The year isn’t slowing down and neither are we!

Launch of the Thriving@Flinders Website

In June we officially launched the Thriving@Flinders staff wellbeing website. We are very excited to offer staff access to a one-stop hub for all things staff wellbeing at Flinders. The website is segmented into the following themes :

Hopefully you have already been able to check out this amazing resource for staff, but if not, you can access it here. 

What supports your wellbeing at Flinders? I feel very lucky to work at Flinders as there are so many support mechanisms available including the very valuable Employee Assistance Program (that I’ve used a couple of times over the years), the gym on campus - Flinders Uni Sport & Fitness, the Health Service (I got my COVID booster last week – have you had yours?), the broad range of Professional Development opportunities and the more light-hearted activations and events around campus like markets .

How do you keep yourself thriving? I love a good laugh, I like surprising people and I get a real kick out of random acts of kindness. Relationships are important to me so you’ll often find me catching up with friends over lunch (usually at the Tav).

What's your best wellbeing tip for others? Make sure you actually schedule time each week to recharge – nap, read a book, catch up with friends, pamper yourself, spend time on an activity or hobby you enjoy - whatever works best for you.

Menopause support resources now live

We recently launched resources that raise awareness and support respectful and informed conversations about peri/menopause. Our new resources include:

• Menopause Support Guide
• Conversation Toolkit – Staff 
• Conversation Toolkit - Supervisors

Want to connect and be part of this important conversation? Join the dedicated Menopause Awareness@Flinders Teams site here.  You can also access a number of external resources via our menopause webpage here.

Campus Activation Events

NAIDOC Week – 8 July 

The week serves as a meaningful opportunity to deepen our understanding of First Nations peoples, their traditions and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

In honour of we warmly invite you to join us on 8 July 2025, 10:30am – 12:30pm in the Hub for free cultural activities including jewellery making, art, weaving, donuts and refreshments.

This drop-in event is a fantastic chance to engage with Indigenous culture in a meaningful and hands-on way. Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends, colleagues, and curiosity. Let’s come together to learn, share, and celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Indigenous Research Showcase – 9 July 

On Wednesday 9 July 2025, the inaugural Flinders University NAIDOC Indigenous Research Showcase will present Blak Excellence in Scholarship and Academia across disciplines and campuses in South Australia and Northern Territory. The event will feature presenters across career stages, and across education, creative arts, science, health and wellbeing.

Indigenous scholars at Flinders University are proudly continuing millennia of Indigenous peoples asking and answering questions about the world in which we live and making sense of the challenges we face. Indigenous researchers will share how they are contributing to all areas of research, in Indigenous studies and beyond, as well as innovative work in the application of Indigenous Research Methodologies. Associate Professor Tamara Mackean, Indigenous Research Lead, will facilitate the showcase, and speakers include Professor Jaquelyne Hughes, Associate Professor Ali Baker, Associate Professor Natalie Harkin, Darah-Bree Bensen-Boakes, Lorna Murakami-Gold, Tahlia Johnson, and Azra Coombe 

You can participate across multiple campus locations, or online. Register here.

Flinders Living “At Home” event – 15 July

You’ll get to see University Hall and Deidre Jordan Village student accommodation and explore common areas and recreational spaces. 

You’ll hear how living on campus is about more than just having a place to eat and sleep, but a community with social, sporting, cultural, and educational events, as well as amazing support services.

After the tour, enjoy a buffet lunch and take the opportunity to chat with our staff and current residents to learn more. Spots are limited. Don’t miss out - register here!

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.

Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience - 14 August

Resilience in today’s university environment is a shared responsibility. This interactive workshop explores how care, connection and shared purpose can support wellbeing and team effectiveness. Gain practical strategies and take part in collaborative activities designed to build resilience within and across teams.

The session is led by Kathryn McEwen, Global Lead of Working with Resilience and a highly experienced organisational psychologist. Kathryn is a published author and creator of the Resilience at Work® Toolkit, used internationally to support teams and leaders. She brings extensive experience from both university and health sectors.

The session is scheduled for Thursday 14 August 12:30 - 2:30pm. Lunch is included. To register, click here

City to Bay - 21 September

Medibank is back to sponsor the City-Bay 2025 event for all Flinders University staff and students. Register now to receive over $300 in value!

Book now to avoid missing out, with only 100 places left on Team Flinders in 2025.

Registering through the Flinders Uni Sport and Fitness means:

• $20 Discounted Entry fee
• Free race singlet
• 8-week online running programs
• In-person training sessions
• Post race breakfast
• Post race massage
• Pre-race seminars
• and so much more…

Register for Team Flinders here.

Training and information sessions - All Staff

Wellbeing micro-learning - available on demand

• Finding purpose and meaning
• How to get out of a mental rut
• Practicing gratitude

Use the links above or log into the staff learning portal and search under wellbeing.

Conversations about performance – 23 July

This course for supervisors and managers explores all aspects of having conversations about performance. The workshop will be practical and focus on discussing how participants might apply strategies to their own situations. 

Topics for discussion include:

• Understanding performance within an overarching performance management framework
• Authenticity in performance conversations
• Using a coaching framework to talk about performance
• Creating opportunities to receive feedback and strategies for responding constructively

To register, visit the Staff Learning Portal.

Selfcare Toolkit and Wellbeing Wish List - 24 July

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to put our wellbeing on the back burner. This webinar invites you to pause and reflect, offering practical insights and strategies to help you protect yourself from burnout. Together, we’ll explore what it means to be a wellbeing role model, how to create a self-care toolkit, and what a typical day in a busy modern life really looks like. You’ll also walk away with three simple, powerful rules to help you make these practices stick. Whether you’re supporting others or simply looking to prioritise your own wellbeing, this session is for you.

This session will be recorded - please register and remain registered to be able to access the link post presentation. To register for this one hour webinar, click here.

Navigating Performance Review and Development in Workday - 28 July

You’ll learn about the two types of PRD available in Workday: a guided process and the option to upload your own template. With increased flexibility in timing, you and your supervisor can develop your PRD when it works best for you. Register here.

GIDE Committee Menopause and midlife – 1 August 

The CMPH GIDE Committee are excited to welcome Dr Jessica Floreani, SA/NT Director of the Australasian Menopause Society. Dr Floreani will present Menopause and midlife on Friday 1 August 2025. This free event is available both online and in-person by registering here. All staff are encouraged to attend and continue promoting awareness and understanding of peri/menopause in the workplace.

You might be planning to retire soon, or perhaps you want to know about how to prepare well for the future. 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.

Navigating difficult conversations - 2 September

Navigating difficult conversations with confidence is a vital skill in any professional setting. In this workshop, you will learn practical strategies for managing conflict, building a collegiate spirit, and fostering collaboration.  This workshop is ideal for leaders looking to improve their conflict management skills and strengthen their professional interactions. Register via the Staff Learning Portal.

Authentic, impactful communication for leaders – 9 September

Leaders will learn practical strategies to:

• Build self-awareness and flexibility in conversation and the skills of dialogue 
• Speak in a way that others will listen, and listen in a way that others will speak
• Build trust, respect and positive, professional relationships with every interaction 

Register via the Staff Learning Portal.

Coaching skills for leaders – 11 September

Coaching can be an empowering and effective way of developing people’s skills and abilities and boosting individual and team performance. We often think of coaching as only being for executives or sporting stars - but it is an excellent skill for leaders to have in their toolbox! 

This full-day workshop aims to help participants understand the value of coaching, to develop and deepen their coaching skills and learn how to set up a conversation for success. The facilitator, Julie Lines, is an ICF Credentialed Coach (PCC), coach educator and trainer, who is regularly involved in the delivery of ICF accredited coach training programs. 

Register via the Staff Learning Portal.

Ways we are Thriving@Flinders

Staff wellbeing survey - open until 18 July

The Staff Wellbeing Survey is still available for your feedback until 18 July. Tell us what wellbeing at work looks like for you and help us to shape the future of wellbeing for staff at Flinders. Submit your feedback here and be part of growing our thriving culture.

Nutrition and healthy eating - Recipe club

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!

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