30 Dec 2021 | Ceremonies

Postponement of Programs – Unexpected Offering for 2022

Happy New Year dear friends across the world! I am deeply grateful for your presence and support over this last year. We have laughed and cried together, shared practices, stories, inspirational writing and poetry and for some of you, we have walked together in wild places. I have felt nourished,…

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06 Dec 2021 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Vale, dear friend, Misha Norland

Beloved Misha What am I both mourning and celebrating? The richness and integrity of our conversations, his delightful open questions. Listening to his choice of music in the ‘hallowed’ space in the sacred middle space. The walks in the woods and Devon pathways. Misha’s big smile, wise words, quiet presence…

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03 Dec 2021 | Ceremonies

Honouring the Life of Ria Gimbergh

A Service Of Celebration And Thanksgiving For The Life Of Anna Maria ‘Ria’ Gimbergh Bob walked slowly over to the magnolia tree. He stood a while and looked up at the creamy white and dying brown flowers. With tears in his eyes, he walked slowly back and turned to me,…

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20 Nov 2021 | Ceremonies

Gumbaynggirr Healing Smoking Ceremony, Water Blessing and Paddle Out.

Nearly three months ago, Emerald Beach experienced the tragedy and shock of a fatal shark attack on one of the most perfect Sunday beach mornings. It was the 5th September, 2021, Father’s Day. The young man, Tim, who died on the beach, was not long married and his beautiful wife,…

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Meeting Grief

06 Nov 2021 | Celebrants

Meeting Grief and Bringing Comfort In

When You Meet Someone Deep in Grief Slip off your needs and set them by the door. Enter barefoot this darkened chapel hollowed by loss hollowed by sorrow its gray stone walls and floor. You, congregation of one are here to listen not to sing. Kneel in the back pew…

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19 Oct 2021 | Celebrants

After the storm, a fresh start

Preparing for my upcoming session at the Renew and Rise Virtual Festival I contemplated how I could weave the threads of my work together. A rich blend of holding space for ceremonies, the honest conversations around death and dying, the mourning and celebration circles, online memorial services, non violent communication…

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Talking with Children about Traumatic Events

22 Sep 2021 | Elderhood

Talking with Children about Traumatic Events

Building Healthy Communities -Talking with Children about Traumatic Events I am caring for my 4 and 7-year-old grandsons this weekend, here in Emerald Beach, so I opened the conversation with my daughter about taking the children to the water blessing/paddle out tomorrow that will be held at Shelley’s Beach in…

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18 Sep 2021 | Ceremonies

Mourning and Celebration Circle

Mourning and Celebration Circle – how it touches people’s lives. Helena, who lives in Portugal, emailed me after her friend and colleague, Sam, thought she might be interested in a mourning and celebration circle to honour her dearest friend and partner, Pedro, who had died unexpectedly two weeks earlier.  Pedro…

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08 Sep 2021 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Online Memorial Service with breakout rooms

Live streaming funerals and online memorial services are becoming a norm for many who are grieving the death of a loved one.  In Australia and New Zealand the lockdowns are still happening with ‘stay at home’ orders in many regions. In NSW, funerals are limited to ten guests. People cannot…

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30 Aug 2021 | Celebrants

Mindfulness, Heart Conversations, Life and Death

Mindfulness Meditation Quiet, still awareness supporting friendliness, kindness and peace in oneself. Every Tuesday 7pm AEST – a guided mindfulness practice with a small group of people online. Click here to register and get the link. Ongo: Everyday Nonviolence A path of wisdom, compassion and peace. The current programs have…

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