Gazette The
Monthly Newsletter October 2013 Volume 4, No 8
Historic site a celebration of culture For two groups of Great Southern Institute of Technology Noongar students, work on a historic Aboriginal site has honed their vocational skills and brought personal rewards. The students’ work was acknowledged by Education Minister Peter Collier at the recent opening of Yorrl Park in Lower King, a site of significance to local Noongar people. Noongar students of Conservation and Land Management and Horticulture at GSIT had helped to transform the park by installing bollards and aggregate pathways, spraying weeds and revegetating areas around the freshwater lake. Plants were donated by the institute’s horticulture section and the students have carried out ongoing work to control weeds and establish vegetation. The project, instigated by the Albany Heritage Reference Group, has developed the site into an idyll of natural beauty which celebrates the Noongar people’s culture and traditions. Archaelogical excavation proved that Aboriginal
Great Southern Institute of Technology student Jason Miniter enjoys the tranquil setting of Yorrl Park in Lower King. people lived in the area at least 12,500 years ago, so the park is a significant part of local history. For GSIT student Jason Miniter, working on the project was a memorable
and rewarding experience and a celebration of local Noongar culture which has become even more poignant now he is enjoying the park with his own family. Continued on page 2
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Kadadjiny Noongar Moort
Historic site a celebration of culture From page 1 He said he could appreciate his ancestors’ attraction to the area, which had been a water hole with a campsite dotted along the sheltered parts. “Today, the park is a sharing place again, just as it was in old times,” Jason said. “It brings communities together, it allows young people to connect with the environment and learn from both a Noongar and a scientific perspective,” he added. “It reinforces the connection to country when we’re teaching youngsters.” Jason recalled the contribution from
Aboriginal people from outside the area. “Young people from other regions of WA, who were in Albany with the Clontarf Academy, helped with the work,” he said. “It was a cross-cultural experience and sharing, and they learnt about Noongar history,” he said. The park, located on Cumberland Road at Lower King, features a series of signs depicting the Aboriginal people’s connection to the land, with artwork by local Noongar primary school students. For information on Aboriginal Programs at Great Southern Institute of Technology, phone 9892 8888.
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Visit the GSIT bookshop first!
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Block release to tackle training While most apprentices studying through Great Southern Institute of Technology attend the campus one day a week, those in outlying rural areas of the region can find travelling takes up a large proportion of their day. For these apprentices, a block release can be arranged, allowing them to train in the workplace continuously for several weeks, then stay in Albany to attend the campus daily for a two-week stretch. This arrangement, which demonstrates the institute’s flexibility, is appreciated by students such as Dean Pocock, who lives and works in Jerramungup. Dean, a final-year apprentice taking Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade [Heavy]), said the block release meant he did not have to spend up to four hours travelling to and from Albany each week. He said he could concentrate on his work for most of the term, then dedicate uninterrupted time to his studies while receiving excellent support from his GSIT lecturers. “I find it more manageable,” Dean said. “I enjoy coming to TAFE and the lecturers are very good, particularly if you’re struggling with anything,” he added. Dean is employed by Harry Vandermaat at HJ Machining and Welding
Jerramungup apprentice Dean Pocock attends Great Southern Institute of Technology every few weeks on a block release. in Jerramungup, which manufactures and repairs industrial and agricultural machinery. Harry said the block release suited his business better than the usual oneday-a-week arrangement. “It works out well for us,” Harry said. “We have Dean here every day during the week, then when he is away at TAFE, we take our holidays,” he said. Harry also appreciates the standard of work Dean produces, and his respectful attitude in the workplace. Projects Dean has worked on include trailer modifications, buckets,
augers, and many types of farm machinery. Dean said he enjoyed the variety of his work with Harry. Manufacturing items from steel and aluminium, he has gained experience in various welding techniques. “The main types I have done so far are TIG, MIG, oxy, and arc welding,” Dean said. Dean’s trips to Albany have not enticed him to further his career in the city, however. “Once I get my trade certificate, I’d like to stay working with Harry,” he said. “It’s a good place to work and there’s a great social life in the country,” he said.
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From the MD’s Desk It’s great to be back on deck after nearly three months away. Thank you to you all for your hard work while I was on leave, and particular thanks to Acting Managing Director Bill Swetman, who took the reins so capably. Judging from the feedback I have received, Bill did a great job leading the institute. He is now taking a well-earned holiday before returning to his position at Polytechnic West.
for the future, and I am sure I am joined in this by your colleagues within the institute and by your professional contacts outside.
Future Skills WA Major events while I was away include the introduction of the much-anticipated entitlement model under the label of Future Skills WA. As a result of this initiative, decisions are still being made about the fees and charges for 2014. When these are published in the Western Australian Government Gazette, we will have a clearer picture of the direction we will take next year. The Executive Management Team will take the opportunity during the two-day planning session in November to debate the outcomes of Future Skills WA.
Capital Works Bad weather delayed completion of the building work on the Skills Development Centre’s industrial training shed on the south side of Anson Road. However, this has now progressed and with the installation of racks and the rigging tower this week, training delivery can proceed. Construction of the Health Science building at the Albany campus is still on schedule.
Voluntary Severance Following the announcement of the voluntary redundancy scheme by the Western Australian Government in June, four staff of the institute have had their applications endorsed. I send my sincere thanks to Sue BennettNg, Tom Savich, Beth Kirkland and Diane Sheehan for their years of service to the institute. As they prepare to leave us within the next few weeks, farewell celebrations will be held in their sections, and everyone is invited to a morning tea for Training Services Director Sue Bennett-Ng on Wednesday 20 November. To the four, you leave with my best wishes
Audit Thank you to the Quality Team led by Sue Bennett-Ng for their work towards planning for the reregistration audit this week. My thanks also go to staff in the portfolios for their thorough preparations, which will smooth the way to our reregistration.
IT The developers of the institute’s new website have indicated it will be launched in the week before the Christmas break. A project to allow remote access to institute systems is also progressing and this should be available within the next few weeks. Denmark Campus The Denmark campus will host a Denmark Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Wednesday 6 November. The institute’s corporate executive and portfolio managers will attend the afterwork meeting, which will allow staff to build networks with members of the Denmark business community. Teaming with the institute for this event are Temptations, which will provide the catering, and The Lakehouse winery. Continued on page 5
Great Southern Gazette
From the MD’s Desk From page 4 Student Support Preparations for VET FEE-HELP are being finalised for next year’s enrolments. This Australian Government initiative will make available loans for students taking a limited number of Certificate IV courses, or a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Scholarships Applications close next Monday, 28 October, for Mick Young Scholarships. These are sponsored by TAFE Directors Australia. Up to 10 scholarships of $300 each will be awarded to financially disadvantaged students enrolled in any full-time course this semester. Students may pick up – and return – application forms at Student Services in L Block at the Albany campus or at the offices of the regional campuses. Forms may also be downloaded from the institute’s website.
5 VET in Schools The culmination of work on the 2014 VET in Schools program by the Communication and The Arts portfolio will be marked by the institute’s signing of agreements with the region’s high schools on 15 November. Representatives from the schools will attend an information morning, which will be followed by an agreement-signing ceremony in George’s Restaurant. PACD Preparations are well under way for our one-day professional development event at Camp Quaranup. We are all looking forward to being entertained and enlightened, under the leadership of Brendon Donaldson. The PACD committee will issue regular updates of progress on the planning for the day. Finally, I wish you all the best as Term 4 gets underway and we approach the sharp end of the year. As we make preparations for the challenges next year, I will keep you informed. Happy reading, Lidia
Safety First With Rick Muller
28 October to 1 November is Safe Work Week Safe Work Week provides an opportunity for us to reflect on practical ways to improve workplace health and safety within our areas. Great Southern Institute of Technology is playing its part to support the week by hosting a training session on forklift safety, an OSH Committee meeting and email safety alerts to all staff throughout the week.
Safe Work Week
This is your opportunity to get involved and share your comments or suggestions for creating a safer workplace, to be tabled and discussed at the next OSH Committee meeting. This will help us ensure our workplace is safer and healthier. Please forward any comments and suggestions to rick.muller@gsit.wa.edu.au.
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Musicians inspired by US festival
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Judging by the crowds at their live performances and strong sales of their two albums, The Outback Gypsies have struck the right chord with local fans of their individual folk-reggae music in the two years since they arrived in Denmark. But now they are garnering a following much further afield. Great Southern Institute of Technology music students Del and Andrea Fisher recently returned from a five-week sojourn to the United States, where they performed The Outback Gypsies, Del and Andrea at four concerts in California, Oregon and Fisher, are back in Denmark after five Washington State. performances in the US. Playing as the headline act at the Kaypacha Healing Festival, the husbandmajor attraction for The Outback Gypsies. and-wife singers, song writers and Living in a camper van while travelling from musicians rapidly expanded their fan base one venue to another with like-minded as well as their repertoire. people was a thrill, Del said. “Every gig was quite different,” he said. “Just being there with Andrea and doing something we love was great – we were the only Aussies on the tour and we really connected with the audience,” he added. Echoing Del’s sentiments, Andrea said the trip had been inspiring. “We came away with a strong sense of clarity and insight into what we are doing and why,” she said. She also explained the couple had broken new ground by co-writing a song with a radio presenter, then appearing on his program. She said radio personality and author Percussionist Christopher Angileri joins James Gilliland, who also hosted the final The Outback Gypsies. concert of the festival at his own ranch, The couple nurtured several music industry wrote the lyrics with encouragement from relationships during their trip, and now they the couple, who then worked on the melody are planning to return next year. and performed the song at the festival. The holistic flavour of the festival was a Continued on page 7
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On stage with Andrea and Del Fisher are Julie Bennett on drums and Ana Rozman and Joy Leen on backup vocals.
The Outback Gypsies perform with Christopher Angileri at ECETI Ranch, Washington State.
Musicians inspired by US festival From page 6 The couple’s friendship with James also helped with sales of their albums, Unconditional Love and Beautiful Soul, which have sold well both at home and in the US, and underlined the value of radio for promoting their music. “When we go next year, we plan to build on our contacts in radio stations in California,” Andrea said. Working on music for
movie soundtracks also appeals, as their song Home has already been used in a documentary about native American Indians in South Dakota. Now happily settled back home in Denmark while planning their next US trip for May, the couple are working on their song writing, promotion and CD sales. “We put three songs on Triple J Unearthed, and
Del and Andrea Fisher with Michael Nisley (left) and Anouk Sophia (right).
within a couple of weeks Strong Man got to number 43,” Andrea said. Andrea summed up the couple’s sentiments about the US trip which helped The Outback Gypsies to develop their talents while taking their music to a much wider audience and broadened their experiences of performance and promotion. “It was amazing, we can’t wait to get back there,” she said.
The Outback Gypsies are joined by a children’s group.
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Keeping abreast of the latest developments and best practice in industry is a primary aim of Great Southern Institute of Technology lecturers and program coordinators. Students enrolling in courses can be confident they are receiving up-todate training to industry standards, and employers can expect a level of competence from those trained on our campuses. All lecturers are encouraged to participate in industry consultation and attend seminars and conferences, and portfolio budgets allow for professional and career development opportunities. The Gazette’s series of articles featuring staff committed to providing cutting-edge training continues this month with the focus on the team in the automotive workshop – Geoff Bishop, Steve Szabo and Paul Taylor.
Lecturers rally in drive for excellence It seems almost every week, a new model of car appears on the Australian market – each with its own specialised service and repair demands. The constantly changing landscape of the automotive industry brings challenges to mechanics, who need to stay abreast of cuttingedge developments and techniques to ensure the safety and confidence of motorists. This up-to-date knowledge is just as important for trainers who skill people for careers in automotive workshops, which is why Great Southern Institute of Technology lecturers Geoff Bishop, Steve Szabo and Paul Taylor regularly attend industry training to boost their own professional development. By constantly expanding their expertise in this swiftly evolving trade, they can impart the latest information to their students. Geoff, whose career started
For Great Southern Institute of Technology Automotive Lecturer Geoff Bishop, keeping up with the latest developments in the motor industry is essential. as an apprentice in the UK, has spent much of his four working decades in the factories and workshops of luxury car manufacturers
such as Jaguar and BMW, achieving the high standards for which those marques are renowned. Continued on page 9
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Drive for excellence From page 8 In addition to wanting to provide the best training for his students, having a keen interest in cars – and what makes them tick – is another reason full-time lecturer Geoff takes every opportunity for professional development. Like Geoff, Steve has more than four decades of automotive industry experience, and Paul is not far behind. Steve explained the team regularly attended industry training sessions, such as those conducted in Albany by parts manufacturer Repco, and others presented by local dealerships. “We need to keep up with what’s going on in the industry, and we like to get to know the people,” Steve said. “If we have a problem, it’s useful to be able to discuss it face-to-face,” he said. “It’s also a good opportunity to network with others, such as the employers of our apprentices, and catch up with former students.” Steve, who has been a lecturer at the institute for 13 years, said the team members were encouraged to attend professional development sessions, and Portfolio Manager Kathy Keay budgeted for staff to travel to presentations such as the recent workshop by German engineering company Bosch in Perth. Running his own business is a real advantage to part-time lecturer Paul, proprietor of Southern Fuel Injection Services in Albany.
Not only are Paul’s wide experience and knowledge essential for the success of his commercial operation, but they also ensure his students gain industry-relevant training in this specialised area. “We can relay back to the students the reallife experience of what we are doing today,” Paul said. Four years ago, the institute’s automotive section moved into a new purposebuilt workshop complete with modern classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, and the latest technology to industry standards. The commitment of the automotive section staff ensures Great Southern Institute of Technology students receive instruction and training of the same high quality.
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Monster move a major operation The recent replacement of the hydraulic press brake in the metal fabrication shop was an orchestrated process which took place during the term break. It started with the removal of the old machinery and the creation of a concrete pad ready for its state-of-the-art
replacement. The old press brake, which has been sold, was cranelifted onto a truck and taken away. The next morning, the new one arrived on site. After it was lifted off the truck and moved to the doorway of the metal fabrication shop, the eight-
tonne beast was placed on ‘skates’ for manoeuvring across the concrete floor and into position. Now staff have received training, the new press brake will be used for cutting, bending and pressing metal for engineering applications.
Above: The old press brake is transported from the Albany campus. Left: The new machinery is lifted from the truck and moved to the nearby metal fabrication shop. Below: Heavy-duty ‘skates’ are positioned at the front for rolling the equipment into the workshop as the crane lifts and pushes the back end.
Great Southern Gazette
Trades technician Raiko Paunic sends signals to the crane driver as the delicate operation of shifting the press brake into the workshop progresses.
Finally in place on its concrete pad, the new press brake is ready for action. The concrete area at the bottom right of the photograph is the site of machinery it replaced.
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Scholarships ease the way to study Financial help with the costs of studying can reduce the stress on students and their families. So applications are expected to come in thick and fast for the 2013 scholarships, which will be presented to successful applicants at a ceremony at the Albany campus on 6 November. Students who are enrolled in any full-time course in Semester 2, 2013 are encouraged to apply. There are two main categories. Mick Young Scholarships, sponsored by TAFE Directors Australia, are for financially disadvantaged students who are also permanent residents of Australia. Up to 10 Mick Young Scholarships of $300 each will be awarded. The Don McLeish Memorial Scholarship awarded by Albany Halfway House Association is for a student studying fulltime for the Certificate IV in Mental Health at Great Southern Institute of Technology
in Semester 2. One scholarship of $600 is available. Manager Student Support Jan Auld urged students to get their applications in. “Anybody studying full time in Semester 2 may apply,” Jan said. “The Mick Young scholarships are available for students based on financial need, not academic achievement,” she said. “Scholarship payments will be used to clear any existing student debt before the balance is paid to the student.” Application forms may be downloaded from the GSIT website. They are also available at L Block reception at the Albany campus, and at the offices of regional campuses. All applications must be handed in at L Block or regional campus offices before 4.30pm on Monday 28 October. For more information on any aspect of scholarship applications, phone Jan Auld on 9892 8746.
Scholarship applications for 2013 are now open MICK YOUNG SCHOLARSHIP FOR FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS The Mick Young scholarships are available for students based on financial need – not academic achievement. Up to 10 $300 scholarships will be available to successful applicants.
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Horticulture student Cohn Weedon and Horticulture Lecturers Leah Goodrem and Jim Vonk prepare for next month’s Albany Show.
Culmination of a year’s cultivation Albany is one of the last places in Australia to enjoy fine spring weather, but the sun always seems to shine on cue just in time for the show. Which is fortuitous for a group of GSIT students as it gives their exhibits a final push towards perfection. In the lush and lively horticulture section at the institute’s Albany campus, students have been nurturing plants for numerous classes in one of the most popular sections of the Albany Show, which will take place on 8 and 9 November. Lecturer Leah Goodrem said the students of Certificate III and Diploma of Horticulture and Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management were looking forward to displaying their finest specimens. She explained all students were required to exhibit in the show as part of their assessment, and the institute was well represented each year.
“Some also act as stewards, and one of our former students is the chief steward for horticulture,” Leah said. She said directly after each year’s show, preparations started for the following year’s event, and as one student cohort left the institute, others would take over their projects. Students nurture their plants and monitor them for pests, diseases and damage, then select their best specimens for the show. “Rain wrecks the roses, so we’ll be placing plastic tunnels over them to protect them in the lead-up to the show,” Leah said. Succulents, cacti, annuals, potted colour, pelargoniums, native species, ferns and vegetables are among the classes students will enter. Leah said she always looked forward to seeing the entries by former students and hoped some current students would bring home a crop of awards.
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Avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism and copyright Recent updates to the Student Code of Conduct have clarified the institute’s position on plagiarism. The Code of Conduct now states:
“In the teaching and learning environment, students are responsible for: • Actively participating in the teaching and learning process • Acknowledging the work of others when submitting assignments by appropriate referencing of source materials • Submitting original work • Engaging in fair practice. Academic misconduct, cheating, plagiarism and breach of copyright are unacceptable.” Copyright For referencing work, a knowledge of the legal use of copyright material is essential. The Library Resource Centre has extensive information on copyright, and staff will provide advice on any copyright issue, investigating complex queries for you if necessary. Library staff conduct information sessions on copyright and referencing, and can customise sessions to staff needs. Good online information is available at the following sites: • Australian Copyright Council: http:// www.copyright.org.au/. • Smartcopying: http://www. smartcopying.edu.au/. Or visit the Library page at the institute’s website, where excellent information on copyright can be accessed at any time: http://gsit.wa.edu.au/ libraryresourcecentre/Pages/Copyright. aspx.
Plagiarism The library also has useful information on avoiding plagiarism at: http:// campusguides.dtwd.wa.gov.au/ greatsouthern_assignmenthelp. As the ability to reference correctly is fundamental to the avoidance of plagiarism, check the APA Referencing tag on this guide. APA is the mandated referencing style for Great Southern Institute of Technology. Again, there is a wealth of information on referencing on this guide as well as a series of tutorials and a plagiarism quiz. Anti-plagiarism software is also available on the internet – and it’s worth remembering that if you can check others’ work for plagiarism, they can check yours! Download this useful Plagiarism Checklist here.
GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRAL IA
Your regional TAFE Plagiarism – Is yo ur work OK? Can you tick all th e boxes – Are you Plagiarism is copying other people’s wor OK? k and not giving them seriously by your
lecturer and the insti credit. This is chea ting and it will be take tute. Plagiarism in grou work equally. Pretendi n very p work is pretending ng like this is also chea that you have all done Great Southern Insti ting. the tute has a Code of Conduct for students work of others whe which explains that n submitting assignm you mus ents The code of conduct t acknowledge the . You can do this by appropriate referenc also says that acad emic misconduct, chea ing of source material unacceptable. s. ting, plagiarism and breach of copyright Referencing properly are is difficult and there are several styles, This is something all each students ever ywhere with its own rules that in the world have to must be followed. use. learn. Your lecturer will tell you which style Before you hand in to any assignment, use this simple che cklist to make sure Par t A - Individual that YOU are OK. work I have not subm itted this work prev iously for any other I have not copi unit or assignment. ed from any other sour ce (for example inter people said). net, books, journals, workbooks, things I have not copi other ed from any other stud ent. The assignment is all my own work My lecturer says it is OK for me to only use my own thoughts The assignment con and ideas for this assi tains information gnment. gained from othe I have used othe r sources r peoples’ words. When I have used other peoples words I have paraphrased When I have copi and ed exactly what som referenced. eone else wrote, I I have used images have used quotation (pic tures or graphics marks and I have refe ) My lecturer wan renced. ts me to include imag es. Images are relev ant to the work. I have checked copyright rules and I know that the imag I have included e is allowed to be used images in the form at advised by my lectu . I have included rer. captions for the imag es if advised to do Before I hand in my so. work: I have a referenc e list that includes all the sources I used I have used the in my work. style of referencing that my lecturer wan I have used in-te ts. xt citation as advised by my lecturer. I can find all the sources in my referenc e list if asked. I have kept all my original notes and my original versions in I have checked case I need them. that the reference list for my final submissio I have checked n has all the sources that there are no old used. things on the referenc e list that I have edite Par t B – Group wo d out for the final draf rk t. We have all wor ked together. We have each taken an even shar e of the work load. No-one did mor e or less than I did for the assignment. Need more help? Check with your lectu rer. Ask for help at the Library Resource Cen tre where they have copyright and anti- plag lots more information iarism software. about referencing, And remember... Doing a good job of referencing and citat ion is tricky and it is Nobody wants to be something we all have called a cheat! to learn. It is also cheating if you cover up for som eone who is not bein g honest.
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Access All Areas with Wendy Macliver
Mobile devices and their apps are a support strategy that can assist in developing foundation skills and increase accessibility for all learners. Love Apptually is a resource designed to assist VET practitioners and learners to select apps for mobile devices that support inclusive VET teaching and learning. Go to: http://www.vetpd.qld.gov.au/ resources/pdf/love-apptually.pdf.
Donations of books and DVDs are needed for the
BIG 2ND-HAND BOOK
$ALE
Apps support learning The resource highlights a number of mobile and tablet apps focusing on those who support the development of foundation skills such as learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy, and learners with disability. You can also catch up on the Love Apptually webinar series at: http:// online.evet.qld.edu.au/course/view. php?id=10.
Please leave your donation of books or DVDs at the bookshop All proceeds go to Cystic Fibrosis research
Sale will be held in Term 4 in the Library/Bookshop foyer
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Women’s group on tour of campus
Margaret Williams, The Environment and Primary Industries Portfolio Manager Neil Binning, Celia Barnesby and Lesley Whittle in the horticulture complex. Members of the Albany Ladies’ Probus Club visited the Albany campus of Great Southern Institute of Technology last month. Corporate Services Director Edward Armstrong accompanied the group on a tour of the campus. About a dozen women viewed the facilities and saw students at work in
trades and primary industries, then finished off their morning with lunch at the café. Organisers Margaret Williams and Celia Barnesby thanked the institute for hosting the session, which had given the members a good overview of the scope of courses delivered and the excellent amenities.
Bright sparks – here’s your chance to shine You may have noticed the yellow suggestions box on the intranet – it’s below your favourite pages. If you have any bright ideas for improving our services to our customers or colleagues, click on the box to send an email. Your idea might be about streamlining a process, reporting
faults, or saving resources. Your email will be forwarded to the appropriate section for the necessary research and consideration. Not all suggestions will be appropriate for action, but you will receive acknowledgement and you will be advised if your idea is adopted.
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HR News With Paula Pattinson
Positions Advertised • Lecturer Environmental Monitoring and Technology – successful applicant was Patrick Gillespie. • EOI Casual Lecturers Transport and Safety – no applicants. • Building Services Officer – successful applicant was Bob Vigar. • Aboriginal Programs Assistant Albany (0.5-1.0 FTE) – applications closed 26 September. • Aboriginal Programs Assistant Katanning (0.2-0.5 FTE) – applications closed 26 September. • Campus Clerical Officer Katanning (0.5 FTE) – applications closed 26 September. Congratulations to those successful in winning positions. New staff A warm welcome is extended to the following new staff: • Julie Quicke, Casual Lecturer Community Services • Daniel Robinson, Casual Lecturer The Environment and Primary Industries Long-term absences and staff movements • Lidia Rozlapa, Managing Director, returned from leave on Monday 14 October.
Do you have a idea for an article in The Gazette?
• Terri Michael, PAO Communication and The Arts returned from leave on Monday 14 October. • Gill Hazel, ASL2 Business, returned from leave on 10 October. • Lisa Hassell, ASL2 Children’s Services, returned from leave on 15 October. • Mel Bishop, ASL2 Training and Assessment, returned from leave on 14 October. • Karen Robinson, ASL1 Nursing, returning from leave on 22 October. • Ray Tuckey, Principal Lecturer Delivery Enhancement, returned from leave on 7 October. Staff exiting • Bill Swetman, Acting Managing Director, ceased on 11 October. • Nicola Henderson, PACD Coordinator, ceased on 7 October. • Amyjo de Jong, Portfolio Support Officer – Communication and The Arts, ceased on 15 October. • Julie Owens, Lecturer Nursing, ceased on 16 October. We bid a fond farewell to those leaving the institute and wish you all the very best. You will all be missed.
Email marketing@gsinstitute.wa.edu.au
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October is all about social and emotional wellbeing. National Mental Health Week, from 6 to13 October, was scheduled to coincide with World Mental Health Day on10 October. The aim of Mental Health Week is to promote social and emotional wellbeing to the community. It encourages us all to take steps to protect and strengthen our mental health, in turn improving the coping capacity of individuals, families and the broader community through increased personal resilience and strong, supportive networks. Each year, one in five Australians experiences a mental health problem and most people will have at least some experience of anxiety or depression, whether personal or through family, friends or work colleagues. Mental Health Week serves as a reminder to everyone to try and engage in activities which foster a sense of social connectedness in order to improve mental health: • Stay physically, socially and cognitively
Focus on mental health
active; this could be as simple as going for a walk, catching up with a friend and doing a crossword or reading a book. • Belong to a sports club or community organisation, or even just attend local events. • Commit to a cause by giving a little more of yourself to the activities you engage in; for example, you may like to volunteer or hold a position of office in a group you are involved with. Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health, and many of the activities we engage in for physical health provide mental health benefits in terms of opportunities to connect with others and make commitments. Having good friends and people to talk to as well as having meaning and purpose in life are fundamental factors for good mental wellbeing, and these are all worth celebrating. For information on anxiety and depression, see http://www.beyondblue.org.au/.
This column courtesy of Great Southern Population Health. For more information, phone 9842 7500 (Albany) or 9821 6287 (Katanning).
GSIT jumps on Dockers’ bandwagon The institute flew the flag for the Dockers on Grand Final weekend, when the GSIT flag was replaced with that of the Fremantle football team. Facilities and Services Manager Neil Augustson organised the temporary replacement, which was whipped up in a flash by our versatile Clothing Production Lecturer Robyn Wills. As the Dockers came second, Neil was quick to remove it early on the next working day.
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Seeds
OF SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability begins at home Making easy, small energy-reduction changes in your home may not only reduce your impact on the environment – it can also improve your comfort and put dollars in your pocket. Here are some simple changes you can make in each room of the house to set you on the road to sustainability. The lounge
The laundry
• Turn off appliances at the power point – entertainment equipment and computers use power when they’re only switched off at the appliance. • Big TVs use more energy than smaller ones, and LCD and LED models use less than plasma TVs, so choose wisely.
• Wash in cold water • Hang out washing rather than using the dryer. • Wash when you have a full load.
The kitchen • Try not to open the fridge unless you have to. Check the seals, and ensure the fridge and freezer are located in cool, well-ventilated spots. • Run the dishwasher only when it’s full. • Cook with gas rather than electricity, and put lids on pots to simmer, rather than boiling the contents vigorously. • Buy energy- and water-efficient appliances. The bathroom • Use a timer to keep showers to under four minutes. • Favour gas water heaters over electric models. • Install a water-efficient showerhead.
The whole house • Turn off lights in rooms you’re not using. • Open curtains to let in natural light rather than switching on lights. • Exchange power-guzzling halogen downlights for LED bulbs. • Look at the energy label before buying appliances – the higher the star rating, the more energy efficient it will be. • Check your hot water is no higher than 60C – or 50C for instantaneous systems. For adjustments, you may need to contact your plumber or electrician.
For more information visit the Alternative Technology Association’s website and download the ‘Guide to reducing your energy use and saving money’.
Check out what’s happening at Your Regional TAFE
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Download the free App at
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