thrive* receives silver medal at global QS Awards

These awards attracted 1,656 applications across 18 categories from 72 countries.

thrive*, which began with a one-month pilot in 2023 – is now a whole of university offering, open to staff and students. 

Since then, thrive* has recorded more than 130,000 interactions across over 40 activity types, engaging at least 11,000 students and staff. 

Activities span five inclusive wellbeing streams — Feel Calm, Let’s Chat, Live Vital, Be Fierce, and Come Play — offering mental, physical, creative, and social connection.   Activities are free, and coupled with VU’s low-cost gym memberships ($5 a week for students and $31 a month for staff) further removes financial barriers to fitness.

Every event is informal, low-barrier, drop-in friendly, and often peer-led. The thrive* team, led by Director and Founder Rohenna Young, encourages new session ideas via an online form, which are often run by the people who suggest them. Yoga, plant swaps, biscuit decorating, lunchtime dance parties being just a couple of recent examples.

Rohenna Young explains the importance of community and co-creation to the program’s success:

“Activities are visible across campuses and open to all. People can drop in, return regularly, or join as part of a team. Over time, many transition from participants to co-leaders and introduce their own sessions.

“This pathway strengthens belonging and agency. It also creates a sense of ownership and trust, as the program reflects the voices of those involved.

The combination of consistent delivery, co-design, and peer-led participation has created a living community — one that sustains itself by being inclusive, visible, and shaped by those it serves.

Global recognition in London

Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker joined Rohenna in London to proudly accept the award in the Nurturing Wellbeing and Purpose category.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor the Hon Wade Noonan said that the award is a moment that truly spotlights the innovation coming out of VU.

“To make it through four rounds of intense evaluation by 1,300 global experts is an extraordinary achievement, and a testament to the creativity, impact and bold thinking behind thrive*,” he said.

“Rohenna Young and the small, dedicated team across VU Sport and People and Culture have poured heart and vision into this program. Seeing their work recognised on a global stage is incredibly exciting for our whole community. thrive* continues to show what’s possible when bold ideas meet passionate people.”

This international win comes soon after two other accolades for thrive*:

• Winner – ATEM Excellence Award in People and Culture
• Award of Distinction – Student Experience Network Awards (Best Welfare & Wellbeing Initiative)

Why the asterisk? It’s actually a symbol of the different dimensions of wellbeing. With thrive* no terms or conditions apply.