Hi,

My name is Natalie Rivers.

This year, I have been called to explore my own returning to a deeper relationship of care for myself and others, guided by nature. An awakening —after 18 years of working tirelessly in social change, health, and community development to overcome inequities in systems and services as a nurse, in community engagement, research, design and social entrepreneurship — I have realised that to make the change we are looking for we must look internally and build deeper relationships and conscious connections to nature and each other.

Personally, I have witnessed the hardship and challenges faced by people who experience social disconnection and exclusion, as well as the impact of trauma. This continues to drive my interest in the role I play in healing and recovery—for myself and others. I know now that many of the answers we seek involve looking both into the past and toward the future, learning traditional ways of living, relating, and kinder use of resources. I’ve spent time exploring my own familial story and history, the role and impact of colonisation, and my own disconnection from the earth, care for creation, and community.

Deep Time Walks are my offering to the world.

As I stepped away from colonised order and time and started to connect more deeply with my own cultural and native roots — over generations and earths creation over billions of years — I was able to gain a sense of purpose that transcends the "everyday" and provided a deeper more connection intention in my daily life. Learning the story of earths creation through Deep Time Walks was an experience that helps ground my in purpose and was truely transformational. It was a complete embodiment of time and connection and completed shifted my perspective of purpose. This transformation led me to become a facilitator, bringing this gift to my local community at Braeside Park, Victoria.

Deep Time Walks are evidence-based walks created by Stephen Harding and Sergio Maraschin. Deep Time Walks are evidence-based, allowing participants to gain an enhanced perception of our planet's ancientness, filled with awe and wonder, perceptual impact, and connection, fostering a greater understanding of consequence, active hope, and motivation to be part of personal and political change. By walking Deep Time Walkers are able to "walk through" any discomfort and by reflecting and walking Deep Time Walkers can reflect in a way where they stay grounded and release any tensions, and reflect in pairs comfortably.

Practical Details:

3-hour guided walk
All-weather event
Optional pairing with a buddy
Guided reflection and sharing
Bring your own water, snacks, and personal first aid

On The Day:

Meet at Red Gum Car Park
Gather in circle to meet other Deep Time Walkers
Optional pair-up with fellow Deep Time Walker
Walk loop 4.6km, each meter representing 1 million years
There will be "Earth Stops" where facilitator will share a story of Earths Creation
Facilitator will share a reflective question
Together in your pairs you will walk and reflect
Half way a break for toilets/snacks/water
Continue walk
Arrive back where we started
Gather in circle to reflect with other Deep Time Walkers
Finish
Optional social gathering led by Deep Time Walkers

About Facilitator:

I am an experienced facilitator who as a registered nurse conducts walks under a standard of care, code of conduct and ethics to ensure all participants feel comfortable engaging. I am a trauma-informed practitioner with experience in designing and facilitating experiences that value people feeling safe and being able to be in a space where they can be honest, open, and have the choice to engage — or not. I aim for the walks to be accessible for all abilities and invite participants to share any accessibility needs. I will endeavor to make the necessary adjustments. I hope that through Deep Time Walks, I can help people with others navigating similar challenges and yearning for deeper connection. I am also a narrative practitioner, completing training at Dulwich Centre. I incorporate this practice into my walks to facilitate sharing stories.

I run Deep Time Walks as my 'gift to the world' and not as an entity or business. Walks are valued at $85.00 per person for general public events. You can attend this event for free; however, to keep the walks sustainable, I ask that if you can afford it, you pay what you can. This is considered a donation, not a fee for service, to support the sustainability of the walks. As this is not run as a business, I do not hold insurance. By registering, you agree that I will not hold any responsibility for your attendance.

Last but not least, there are no refunds for the events. If you choose not to pay an amount, please ensure that you uphold your commitment. There are capped numbers, and if you register, you will be taking someone else's spot!

Agreement to Engage:

By attending, you agree to bring your full self to the event and to help support the creation of a space where people can feel safe. You will also do your own assessment of whether you are fit and able to attend. I plan to run Deep Time Walks monthly during Spring, Summer, and Autumn; however, I will take a break during Deep Winter, which I use for my own self-reconnection and reflection.

Other Deep Time Walks in Victoria:

If Braeside Park is a bit too far for you, Tammy is another active Deep Time Walk Facilitator I know off who runs them under the organisation "The Biggest Picture". You can learn more about walks Tammy runs at CERES or Brighton Beach here.

Funded walks:

Sometimes funding comes available where walks can be provided for free. I am always on the look out for funding, and if this becomes available I will make this available. Currently there is no funding available for Deep Time Walks Braeside Park.

Testimonials:

The deep time walk was an enjoyable meditative experience that brought me great learning and insight into our beautiful earth's creation and the interconnectedness with my own existence (not to mention the gorgeous walk itself and the awesome people I met!). Something that stuck with me, in particular, was how we are not "on" this earth, but "of" it. Learning about all the complex stages, processes and forms of life that occurred before us humans - and then, of course, our creation as well - has left me with a deep sense of awe and a feeling that our existence really is kind of magical. It's this awe and wonderment through my magical lens that I have taken from the experience and have continued to apply to my life. Thank you for bringing this magic into my world — Hayley

I went on the Deep Time Walk Braeside with Natalie and it was fantastic! It was relaxed, fun and had a beautiful element of mindfulness mixed with sharing and connecting - a great collective journey! Sometimes I'm not sure about “keeping up” on a group walk, but I was given plenty of info before hand, the walk was flat and the structure with stops along the way was great. Natalie also gave a great framework for walking and talking on the day. I felt really comfortable and cared for. I learned tons of info, particularly the epic over-arching story about how the earth was formed. I never realised, I didn't really know this! Some fantastic new words and names now have me intrigued to learn more. The walk served as a reminder to continue to respect four planet and that I am literally 'a part of her'! She reflects us and it seems we're making some pretty small choices as a collective - we can be more! If your sitting there thinking whether to do the walk, I’d say “go for it”. — Lorinda.