables for Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses online at Monash Sport
Discounts for staff
Corporate health insurance offers from BUPA (HBA)
Monash staff who sign up as a new member with BUPA 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.
Corporate benefits include:
- 2 and 6 month waiting period waiver on extras
- Award Winning Corporate Products – not available to the public
- Year 3 Loyalty Maximums apply
- Join as a new member before 29th February and receive 1 month free
- BUPA consultant visits to your workplace
More info: Visit a BUPA 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 pricing information see health insurance discounts.
Questions about health insurance? Free on site health insurance consultation
A BUPA health insurance consultant will be onsite at Clayton campus on Tuesday 13 March for personal consultations and to answer all of your health insurance questions.
Appointments available between 9am and 4pm. Register now to book in for your consultation.
Book now for Easter and the April school holidays! Save up to 50% on holiday accommodation
Monash staff now have access to the exclusive Departure Lounge with discounted rates at selected Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree properties throughout Australia and New Zealand.
These rates are exclusive to Monash staff and can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Rates are best when searching for 3 night stays and at least one month in advance (there is limited availability within the next 28 days).
Download the March specials valid for stays 1 April to 31 May and the Broadbeach Qld specials at Mantra Sierra Grand or BreakFree Diamond Beach valid for stays 1 April to 31 May
To book: Visit Departure Lounge and enter the password: monashstaff
Milk, bread, fruit and vegies delivered to your door
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 for staff for full details.
Dell computer specials
Save up to 15% off a great range of products from Dell.
1) Visit the Dell website and enter the sales code: AUEPP and your organisation name.
2) Start shopping. Use the featured coupon codes to redeem your discount at the checkout.
3) Alternatively, call 1300 730 755.
Individual and group Dance lessons
Charisma Dance Centre is renowned for its fun and friendly atmosphere. Charisma specialises in Latin and ballroom dancing for beginners to advised social dancers (no partner required).
Monash staff introductory offer: Learn to dance for just $25 in Glen Iris or Berwick. The offer includes 6 one and a half hour group classes and one half hour personalised lesson. Valued at $130.
To book phone Charisma Dance Centre on 9889 2022 or 0419 284 919 or email charismadance@bigpond.com and mention this exclusive Monash staff offer. For more information visit Charisma Dance
Lite n’ Easy
Lite n’ Easy offer a $25 discount off their 7-day meal pack to new customers. Call 131512 and quote ‘Monash Uni discount offer’.
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 Magshop or order by phone and quote discount code: P10MUNI
The Convenient Kitchen – We create, We shop, We deliver!
The Convenient Kitchen deliver to your door a grocery bag packed with 5 healthy yummy recipes and all their accompanying market fresh vegetables, meats, fish and poultry for your week’s home cooking. For 2, families of 2-4 or 4-6. All recipes are created by a qualified nutritionist/chef and are easy to cook. No more thinking “what will I cook tonight” no more rushing to the supermarket after work to quickly get what you need, it’s all in your pantry or fridge at home already!
Monash staff offer: 20% discount on all full priced grocery bags for 5 dinners*. Phone 98222877 and mention Monash or visit The Convenient Kitchen and add ” Monash” in the special requirements section. *Available to all new customers only.
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 discounts for staff for more information