Moora Moora Green Heart Retreat

It’s big work to face up to environmental destruction and shift power. That's why we need to look after the people who work for change – protecting land, water, air, people and wildlife.

Being held in community can give us new perspectives on our own unique gifts and vision. A sense of balance and renewal can come directly from nature.

The Moora Moora Green Heart Retreat offers a generous space for connection, rest and renewal for people who work for change. Everyone is welcome, including changemakers, creatives, youth and elders, community leaders, and staff and volunteers from environment and climate groups.

Gather and be held in a unique mountaintop community for four days and nights. Your generous hosts are a 50-year-old cooperative community living in the forests of Mt Toolebewong on Wurundjeri country near Healesville.

Together, we can ask how to build our courage, presence and power in the face of uncertainty.

You'll weave connections with new friends and people you work with, sharing laughter and nourishing meals. There will be time to stare at the campfire, tell stories, and wander the beautiful trails. And there'll be space to debrief the big things about where we are at and how we feel.

Bring curiosity

• Explore ideas about the deep belonging and community that our hearts yearn for.
  
• Slow down with deep time perspectives on society and economy.
  
• Play with ideas for being in right relation to land and embodied kinship with all life.
  
• Reflect on your sources of power and strength for your work or activism.
  
• Confront modern patterns that trap us in urgency and disconnection.
  
  

A forest solo

Participants are invited to camp one night solo in the mountaintop forest, from dusk to dawn. We'll support you fully before, during and after your solo.

This deep ecology-inspired simple ceremony may be the retreat's most generous gift, giving you the time to be still, to draw on inner resources, and to connect with wild nature around you. When you work in the role of a protector, it's hard to let go and receive each moment with presence.

You may be surprised how powerful this ceremony is.

Leave renewed

You'll leave with new maps for self-care, well-being and connection. New patterns of being with wild nature. And a renewed commitment to courageously care for the people you love and the people you work with, in the face of uncertainty, and grounded in wisdom, humility, respect and generosity.

Take home a renewed energy for your ongoing contribution and service.

The retreat includes all meals and four nights accommodation in the Moora Moora Cooperative Learning Centre, with private rooms, twin share rooms and bunk rooms available. The program starts on the evening of Thursday 7th November and finishes in the afternoon of Sunday 10th.

FACILITATORS

Peter Cock co-founded Moora Moora 50 years ago. He is a pioneer of regenerative community and ecological citizenship. As a sociologist, he has designed and facilitated many community and small-group processes. He is Vice president of the Sustainable Living Foundation. The Green Heart Retreat is Peter's vision and his gift to the next generation of change makers.

Yin Paradies is an Aboriginal-Asian-Anglo Australian of the Wakaya people from the Gulf of Carpentaria and a resident member of Moora Moora. He is Professor of Race Relations at Deakin University. He is an ecological activist who is deeply committed to understanding and interrupting the devastating impacts of modernity.

Kathryn McCallum is a people-powered movement builder who has worked on big campaigns to hold polluters accountable with the Australian Conservation Foundation, GetUp, and now as strategy director at Climate Action Network Australia. She has studied collaborative leadership and rebuilding nature-connected communities. Kathryn has Danish and Scottish heritage.

Rebecca Urie is a psychologist with over 10 years of experience and a specialist interest in trauma. She is a Moora Moora member, the Learning Centre Co Ordinator, and a clinical psychologist. She has lived with activists for years, and brings a deep respect and understanding to the psychological demands of this work. She will be available throughout the retreat to support participants.

Lesley Shuttleworth works with the NED Foundation to support projects for an ecologically sustainable world. With 25 years of community development in Neighbourhood Houses, Lesley explores community as an ecosystem underpinned by values and working with head (intellect), heart (feelings), hands (action), feet (groundedness) and guts (intuition). She holds a Master in Sustainability and Social Change.


THE LOCATION
The Moora Moora cooperative is a 50-year-old intentional community on the peak of Mt Toolebewong near Healsville on Wurundjeri country. Established in 1974, Moora Moora is home to around 50 adults and 20 children living on 245 hectares, with 30 houses, a farm and a covenanted forest. There are two off-grid community facilities, with accommodation for up to 23 people and beautiful camping sites in the forest.

COST
Organisations are encouraged to support staff and volunteers by paying for their participation where possible. The retreat cost is heavily subsidised by project partners NED Inc (Nurturing Evolutionary Development).

EARLYBIRD - Bookings before 26 September

• $245 – Grassroots ticket – For community groups, small non-profits, First Nations, students, or individuals on a low wage.
  
• $375 – Regular ticket – For large non-profits, social enterprises or businesses, or individuals on a regular salary or with access to wealth.

Bookings after 26 September

• $345 – Grassroots ticket – For community groups, small non-profits, First Nations, students, or individuals on a low wage.
  
• $515 – Regular ticket – For large non-profits, social enterprises or businesses, or individuals on a regular salary or with access to wealth.

CONTACTS

To discuss the program, or if finances are a barrier to participation, contact Peter Cock on 0422 426 144 or phcock2@gmail.com

For questions about booking or accommodation, or to have an invoice issued to your organisation, please contact Rebecca on 0439037357 or kunkila@gmail.com