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Joyce Sunada said it best “If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.” We know that wellbeing is more than an afterthought. It’s about how we work, live and connect. This August, we’re inviting you to get involved, get active, and take meaningful steps to support your wellbeing at Flinders. Keep reading to learn about how we’re Thriving@Flinders.
Interview with Victoria Toogood
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to talk to Victoria Toogood, Clinical Teaching Specialist in the School of Physio (CNHS), about women’s health, hormones and reducing frailty. Tory had some fantastic advice about the role of a good physio in women’s wellbeing and some tips for lifestyle management.
To read the full interview with loads of insights, click here.
OD&D named as SAGE finalists!
We are proud to share that the Organisational Development and Diversity Team in People and Culture has been named as finalists at the upcoming Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Awards in two categories – Catalyst for Change and Sector Disruptor.
These nominations recognise the leading work we have been doing to bring awareness and provide support to perimenopause and menopause for our staff in the workplace.
It’s inspiring to see real progress as we work towards a more inclusive and supportive workplace for people in all stages of life. To see the SAGE award information and other nominees, click here. Find out more about perimenopause and menopause initiatives at Flinders here.
R U Ok? Day - Mini Wellbeing Conference - Registrations open
This R U OK? Day, we invite you to pause, connect, and explore what it means to be mentally healthy at work.
We have panel discussions, info sessions and art therapy with:
- Taimi Allen, Mental Health Commissioner of South Australia and global mental health leader
Dr Anabelle Neall, Senior Lecturer, Mental Health and Wellbeing (Workplace and Communities) and Director, Flinders Workplace Wellbeing Lab
John Mannion, Chief Executive Officer, Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation
Simone Dudij, Regional Manager, Employer Partnerships, UniSuper
Estelle Chapple, Creative Art Therapist (Grad. Dip Arts Psychotherapy, Adv. Dip. Transpersonal Art Therapy)
The mini conference will be held on R U Ok? Day, Thursday 11 September. For more information and to book your ticket, head to our Eventbrite page
360Health - Expert Medical Opinion
Through our partnership with UniSuper, Flinders proudly offers access to 360Health services to all UniSuper members and their families. It’s a free initiative and provides you with access to a range of telehealth services, including expert medial second opinions.
If you have an existing health condition, or are perhaps seeking reassurance and clarity on a recent diagnosis, 360Health can help you make a confident and informed decision.
Seek a telehealth appointment from an expert who can review the records you share and provide a detailed second opinion. It might confirm the diagnosis, suggest alternative treatment options, or offer new insights. Book a free consultation today.
Free Vision Checks - 21 August
Flinders University staff can book for quick and free vision check as part of the Work Health & Safety Units' health and wellbeing program.
Basic vision screenings are conducted by Flinders optometry students and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to test general vision function. Reports will be provided for you to take to your local optometrist or to Flinders Health2Go if further testing is required.
The tests will be available on Thursday 21st August between 9am-12:30pm and 1:30pm – 5:00pm, Sturt Campus, Sturt South, Room S406, Teaching Space.
To make a booking for this free test, please contact Karen Hayden karen.hayden@flinders.edu.au
But be quick, because places are limited.
Campus Activation Events
Innovate, Design and Lead in the era of AI – 13 August
According to the World Economic Forum, creative thinking, analytical thinking, and AI literacy are among the top five skills employers are seeking in 2025. So, how ready are you?
Flinders University students and staff are invited to take part in an exciting, hands-on workshop that brings together design thinking, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to tackle complex, real-world problems.
Facilitated by Dr Bruno Pereira and, Dr Ehsan Abedin (College of Business, Government and Law), in collaboration with Elen Cuna from the Flinders New Venture Institute, this workshop introduces students to the principles of design thinking and their application in innovative problem-solving.
Register for the event here.
Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience – 14 August
In our fast-paced University environment, resilience isn’t just a personal trait but a skill we can build together.
Join us for an interactive workshop with Katheryn McEwen, 14 August, 12:30-2:30pm, internationally recognised resilience expert and creator or the Resilience at Work Toolkit. Discover how care, connection and shared purpose can strengthen wellbeing.
You’ll leave this session with practical strategies that help you build resilience in your workplace. Register here to come along. With lunch provided it’s a great chance to connect, network, and build resilience together:
Reality Bites: Mindfulness with a VR Twist – 15 August
Looking to unwind and recharge? On Friday 15 August, 10:00-4:00pm we are offering a guided meditation session that blends mindfulness with virtual reality to create a calming, immersive experience—no tech experience needed.
You’ll stay seated on a comfy couch while the VR headset gently transports you to the stunning cliffs of Hallett Cove. Whether you're new to meditation or just curious about VR, this session is designed to be simple, soothing, and stress-free. Click here to register.
Flinders Book Club: Memoirs – resilient life stories with Marina Deller - 21 August
The Library’s Book Club series continues on 21 August, 12:00-1:30pm, with a powerful lunchtime session on memoirs - celebrating real stories of strength, identity, and transformation.
Join Marina Deller, Flinders academic and writer, for a relaxed and engaging conversation about stories of resilience, identity, and transformation. Bring along a memoir that’s stayed with you — whether it made you laugh, cry, or simply reflect — and connect with fellow staff over shared experiences and light refreshments. A curated list of memoirs chosen by Marina is available through the Library’s Read & Return collection — no check-out needed.
Register here to come along.
Remember to save the date for 16 September for the third and final event: Spring Fling (Romance) with Amy T. Matthews.
The book club will meet at the Central Library on Level 1 and some light refreshments will be provided. Register here to come along.
If you want to come along, but need inspiration, Lisa has handpicked a themed selection of titles from the Read & Return collection, available in the Central Library. Staff are encouraged to borrow a book (no check-out required!) and come ready to share and connect.
Training and information sessions - All Staff
Retirement considerations with UniSuper – 12 August
As part of our financial wellbeing initiative, we invite you to join Damian Brunello, Private Client Adviser at UniSuper on 12 August at 2:00pm and to find out more about retirement.
Whether retirement is around the corner, or you want to know more for your long-term planning, this session provides essential information. Key topics include:
- Common challenges in retirement
- Establishing retirement objectives
- Contribution strategies
- Income in retirement.
All staff are welcome to come along – even if you aren’t a UniSuper member. Register here and remember to add the session to your calendar.
Menopause and Heart Health – 3 September
Join us for a special session with Dr Alicia Chan, clinical and academic Cardiologist with a keen interest in heart disease for women. Dr Chan is the Chair of the Cardiac Society ANZ SA branch and Cardiology Females in SA.
This online 90 minute session will take us beyond menopause awareness and dive deep into heart health and the correlation with perimenopause. The session will be facilitated by Menopause Friendly Australia.
Register through the Staff Learning Portal here.
Training and information sessions - Professional Staff
The following four development sessions are available to professional staff, and registrations are via the Staff Learning Portal.
Performance conversations for success – 19 August
Tracy Maxted from Missing Think has created this workshop for leaders. It’s a practical workshop which explores the tools and approaches to:
- Set yourself and others up for success using clarity and empowerment
- Deliver feedback in a way that results in positive change and builds trust and accountability
- Foster mindsets which are open to learning and change.
Come along and learn how unlock a healthy culture of performance and accountability. Register through the Staff Learning Portal here.
Advanced negotiation skills – 3 September
Negotiation is an effective tool for the workplace, for both professionals and leaders. This workshop has been designed to help professionals better understand how they approach negotiation, the fundamental framework of negotiation and develop the skills to improve their ability to effectively negotiate.
Register for this session through the Staff Learning Portal here.
Ways we are Thriving@Flinders
Cuppa TV: Back Yourself: Building Courage When the World Tells You No
In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, Lisa Pagotto invites us into a conversation about what it really takes to build courage, resilience, and self-belief when the world — and sometimes our own circumstances — say no.
Mental Health First Aid Day – 19 August
Tuesday 19 August marks the inaugural Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) Day, a national day of action to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role MHFAiders and Instructors play in creating circles of support across our communities.
For 25 years, MHFA has been equipping people with the skills to support others through facing mental health challenges. With 8 million people worldwide and 1.5 million Australians trained, MHFA remains essential but unknown.
This year, the first ever Mental Health First Aid Day has the theme of every conversation matters, highlighting the life-saving potential of everyday conversations.
You can build your confidence in supporting others with the great resources available at the MHFA Resource Hub. This is a great collection of tools, tips and resources that can help you make every conversation matter.
Previous editions of Thriving@Flinders
If you missed out on any previous editions, you don’t need to worry. All past editions can be now be found on our website here!
Contact Us
For any queries, or to promote your staff wellbeing initiative, please contact us on: thriving@flinders.edu.au.
Flinders University
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park South Australia 5042