Thirty Years of Compassion and Friendship

There will be a Memory Table where you can display a photograph or other memorabilia of your child/sibling. The Mary McKillop Centre has many nooks and crannies where you can “get away from it all” --either by yourself or with another friend-- to reflect on events or memories.

If you have never before had the opportunity to come to a Residential Weekend, rest assured that you will be warmly welcomed and will receive loving support during your stay. You will be greeted upon arrival by a TCF volunteer who can answer any questions and be there to make sure you get the most from the weekend.

We do not want any bereaved parent or sibling to miss the weekend due to financial hardship. Financial assistance is available, if you need help with travel costs or with the cost of the weekend. Please feel free to talk to your Chapter Leader or to Mary Carroll at the Bereaved Parent Centre.

Feel free to ring the Bereaved Parent Centre at (02) 9280 2355 if you have any questions.

Dear Friend,

I would like to extend a personal Invitation to you to join us at a very special weekend in Sydney for all bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents.  This weekend, recognising our “Thirty Years of Compassion and Friendship”, will be held at the Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney.    Registration forms for the weekend, to take place 18-20 September, are enclosed.

The program is being coordinated by three professional facilitators with extensive experience in supporting bereaved individuals:  

·         Julie Dunsmore, AM, whose compassionate work for TCF in the past is so familiar to many of us.  Julie is the President of the National Association of Loss and Grief, NSW, Inc.

·         Robyn Nugent, Black Dog Institute Ambassador.  Robyn is a bereaved parent who co-facilitated our wonderful Residential Weekend in Tamworth last year.  Many attendees at that weekend requested that we invite Robyn to be with us again.

·         Bernadette Arena, a teacher of yoga and meditation who has worked with support programs through the Quest for Life Centre.  Bernadette is back with us in an expanded role by popular demand after leading relaxation exercises during the 2007 weekend. 

The Reverend Gordon Bradbury, OAM, a teacher, psychologist, and Uniting Church minister, will conduct the Ecumenical Service of Remembrance in honour of all our children on Sunday, 20 September at 11:00 am. 

If you would like to come as a day participant for either Saturday, Sunday, or both days, you are most welcome. 

Accommodation for those who wish to stay at the Mary MacKillop Centre for the entire weekend is available-tariff sheet enclosed. Arrangements may also be made for billeting or for financial assistance with travel or accommodation costs in hardship cases. Ring me at the Centre or your Chapter Leader to discuss this in utmost confidence.

Recognising that bereaved siblings are often "forgotten mourners", with inadequate support available to them, TCF is offering the sibling program at no cost (accommodation excluded). We encourage all bereaved parents who have surviving teenaged or young adult children to make sure they are invited.

We hope you will be able to join us for all or any part of this very special weekend. Please use the enclosed forms to register; or ring us, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Looking forward to honouring our "thirty years of compassion and friendship" with you, Compassionately yours,

Mary Carroll, OA , President TCF NSW

The Residential Weekend will include small group sessions and keynote addresses featuring the following facilitators;

Bernadette Arena, a teacher of yoga and meditation on the staff of the Quest for Life Centre.

Bernadette has also been invited back by popular demand, having last led the meditation and exercise sessions at our 2007 Residential Weekend. This year Bernadette will also be conducting small group sessions throughout the course of the weekend.