'Grief Walking' at North Head Sanctuary ~ 27.09.26

A Grief Walking practice for those navigating the loss of a loved one.

Gathering in community to share our grief is innately human and it is an important part of the grieving process. This Grief Walk is an invitation to allow yourself the time to honour your grief journey and the enduring connection with your loved one, while being held by community in the natural beauty of North Head Sanctuary.

North Head is known as Car-rang-gel by the Gayamagal people and was once used by their Koradgee (medicine men and women healers) for spiritual ceremonies and rituals. This land has a rich history of healing and we are fortunate enough to have access to this space for supporting our own wellbeing.

What to expect;

~ Starting with an acknowledgement of country and a safety talk with rules for nonjudgemental listening and confidentiality, we gather in circle with a voluntary introduction from each guest and a short description of our grief journey so far, followed by a talk from the facilitator on a grief-related topic for discussion during the walk.

~ After the introduction we take a 1.5hr walk around the crest of North Head Sanctuary, guests are welcome to continue sharing their stories with other walkers or simply allow themselves the time to be present in nature. 

~ Once we return from the walk, we gather again for another voluntary share about any insights that arose along the way, then close the circle with a gratitude practice, a final safety check-in and a group farewell.

What this is.

A group of up to 10 people who are transitioning through bereavement, coming together in a safe environment to acknowledge their loved ones and have their grief journey witnessed, while being surrounded by natural beauty.

What it's not.

This is not group therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and the facilitator is not a mental health professional. If you are feeling like you might benefit from grief counselling, please see the free counselling resources listed at the end of the event description.

FAQ's

What does it cost to join the Grief Walk?  

To keep the facilitators resourced to continue this work, registration for the walk is $30.

Where do we meet?

We meet at the Bluefish Road entrance to Gunner Road carpark at North Head (free parking).

What happens in wet weather?

In the event of poor weather a decision will be made by the organiser on the day prior as to whether the event will go ahead and tickets can be refunded.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a hat, sunscreen and water bottle. There are toilets at the starting point and the halfway point and also a water refill station at the halfway point. 

How steep is the walking track?

There are a few slight inclines on the walk but nothing too rigorous. The track is rocky in sections and can feel unstable under foot. If you have concerns about the terrain please contact the host with any questions.

How do I know if this Grief Walk is right for me?

The GriefWalk is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one. There are no expectations to be at a certain place with your grief, you are welcome to come as you are. All sharing is voluntary. If you'd like to walk in silence, that is fine too.

What if I’m feeling very emotional, Is it ok to cry?

Crying is a perfectly normal expression of sadness and telling your grief story or hearing stories from others can also be quite activating, with that being said, participants often find that the physical act of walking keeps them centred while telling their story. You are most welcome to cry at any stage of the walk, but we are only together for a short time on this day so the vessel of containment is limited by our timeframe.

How do I know that it’s safe to share my story?

Confidentiality is a condition of joining the walk. To ensure the walk is safe for vulnerable expressions of sorrow, we ask everyone who joins to respect the privacy of the group.

How do I know if this Grief Walk is not right for me?

Although this space is available to everyone over 18 years of age, if you are physically less able or if your loss is very fresh (within the last three months) we ask that you bring a friend along for additional support during and after the walk.

For safety reasons, if you are experiencing difficulties with mental health or have a history of mental illness we respectfully ask that you seek professional assistance before attending this circle. 

Any further questions?

Please feel free to email the organiser davecalandra@yahoo.com with any other questions or to be added to the waiting list for the next walk.

Resources

In Australia Griefline offers free grief counselling over the phone 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week. Ph; 1300 845 745. 

13YARN provides 24/7 First Nations crisis support ph; 139276

MensLine offers free counselling 24/7 ph; 1300 78 99 78. 

Beyond Blue offers free counselling 24/7 for anxiety and depression  ph; 1300 22 46 36

Red Nose grief and loss offers free grief counselling 24/7 (for miscarriage, stillbirth, baby and child loss)ph; 1300 308 307

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 for all emergencies. 

In Sydney other resources for grief support include;

National Centre for Childhood Grief

https://childhoodgrief.org.au/ and 

Hammondcare’s bereavement support services.

https://www.hammond.com.au/hea...