Designing the Future: Reflections from Rosie Thomas’ Keynote
This morning our staff had the privilege of hearing from Rosie Thomas, co-founder of Project Rockit, Australia’s youth-driven movement against bullying, hate and prejudice. Over the past two decades, Rosie and her team have worked with more than 800,000 young Australians, building a movement that is as much about kindness and respect as it is about courage and leadership.
What stood out in her keynote wasn’t just the story of starting with “nothing but passion” fresh out of high school—it was the set of leadership lessons that apply powerfully to associations, schools, and any community shaping the next generation.
Key Takeaways from Rosie’s Story
1. Relevance is earned, not assumed
Rosie reminded us that existing isn’t the same as staying relevant. Just as Project Rockit grew by embracing intersectionality and elevating diverse youth voices, we too must constantly reflect on whose voices are missing in our communities and ensure our programs meet today’s challenges, not yesterday’s traditions.
2. Belonging over benefits
Students don’t just want workshops; they want to belong to something bigger. The same is true in boarding schools and associations. Belonging drives retention, loyalty and advocacy far more than services alone.
3. Co-creation is the new leadership currency
Rather than designing for members (or students) and expecting them to consume, Rosie showed how co-design creates ownership. Her Youth Collective—40 young people aged 12–20 paid as lived-experience experts—ensures their programs are built with, not just for, young people.
4. Courage creates momentum
Using the metaphor of “desire paths,” Rosie challenged us to notice where people are already forging new tracks and to back them. Leadership is often about choosing the brave experiment that signals possibility.
5. Adaptability is strength
COVID was a turning point for Project Rockit, forcing a hybrid model that blended social enterprise with a foundation to reach disadvantaged schools. The lesson: the organisations that thrive are not the most polished or powerful, but the most adaptable and values-anchored.
Why This Matters for Boarding
Rosie’s keynote was a call to all of us who work with young people: don’t leave the future to luck. Whether in schools or associations, our role is to design spaces where students feel safe, respected and empowered to lead.
At ABSA, this resonates deeply. Boarding has always been about more than accommodation—it’s about community, belonging, and equipping young people with the resilience and leadership to thrive.
As Rosie closed, she left us with a challenge: “By choosing courage, co-creation and community, you can design a future with your members that reflects your members.” That’s a challenge we take seriously in boarding.
