Wellbeing @ Monash & Monash Sport newsletter, July 2013
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 July edition:
Wellbeing events and news
Monash Sport news and offers
Discounts for staff
How often do you service your car? Do you have 15 minutes for your health?
We often prioritise our daily duties at the expense of our own health and wellbeing. Have you ever thought about how often you get your car serviced? How does that compare with getting your health checked?
Wellbeing at Monash is offering all staff an opportunity to learn more about their vital health risks through a free, confidential health check during August and September.
Participants will receive immediate, confidential results and advice on blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart and stroke risk and more.
Locations: Alfred, Bendigo, Blackburn, Caulfield, Clayton, Faculty of Science, Gippsland, HR, Monash College, MMC, Parkville and Peninsula
Make your booking online today!
Department bookings: If you would like to offer free health checks for your department staff (minimum 10) please contact wellbeing@monash.edu with your preferred dates and campus.
Step out for better health, the 10,000 Steps Challenge is coming!
The 10,000 Steps Challenge is coming to your office in October! Registrations open from 16th September, keep an eye out for more details.
Step out for better health today, take the stairs instead of the lift, download campus walking maps or schedule a walking meeting today.
R U OK Day? and Mental Health Week events
Keep an eye out for upcoming events including R U OK Day? on Thursday 12th September and Monash Mental Health Week 7-11 October.
‘Like’ Wellbeing at Monash on Facebook
Get information about the latest events, special offers, discounts and news by liking Wellbeing at Monash on Facebook. Like Wellbeing at Monash on Facebook
Start a yoga, pilates or boxing lunchtime program in your office
The Staff Wellbeing and Activity Program (SWAP) provides tailored pilates, boxing, yoga and zumba, Fit Camp and many more programs direct to your office!
With 30 minute classes from just $8 per person, get your colleagues together and organise a class at a time that suits you -before work, lunchtime or after work!
Download the new SWAP brochure for all pricing and program information.
Walking just 15 minutes every day can extend your life by as much as 3 years
Who knew something as simple as walking could be so beneficial? You’ll be amazed at what just 15 minutes of walking a day could do for your health, learn more about the joys and benefits of walking here.
Staff webinar: Essence of health with Dr Craig Hassed
All staff are invited to participate in a staff wellbeing seminar that will be delivered through a trial of new webinar technology.
The Essence of Health is a model for enhancing wellbeing and sustainable performance as well as the prevention and management of chronic illness.
Essence is an acronym standing for Education, Stress management, Spirituality, Exercise, Nutrition, Connectedness and Environment and is a comprehensive lifestyle program underpinned by enabling strategies such as mindfulness, enhancing motivation, goal setting and behaviour change.
The program has been delivered within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for a number of years in training doctors and allied health practitioners in stress and lifestyle management.
This introductory presentation will explore the Essence model and give evidence and examples illustrating the importance of each element. For those attending the introductory presentation there will be an opportunity to explore the Essence model further in a practical course enabling participants to apply the model to personal and professional life.
Date: Tuesday 3rd September, 12.15pm-1pm.
Venue: At your computer, details on how to access the webinar will be provided closer to the event date.
How to book: Register online Due to the trial of the new technology places are limited.
Are you a Mental Health First Aid ambassador?
Did you know Monash has more than 50 Mental Health First Aid ambassadors?
The purpose of a MHFA ambassador is to act as a representative to enhance the mental health literacy in faculties and divisions on campus, ascertain where the profile of mental health issues can be discussed at respective faculty / division meetings, offer mental health (ALGEE) interventions to staff / students within faculties / divisions and encourage other staff and students to get involved in mental health activities and promote mental health first aid workshops.
Learn who your department ambassador is or express your interest in becoming an ambassador here
New Mental Health Awareness seminar for staff groups
This 2.5 hour seminar is available on request for staff groups and has been specifically designed for staff who may become aware of a student or colleague in distress. They may also observe concerning behaviours, or deterioration in a person’s functioning. Participants will learn about the symptoms and warning signs for the common mental health problems (anxiety, depression, psychosis and self-harming behaviour).
How to book: Seminars are run on request for a minimum of 10 participant at a venue with AV equipment. For more information visit Mental Health Awareness training
Healthy food choices information
At Monash we encourage staff and students to make the healthy choice when buying food on campus. Learn more about foods you may currently purchase and healther alternatives including lunch, snacks and drinks.
You can also download the new Healthy catering guide for suggestions on the best items to order for morning/afternoon teas and lunches.
Unhealthy lunch:
- 4 slices pizza – 3626kj (42% fat)
- Cup fried hot chips – 1101kj (52% fat)
- California hand roll brown rice – 702kj (3.1% fat)
- Grilled/baked fish and salad – 746kj (32% fat)
- Minestrone soup – 473 kj (28% fat)
- 600ml bottle of coke – 1080 kj (16 teaspoons sugar)
- 600ml Big Mchocolate milk – 1758 kj (15% fat, 15 teaspoons sugar)
- Slice of cake – 1285 kj (50% fat)
- Fruit salad – 278 kj (2% fat)
- Glass water – 0 kj (0% fat)
- Piece of fruit – 300 kj (2% fat)
- Plain yoghurt (low fat) – 401 kj (4% fat)
- Vegetable sticks and low fat dip – 100 kjs (2% fat)
Learn more about foods you may currently purchase and healther alternatives including lunch, snacks and drinks.
Get your children active – new Step-a-thon
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is encouraging children to step out for a healthier future. The Step-a-thon is a national campaign for primary school children to help teach them the importance of making every step count. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute is working towards finding preventions and treatments for hundreds of common and rare childhood illnesses, so that kids everywhere can have a healthy future.
Obesity is on the rise in Australia and Step-a-thon aims to teach kids the value of making every step count, by encouraging them to keep active and supporting the research that keeps kids everywhere healthy and active.
From 2 – 8 September kids will count their steps and raise money for child health research. The first 25,000 kids to register will receive a free slap on pedometer to make counting their steps fun and easy.
Did you know?
- 1 in 10 school kids suffers from a food allergy
- Aussie kids are at the most at risk of getting type 1 diabetes
- Heart disease is the cause of one third of childhood deaths
- Every week three Australian children will die from cancer
For more information visit Step-a-thon
New 5 session workplace Life! Diabetes Program
Staff are invited to register their interest in joining a Diabetes Victoria Life! Workplace Program.
The Life! Workplace Program will give you the support to achieve and maintain lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke and offers you the skills, support and expert advice needed to make lifestyle choices to prevent the onset through;
Expert health coaching
Individual plan tailored to your needs
Support and help
Cost: 5 session program is free
About the Monash program : Participants must attend a one on one consultation with the program facilitator and then participate in a 5 session program, commencing Wednesday 24th July, 12.30pm at Clayton campus.
Register your interest: Visit the Monash Diabetes Program webpage for more information
Diabetes prevention week, 14-20 July
for more information about how you can prevent or manage Diabetes visit Diabetes Victoria
Looking for a friend to get active with at work or in the community?
2 new physical activity connection tools are available that allow you to search for and participate in a range of activities with others.
The Monash Sport Fitness Connect provides a platform where you can find that extra player for your sports team, grow your sports club or simply find a friend to join you in sport and fitness.
TeamUp, a new app launched by VicHealth, offers Victorians information about hundreds of sporting activities happening in their local neighbourhoods, seven days a week. You can participate in other people’s posted activities or organise your own and post them for others to join. This can be anything from AFL to abseiling, kiteboarding to karate, soccer to swimming, or anything else you’re into, or would like to get into.
Cycle to your next meeting – new on campus bike share scheme
Following the great success of the student bike share scheme, a staff bike share scheme will be launched and trialled in Semester 2. Departments and faculties will be able to register to use the fleet of 30 brand new blue bikes to get around the Clayton campus.
The bikes will be fitted with a locking system and departments and faculties that register for the scheme will be provided with keys.
Staff from registered departments and faculties will be able to unlock any of the blue bikes, ride to their destination, and simply lock the bike up – then it’s ready for use by other participants in the scheme.
The bikes will not belong to a particular registered user – they will be part of a shared scheme.
Staff wishing to participate in the scheme should urge their departments or faculties to register their interest at Bike Share Scheme page
Do you cycle to work or run/walk regularly at lunchtime?
The University Wellbeing KPI aims to achieve 30% participation in wellbeing events and programs.
Staff who regularly participate wellbeing related activity during their work day can now log their participation in a database to help contribute to their Faculty/Division Wellbeing KPI.
Regularly is defined as at least once per week, for a minimum of 30 minutes during your work day (Monday to Friday).
Log your participation in the Wellbeing KPI form.
Track your fitness activities on your phone
MapMyRun is a fitness app that enables you to use the GPS on your mobile to track all of your fitness activities and progress towards your goals.
MapMyRide is similar to MapMyRun, using GPS on your mobile to record every detail of your workout. Follow your route on an interactive map while logging time, distance, speed, pace, elevation and calories burned.
Red Cross Blood Service – Clayton campus, 24 to 26 July
The Blood Service will be visiting the Clayton campus in July
When: Bookings are available at the following times: Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 July 9:30am – 3:30pm
Where: Engineering Building – EH 4/60, Union Loop Road.
Register: To secure your appointment to donate please phone 13 14 95, or email dpallen@redcrossblood.org.au
Take some time out at lunchtime – free meditation classes
Meditation calms the mind and can improve performance. It will help you to relax, reduce stress and improve your health and wellbeing.
Science has proven the benefits of meditation. It is part of the core curriculum in medicine at Monash and our counsellors use meditation methods with clients.
Monash meditation classes offer a range of techniques such as mindfulness, visualisation or progressive relaxation. There is no religious content and no need to book. Beginners are welcome.
Berwick: Tuesdays, 12:30 – 1pm, Building 930
Caulfield: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays, 12:30 – 1pm, Spiritual Centre, Building B, Room 1.56
Clayton: Wednesdays & Fridays, 1:15 – 1:45pm, Religious Centre, Building 9, Narthex Room
Gippsland: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12 – 12:30pm, Spiritual Centre, Building 1N, Level 1
Parkville: Wednesdays, 1.15 – 1.45pm, Scott Building, Pharmaceutics Meeting Room 232
Find a healthy balance – and win a $50 Rebel Sport voucher
Uncover some helpful strategies for managing work-life balance and help restore a sense of harmony and satisfaction with 2 new online programs including:
Introduction to Stress and Resilience: Be better equipped to prevent, manage or reduce stress in your life – at work or at home. Build your awareness around stress, its causes and impacts, while providing practical strategies to build resilience and the ability to get through stressful situations
Introduction to Work-Life Balance: Restore balance in your life by applying some healthy, effective ways to manage your day-to-day activities. Learn the key concepts of work-life balance, evaluate your own need for balance, understand where your health comes into play and explore some practical strategies for promoting a feeling of balance and satisfaction at work and in your personal life.
First time users, click on the above link then click ‘login’, ‘register now’ and then create your personalised login/password
Do you wear glasses? Monash eye glasses collection
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, Building 40P, Clayton
Lunchtime Clayton Weight Watchers 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: $19.50 per session for 13 week program. Payment can be in cash, credit card or pay $50 upfront then 3 monthly instalments. Some private health insurance providers provide a partial refund.
This seminar provides members with the key issues to consider when entering retirement. Whether planning for an immediate retirement or just seeking to gain a better understanding of the central issues, this comprehensive seminar includes information on:
- What do you plan to do in retirement?
- Accessing superannuation benefits
- Retirement income streams
- Centrelink benefits overview
- Estate Planning considerations
This seminar is for members considering retirement.
Date: Wednesday 17 July 2013, 1-2pm
Venue: Science Building 25, Lecture TheatreS3, Clayton Campus
Registration closes on Tuesday 16 July 2013, book online.
Get active at Gippsland, Parkville and Berwick
Get active at Gippsland
Gippsland campus walking group takes place every Monday and Thursday from 12:30pm – 1:00pm. Meet upstairs at the Knuckle outside the eSolutions area (1N-209). Email Vonnie vonnie.boreham@monash.edu for more information.
Get active at Parkville
Free Get Active classes including:
Boxing: Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm at Cossar Hall
Yoga: Tuesday 12pm at Cossar Hall
Boot Camp: Wednesdays 7.30am meet at the Flagpole
Mindfulness meditation: Wednesdays 1.15pm, Pharmaceutics meeting room
Dynamic yoga: Thursday 5pm at Cossar Hall
Enquiries: Marcia Larose, Monash Sport x58815 marcia.larose@monash.edu
Get active at Berwick
Free Get ACtive classes are available to staff at Berwick campus, including:
Yoga: Monday’s 1.30pm – 2.15pm
Zumba: Wednesday’s 1.30pm – 2.15pm
Venue: Nossal High School in the Gymnasium building
For detailed class information visit Berwick Sport webpage.
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
Health and Fitness Options for Monash University Staff
At Monash Sport, we want all Monash University staff members to have a happy and healthy lifestyle. Because of this, we have introduced Health and Fitness Options for Monash University Staff. The variety of options available has been tailored so that each and every staff member is able to join the centre and able to achieve their fitness goals whether it is individually or as a group.
The Health and Fitness Options for Monash University Staff includes Centre memberships, participation in the SWAP Group Exercise and casual visits.
For any further enquiries please contact our friendly staff or come down and visit us with your voucher for a 7 Day Trial
Small Group Training
Fit Camp has a new look! ENERGISE is a six week fun, social, challenging and rewarding way of training. For those about to embark on their first fitness program or looking for a new challenge ENERGISE is for you.
All ENERGISE sessions are conducted by fully qualified health and fitness instructors who will motivate participants to challenge their current fitness levels whilst still being able to tailor the program to suit all individuals’ needs.
ENERGISE is run across Monash University Caulifield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses with programs starting throughout the year.
We will be holding our first ENERGISE programs on the following dates:
Caulfield
- Commencing: Tuesday 6 August
- Finishing: Thursday 12 September
- Sessions run Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
Clayton
- Commencing: Monday 19 August
- Finishing: Thursday 26 September
- Sessions run Mondays and Thursdays 12.15pm – 1.00pm.
To register your interest or for further information, please contact:
Caulfield: 9903 2358 or fitness.caulfield@monash.edu
Clayton: 9905 4103 or clayton.fitness@monash.edu
Group Fitness Semester 2 Timetable!
We will be launching the Semester 2 Group Fitness timetable on Monday 22 July!
This timetable sees the introduction of our new class Wind Trainer. Wind trainer classes simulate various types of wind conditions in in an indoor environment. Workouts range from pyramid workouts to strength and endurance workouts. Users should bring their own bike and a wind trainer resistance. A cycle bike can be used for those without this equipment.
Preview the Semester 2 timetable here!
See our website for full class descriptions.
Social Sport
Our Social Sport competitions are a great way to keep active and have fun while studying or working at Monash. The sports played vary from campus to campus, but can include indoor soccer, netball, basketball and badminton. Our competitions foster a social environment with grades suited to beginners and more competitive teams alike. Get your friends together and make up a team today!
Registrations for the Semester 2 competition are now open, closing Tuesday 6 August.
We have been listening…
Refurbishments to Change Room Facilities and Pool Concourse
Monash Sport will be undertaking refurbishments to both the change room and pool concourse areas to provide an improved aquatic environment.
The Doug Ellis Pool will be closed for a 4 week period whilst the pool concourse is being resurfaced.
Pool Closure:
Monday 9 September – Sunday 6 October
The pool will re-open on Monday 7 October, with temporary change room facilities provided until refurbishments to the existing change room facilities are completed.
Updates on the works can be found on our website.
Tennis $2 Happy Hour
Step away from your desk and onto the court! Monash Sport is making this easier for you by introducing a $2 Happy Hour during your lunch break!
All Monash staff and students are able to play up to two hours of tennis at the Clayton courts for only $2 per hour between 12-2pm Monday – Friday. This works out to be over an 85% saving off the standard Non-Student Off-Peak rate! Bookings can be made up to one week in advance and you are able to find all court booking information on our website.
MS 24 hour Mega Swim
Congratulations to all those that participated in this year’s MS 24 hour Mega Swim over the past weekend! With 8 teams swimming over 570km, over $13,000 is going towards helping those at the Go For Gold Foundation which provides scholarships to people living with Multiple Sclerosis to aspire and achieve to the best of their ability and also contributes to Financial Assistance Programs to provide direct and immediate support for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Team Minky won the prestigious title of Overall Winning Team for 2013, an award given to the team with the best combination of funds raised and laps swum. The group, who work together at a local pool, swam 79.66km and raised an incredible $3446.
There are still four weeks left to donate and we hope to build on our already impressive total.
Monash Games – 16 to 19 July, 2013
Faculty vs Faculty, Department vs Department, Campus vs Campus, Students vs Staff.
Held at the Clayton campus, Monash Games are an opportunity for staff and students across all Victorian campuses of the university to play modified sports in a fun and friendly environment over four days. The Monash Games are now in their sixth year and offer a number of different sports and activities with an emphasis on getting involved and ‘having a go’. All skill levels are encouraged to take part from beginners to those that are advanced.
Keep up to date with the Monash Games news and scores via our blog. Best of luck to all teams that have registered.
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 here.
Discounts for staff
Ready for a holiday? Great staff discounts available
Monash staff have access to a range of discounts including accommodation, travel insurance, airport parking and car hire. Read more information in the staff discounts
Winter getaway – up to 50% off Peppers and Mantra Resorts
Staff have access to the exclusive Departure Lounge with discounted rates at selected Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree properties throughout Australia, Bali and New Zealand.
Book in July for travel in August and September:
View Australia wide specials including;
Peppers Palm Cove: save up to 39%
Breakfree Surfers: save up to 40%
Breakfree Caloundra: save up to 44%
Peppers Parehua, NZ: save up to 19%
To book visit Departure Lounge and enter the password: monashstaff Rates are best when searching for 3 night+ stays.
10% off Rydges, Art Series and QT Hotels & Resorts
Enter the Monash Corporate ID at 40 Rydges, Art Series and QT Hotels & Resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK and receive:
- 10% off all your accommodation bookings
- Best rates online guaranteed
To start saving:
- Visit any of the hotel websites 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
Hollywood Costume is at Federation Square! Exclusive offer for Monash staff, tickets only $14.50!
Direct from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Hollywood Costume explores the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling. Bringing together the most iconic costumes from a century of filmmaking, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the clothes worn by unforgettable and beloved characters in films from The Wizard of Oz (1939) to Titanic (1997), Ben-Hur (1959) to Casino Royale (2006).
Where: Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Fed Square.
When: Wednesday 24 April – Sunday 18 Aug 2013 10am – 5pm.
Book: Call 1300 364 001
adiCentre exclusive invitation, 40% off storewide*
When: Monday 15 – Saturday 20 July
Where: 21/35 Dunlop Rd, Mulgrave
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday to 8pm, Thursday to 6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm
Where: 21/35 Dunlop Road, Mulgrave, 3170
Register: You must register to attend, phone 92635276
Change to staff health insurance offer
Bupa (formerly HBA) provides staff access to a Monash Corporate Health Insurancec Plan, with:
- Your premiums paid through payroll deductions* (post tax)
- Savings on corporate products including Top, Intermediate and Saver Hospital cover,
- Access to Corporate Advantage, Classic and Essentials extras (with a minimum of 70% back on most services),
- No gap dental for children
- A single room or your money back.
For pricing and detailed information see health insurance discounts.
*Upcoming changes: The payment options for new members will soon be changing. Join before 1st August to have your premiums made through payroll deductions. New members who join after this time will only have the option of direct debit/credit card payment.
On campus health insurance consultations
Bupa is proud to offer Monash employees the benefits of a comprehensive Corporate Health Cover.
Through the Monash Corporate Health Plan, you have access to competitive premiums, a range of deals and discounts‡ – and much more! Don’t have any health insurance? Find out how private health cover can benefit you
Already covered with another health fund? Let Bupa help you compare your current cover to the Monash corporate plan. Remember, there are no waiting periods when transferring from an equivalent level of cover.
Clayton campus: 30th & 31st July 2013, 9am-5pm
Location: Monash Sport cafe, Building 1, Clayton
Click here to book your time
Caulfield campus: Thursday 25th July
Click here to book your time
Travelling soon? Discounted Virgin and Qantas lounge access
Sign up for a discounted airport lounge membership for Qantas and Virgin and enjoy the benefits!
Qantas Club memberships offer heavily discounted rates and can be salary sacrificed. The Monash corporate rate is $200 per year. $100 joining fee. (Non corporate rate: $420 per year. $330 Joining fee, savings of $450).
Virgin Australia lounge corporate memberships offer a special price of $200 per year with a $100 joining fee.
Visit Airport Lounge discounts for more information.
Free Comedy Club tickets
The Comedy Club at the Athenaeum Theatre is offering Monash staff a great range of weekly offers, including complimentary tickets.
View the line up of comedians online. All complimentary tickets are for the show only. Dinner and show tickets can be upgraded for the discounted price of $35pp (normally $45pp). For detailed information see staff discounts.
Gift ideas:
Edible Blooms are a fresh alternative to traditional flowers and gift baskets, product range contains great gift ideas and includes gourmet chocolate bouquets and chocolate flowers, edible arrangements of fresh fruit bouquets, cake pop bouquets, cookie bouquets, gift hampers, corporate gifts.
Order online at www.edibleblooms.com.au and enter ‘monash’ as your coupon code to receive 10% discount.
Green Thumb Gifts
At Green Thumb Gifts, their mantra is ˜Giving Today, Growing Tomorrow”. A great range of flowering plants, herbs and trees are not only perfect f
or marking special occasions and celebrating the moment, but once planted they provide a lasting memory of these important life events.
Order online at www.greenthumbgifts.com.au and enter ‘monash’ as your coupon code to receive 10% discount.
Breadtop Clayton
Receive 10% discount at Breadtop Clayton on all cakes and breads. Present your staff id card to receive the discount. Valid April-August 2013. 316A Clayton Road, Clayton. Ph 9544 3738. Opening hours Monday to Sunday 7.30am to 7.30pm
More discounts available to Monash staff
- Andrew’s Airport Parking – 20% discount for staff, 15% for family
- Avis car hire – reduced excess and 3rd day of weekend rentals free
- Aussie Farmers Direct – first order discount
- Blink 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, xorporate pricing, reduced dealer delivery charges
- Convenient Kitchen home delivery meals
- Dell – up to 15% discount
- Lite n’ Easy – 7 day meal pack discount
- Magazine subscriptions – 10% off
- Monash Commuter Club, 10% discount on Myki
- Parkville Carlton Football Club Cafe
- Travel insurance – special rates for staff