Wellbeing isn’t one size fits all. It’s why we offer a broad range of activities, events, education and more. It’s how we support everyone to be their best. September is another big month with a wide variety of initiatives to choose from. Keep reading to find out how you can be involved and keep Thriving@Flinders.

Thriving@Flinders: Spotlight

What supports your wellbeing at Flinders? A good laugh and the great sense of humour I share with the wonderful people I’ve met over the years always lifts my spirits. Staying connected to colleagues and contributing to meaningful projects gives me purpose, while the flexibility to work across different Flinders locations keeps things fresh — I love seeing how students engage with each space. I also enjoy getting involved in campus activities and watching the campus come alive when students are around, whether in the Hub, on the Plaza, or in other spaces. And the nature around the main campus is a real gift — a walk in the bushland is such a simple but powerful way to reset.

How do you keep yourself thriving? I make space for creativity and new ideas at work, and balance that with time outdoors and with family. Listening to podcasts on my way in sparks fresh thinking, and a morning coffee with a colleague sets a positive tone for the day. I also recharge by spending time with friends, planning my next travel adventure, and going to regular soundbath and breathwork sessions — all of which make a big difference to my wellbeing.

What’s your wellbeing tip for others? Listen to music you enjoy while you work — it’s an easy way to lift your mood. If you can, try working from a different spot on campus, whether it’s another floor, the Library, or the Hub, to refresh your perspective. And take small pauses — step outside, go for a walk, or have a quick chat. Little things can make a big difference.

Only a few tickets remaining!

Come along to a ticketed event in Alere this R U OK? Day. Our panel presentation will be hosted by Tamsin Simounds, Leadership and Executive Coach, and has been designed to spark and inspire meaningful conversations. The panel will include:

• John Mannion, Chief Executive Officer, Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation
• Taimi Allen, Mental Health Commissioner of South Australia
• Dr Annabelle Neale, Senior Lecturer, Mental Health and Wellbeing (Workplace and Communities) and Director, Flinders Workplace Wellbeing Lab.

Finding and accessing mental health support can be hard. UniSuper are making it easier than ever for members and their families with free access to tele mental health services through 360Health. Simone Dudij, Regional Manager, UniSuper will be sharing information about the mental health services available and how to access them.

To finish the afternoon, let your mind slow down and let your hands get dirty. An optional therapeutic art session is a great way to unwind and reset.

Bookings are essential! Get your ticket here today.

Screening will take up to 30 minutes, during which you will be asked a series of hearing-related questions, before checking how well you can hear a range of sounds presented under headphones. Your results will be discussed with you at the end of the appointment. Appointments will be held at the Health2Go clinic between 9:30-11:30am, or 1:00-4:00pm on:

• Thursday 11 September
• Friday 12 September
• Thursday 18 September

To book an appointment, email karen.hayden@flinders.edu.au.

You can enter a team of up to 10 people. If you have more, why not have some healthy competition!  Participants can track their steps and physical activity using an activity tracker, smart phone app, or a pedometer. The goal is to get the most steps you can and help your team to win the challenge.

To get started you will need team members, a captain and a team name. The captain will need to register team members through the 10,000 Steps website before the challenge starts. Once underway, each team member will need to manually record activities in the Step Log.

If you want to get involved but don’t have a team, reach out and the Challenge Coordinator will allocate you into one.

There are a limited number of pedometers available through the Challenge Coordinator. If you need one, get in quick! Contact healthandwellbeing@flinders.edu.au for more information.

The Ask a Clinician service gives you to Australian-based General Practitioners who can answer your medical questions. When you ask them a question, you will get a medically informed, fact-based response within 24 hours.

It doesn’t replace your normal GP, but it helps you get access to high quality information when you need it most. Get the help you deserve here.

Campus Activation Events

Flinders Book Club: Spring Fling with Amy Matthews – 16 September

The Library’s Book Club series wraps up on 16 September, 12:00-1:30pm with a session that promises fun, laughter, and a touch of swoon.

Join award-winning novelist and Flinders academic Associate Professor Amy Matthews in the Leisure Reading Collection space, for a lively dive into the world of romance — from dark and dreamy to light and laugh-out-loud.

Whether you’re a long-time romance reader or simply curious, bring along a favourite novel that made you laugh, cry, or swoon — and connect with colleagues over stories of love in all its form.

The book club will meet at the Central Library on Level 1 and light refreshments are provided. Register here to come along.

CNHS Festival of Food – 25 September

Limited tickets remaining! Come join us on September 25, from 11:30am at this year’s Festival of Food featuring Sri Lanka – a Campus Activation project hosted by the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

Experience all Sri Lankan culture has to offer: Food, Dhol drumming, music, dessert samples, plant your own Asian herb pot activity, learning opportunities, and more!

Campus Activation 2026

Our Campus Activation Initiative has been hugely successful again in 2025 and we aren’t planning on slowing down in 2026. We love seeing the creativity, energy, and connection that these events generate.

Do you have an amazing idea for 2026? Now is the perfect time to start thinking about possibilities for an event. It might be an activity, a function, or even just a way to build connection. Whatever it looks like, we want to hear about it.

Applications for 2026 funding will open soon. Get your ideas flowing and be ready to apply!

If you have any questions or want to discuss your ideas ahead of the applications opening, email thriving@flinders.edu.au

Training and information sessions - All Staff

Leadership fundamentals – 18 September

My career journey: Navigating career success in Higher Education – 24 September

Are you looking to build your career in higher education, or your network at Flinders? This informal and engaging event is a great way to build connection and hear from some of our experienced leaders. 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.

Authentic, impactful communication for leaders – 9 September

Join Tracey Maxted, The Missing Think for a practical session in developing skills that help you to communicate with impact, build mutual understanding and respect, and develop productive and sustainable relationships. Register through the Staff Learning Portal here.

Foundations of inclusive leadership – 10 September

Coaching skills for leaders – 11 September

Coaching can be an empowering and effective way of developing people’s skills and abilities while also boosting the performance of the team. This full day workshop will help you to develop an understanding of how valuable coaching is and develop some coaching skills of your own. Register through the Staff Learning Portal here.

Persuasive personal brand – 25 September

High performing and resilient teams – 2 October

Building and leading a successful team is a skill. Getting everyone to play their part helps the team to thrive. Tracy Maxted from The Missing Think will help you to understand the characteristics of a high performing team and how to create a resilient team. Register through the Staff Learning Portal here.

Ways we are Thriving@Flinders

Menopause Awareness

Flinders is proudly working towards becoming an accredited menopause friendly organisation. We’re raising awareness and encouraging engagement through our dedicated Menopause at Work webpage, providing access to a range of resources and information. To connect with the growing community, reach out to our Menopause Champions or join the Menopause Awareness@Flinders Teams site.

Thriving@Flinders Recipe Club

Fight, Flight or Flourish with Annie Harvey – 10 September

What if your workplace culture mirrored the human nervous system? Just like our bodies, it can get stuck in fight, flight, or freeze — but with the right cues, it can return to balance. Wellbeing educator and TEDx speaker Annie Harvey explores the rising tide of stress and lethargy in workplaces, offering simple, science-backed strategies to help people re-energise and reconnect with purpose. Register here today.

Bupa Thought Leadership – Claire Bowditch – 15 October

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