Our Respect in Action training is your opportunity to do just that — and we’re calling for expressions of interest from students who want to get involved!

What is Respect in Action?

Respect in Action is an online training program designed by students, for students. It’s all about equipping you with the practical skills to:

• Recognise what respectful relationships look like
• Identify red-flag and green-flag behaviours in everyday interactions
• Know where to go for help if you witness harmful behaviours or dynamics
• Understand what it means to be a bystander – plus how to safely intervene or refer when something doesn’t feel right

If you’re looking to build confidence and contribute to a positive campus culture, this training is a great place to start.

Keen to take part? Register your interest now!

Express your interest by Friday 12 September, and we’ll be in touch when we set a date for training.

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Pino Mascetti’s love affair with bowling began almost as soon as he could walk. At just three years old, his parents, avid league bowlers themselves, took him to Pyjama Bowling at Northcote Bowl where he pushed 6 lb balls with his tiny legs. What started as a family tradition soon became a passion. Now, two decades later, the La Trobe University accounting student has made history at the 2025 Open Masters.  

Finding success at the highest level

Every sportsperson has a year when they start believing they can go all the way. For Pino, that year was 2024 when his potential was there for all to see. He won the Victorian Disability Championship. At the Open Masters he made history by becoming the first player to score a perfect 300 game in 35 years of the National Disability Championships. He finally finished in a very creditable fourth position. That result gave him a lot of belief, as Pino recalls.

The year when records tumbled like nine pins

If 2024 was his breakout year, then 2025 was the year when everything fell in place. He started the year by winning the Australian Railway Institute Championships. After defending his title again at the 2025 Victorian Disability Championships, Pino set his sights on the National Disability Championships at Perth. Learning from last year, Pino stayed cool and focussed as he approached the finishing line.

When asked how he deals with pressure in a highly competitive tournament, Pino offered a rather unique way of coping with it “I distract myself with counting; I calculate other players’ scores. It keeps me calm and helps me concentrate on my game.” In a stunning performance, he clinched the Open Masters title, finally finishing a comfortable 75 points ahead of his closest rival.

The winning moment

When the final pin fell at the Open Masters, Pino nearly burst into tears, hugging his support person, Kylie, who had travelled with him to every tournament. “This was for my family, my state, and everyone who believed in me,” he said.  It was a dream come true for Pino and his family, as he was crowned the winner of the National Disability Championships 2025.

How La Trobe played a small role in Pino’s success

A fifth-year Bachelor of Accounting student at La Trobe, Pino has recently switched to online studies to care for his ailing mother. He credits the university’s flexibility in allowing exam rescheduling and remote learning in helping him pursue both his degree and his bowling dreams. “La Trobe has been very accommodating,” he says. “They understand how important bowling is for me. I am grateful to the staff and faculty for always being there for me.”

What’s next for Pino?

Despite his success, Pino remains grounded. Ranked 35th nationally among all open bowlers, he knows turning pro would require immense sacrifice. “Right now, I want to focus on my degree and become an accountant,” he says. “But bowling will always be my passion, if not my career.” His next challenge? The Australian Open Championships. Pino is also grateful to pro-shops like Rolling Revs who have supported him with custom gear and equipment. 

For now, Pino is content – a champion on the lanes, a student working towards his degree, and a son who still lets his dad win sometimes when they go bowling together on Wednesdays.

 We are proud of Pino’s success and wish him all the best in everything he does in the future.  

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Study hubs are one of these support options. They can help you with accessing Wi-Fi and IT facilities, finding somewhere quiet to study or connecting with in-person support and networking opportunities.

We’re so excited to partner with study hubs across the country, so that all students can access to the services and support they need to succeed.

Study hubs are available near you to suit a range of situations, whether you’re:

• studying fully online
• in a different area for placement
• travelling from your enrolled campus to visit friends and family near home

What are study hubs?

Study hubs are dedicated spaces designed to provide you with all the perks of on-campus study, all conveniently close to home.

Services and resources at each study hub vary, but can include:

• Comfortable, distraction-free study spaces
• Free Wi-Fi
• IT facilities with desktop computers and docking stations
• In-person support and guidance
• Connections to exam invigilation (supervision) services
• Workshops, networking, social events and more

Find a study hub near you

With locations across the country, there are a variety of study hubs available to you as a La Trobe student.

Country Universities Centres

Country Universities Centres (CUCs) are a network of community-owned study hubs that operate in more than 35 communities across regional NSW, QLD and Victoria (with more locations coming!). Our partnership with the Country Universities Centre means all La Trobe students can access their free, specialised study spaces and support – all conveniently close to your local area.

Regional University Study Hubs

Regional University Study Hubs (RUSH) provide physical spaces and support for students studying online at any Australian institution, with the goal of helping students in rural, regional and remote Australia to succeed in tertiary education without having to leave their communities. 

Northern Study Hub

Exciting news for students in Melbourne! The Northern Study Hub is bringing uni closer to where you live with two locations in Broadmeadows and Epping. These hubs will allow you to connect with other students and support staff, helping you enjoy a campus-like environment near your home and in your local community.

Both locations are open now, so pop by during staffed hours or register your interest online to make the most of the space.

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Imagine having a dedicated study space just around the corner, where you can connect with other students and access all the resources you need to thrive. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Northern Study Hub, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Suburban Study Hubs Program and led by La Trobe University.  

Located in Broadmeadows and Epping, these new hubs are designed for tertiary students from any publicly funded institution. They’re free to use and packed with everything you need to stay productive and connected, from high-speed Wi-Fi to private meeting rooms and academic or wellbeing support. 

The Northern Study Hub is more than just a place to study – it’s a place to belong. 

Why you’ll love the Northern Study Hub

• Available for all: Students studying any degree at any university can use the Northern Study Hub. Have a friend at a different uni who you want to study with? Get them to register too! 

• Spaces designed to meet your needs: Each hub features free high-speed Wi-Fi, printers, quiet zones, group workspaces and more, all in an inclusive, student-friendly environment. 

• Centrally located with flexible access hours: Close to public transport, shops and cafes, these hubs offer a safe, secure place to study with swipe card access (during opening hours). 

• Support to help you succeed: Learning Support Advisors will be available to help you settle into study and show you the tools you’ll need to succeed while at uni. 

• Make yourself at home: You’re welcome to bring your own device and use our charging points while you study. You can even make yourself a coffee or tea in the kitchen. 

• Connect with a new community: On top of meeting other students, you can join workshops, meet employers and get career ready with local industry events and personal support from our expert advisors. 

Register now to visit the Northern Study Hub

The Northern Study Hub is now open at two locations:

• Broadmeadows – 1/1079 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows
• Epping – Cnr Cooper St & Dalton Rd, Epping

Ready to experience the space yourself? Both locations are staffed each business day (in line with opening hours), so feel free to pop by during staffed hours or register now via the Northern Study Hub website. Once you register your interest, the team will be in touch with details on how to complete your registration and collect your access card.

To stay up to date with everything happening at the hub, make sure you follow the Northern Study Hub on Instagram.

The post Northern Study Hub: a dedicated study space, close to your place  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

You will receive an email this week inviting you to participate. 

Your participation in the AHRC’s survey will help deepen our understanding of experiences and perceptions of racism within university communities across Australia, and inform meaningful actions to further advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within our institution. 

This will inform the development and implementation of related initiatives at La Trobe, including our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy and Framework, launching in early September, and our Anti-Racism Action Plan that will be launched publicly soon. The Anti-Racism Action Plan adopts an intersectional, whole-of-institution approach to challenging racism and was developed following extensive consultation with external community groups and stakeholders, as well as our own staff and students.  

Australian Human Rights Commission Racism@Uni Survey 

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is leading a landmark study to examine the prevalence, nature and impact of racism in Australian universities.  

The AHRC will disseminate the survey findings and make recommendations to the Australian Government and universities. The findings will inform the AHRC’s Racism@Uni: A National Study for Change report. 

I encourage all students to participate in this external, confidential survey. Participation is entirely voluntary.  

All eligible students and staff will receive an email from La Trobe’s surveys team on behalf of the AHRC this week with a link to participate in the survey. Please note you may receive two emails if you are both a student and staff member. 

Further information about the Racism@Uni survey can be found on the AHRC’s website.  

Finally, I want to reinforce the message that racism is not tolerated at La Trobe.  

If the survey raises any concerns or you would like to talk to someone, the Student Wellbeing team are available to support you.  

Thank you for your time in participating in this important survey. 

Professor Theo Farrell 
Vice-Chancellor

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Improve your writing, research and study skills, as well as get tips and advice on how to:

• write great assignments
• improve your search skills
• find quality resources
• manage your time
• improve your presentation skills
• reference your assignments, and more

Workshops are running throughout the semester. All workshops are held online and include an open Q&A session, where you can ask questions and get advice on anything study related.

Register via CareerHub.

You can also view recordings via Library Learning Support Modules (LMS).
*Not all workshops are recorded.

Keep up to date with what’s on at the Library via the Training, workshops and events calendar.

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The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered with Victoria Walks to help empower women through walking. The Step10 Challenge aims to support women who currently are not walking as part of their usual routine and would benefit from support and encouragement.

To help the program hit its stride, Bendigo Walk Volunteers are needed – could this be you?

What’s the Step10 Challenge?

The Step10 Challenge will run from September 27 to November 29 and is a fantastic opportunity for women to boost their social connections, physical activity and walking confidence over a 10-week period. Participants will engage in three walks per week, building up to a 10km celebration walk at the end of the program.

Why volunteer?

You’ll gain valuable experience, make connections and improve your fitness while making a real difference in the community.

This is a perfect opportunity for students studying allied health or those interested in public health and health promotion.

Your role

As a Walk Volunteer, you’ll play a crucial role in creating a welcoming environment for participants.

Some of your tasks will include assisting the Walk Leader in conducting the walks, ensuring that participants feel comfortable and supported. You’ll help the Walk Leader to provide a quick walk induction at the start of each walk so participants know what to expect, and monitor participants during the walk to support them to complete.

Get involved

If you’re interested in improving the health and wellbeing of women in Greater Bendigo, complete the Walk Volunteer Expression of Interest form to get started.

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Before I went on exchange, I was craving something more. I realised I’d spent most of my university life stuck in a routine that felt a little too comfortable. I was looking for a challenge – something that would force me out of my comfort zone and exchange seemed like the kind of experience I’d look back on and think, yeah, that changed me.

Finding myself outside my comfort zone

I landed in Copenhagen in the dead of winter – straight out of an Australian summer into freezing weather and 4pm sunsets. I didn’t speak a word of Danish (still barely do), I didn’t know anyone in the city, and to top it off I got the flu during my first week. But the hardest parts quickly passed after a week, and any doubts I had faded away. I started to fall in love with every part of the Danish lifestyle from cozy ‘hygge’ nights to morning cold dips and endless nights out celebrating just about anything.  

Making new friends in a new culture

One of the most impactful parts of my exchange was assimilating into a new culture. My dorm was filled with exchange students which meant there was an instant sense of community, and within the first week I had already made friends for life. CBS also hosted countless events during the first few weeks including an international buffet, trivia night, canal tours, and semester kick-off parties, so there was always an opportunity to meet new people.

A semester that exceeded all my expectations

It’s fair to say, my semester at CBS changed me for the better. The university has a strong industry focus and the campus had a constant buzz of innovation – I was surrounded by students developing startups or pitching real-world solutions in class. I ended my semester in Copenhagen with a stronger sense of who I am, what I value, and how I want to shape my future.

Interested in studying abroad? Find out more about La Trobe University student exchange opportunities.

The post My life-changing exchange semester at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Being online should be safe for everyone. Unfortunately, we know that this isn’t always the case, and anyone can encounter harmful content online.

We’re running the Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign which aims to help prevent and respond to sexual harm in all its forms.

You might see campaign posters around our campuses. We want to communicate to students and staff how to access support for sexual harm, including online abuse.

View the Safe and Respected at La Trobe campaign website to learn more.

Did you know that there are Online Safety Laws in Australia?

Online Safety Laws address the most severe types of online abuse and allow the eSafety Commissioner to remove severely harmful online content.

The laws protect against:

• sharing explicit images or videos without consent
• illegal and violent content including the sexual abuse of children or encouraging terrorism
• cyberbullying – when someone uses the internet to humiliate, harass, intimidate or threaten a person under the age of 18
• severely abusive content that is menacing, harassing or offensive and intended to cause serious mental or physical harm to someone who is 18 or older

Tech-facilitated abuse and sexual harm

Technology can be used in harmful ways to cause sexual harm. This includes actions like stalking someone online, sharing private photos without permission, and harassing people online. These are all forms of sexual harm that involve technology. Sexual harm is any behaviour of a sexual nature that is non-consensual, unwanted or unwelcomed, and makes someone feel humiliated, frightened, intimidated or threatened. Sexual harm can occur in-person, online or via the use of technology. 

Remember, it’s not your fault if someone shares or threatens to share an intimate image or video of you without your consent. Even if you sent it to them in the first place…they have no right to share the content with others.

Remember, it’s not your fault if someone shares or threatens to share an intimate image or video of you without your consent. Even if you sent it to them in the first place…they have no right to share the content with others.

From the image-based abuse webpage from the eSafety Commissioner.

Staying safe online – The eSafety Commissioner

Part of the E-safety Comissioner’s role is to promote safe and positive online experiences. Make sure you think before you engage, set boundaries on tagging, check your privacy settings.

• Take a look at e-safety’s detailed advice for staying safe online.
• For navigating particular social platforms safely, check out the e-safety guide.

Did you know you can report online harm to the eSafety Commissioner?

• Learn how to report abuse or content to eSafety
• What you can report to eSafety

How to get support from Safer Community

You can access La Trobe’s Safer Community Service, a free and confidential support service for all La Trobe students and staff.

If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour of any kind, online, or in-person, please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service. You can use the website to contact Safer Community anonymously.

In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on University phones) and if on campus also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones).

Further Support

Online abuse in any form can be stressful for the individual and their family or community. Please consider accessing the following supports.

• ESafety Commissioner: helps you report and deal with online abuse or illegal and restricted content.
• 1800 RESPECT: national sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732. 
• CASACV: for Bendigo students, trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual assault, either recently or in the past.
• NCASA: 03 9496 2369, a sexual assault service located in Heidelberg. An NCASA counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly and can be accessed through Wellbeing Services.
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: provide crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced Sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292. 
• Djirra: Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past. Tel: 1800 105 3030. 
• Daisy app: connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area. 
•  QLife: counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527.
• Men’s Line: Free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78.
• If someone is in danger or requires immediate support, please call emergency services (000).

The post Safe and Respected – Online appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

You could start by sending an email, or ask to organise a phone call or meeting. Before you reach out, it’s a good idea to prepare by:

• making a list that describes the situation in dot points
• considering what solution you are seeking – and what’s reasonable
• checking if there are any policies or procedures you should be aware of
• seeking support from a Student Advocate.

Helpful resources

Whether it’s in the workplace, your relationships or your university life, the Employability team offer many resources to help you navigate conflict. These include:

• Career Ready Ambassadors who are available via a drop-in service across the semester (check when on the Career Hub). They might refer you to Australian Fair Work resources or a one-on-one appointment with a Specialist Career Consultant.
• On-demand resources on Career Ready OnLine – you can search the site to find specific information regarding conflict resolution. 
• On-demand Career Ready Webinars with information on workplace rights and responsibilities.

Support options at La Trobe

You might also want to look at what student support options are available to you. They can provide you with advice on how to approach resolving your issue and what options are available to you. Some of these services include:

• Academic Coordinators
• AccessAbility
• ASK La Trobe
• Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion
• Indigenous Student Services
• Safer Community
• Special Consideration
• Student Advising

Student Advocates can also be a big help. Advocacy is free, independent from La Trobe and available to students at all campuses.

Build your life skills

While undertaking conflict resolution may be challenging and uncomfortable, it’s an important skill to develop and build. Practising resolving conflict at uni will end up being very helpful in your working life.

If you haven’t been able to resolve an issue at uni yourself, you can submit a formal complaint to the University. For more information check out our article on raising concerns with the University.

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