Thriving @ Flinders May 2025 Edition

Brrr - it's getting cold!
But don’t worry, things are heating up at Flinders this May with an epic line up of events and activities to warm your soul and spark your curiosity. Read on for the details and be sure to get involved.

Staff wellbeing focus group

Are you passionate about staff wellbeing and making Flinders an even better place to work? Since launching in late 2024, Thriving@Flinders has been building momentum. Now, we’re looking for your fresh perspectives and ideas about how we can take staff wellbeing to the next level in 2026.

We are looking for people to join a focus group on Tuesday 27 May 2025, 2:30pm-4:00pm at Bedford Park as part of our ongoing Thriving@Flinders initiative. If you are from another campus, particularly rural or remote, and would still like to participate, a separate Teams session will be available on Wednesday 28 May, 1pm – 2:30pm.

We need curious and creative thinkers who want to have real impact on staff wellbeing. This is a chance to innovate and inspire how we thrive at Flinders.

If this sounds like you, please get your manager’s permission and nominate here. Be quick though – spaces are limited and the EOI will close COB Friday 23 May 2025.

For any additional information contact thriving@flinders.edu.au.

Campus Activation events in May

We have three events on offer this month as part of the Campus Activation Initiative. These activities are a great way to get out and involved, learn more about the community you work in, and be a part of Flinders.

VR meditation: Escape & reset for World Meditation Day Wed 21 May.

Take a breather for World Meditation Day with a fully immersive mindfulness experience. Using Virtual Reality, you’ll be transported to serene landscapes designed to soothe the mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re a first-time meditator or a mindfulness master, these sessions will help you reset, refocus, and recharge. In just 30 minutes you’ll experience:

Deep relaxation through immersive VR-guided meditation
Enhanced focus using cutting-edge mindfulness techniques
Insights into how VR supports mental wellbeing and reduces stress

Spots are limited – reserve yours now: Register via Eventbrite.

Save the Date: 2025 RAP Conference returns this May

We’re excited to welcome back the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Conference through Campus Activation funding. In 2025 it will be held from Wednesday 21 May to Friday 23 May across Flinders University campuses.

After welcoming over 600 attendees last year, the 2025 conference promises even more opportunities for staff and students to engage in meaningful conversations around reconciliation.

With a focus on learning, collaboration, cultural exchange, and our shared commitment to an inclusive and respectful community, the conference will feature interactive workshops, hands-on experiences, and cultural celebrations that bring people together.

For more information, keep your eye on the following link: 2025 Reconciliation Action Plan Conference where the sessions will go live shortly.

City Campus Reconciliation Week event

To mark this important occasion, we invite all staff and students to take part in a series of inspiring masterclasses at the L1 Welcome Hub. Running daily throughout the week, these interactive sessions offer a unique opportunity to deepen understanding, foster meaningful conversations, and celebrate reconciliation together.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early! More details about the workshops will be shared as the date approaches — we look forward to seeing you there. To register your interest, please contact fpevents@flinders.edu.au.

Training and information sessions - All Staff

Managing your financial wellbeing with UniSuper– 6 May

Want to take control of your finances? Join UniSuper on 6 May 2025 for a Flinders dedicated session on managing your financial wellbeing. This presentation is open to all Flinders staff and will provide tools and strategies for your financial wellbeing. Register to attend to learn more about:

Understanding spending
Managing debt
Investment basics
Protecting financial wellbeing, and
Retirement planning.

Leadership Fundamentals - 13 May

In this workshop designed for aspiring leaders, or those who have recently commenced their leadership journey, we will explore the key concepts, skills and behaviours of leadership, to navigate and overcome common challenges faced by new leaders.

This workshop is facilitated by Pia Grimm, Senior Learning & Development Consultant, and is a great way to build a strong foundation, for now and the future, and highlight your leadership potential. Register via the Staff Learning Portal.

Mental Health First Aid Refresher – 14 May

If you’ve completed a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course in the last three years, it might be time for a refresher. Jacinta Durrand will be facilitating a four-hour refresher course. Keep your accreditation current and book your refresher training here.

My career journey – 20 May

Do you want to build your career within Higher Education - or utilise an opportunity to build your networks across Flinders University? In these informal, Q&A style events, come along to the Tavern and hear from those who have 'been there...done that!' This session provides the opportunity to ask questions of those who have successfully navigated their careers, so learning outcomes are likely to vary depending on topics covered.

You will have the opportunity to:

Practice your networking skills and build connections across the organisation
Hear from others about their career journey and experiences

Register through the Staff Learning Portal.

Women in STEMM - Champions of Change 27 May 2025

Creating an inclusive workplace starts with awareness. Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) will be facilitating an online session on 1 May 2025 at 10:30am for neurodiversity awareness training.

Find out more about neurodiversity and examples of the neurodivergent experience in the workplace. This interactive session will provide practical tools and strategies to help you create a neuroinclusive workplace. Register 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.

More than follow the leader 7 May

Effective leadership is important for success in the workplace. However, good leadership alone is not enough - followers also play a critical role. Facilitated by Dr Ruth Sims, this workshop will introduce professional staff members who have leadership responsibilities to the idea of followership and to ways that followers and leaders can work well together.

Advanced negotiation skills 8 May (HEO8+)

Negotiation is a key skill for leaders and professionals, but few people have had any formal training in it. In the workplace, negotiations range from the formal to the informal, from those that prioritise outcomes to those that prioritise relationships, and from the very competitive to the very collaborative. Facilitated by Gary Edwards.

Authentic, impactful communication 15 May (leaders)
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful professional relationships, strategic influence and work satisfaction. In this workshop with Tracy Maxted, The Missing Think, you will develop the skills to communicate with impact, build mutual understanding and respect, and develop productive, sustainable relationships.

Foundations of Inclusive Leadership
27 May

Flinders University is a culturally diverse community which recognises that each student and staff member brings their own unique capabilities, experiences and characteristics. Diversity and inclusion are core to our organisational culture and values, and aims to provide an environment which is creative, innovative, flexible and productive. Facilitated by Anna Lee, this workshop provides leaders with the foundational knowledge and skills required to bring out the best in diverse individuals and teams, whether in the context of meeting processes, project allocation or recognition and reward.

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