The Australian University Games (AUG) will be held between September 28 – October 3, 2008 (mid semester break)

www.unisport.com.au

http://www.sport.monash.edu.au/aug

Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the Monash community should embrace the Games, whether as a participant, volunteer or spectator. "I congratulate Monash Sport on their winning submission to become Principle Partner University for the 2008 Uni Games.

The Games will be a highlight of the University calendar in our 50th year and I encourage staff and students to get involved and attend Games events,” Professor Larkins said. Monash Sport Director Martin Doulton said the Games was a big win for Monash, as it will draw national attention to the host city. “The Games will be one of the biggest TeamMONASH events for the year and will showcase some of our brightest young athletes,” Mr Doulton said. “We hope to improve on our second placing at last year’s Games and retain our position as overall university champion for 2008 university sport events.”

A variety of venues for the 28 individual and team sports will be used across Melbourne, including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Melbourne Park tennis complex and Olympic Park. The Clayton campus will host touch, badminton, squash, hockey and handball competitions. Talent scouts will be on the lookout for future sporting champions through the National Talent Identification and Development Program, where athletes are tested in a variety of activities to determine their potential for development.

More than 350 volunteers will assist in the running of the Games, from media coordination to umpiring and first aid. Volunteer positions are still available.

After this year, the Games will be held for the next three years on the Gold Coast.
For further information, visit the website http://www.sport.monash.edu/aug/index.html

The 2008 Australian University Games are Going Green!
That’s right, the Games this year are Going Green! As well as working closely with sport venues to minimise their environmental impact, our partner universities leading by example in having team based charities and a strong focus on using public transport, the Games will introduce a Carbon Offset option for participants wanting to minimise their impact on the Games. More information is listed below.

GREEN GAMES – CARBON OFFSET
In an exciting initiative the 2008 Australian University Games will offer a carbon offset program (similar to that of some airlines) that participants can voluntarily choose to contribute to. All money raised via this initiative will be donated to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). ACF is Australia’s leading not for profit environmental organisation and is committed to achieving a healthy environment for all Australians. Their current environmental program is called Greenhome which encourages Australians to reduce emissions by saving energy and reducing waste. You can find out more information about ACF by visiting their web site www.acfonline.org.au
Each participant will have the opportunity to contribute to this program via an ‘extra’ payment on the registration system. It is entirely voluntary however AUS hopes that many participants will contribute to reduce their carbon footprint during the Games. All monies raised will be collated and a one of donation will be made to ACF once registrations for AUG close.



Greening the Games

Monash University
In practice it is recommended the University Games strive toward providing Games that are Waste Wise, Water Smart and Carbon Neutral.

What is Monash currently doing?
- Providing solar heating for the Doug Ellis pool centre at Clayton
- Utilising commercial green energy on Monash-owned sites
- Ensuring that all our venues and events have comprehensive recycling and waste facilities
- Assessing and influencing our supplier chains to reduce our detrimental effects on natural resources
- Utilising water harvesting facilities, water efficient appliances and other water reduction methods to reduce the use of potable water in buildings and on sports fields, grounds and pools at our sites
- Promoting “Greening up our act” through signs, stickers and branding on documentation
- Working on a travel plan for the University to encourage the use of public and non-polluting forms of transport
- Offsetting emissions from Monash fleet vehicles
- Working to upgrade all our building to incorporate principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development

What can Monash do to assist with Greening the games?
- Provide consultancy services to assist in measuring the carbon footprint of all Games’ participants and devise a plan for managing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Provide support and advice to all venues on practical measures to improve environmental practice.
- Give advice and resources to reduce litter, waste to landfill and improve recycling.
- Provide consultancy for reducing the use of potable water.
- Provide specialist support with travel plans to assist with reducing the carbon footprint of participants.
- Provide consultancy services to ensure that Monash approved offsets are used to offset carbon emissions.
- Assist with local and wider media promotion of the green Games.
- Report on sustainability of the event though our voluntary and mandatory reporting processes including our Environmental Performance Section in Monash University’s Annual Report.

What AUS are doing at this stage?
- promoting the use of students, participants and volunteers to use public transport when they are here at the games.