Reflecting on the success of the 2024 Flinders Community Market, we celebrate its impact, student volunteers, and look forward to its return in 2025—mark your calendars for February 27th!
I just got back from leave and was perusing the emails I had received. One was from Jacob, the Flinders Community Market Coordinator, reflecting on the market in 2024.
There are still plenty of students who don’t even realise the market exists, but for many Thursdays in 2024, there was low-cost and free food available at the Oasis Community Centre. Given the significant rise in cost of living, being able to save on weekly food costs has been of central importance to many students being able to make ends meet.
If you don’t know about the market, you can learn more here.
But the purpose of Jacob’s email was reflective. As the year comes to a close, Jacob (and the Oasis team) wanted to give a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Flinders Community Market in 2024. Whether you were a volunteer, a regular attendee, or just stopped by for a quick chat, your involvement helped create a welcoming and supportive space for hundreds of students throughout the year and helped ensure the market would return in 2025.
A Special Shoutout to Student Volunteers:
The Flinders Community Market wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and hard work of amazing student volunteers. Their efforts, week after week, helped ensure the market ran smoothly, created a warm and welcoming environment, and made a real difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for your energy, kindness, and commitment to supporting the Flinders community!
2024 in Numbers:
- Total Attendance: 5,626 people accessed the market this year.
- Busiest Day: 239 attendees on March 7th.
- Quietest Day: 102 attendees during the mid-semester break on September 19th.
- Weekly Average: 160 students attended each week.
- Exam Period Highlight: 134 attendees at the final market of the year—a slight increase (+1) from last year’s wrap-up event!
These numbers tell a story of growth, and the importance of community, especially during challenging times.
The Flinders Community Market is more than just a source of food; it’s a place for connection, support, and inclusivity. Whether you needed a few quick snacks to get through a study session, ongoing support, or simply wanted to chat, the market was there to meet you where you were. No identification or pre-registration was required—just a welcoming space to grab what you need without fear of judgment.
With the market now closed f0r 2024, those looking for food and other support over the summer break, there are other options. A full list of food relief and financial support options can be found here. These services ensure that support is available year-round, even when the market is on hiatus.
The Flinders Community Market will be back in action on 27th February 2025, continuing its mission to support students in a friendly and accessible way. With the rising cost of living and growing awareness of the market, we hope it reaches even more students next year. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for updates in the new year! And make sure to tell your peers. Word-of-mouth is a key way that other students learn about the market.
In the meantime, the Oasis Community Centre itself remains open over summer (except for the Christmas/New Year period), 8 am – 8 pm, for anyone looking for a quiet and welcoming space on campus.
Thank you again to everyone who made the 2024 Flinders Community Market such a success—especially the incredible volunteers and coordinators! Here’s to another amazing year ahead!
