“So come to the pond, or the river of your imagination, or the harbor of your longing, and put your lips to the world. And live your life.”
A Restorative Pause is a Circle of Trust ® Retreat for anyone wanting to take the time and space to renew and/or re-imagine their inner and outer lives. It is based on the approach to reflective inquiry of sociologist, educator, author and activist, Parker J. Palmer and The Center for Courage & Renewal. Led by highly experienced and skilled facilitators, these Circles are a space for honest dialogue and non-judgmental listening, providing opportunities to learn and practice ways of relating that help us to be more present with ourselves and others. Prompted by evocative texts, imagery and insights from the natural world, there will be time for individual reflection and journaling as well as large and small-group dialogues in which our own stories can be shared. These processes offer the opportunity to gain a new depth of self-knowledge and clarity around the questions we are holding, and build our courage to respond in life-giving ways.
Your facilitators:
Kirsty McGeoch (PhD, MEd, LLB, B.Com, Grad Cert. Professional Supervision) has a few different hats: engaging with schools to embed the 4Cs - creativity, communication, collaboration, critical reflection - in their teaching and leadership practices through her role with 4C Transformative Learning; facilitating courses for women leaders in education with the National Excellence in School Leadership Institute: and offering Professional Supervision to school leaders. A common thread is her deep interest in reflective practice, which led her to becoming a Courage & Renewal facilitator. In this role, she derives great joy in offering people the safe and welcoming space to tune into their own wisdom for living and leading well. In her free time she enjoys family camping trips, playing in a band and singing in an acapella group. If she had more time, she’d like to do more dancing outside her own living room.
Noela Maletz (M Soc Sc BA Dip Ed) is an educator, psychotherapist and Courage & Renewal Facilitator. More than thirty years ago she joined with others to establish a Waldorf School and then a Social Therapy Centre for people with disabilities, in Adelaide, and worked in both of these places. Most of her current work is in private practice, as a psychotherapist and supervisor, and in growing Courage & Renewal work in SA and Australasia. She is awed by the possibilities and necessities of a life lived as mindfully, wholeheartedly and as kindly as she can manage and is grateful to enjoy the complexities of a large and loving family and a treasury of friends.
Kirsty and Noela value working together to craft retreats and bring them into being. They share a love of literature and the excuse to be creative, as well as the joy of working together in community with others.
Sunrise - The Hermitage, Mittagong
Venue:
A Restorative Pause will be held at The Hermitage - 843 Old South Road, Mittagong NSW. It is a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney and 2-hour drive from Canberra. From Sydney Domestic airport, it is approximately a 2-hour train ride with a change at Campbelltown Station to the Southern Highlands Line. From Mittagong Station it is a 7-minute drive to the Hermitage. The extensive grounds of The Hermitage provide a beautiful environment for contemplation.
Cost:
A deposit of $100 is payable upon registration.
Early Bird - $850 (incl. GST) payable by 12 April, 2024.
Full fee - $950 (incl. GST) payable by 24 May, 2024.
The price includes all materials, nourishing meals and comfortable accommodation in a single-occupancy room with an ensuite.
Please feel welcome to inquire about payment plans.
Cancellations:
We understand that life challenges emerge and changes happen. You will receive a refund less the $100 non-refundable deposit when you notify us in writing at least 3 weeks before the program begins. No refund will be given if we receive your cancellation less than two weeks before the program start date. If you need to cancel due to testing positive to COVID-19, you will receive a full refund. If the program is cancelled due to low enrolment or other circumstances, you will receive a full refund. Please note travel costs are solely the responsibility of participant.