September – My Manifesto
What a great night we had at Communities of Wellbeing last night hosting Justin Robinson, a dear friend and partner of COWB for ten years, for the Maroondah launch of he and Sue Wong’s new book, “My Manifesto.” The feedback on Justin’s presentation was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted its impact on personal growth, inspiration, and clarity. Participants appreciated the authenticity, kindness, and passion Justin brought to the session. They found the 7-step process practical and accessible, providing clarity on personal values, character strengths, and purpose. Many attendees felt inspired to begin their own manifesto journey, with several expressing their desire to purchase the book and the ‘inspiration cards.’
The presentation was motivational, helping individuals confront themselves while giving hope and direction for the future. The message of perseverance, courage, and being true to oneself resonated deeply, with many feeling encouraged to pursue their dreams and contribute to community wellbeing. The idea that a manifesto is fluid and evolves with life was highlighted, and there was strong enthusiasm for a future book tailored for teens.
Overall, the presentation was clear, inspiring, and transformative, leaving us energised and eager to apply the lessons to our own lives.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Sue and Justin’s work you should – https://mymanifesto.me/ If you haven’t thought about creating a manifesto – I strongly recommend you do. I have undertaken the process and it was life changing in all the right ways. It not only gave me clarity in my purpose but how I wanted to chose to live my life in the future. It encouraged me to change a few things and I am so glad I have. I remain on my journey, imperfect but learning every day. Thanks Sue and Justin for your inspiration.
Actual Feedback from the cards
Thank you for creating a unique source of personal growth. You’ve sold me.
Authentic, Kind and beautiful
Make wish. Follow your dream. Make it your reality. Thanks
Perseverance. If I can’t do it now, it doesn’t mean never.
Please keep lighting up our world
A wonderful and inspirational talk. I really feel ready to venture into my own manifesto. Keep up the great work.
The Manifesto helps to give clarity and awareness of character strengths and core values to live my best life, while being open to change and flexible with courage, resilience and perseverance.
I’m buying a book and some inspiration cards. I loved the ‘courageously speaking up for others.” Which will go in my manifesto. Also interested in anything supporting community wellbeing.
A kind, generous, sincere loving person
To be an encourager of all, regardless of race, educational pr work status.
Thanks for your energy Justin. I love the concept – especially the different entry points for people. A practical way to put self-help into action.
Confronting to face myself and be true but giving me hope for the next phase of my life and more direction and show me what’s important and the many achievements is exciting.
May – Wellbeing Throughout Life
In our May meeting we offered a captivating exploration of Erik Erikson’s stages of development, uniquely framed through the lens of wellbeing across life’s various stages. The evening was structured around insightful discussions led by experts who delved into how wellbeing manifests at different ages and the critical roles community and support networks play in fostering a healthy, happy life.
In our new space at Eastland, Peter Gaze launched the evening with an overview of Erickson’s stages and set the stage for a walk through these various stages by some Maroondah community members.
The talk began with a focus on early years (ages 1-7) by Lisa Waters (Maroondah City Council Early Childhood Manager), highlighting the importance of nurturing and secure environments in the foundational stages of life. The discussion transitioned to the challenges and triumphs of young people by Ella Watts (Youth and Children’s worker at Urban Life Church (ages 8-25), emphasising the crucial phase of identity formation and the impact of peer, family and community support.
Attention then shifted to adult life, examining two pivotal aspects: personal relationships, including marriage, divorce, bringing up a family and career development. Suzy Stojanovic (McAlpin Ward Councillor for Maroondah City Council) and Peter Maguire, (COWB Executive Committee and Director of Ridgeline HR) illustrated how adult challenges are navigated successfully through community support and individual resilience. They spoke about their learnings along their individual journeys that enrich our lives and provide the wisdom that can be shared and used in future endeavours.
Lastly, the conversation covered healthy ageing for those in aged care and active seniors post-career. COWB executive members Peter Feeney, Janni Haskin and Edwina Ricci shared their experiences with personal stories and those of ageing parents. The emphasis was on the importance of community engagement and the joy of daily achievements and social interactions in promoting mental and emotional health in later years.
The overarching conclusion from the evening was profound yet simple: “It takes a village to raise a person to be healthy and happy.” This timeless wisdom resonated deeply, affirming the essential role of community at every stage of human development.
Communities of Wellbeing would like to thank our experts for the evening who gave their time and words of wisdom, and to COWB executive committee member Peter Gaze whose vision and effort to bring the concept of exploring wellbeing alongside Erikson’s life stages was appreciated by all who attended. Thanks also to the Maroondah City Council for providing the refreshments and to Eastland for our new amazing space to share our wellbeing messages with community.
April – Dying Well
In April, our Communities of Wellbeing meeting hosted a profound and enlightening session led by Natalia Sopelario, a previous executive committee member and friend of COWB who is a spiritual guide working at the Alfred Hospital, who specialises in supporting those facing terminal illnesses. The evening focused on the themes of living well and embracing the inevitabilities of life’s final stages, blending spiritual guidance with practical wisdom.
The session began with a calming meditation led by Natalia, aimed at centring and preparing us for a deep exploration into the often challenging topics of life and death. This reflective practice set the tone for a thoughtful discussion and ensured that participants were emotionally and mentally ready to engage with the sensitive subject matter.
Natalia introduced the concept of the “Five Remembrances,” which are fundamental truths about life that she shares with her patients to help them navigate their final days with acceptance and peace. These remembrances are:
- Impermanence of Life: Recognising that life is not permanent and accepting this truth can profoundly change our perspective on how we live and value each day.
- Importance of Relationships: Emphasising the value of relationships and the impact our interactions have on our wellbeing and that of others.
- Reality of Life’s Limitations: Acknowledging that life has its limitations and challenges, and understanding these can lead to a deeper appreciation of our experiences.
- Significance of Actions: Highlighting how our actions have consequences and the importance of living with intention and mindfulness.
- Acceptance of Life’s End: Accepting that death is a natural part of life, which can lead to more meaningful living and less fear towards dying.
Natalia’s talk provided not only comfort but also a framework for living a life filled with purpose, mindfulness, and acceptance. Her expertise in spiritual care brought a unique perspective to the universal experiences of life and death, making the session especially impactful.
The evening left participants reflective and better equipped to handle the realities of life and death, emphasising that the quality of our living profoundly impacts our dying. It was a reminder that in our busy lives, pausing to reflect on these fundamental truths can be incredibly enriching and transformative.
A huge thank you to Natalia who took time out of her busy schedule to share her invaluable experiences. Her generosity was appreciated by us all.
March – Connection with Nature
In March, the Communities of Wellbeing meeting was a celebration of nature’s profound impact on our wellbeing. Held at the lovely Warrien Reserve in North Croydon, members were treated to a ‘sense and savour’ walk, expertly guided by self-compassion specialist Kathryn Lovewell. The event kicked off with a friendly sausage sizzle under the canopy of twilight, setting the stage for an evening of connection and reflection. As the weather was perfect, providing the perfect backdrop, participants shared stories of their cherished natural havens and the significance these places hold in their lives. Kathryn Lovewell’s insights further enriched our understanding, highlighting how our bond with nature not only nurtures our physical selves but also serves as a wellspring for mental and emotional strength. This gathering wasn’t just a meeting; it was a collective journey back to the heart of what it means to truly connect with the world around us and within us.
February – Play Your Part Have Your Say
In February we met to consider whether we needed to update or refocus our objectives and to consider our plans for 2024. We developed a number of new ideas which you should see implemented in coming months.
Continuing URStrong Activities
Communities of Wellbeing expresses gratitude to Maroondah City Council for their grant supporting vital relationship-building initiatives.
Communities of Wellbeing is thrilled to extend a heartfelt thank you to Maroondah City Council for their generous contribution of $3,000. This grant will empower us to continue the impactful work begun with the UR Strong’s Friendology program, following the resounding success of the Language of Friendship event held at Eastland. This event, which proudly drew 700 families and earned the title of Maroondah’s Event of the Year, showcased the profound need and desire for initiatives that foster strong personal connections within our community.
The grant from Maroondah City Council paid for the production of new materials designed to support these vital community connections. Our “Ask and Pass” cards, which were a significant hit at the Language of Friendship event, are set to play a crucial role in this ongoing effort. Featuring thought-provoking questions designed to encourage deep, personal conversations, these cards help bridge communication gaps and build understanding among participants.
In a new and exciting development, these materials will now be provided to team leaders at our local child protection office. This initiative recognizes the unique challenges faced by professionals in demanding roles and aims to strengthen relationships within their teams and within the young people and families they serve. By facilitating better communication and understanding among staff and their clients, we believe that these tools will enhance their ability to work collaboratively, support each other, and ultimately provide better service to the vulnerable populations they serve.
We are immensely grateful to Maroondah City Council for their support and commitment to improving the wellbeing of our community through strengthened relationships. This grant not only aids in continuing our existing programs but also expands their reach to include critical areas of our community, such as child protection services.
Thanks to the council’s support, Communities of Wellbeing is set to make an even greater impact in Maroondah, enhancing the effectiveness of teams who play a pivotal role in our community’s health and safety. We look forward to reporting back on the progress and successes that this grant is helping achieve. Thank you, Maroondah City Council, for being a fundamental part of our mission to foster a more connected, supportive, and resilient community.