The Year That Was: Our 5 Biggest Wins

What a year 2024 has been! As we look back on all the incredible things we’ve achieved and all the amazing people who made it happen, we’re bursting with pride. We’ve had some seriously big wins this year, and if you’re thinking about calling Deakin Residential Services (DRS) home, you’re in for an exciting ride. Here are our top 5 wins of 2024—and trust us, this is just the beginning!

1. Over 900 Events – Because Who Doesn’t Love Fun?

University life is about more than just textbooks and exams, and this year, we made sure of it. Our teams organised over 900 events designed to bring our residents together, relax, learn, and have a blast. From fitness classes and game nights to career workshops and, of course, plenty of free food, there was something for everyone. We also introduced sensory advice icons to help students pick events that suit their energy and sensory preferences (we’re really proud of this!)

These events weren’t just about filling up a calendar—they were about creating memories, making new friends, and finding the perfect work-play balance. Our residents were never short on things to do, and every event was intentionally curated and designed as a chance to meet new faces, build community and try something new!

2. Our Helpful Humans: The Real MVPs

Behind every great community are the people who make it all happen—and our residential leaders are truly the heart of DRS. This year, over 70 incredible leaders across our four campuses went above and beyond to make sure our residents felt supported, connected, and welcomed. These amazing people are more than just staff; they’re mentors, guides, and the friendly faces that make DRS feel like home.

And the best part? We’ve already trained our 86 2025 Residential Leaders, so next year’s crew is all set to make your Deakin experience unforgettable. Whether our incoming residents need advice on university life, want to join a fun event, or just need someone to chat to, our leaders are raring to go. Their passion for building a positive, inclusive environment will make our resi’s feel at home from day one and we’re so thankful for them!
You can read more here : Meet your 2025 Residential Leaders

3. We Struck Gold in Accommodation

We’ve got some serious bragging rights this year—we achieved Gold Accreditation from the Residential Experience Standard (RES), an internationally recognized standard for student accommodation. Only four institutions received this prestigious recognition, putting DRS at the forefront of student accommodation in Australia.

This wasn’t just about having top-tier physical spaces (though we’re pretty proud of those too!). It’s a recognition of our commitment to creating living environments that enrich students’ lives and help them thrive both academically and personally. Our Gold Accreditation proves that we’re serious about providing a community where residents feel safe, supported, and valued. We've struck gold accreditation in the Residential Experience Standard

4. Celebrated Neurodiversity

One of our proudest moments this year was hosting our first-ever neurodiversity flagship event, featuring the incredible Chloe Hayden (Australia’s trailblazing autistic actress). This event celebrated what makes us all unique and helped raise awareness around neurodiversity, making Deakin a more inclusive, supportive place for everyone.

We believe university life is richer when everyone feels included, and this event was a huge step toward fostering a community where diversity is not just accepted, but embraced. If we had to pick one standout event this year, this would be it—because creating spaces where everyone feels they belong is at the core of who we are.
You can read more here : Embracing different with Chloe Hayden

5. Biggest Residential Community Ever

This year, we broke records with the largest number of residents in DRS history, and it’s clear why so many students are choosing to call Deakin home. More residents mean more energy, more connections, and a bigger, better community.

It’s an exciting time to live at Deakin, and with even more students joining us next year, there are endless opportunities to meet new people, get involved, and create lifelong friendships. Whether you’re a first-year or a returning student, you’ll be joining a dynamic, vibrant community that’s growing stronger every day.

Looking Ahead

As you can see, 2024 has been a year of growth, success, and loads of good times. And we’re just getting started! If you’re looking for a place to call home while you study, there’s so much waiting for you at DRS—from world-class accommodation to incredible people and a community you’ll love.

A big thank you to all our amazing residents who made 2024 unforgettable. We can’t wait to welcome our 2025 crew and make next year even more epic.