Nurturing Wellbeing for Community & Connection

Banyule Loves...Connection!

Reconnect with yourself, others and the natural world in this interactive wellbeing session exploring how we can stay grounded, connected and resourced while contributing to the things we care about.

Caring deeply about our world, from the environment to broader social and community causes, can be both rewarding and overwhelming. When we are continually responding to stress, uncertainty and the needs of others, it can be easy to lose connection with ourselves and with each other.

In this welcoming and practical session held inside the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, clinical psychologist Emily Toner will share her ‘Expansion Framework’ of how looking after your own mental health is the foundation for sustaining everyone and everything else around you. 

Drawing on positive psychology, behavioural neuroscience and mindfulness, the session will create space to pause, connect and recharge, while sharing practical tools to help you feel more grounded, connected and resourced.

In this session, you will:

• Explore the science of stress, contraction and nervous system expansion.

• Understand how emotions might guide our thoughts and behaviours.

• Reflect on the environmental and social challenges we are facing and safely share your reflections.

• Learn simple, practical tools to help you reset your nervous system throughout the day and hold space for emotions.

• Get outdoors and connect with nature through an outdoor guided mindful walk (weather permitting).

No prior mindfulness experience is needed. Come as you are, take what is useful for you, and make space to pause, connect with the community and recharge with nature.

What to expect

• A relaxed and interactive session combining short evidence-based reflections, practical wellbeing tools, mindfulness and guided nature connection. There will be opportunities to pause, reflect and chat with others, as well as space simply to be present and recharge.

• You will leave with practical tools for reconnecting with yourself, others and nature.

• Snacks will be provided- please make note of any dietary needs.

About the Facilitator

Emily Toner is a nationally registered clinical psychologist, speaker and wellbeing consultant working at the intersection of behavioural science, mindfulness and regenerative psychology. Her work supports individuals, communities and teams navigating stress, uncertainty and the psychological demands of social and environmental change.  www.emilytoner.com

The Banyule Loves...Workshop Series explores the lost art of sustainable, climate-resilient living. The series celebrates the things about Banyule which our community loves- from gardening to connecting to Country to saving money on our energy bills. These workshops will upskill community members while connecting participants to like-minded neighbours. Attendees are entered in a drawing for a prize for participating in each workshop, with the drawing held at the annual wrap-up celebration and showcase event in November. Each attendee will receive a certification of completion for the workshops they attend. 

This workshop takes place during the Kulin season of Poorneet, or Tadpole season. Poorneet lasts from late August through to October though it could start earlier or later depending certain signs. In the air you’ll hear Currawongs loudly warbling sometimes joining the afternoon choruses of Magpies. In rivers and shallow lagoons Growling Grass Ngarrert (Frogs) are busy laying their eggs in foamy rafts among the Reeds and Water ribbons, soon to hatch into tiny Poorneet (Tadpoles). Meanwhile on land Bubup mirrim (Baby Kangaroos) are eager to leave the safety of their mothers' pouches.

Banyule City Council is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as traditional custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the region's history.

Our community is made up of diverse cultures, beliefs, abilities, bodies, sexualities, ages and genders. We are committed to access, equity, participation and rights for everyone: principles which empower, foster harmony and increase the wellbeing of an inclusive community.