Holmcsglen Institute of T AFE - Staff Nciuslctter August 1996

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CLAYTON HOMELESS

YOUTH PROJECT Holmesglen, in partnership with the Child and Family Care

Network and Rotary, has been building a house for homeless youth in Clayton. Apprentices from just about every trade have been involved. Their work has received compliments for the manner in which it has been conducted and all can be proud of their achievements to date. Staff who have been overseeing the project are also to be congratulated on a job well done. The house is due to be finished in a couple of months time. The photographs show progress to date.

International connections

Food for thought

Gold medal performance Industry launches

Farewell, farewell

A dramatic finale

Look out world, here they come

Holmesglen Fitness Centre Next stop: the 2004 Olympics

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An olympian's view

Christmas in July 1996 children's Christmas party

Opening the window to success Tourism teachers conference

Perseverence Pays On exhibition

Minutes

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international NECTIONS

A second Malaysian Construction Academy delegation visited Holmesglen at the end of July. Members of the delegation included Dato Raja Ariffin Raja Sulaiman, Deputy Minister, Prime Minister's Department; Datuk Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar, Executive Chairman, MKN Holdings; Dato Abdul Rahman Abdullah, Chief Executive, CIDB; Tan Sri Wan Abdul Rahman, Chairman, CIDB and Chairman of Building Academy Consortium; Dato Yaacob Hamid, President, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan and Board Member of CIDB; Mr Goh Chye Keat, Group Managing Director, IJM; Mrs Rahimah Dato Hj Ahmad, Director, Implementation and Coordination Unit, Prime Minister's Department; Dato Hj Idris Denan, Director, Pikat Adabi Sdn, Bhd; Hj Hamid Edmett, Chief Operating Officer, MK Furniture; Mohamed Nasir Sulaiman, Personal Assistant, MKN Holdings; Mr Chew Lye Teng, Director, Malaysian Timber Industry Board; Mr Mohd Fauzi Hj Omar, Chief Operating Officer, CELCOM; Mr Md Yunus Iskandar, Project Manager, PNSB; Dr Bruno Sorrentino, Orbit Telecommunications Sdn Bhd.

Ken Barnes with Ken Griska

Mr Ken Barnes, Assistant Academic Dean, Business and Public Service, Erie Community College, Buffalo, USA, recently spent some time visiting the Chadstone campus to view our facilities and discuss the many programs on off er.

Through the Australian Institute of International Understanding, Holmesglen played host to a tour of 20 female Japanese students. All aged between 19 and 22, the students attend Fukuoka University of Education and are studying to become primary/

elementary teachers. Fukuoka is situated on the southern island of Japan and the students' major is generally Music/ Pedagogy and English.

Holmesglen News

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The statement, 'Where East meets

West', conjures up all sorts of exotic and exciting images and, in the case of the Chinois restaurant, expectations of a range of culinary delights. Renowned for its blending of cuisines, including French, Chinese and Japanese, the South Yarra restaurant is an interesting and rewarding place to work ... according to apprentice chefs Rebecca Loughran and Damien Li.

Doncaster resident, Damien, said that as it is always busy he constantly feels a great sense of achievement. For Rebecca, who lives in Vermont, it is the variety of dishes on the menu that she finds intriguing, ' ... there is always something new and different, and the restaurant is always changing menus, introducing new food and special dishes'. Not yet involved in inventing ways to tempt the palate, Damien and Rebecca do have the opportunity to act as tasters. Being the first to try something new has been great, ' ... except for Slippery Jack mushrooms which are slimy/slippery in texture, I was not impressed' commented Rebecca.

Now in the second year of their apprenticeship, both Rebecca and Damien say that Holmesglen's Certificate in Occupational Studies ... Hospitality, was a great start for them. Rebecca was so impressed by the course, she turned down an off er to do nursing and even talked Damien into deferring his Science course at LaTrobe. Not only did they find the course really enjoyable, but both spoke very highly of the program co--ordinator at Waverley, Kate O'Beirne. According to Damien, Kate was very strict with her hygiene standards, which was a good foundation for the discipline needed in the industry. Consistency in preparation, cooking and presentation was also impressed upon Rebecca and Damien

August 1996

(thank you Kate!). It was while doing work experience during the course that both were offered apprenticeships with Chino is.

In future, Rebecca would like to try her hand at making pastries and then undertake further training. She intends learning skills that will allow her to be something other than a chef and believes business management is the way to go. This will enable her to manage a large hotel or one of its departments.

Damien would like to own his own small cafe or restaurant, 'like the ones in Brunswick Street', in ten to fifteen years

time, when he will sit back and let others do the work. In the meantime, he may go back to work in a large hotel. His career in hospitality started as a 'prep. hand' in a banquet room where he was one of a team who had to feed one thousand people at a Brownlow Medal presentation. Everyone had to be served within 15 minutes, a real challenge.

Damien and Rebecca will both be twenty--one in November, their birthdays are only a week apart. They say the hard work is well worth the effort and, for them, the future is looking excellent.

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GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCE

In the true Olympic spirit, Holmesglen recently received a "Gold Medal" rating in the area of Risk Management.

In March 199 5, the Victorian Government developed the Managed Insurance Fund (MIF) to provide government funded institutions, such as Holmesglen, with coordinated risk management services.

The fund aims to provide a consistent approach to identifying and managing risks, and to develop a self-funding mechanism within the Government to help reduce insurance premiums.

A ratings framework was devised by the MIF, on a four point scale, and includes Gold, Silver, Bronze and White medals. The conferring of the Gold Medal indicates Holmesglen has minimised risk and/or practices excellent risk management.

Three major benefits are associated with the Fund: One, it provides a simple framework for identification of risk and development of a risk management strategy; two, the risk rating identifies areas which may need improving; and three, improving the quality of risk management decreases the costs of MIF contributions.

Common risks which are covered under the policy include property loss and damage, product and public liability, professional indemnity, directors' liability and personal accident liability. Other insurance requirements can be arranged according to the needs of the Institute.

INDUSTRY LAUNCHES Holmesglen has two industry launches taking place during the coming weeks. Both

d . B · 1d · 3 on Batesford Road. .1, events are to be hel m u1 mg h l h of the Timber Promotion Counc1 s The first, on Friday 23 August, sees t . e aun7c 00

. Ti b F Construction at . pm . . Mult--Residennal im er rame b h BHP Steel House Framing course is to

A fortnight later, on Friday 6 Septem er, t e

being launched, also at 7 .OOpm. l f their respective industries. Watch this Both of these events will attract peop e rom

.c • I space for further in1ormanon.

Holmesglen News

Steve Scott, who has held the position of Property Services Manager since early last year, has decided it is time to move on to a new position in

charge of engineering at Epworth Hospital. This will not be a major change for Steve

as he started his professional career in a hospital.

Staff from all areas gathered to farewell Steve and Karen Owen recanted stories of her introduction to Holmesglen's air conditioning and other plant equipment, including dirty black ducts, valves, headers, boilers etc and how, thanks to Steve, she now cherishes it all. Karen then presented Steve with a symbolic parting gift which left him 'speechless'. Steve did manage to say thanks to all staff and that his negotiation skills have improved immensely, thanks to Keith Berryman.

NB: Apparently the Holmesglen Bandits (our intrepid team of golfers) are going to greatly miss Steve's prowess on the greens. Any thoughts? A clue may be that Steve was given a box of 15 golf balls as an added parting gift, and commented that they would last him for a day.

August 1996

Diana Finlay, of Training and Development Services (TDS), said goodbye to Holmesglen on Friday 2 August after 7 years with the Institute. Diana started her employment with the Institute in the Occupational Health & Safety Unit (then known as OH&S and Training, Research and Development) when the department was situated in Building 4 and consisted of only eight members.

When it was decided to divide the unit into two, Diana moved to Training Research and Development (now Training and Development Services) where she has seen the unit grow from the original eight

staff members to approximately thirty in TDS alone. Within TDS, Diana progressed from two days a week part time, as a word processor, to full time as Leonie Millar's secretary. Diana left the department as secretary to the Development Officer, where she handled all staff development for the Institute, as well as undertaking the role of Administrative Officer for the unit.

As a result of her experience, TDS staff saw Diana as a valued member who knew all the ins and outs of the unit. Diana's colleagues within TDS are already missing her presence and, along with everyone at Holmesglen, wish her well in her future ventures.

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A DRAMATIC FINALE

LEAP Theatre Project participants, Damien, Melissa, Robert, Natasha, Anton, Rod, Riannon and Sarah, showed what you can really do if you try. Their graduation showcased the transformation of a bare and unwelcoming hall into a trendy space for young people. The space, or as it is to be known 'The Brick', is on the corner of Fraser and North Roads, Ormond. It will now be used for a number of activities including bands, drama, workshops or just getting together .. there will be something happening all the time.

The project, coordinated by Holmesglen and run jointly with the City of Glen Eira, and Bayside Employment and Skills Training, with support from the Oakleigh CES, ran over 'a magic six months', according to coordinator Donna Gabriel. Michael Keaney, who oversaw the project for Holmesglen, was delighted with the commitment of the participants and the fact that this particular group of young people completed so well what they set out to do earlier in the year. Congratulations are in order for all involved.

Holmesglen News

LOOK OUT WORLD HERE THEY COME

July saw the official launch of Holmesglen's Family and Children's Services Education Unit (FCSEU).

Guest Speaker Dr Harry McGurk, Director of the Institute of Family Studies, said he was impressed by the FCSEU's focus on early childhood care, the educational programs on offer, and more importantly, the quality of these programs. He believes there is an increasing demand for such services, particularly with the number of working mothers, and emphasised that care and education go hand in hand in the early years.

The FCSEU conducts programs for people working in the industry, parents and teachers, as well as prospective private proprieters of child care centres. Staff are delighted with the. community response to their programs. From humble beginnings six months ago, the word of mouth is already spreading and program bookings are filling rapidly.

Holmesglen's Chadstone campus was originally built as an armaments factory but as Dr McGurk said, "From a place where weapons of destruction were meant to be built, it is lovely that we now focus on the success of the future."

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HOLMESGLEN FITNESS CENTRE

Holmesglen's Fitness Centre is just one of many services available to Holmesglen staff members. However, it seems to be a service many staff members know very little about. A new, and highly satisfied, member wrote to let us know how it works.

'My main motivation for joining the gym was its low membership prices. Considering a large discount is given to staff members who join, it is surprising that more staff do not belong. The Centre is open to students and outside visitors, as well as staff, with students and staff receiving discounts. Memberships range from $55 (3 months), $90 ( 6 months) to $140 (12 months) for staff, a large discount when compared to $80 (3 months), $140 (6 months), and $240 (12 months) for community members, and a great advantage in joining the gym over other fitness centres.

Memberships must be taken up to attend the gym, as casual visits are not available. However, this can be seen as an advantage ... there is no longer the excuse that you can't afford it on the day and it provides a motivation to keep attending, to get the most for your money.

A gym membership also includes the option of having a fitness assessment and a program tailored to your needs. It might be a bit embarrassing, but the assessment provides a safe and reliable way of establishing the areas that need to be worked on ... eg cardiovascular fitness, leg work, arm work etc, and it is done privately with instructors who make you feel at ease. The staff also take you through the devised program to show you how to use the equipment properly ... this is great for first timers for whom the equipment can seem rather daunting.

Overall, the gym is quite casual, lacking the pretentiousness sometimes associated with such places. However, for those members who are more interested in group activities, the Centre also offers aerobics. Student Services organise this activity and supply the tickets which must be bought before attending the classes. A staff discount is also available, costing five dollars a session (compared to six dollars for community members). Some classes commence at 5 .30pm so staff members have a chance to exercise after work.

So start your new year's resolutions early and join the gym or at least give aerobics a go. Who knows, you might even enjoy it!'

Liz Berg (Library) and Jacquie Bright (CAS) have a common bond in their sons Daniel and Adam, both 11 years old. The boys are currently in Tokyo to represent Australia at the International Boys Baseball Association World Tournament for under 12 year olds.

After a rigorous selection process, twenty eight boys were selected, from hundreds of hopefuls, to play in a tournament held at Altona Stadium in April and were hosts to three visiting Japanese teams from Tokyo and Osaka.

Daniel on the left, Adam on the right

Holmesglen News

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY Northern hemisphere eat your heart out. Holmesglen staff have just had a great

Christmas celebration in the middle of the year, cold weather and all. Comments of guests at Holmesglen's inaugural yuletide dinner dance varied from 'had a very good time' to 'excellent'.

Holmesglen staff and their partners were joined by Ken Barnes, a visitor from the USA, and all were welcomed by Peter Harbour, on behalf of the social club. Master of Ceremonies, Tim Hogan, did a great job in keeping the night jolly and also introduced Santa, who it is said, looked vaguely like another member of the Glass and Glazing staff.

Finance and Glass and Glazing staff sold raffle tickets and there were also several door prizes. Some of the lucky winners were Janine Marion, a bottle of wine, Richard Reynolds, a basket of wine and Liz Sujica, a weekend at Lorne (including dinner).

Dancing was the order of the night, apparently dominated by 'Ginger' Cleveland and her partner (Fred?), and some couples even showed Patrick Swayze how it's done. The variety of music played by the band 'Jam' meant there was something for everyone. In fact Chris J ansz ( 1564) has the band's 'phone number if you have a function pending.

According to guests, the organisers did a great job, although Susan O'Brien and Shirley Borlase could not be there on the night. Thank you to all organisers, as well as everyone from across the Institute who attended, who made it a night to remember. If you missed out this year, make sure you get in early next time, you really will 'have a ball'.

1996 CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

With less than four months until Christmas, details of the annual Christmas Party are already being circulated. The party is to be held on

the main lawn area outside Buildings 1 and 7, on Sunday 8 December, 1996 Activities on the day will include: a Crazy Castle, Mini Golf, a Merry..-Go ...

Round, BBQ lunch and presents for children in Grade 6 and under. Volunteers are also required to help organise the activities. If you would like to assist, or can picture yourself as a clown (even Santa Claus!) don't forget to fill out the

form distributed with your pay slips. Please include details of those attending on the day, and return to Trudi Cull is in Finance by Saturday 31 August. If you have any queries Trudi can be contacted on 1526.

Make sure you get those forms in early so you don't miss out.

Holmesglen News

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OPENING THE WINDOW TO SUCCESS

The Glass and Glazing Department held an awards and trade evening in Building 3 on the night of Friday 2 August. The event presented an opportunity for Holmesglen to acknowledge the excellence achieved by apprentices over the 1994/95 period, and to thank employers and sponsors who supply the Department with valuable resources. The Master of Ceremonies for the night, Tim Hogan, thanked several companies such as Pilkington and DMS Glass, who between them, contribute around $85,000 worth of materials annually.

Dignitaries included Leonie Millar ,who officially welcomed everyone on behalf of the Director, the guest speaker, Collingwood football legend Peter Daicos, and Don Blanksby, Secretary of the Victorian Glass Merchants Association.

An insightful and motivating Peter Daicos admitted openly that he knew very little about the glass industry, but said he did smash quite a few windows as a lad. However, he was able to relate his experiences as a young footballer to that of the apprentices receiving awards. Peter admitted that football is only a short term career and that

TOURISM TEACHERS

CONFERENCE A Tourism Teachers Conference was held

at Holmesglen's Conference Centre on Tuesday 23 July, 1996. Thirty teachers from eleven Victorian TAFE Institutes attended the Conference. While the aim of the Conference was to discuss the new tourism curriculum, it

Holmesglen News

through focusing on objectives and over--coming hurdles, apprentices were setting themselves up for life. At the end of the speech, Tim thanked Peter and reiterated some wise words regarding experience, "You can't buy it and you can't give it away."

In his address to the audience, Don Blanksby said he believed very strongly in the apprenticeship system, which is an integral part of a competitive industry, and investing in good people: Don said he has viewed trade training around the world and said that the TAFE apprenticeship systems are excellent. Congratulations must go to the top apprentice overall for 1994, Scott Ablett and employer DMS Glass; and for 1995, Damon Symes and employer Benalla Glass.

According to the "Cultural Attache" of Building three, Ralph Weatherell, award nights held in individual workshops are becoming a rarity and he believes that this format is the most relaxed and friendly. (Unfortunately, Ralph's dog Snapper was unable to attend.) Before official proceedings got underway, guests were entertained by a magician and a string quartet, which certainly complemented the rustic charm of the workshop surrounds. Beer and champagne flowed freely, much to the delight of guests and staff members alike.

Apart from Tim Hogan, other staff members of the Glass & Glazing Department in attendance were Alan Reidy, Kevin Reid, Kevin Walsh, Rob Mott, Paul Jackson, Alan Cowburn, Ken Wharton, Andrew Kemp and Jim Shankie. Congratulations to everyone for organising such a memorable evening.

also provided a networking session for the various teachers.

Second year students from the Diploma of Tourism coordinated the event as part of the "Meeting & Conference" module in their course. The students were responsible for organising the venue, guest speakers, catering, decorating, and publicising the event. The task also required the students to keep to a set budget.

Supervising teacher, Sue Brown, said that the Conference was seen as a great success, and that the students were complimented and thanked by all who attended.

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PERSEVERANCE PAYS

Leo called me one afternoon after school a couple of years ago to ask about alternatives to academic secondary schooling. I told him the options, recommending the TTOP, as he said he wanted a trade but didn't know which one. At the end of the year he came in and sat the pre--selection test with all the other TTOP hopefuls. Leo had only completed Year 9 and was regarded as too young for the program. He was advised to go back and improve his maths skills while completing Year 10. He and his parents were disappointed, but took the advice. After completing Year 10, back Leo came to try again. This time he was successful, and his parents were very pleased and proud as they enrolled him for the TTOP. After a year of hard work (English is not Leo's first language), he completed the program.

Last month, I heard from Leo again. He called to tell me he wanted to enrol as an apprentice in Plumbing & Gasfitting. He has found a young plumber to take him on as an apprentice and who is taking care to teach Leo all aspects of the trade, including client contact, quoting for work and bookkeeping. You might think that Leo is lucky, but one of the 'thoughts for the day' on my desk calendar puts it like this, "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity". My own view is "Perseverance Pays". I think Leo would agree.

Holmesglen has so many success stories like Leo's. "Why not share some of yours?

Joy Lee (Plumbing & Construction Finishing)

ON EXHIBITION Holmesglen recently participated in both the New Product Parade and lnterbuild at the Melbourne

Exhibition Centre. The Furnishing Industry Training Centre (FITC) had a stand at the New Product Parade and apprentices helped build a steel frame house for BHP's stand at lnterbuild. The steel frame house is in fact going to be displayed in Building 3 for all to see at the Trades Expo on 24 August.

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BUILDING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING 5/96

HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 1996 AT 4.00 PM

August 1996

MINUTES

MASTER PLANNING - WAVERLEY CAMPUS

The Deputy Director (Planning & Operations) reported on recent developments with the City of Monash and the Urban Land Authority regarding Master Planning at the Waverley Campus. The Committee noted that OTFE officers were preparing a brief for their Minister.

The Committee agreed to ratify the strategy proposed by the Urban Land Authority in accordance with their quotation regarding a number of preparatory survey works on the Waverley Campus.

MASTER PLANNING - CHADSTONE CAMPUS

Tenders will be called for site works associated with Building 1 extensions in Mid July.

HOLMESGLEN GOVERNANCE MANUAL

The Committee has supported the recommendation for a new Institute Rule for the Management of Works GM.046A and forwarded it to Council for approval.

FITC PROJECT STATUS REPORT

Since the last report, louvres on Level 3 roof spine have been lined to prevent water and dust from entering workshop and laminate problems have been rectified by Centre.

Progress on other issues: (a) Commissioning results for sawdust extraction and update of manuals and

drawings outstanding. DPD endeavouring to source information. (b) Fuse. holder replacement has started and should be completed within 5

days. ( c) Acoustic treatment on hold due to costs associated with resolving the

extraction issue in the Polishing Workshop (cl) Hopper clearing devices: submission received from another contractor and

DPD to advise on action to be taken. ( e) Roof leaks: Holmes glen to investigate and resolve problems. (f) Contractors have submitted quote to replace damaged pipe in basement.

Second quote to be submitted by Holmesglen Plumbing Department. (g) Enhanced extraction system in Polishing Shop scheduled for completion

early August.

Other Projects and their Status

(a) Conference Centre B7 Landscaping has commenced (b) Computer Network upgrade in progress ( c) Springvale Property~ Warwick Avenue: Vendor unable to provide letter of

guarantee of sale. Decision to be made regarding viability of proceeding further. (d) Arch/Drafting Rooms Building 3: work underway by Rahan Constructions ( e) Counsellor Office: Transportable scheduled for refurbishment over Semester

2 break.

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• In BRIEF

Next Issue Deadline: 1 September, 1996

Contact the Editor: Gael Andrews, Ext. 1519

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It's a girl! Kerry Campbell and her husband, Gary, are proud to announce

the safe and happy arrival of Taylah Nicole. Taylah was a healthy 9lb at birth. Congratulations to all.

Comin·g events Wednesday 21 August to Friday 23 August inclusive, promotional

display at Chadstone Shopping Centre Saturday 24 August, 9am to 3pm , Information Day in the

Conference Centre, and Trades Expo and Family Day in Building 3, Chadstone

Tuesday 3 September , Floor Finishing and Covering Awards Friday 13 September, Waverley Awards

·Getting all dressed up Windcheaters (two styles) and t,shirts with the Holmesglen logo

embroidered on them, are now available for sale to students through the Bookshop. Two plastic pens with Holmesglen's name and logo on them are also available.

All promotional items, including the above, can be purchased by HOCs and HODs through Purchasing, using an internal requisition form. A reminder that navy folding umbrellas, with the white HIT logo on them, and a slim line black and gold pen, may be purchased as well, together with other items previously in stock.

All Fenced In The cyclone fence along Batesford Road, in front of Building 1,

heralds the commencement of building works as previously reported. We apologise for any inconvenience but believe the end result will be well worth it.

Holmesglen News