Proudly presented by Monash Sport and Health, Wellbeing and Development, you can now read about the latest wellbeing events, services and activities happening at Monash.  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!

• Wellbeing events and news
• Monash Sport news and offers
• TeamMONASH™ events
• Discounts for staff
• Healthy living tips and news

Wellbeing events & news

Free staff lunchtime seminars

Upcoming staff seminars include:

Healthy heart
This seminar delivered by the Heart Foundation will cover information on a number of topics including: blood pressure and cholesterol, warning signs of heart attack, nutrition and physical activity.
Presenter: Heart Foundation

Men's Health Week special event
To support awareness of Men's Health Week, this seminar will include a well known guest speaker and also cover general health information as well as mental health, and sexual health issues.  Open to both male and female staff, register before 10th June and you will go in the draw to win a mountain bike!
Presenter: Andrology Australia

Managing stress and relaxation techniques
This session focuses on practical tips, strategies and techniques to manage your day to day stress you may encounter through varying experiences and also in the lead up to exams. You will learn how to challenge negative thoughts and actions and practice breathing and relaxation techniques.
Presenter: Health, Wellbeing and Development Counsellor

Healthy Eating & Reading Food Labels:
Learn about:
- the role of nutrients and where they are found
- the best food choices for each food group
- how to read food labels
- an overview of dieting, popular fads and myths
Presenter: Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences – Nutrition and Dietetics

UniSuper workplace seminar - salary sacrifice
UniSuper provide Monash staff with an opportunity to learn useful information on a range of topics. Learn how to make the most of your UniSuper membership, find out how to invest your super to reach your goals, discover the best ways to give your retirement savings a boost.

Interested in any of the above? For dates, locations, more info and to book visit the Wellbeing What's On calendar here

Caulfield staff and students step out for better health

A new initiative aiming to encourage staff and students to enjoy the benefits of exercise and take up walking has commenced at Caulfield.

More than 32 staff and students have been paired with a walking companion to go for a 30-minute walk at least once a week.

Alison Richardson, Manager Student Development is a participant in the program.  ‘I joined the "Get up and Go program" as I needed someone to get me up and going, a buddy, who would be my conscious for a while until I got into the routine of regular exercise.'

'I've been walking twice weekly now in the program for some 5 weeks and the benefits are great.  My blood pressure is already back to normal and I actually get away from my desk, at least twice a week for some fresh air, something I hardly did before. ’

The 8 week Get Up and Go program is being piloted at the Caulfield campus and may be extended to other campuses in the future.

For more information on the walking buddy program visit the Health, Wellbeing and Development website.

Healthy eating program works a treat for Monash staff

A new workplace weight loss program developed by Monash Sport aims to provide information about healthy eating and a practical physical activity program. 

More than 30 staff at Clayton and Caulfield campuses have joined the program.

Jaswin Bal, Training Coordinator, OHS is entering her 5^th week as a participant. 

‘With two children I often find it difficult to fit in daily exercise but the HEAT program allows me to do exercise at lunchtime with my personal trainer Nick.’

‘I’m also encouraged to use a food diary which motivates me to make better food choices and helps keep my weight on track.  I can already feel an improvement in my energy levels!’

The 12 week HEAT program is available to staff at all campuses and the cost can be salary sacrificed.  For more information on the program visit the HEAT webpage here.

Free lunchtime walking group at Caulfield

Monash Sport is offering free walking groups on a Tuesday and Thursday for all Caulfield staff.

Tuesday Walk - a staff member from Monash Sport will be on hand to lead the walk, encourage participation and provide support along the way. Bring a water bottle, wear a hat and slap on some sunscreen. Meet at the BBQ, near the sails at 1.05pm. Free fruit available back at the Fitness Centre after the walk.

Thursday Walk - join other staff near the BBQ under the sails for a lunchtime walk. Meet at 1.05pm and return to the campus at 1.50pm.

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Monash Sport news and offers

Monash University Alpine Lodge, Mt Buller

Great location, great prices, great atmosphere!

Monash University Alpine Lodge - Bookings now open for the 2009 Winter Season.

Stay this winter at the Monash University Alpine Lodge in a great location, close to the village and lifts.  Offering comfortable and affordable accommodation, the 44 bed lodge is a great place for your Snow sports experience this winter.

Book online at: http://sport.monash.edu.au/alpine-lodge.html

Aviva Tennis Hot Shots

Great after school program for 5 to 12 year olds to learn the basics of tennis, improve their skills and be active.

For more information, please contact Belinda Pelle on 9905 4102, belinda.pelle@sport.monash.edu.au or visit www.sport.monash.edu/tennis-hot-shots.html

Gift vouchers are now available at Monash Sport!

Give your friend, family member or colleague a healthy start with a Monash Sport gift voucher.

Gift vouchers can be purchased for personal training, memberships, 10 hour court hire passes, multiple session passes for gym/group fitness plus more.

This is a great way to reward and recognise staff for their excellent performance.

Contact a Monash Sport Service Desk for further information:

Caulfield – 9903 2358
Clayton – 9905 4102
Peninsula – 9904 4496

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TeamMONASH™ events

Monash Games -Thursday 16 to Friday 17 July

The Monash Games is an opportunity for staff and students across all Victorian campuses of the University to play modified sports in a fun and friendly environment over two days.

The Monash Games is now in its third year and offers a number of different sports and activities with an emphasis on getting involved and ‘having a go’. Staff of all demographics and skill levels are encouraged to take part from beginners to those that are advanced. Sports include 6 a side soccer, mixed netball, basketball, indoor cricket, volleyball and dodgeball.

Monash Games present a great chance to represent your faculty/department, meet new people and become involved in university life. There will be staff v staff challenges, and you can challenge another faculty or department to a match. Get involved or come down and watch some of the games!

Check out the Monash Sport website for video footage and photos or previous years, and email your home campus to register your interest in participating.

www.sport.monash.edu/monashgames

Around the Bay in a Day registrations now open!

Last year TeamMONASH^TM won the award for being the largest community team, with 430 riders and highest Education fund raiser. This year we are back aiming for 500 participants to defend our titles!  Come and join us!

Rides distances cater for people of all fitness and skill levels, with shorter distances suitable for those of you that don’t normally ride. With a little training and the fantastic TeamMONASH^TM support you too can be part of this great day.

Of course Around the Bay in a Day is not just about riding; the event aims to raise awareness and funding for the Smith Family – Learning for Life program, assisting approximately 680,000 disadvantaged kids living in Australia stay in the education system. Even if you don’t ride show your support for the cause by sponsoring the team or an individual TeamMONASH^TM rider

If you have participated previously you may consider stepping up to a longer distance or perhaps think about a shorter ride and enjoying the atmosphere of TeamMONASH^TM on the day. Alternatively consider giving something back and join us as a TeamMONASH^TM volunteer to support the event. For further information and to register please visit www.sport.monash.edu/events

One thing is for sure this will be another great TeamMONASH^TM event!

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Discounts for staff

Wellbeing at Monash has sourced great discounts including;

- HBA health insurance
- Holidays – flights and accommodation
- Dell computers
- Magazine subscriptions
- Lite n Easy
- Virgin Blue Lounge & Qantas Club
- Physiotherapy
- Hot Air Ballooning

Read more info about the discounts here

Mother's Day gift ideas

Monash staff can now get a 10% discount on magazine subscriptions including Australian Women’s Weekly, Australian Geographic, Good Health & Medicine, Money and much more.  Read more info here

Ready to book a holiday?

If you're looking at going on a holiday, Global Destination Management offers Monash staff a variety of discounts off services for personal use including:

- 5% off GDM holiday package rates
- Access to the online booking system
- 15% off travel insurance
- The best competitive fare of the day

Current holiday specials include Fiji, Canada, Bali, Bangkok and Europe.  View detailed information here

Dell discount offer for staff

Monash staff can now receive great discounts when purchasing Dell computers and peripherals for personal use. Discounts include:

3% discount on Dell Vostro desktops and laptops
5% discount on inspiron
8% discount on studio & XPS
10% off dell monitors, printers & projectors

For more information download the flyer here.  You must use your Monash University email address and online coupon code when ordering to verify your eligibility.

Tired of health insurance price rises?

As an employee of Monash University, you can now get discounted health insurance at HBA. The offer includes;

• up to 6% discount on your premiums*
• 2 weeks free cover
• no gap dental for kids
• a single room or money back.

For detailed information about the special offer visit theMonash HBA webpage info here.  *Payment must be made by payroll deduction.

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Healthy living info and news

Quick and easy lentil and tomato soup

Low fat
Low saturated fat
Low sugar
Source of fibre
Wheat-free
Dairy-free

• 1 onion, cut into thin half-moons
• 2 large carrots, finely sliced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Middle Eastern spice blend
• 3x 400g tins lentils, drained
• 2 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• Juice of a lemon
• Sea salt and pepper

Place a large, heavy based saucepan on a medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When heated, add the onion, carrot and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, turn down the heat and cover.

Continue cooking, stirring a couple of times, for 4 minutes.

Take off the lid and add the spice mix, stirring through for 30 seconds to coat all the vegetables. Turn the heat up to high, add the lentils, tomatoes and 800ml of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 4 minutes.

Healthy males needed for walking study

We are currently seeking male volunteers between the ages of 49 and 75 to take part in a study of normal walking characteristics. Our aim is to develop a database of the normal walking patterns of adults in Victoria. In collaboration with the Centre for Clinical Excellence in Gait Analysis and Gait Rehabilitation, this information will also be used to create a worldwide database of normal walking. The reason we need this information is to help us understand how disease and disability change the way people walk.

For further information click here