Flashback fever at Federation as students receive retro-themed welcome
Thousands of students will converge on Federation University Australia campuses this week for the beginning of the new academic year, with more than 4,200 new students joining 7,000 classmates who are returning to their studies.
They will each step into a nostalgic start to the semester with a ‘Flashback Fever Festival’ featuring live music, food trucks, arcade games and roving performers, all with a retro flair.
It follows last week’s orientation events at the Gippsland, Mt Helen and Berwick campuses where new students were officially welcomed to connect with their peers, receive course overviews, tour campus and attend skills workshops and panel discussions.
This strong start to the semester comes as demand continues to grow for courses with strong employment outcomes, with students increasingly choosing degrees aligned to in-demand jobs.
The most popular courses for Federation students in 2026 are the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) and the Bachelor of Information Technology.
For Gippsland Bachelor of Nursing student Lola Baillie, it was a childhood stay in hospital that first sparked her interest in the profession.
“I found the nurses really helpful and just wanted to be like them. I think I just really love the aspect of caring for people,” Lola said.
Having completed a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Gippsland and now giving back to her community working as a division 2 nurse while studying, the first few weeks of semester are an opportunity for Lola to connect with other students.
"Going into nursing has been really rewarding and I’ve been able to have a lot of good conversations with my classmates about what it’s like to work in the industry,” she said.
“There’s always something new to do and getting my Bachelor will further my opportunities even more.”
Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley, said the festival was a chance for students to make friends, meet teachers and settle into university life.
“There is nothing quite like the beginning of semester, whether stepping onto campus for the first time, or returning to studies, there is a whole community ready to help each student succeed in 2026,” Professor Bentley said.
“This year, students will see even more opportunities to connect what they learn in class with real industry experience through our Co-operative Education Model where they can build the skills and confidence to move towards their career goals with momentum.”
As part of the 2026 welcome to campus, the Nourishment Nook – Federation’s student food pantry – will host a breakfast club, providing students with a free nutritious breakfast each Wednesday for the first five weeks of semester.
The Flashback Fever Festival will be held on Wednesday, 4 March at Federation University’s Gippsland, Mt Helen and Berwick campuses.