Navigating Grief and Loss

Everyone grieves. Everyone suffers from loss.

But how do we deal with this grief and loss? How do we help others navigate the long and often lonely road?

This free community forum, run by local community group "Peninsula Voice', is being run to provide information and raise a conversation about how individually, and as a community, we navigate grief and loss.

The aim of this forum is to provide attendees with both an understanding of what grief and loss is, and also to gain practical tools to navigate grief and loss, both within themselves and with others.

Our Keynote speakers for the night will be:

Dr Rob Gordon OAM PhD, FAPS, FCCLP- Community grief after disasters

Dr Rob Gordon is a clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of disaster recovery since Ash Wednesday in 1983. He is a consultant to Red Cross and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and has worked with people and communities after the Port Arthur shooting, the Bali Bombing, Black Saturday, the Christchurch Earthquake as well as numerous floods, fires, cyclones and other events throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Ros Lewis - Trauma Psychotherapist

Ros Lewis is a NZ registered Psychotherapist, with thirty-seven years experience in the mental health field. She has a special interest in trauma and recovery and women’s mental health.

Cam McAdam - Mt Eliza Clergyman

Cam has spent many years standing with families experiencing grief and loss. He will bring a practical view on the process of dying and the subsequent events to celebrate a person’s life. He is currently the ‘Minister of the Word’ at The Village Church in Mt Eliza where he has developed a reputation for strengthening the local community.

These speakers will be supported in conversation by members of our community who have experienced first hand their own grief and loss.

Lisa Corduff - Mother of 3 children

Lisa will share her story of losing her husband tragically at the age of 40. Lisa has successfully run her own online business for some years whilst raising her children as a solo parent. She is passionate about helping people to work through grief & loss and to understand that there are ways to navigate life with purpose after significant loss.

Chantelle Ross- Projex J - Get Busy Living

Through Projex J, Chantelle and the committee aims to provide the grieving community a safe space to be in the company of those who understand one another; to replace isolation with connection. Projex J aims to provide care and support in every capacity we can for those struggling with any type of grief.

The evening will commence at 6.00pm with arrival and live music by the Wayne Stanistreet who is a very talented vocalist and musician. He is perhaps best known as the regular host of Open Mic@The Green (Yamala Bowling Club)

Jim Catford will MC the forum. Jim is well known to Peninsula Voice regulars through his involvement in many past events. He comes from a rigorous theological background and was principal and lecturer at the Churches of Christ theological collage. He is currently the pastoral minister for an innovative and creative congregation in Mt Martha.

Guests are asked to arrive between 6pm and 6.30pm. The forum will start at 6.30pm and run through to 8.00pm.

An opportunity for conversation and discussion will then provided over a cuppa and a snack until 8.30pm.

This is a free event, however a gold coin donation would be appreciated to support the continued work of Peninsula Voice, a volunteer led community organisation.

For further details about Peninsula Voice, the event and our speakers refer to our website.