Issue 24 - 19 July 2000

Graduation day for work-based learners

A recent awards ceremony for 34 general staff marked the completion of work-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate courses at Monash by staff on several campuses.

The Certificate IV in Business (Administration) and the Certificate III in Business (Office Administration) were delivered by Career Brokers and Trainers, a registered VET provider.

The courses were initially developed for the Monash Indigenous Employment and Career Development Program before being extended to the broader general staff group.

In 1999, Career Brokers and Trainers assisted the Monash Staff Development Unit to obtain funding from the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs to offer the level IV program free of charge to eligible staff.

The staff who took up the opportunity were all women, and typically had extensive work experience but no formal qualifications.

Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Alan Lindsay officially launched the program in April last year.

At the awards ceremony, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson congratulated the staff who had completed their certificates over the past 12 months, and acknowledged their valuable contributions to Monash.

"Even global universities are local in their activities," he said.

"We need the best plans but we also need the best staff. We are very grateful for what you have done for Monash, and for how your supervisors, mentors and friends have supported your studies."

Of the 30 staff who commenced the certificate, two left the university during the year and the other 28 completed the program. Participant Ms Leah Weston said the course had direct relevance to her work at Monash.

"For example, I was asked recently to do a furnishings proposal for the new campus in South Africa and found the framework I learned in the course very useful," she said.

On behalf of the group, she thanked trainer Ms Una O'Reilly for her very positive encouragement during the year.

Representing the Federal Government and the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, Ms Mary Boek said the Monash certificate programs were outstanding for skills development.

"They are practical programs which have the added benefit of training indigenous and non-indigenous staff together," she said.

This year, 18 staff who completed certificates have gone on to work-based diplomas in business studies.

The program, led by Mr Michael Coll, is free of charge to staff and is the result of a partnership arrangement between Monash, Career Brokers and Trainers and the Victorian Office of Training and Further Education.

Professor Alan Lindsay (left) and Ms Mary Boek congratulate Mr Grant Drage on receiving a Certificate Level III at the recent awards ceremony.

Banksia exhibition marks historic achievement Monash chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis celebrated the artistic triumph of Celia Rosser at the launch of The Banksias Volume III. A love of banksias spanning 25 years has led to a remarkable achievement by botanical artist Celia Rosser. Starting in the early 70s, Dr Rosser has painted every known species of banksia, with her collection of 76 paintings published as a three-volume monographic work over the past three decades. The Banksias Volume III, launched on 7 July, contains 28 plates. Volume I, published in 1981, was followed by Volume II in 1988, both with 24 plates. Celia Rosser was appointed university botanical artist in 1974 and since then has collaborated with well-known 'banksia man' Alex George, author of more than 50 botanical papers and books. The combination of Celia Rosser's paintings with Alex George's text, which displays his unrivalled knowledge of banksias, has created an outstanding artistic and scientific record of the entire banksia genus. Published by Monash in association with Nokomis Publications, The Banksias is a high-quality reproduction of the complex colour washes created by Celia Rosser in her paintings. Launching Volume III of The Banksias, former vice-chancellor of Monash Professor Ray Martin AO said the university had played an important role in the project by providing an environment in which the 25-year venture could flourish. "It's a triumph for the artist, the author and the university," he said. Introducing Dr Rosser to guests at the launch, chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis said he had been delighted to speak about her achievements at the conferring of an honorary doctorate by Monash in April. "Her outstanding achievement has rightly brought her recognition as one of the great botanical artists, not only of Australia in the 20th century, but of any age and country," he said. The 28 original watercolours that make up Volume III of The Banksias are now on show at the Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. The exhibition runs until 6 August and is open daily from 10.30 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

Face to face with Taiwan

University Gallery assistant director Sara Kelly shows off one of the artworks sent over from Taiwan. Face to Face: Contemporary Art from Taiwan is an exhibition now on at the Monash University Gallery on Clayton campus. The exhibition features 30 mixed-media works by eight contemporary Taiwan artists from the 30-something generation who are facing the effects of their country's rapid economic modernisation, and its impact on the environment and on local practices and beliefs. The display comes to Monash after appearing at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery, which arranged for the works to come to Australia in partnership with the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. The exhibition runs until 22 July, and entry is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 2 pm to 5 pm. For further information, contact Ms Sara Kelly on extn 54217.

Bone marrow donors wanted

Staff and students planning to donate blood will be asked to consider registering as bone marrow donors when the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank visits Clayton campus this week.

Fourth-year Monash medicine student Mr Damien Polioudakis, who is assisting in the bone marrow drive, said registration as a bone marrow donor was a simple procedure.

Potential donors would be asked to provide only a small blood sample.

The Mobile Blood Bank Unit will be at Engineering Hall EH 4/60 from 19 July to 21 July between 9.30 am and 4 pm.

Nurses from the bone marrow registry will be in attendance only on 19 July.

For further information about the bone marrow registry, telephone 9694 0290.

United States scholarships on offer

Information about the 2001 Fulbright Awards for study, research and lecturing in the United States is now available on the web.

The awards are available for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows (up to $40,000), senior scholars (up to $30,000) and professional awards (up to $20,000).

The closing date for applications is 31 August.

More information can be found at http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/education/fulbright/

	Contact Monash Memo	Return to Monash University Publications
Copyright © Monash University - All rights reserved - Disclaimer		Maintained by webmaster@adm