embracing the ebb and flow
a residential retreat in lutruwita (Tasmania)
Friday 19 September 5pm – Sunday 21 September 1pm, 2025
This spring equinox Circle of Trust retreat invites you to pause, to deeply listen to your self, to others, and to country. This is an opportunity to enquire into the dynamic balance of inner and outer care, and gently hold the whole. In a world of change and challenge, and the human experience of inhabiting an ever changing body, the relationship between inward care and outward care can be experienced as a rhythm of ebb and flow.
Times of contemplation and reflection can be rare in our lives, and yet hold immense value, allowing access to our inner knowing, a knowing connected to a vast interconnected web of life. In safe and trustworthy community we have the opportunity to listen deeply, to ‘hear ourselves into speech’, and to remember and follow this wisdom as we embrace the ebb and flow, the grief and the joy, the seasons, of our human lives. Our hope is that this retreat will support each of us in welcoming all of it, and when we emerge from the retreat to have a renewed sense of what we may receive and offer, in support of personal and planetary health
In our time together we will gain inspiration from creative offerings like poems, stories and embodied practices, from nature in its many forms – landscape, seascape and our human natures – along with the benefits of silence and space for contemplation. We’ll offer optional morning mediations and optional physical adventures with nature, have some silent and restful time after lunch on Saturday, share nourishing food, and co-create this precious time together.
this retreat could be for you if
… you are yearning for time and space to connect deeply with yourself
… you are navigating change and seeking a trustworthy compass
… you feel a call to be in caring and safe community
… you want to experinece welcoming in an embodied way
… you seek to contribute your gifts in the world
listening
Listen deeply to self, others, and country
sensing
Come into your senses as a pathway to presence
connecting
Create trustworthy spaces to enable connections
caring
Renew your expression of care in the world
Location:
Steele’s island is totally surrounded by sandy shores, in the southern beaches area on the picturesque south east coast of Tasmania. This area is rich in aboriginal history and is the land of the Oyster Bay people who travelled through this territory on well‐defined routes following seasonal foods and resources. Here is where they collected reeds and grasses for string, ropes, and baskets, harvested shellfish and marine vegetables, birds and their eggs. There are Aboriginal shell middens at the river mouth here dated at least 8000 years ago. Steele’s Island is easily accessible by vehicle at all times of the year via a causeway and small bridge. Though close to nipaluna (Hobart) it feels secluded having the sheltered bay on one side of the island and the Carlton River Estuary, Carlton Bluff and Carlton Beach on the other. We will be accommodated in the house and cabins. The house has 7 bedrooms each with an ensuite and each cabin has 2 bedrooms with a shared bathroom. We will gather in circle in the liivng area of the main house as well as spending time in nature on the river bank, the beach, and inviting opportunities to immerse in or float on the water.
Cost:
Residential retreat includes two nights stay in either single occupancy or twin share room, nourishing food and all materials.
A deposit of $100 is payable upon registration.
Early Bird
- Twin Share: $775 payable by 1 July 2025
- Single Occupancy Room: $995 payable by 1 July 2025
Full fee
- Twin Share: $875 payable by 15 August 2025
- Single Occupancy: $1095 payable by 15 August 2025
Feel welcome to inquire about payment plans.
Cancellation Policy:
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.
Facilitators:
Clare Raffety is a Courage & Renewal Faciliatator and is qualified in various body-mind-heart integrative practices. Clare has developed and facilitated numerous workshops, retreats, and trainings over the last 35 years, is a Lecturer at the University of Tasmania in Health and Human Services Leadership, co-facilitator of trainings with Adventure Works Australia and consults with organisations in wellness and team development. Clare has trained in Non-Violent Communication, is a certified Map of Meaning practitioner Clare’s passion is to hold safe and trustworthy space for individuals, groups, and teams inviting connection with the ground of being and the guidance, joy, and nourishment such connection makes accessible.
Anita Pryor is an outdoor and adventure enthusiast, therapist, trainer and researcher. Early on, Anita trained in outdoor education and was adventure guide for canoeing, rafting, kayaking, snorkel diving, ski touring, bushwalking and mountaineering. To therapeutically support people from all walks of life, she trained in several therapies, including Family and Systemic Therapy, and mental health. Anita helped establish Bush Adventure Therapy in Australia (AABAT https://aabat.org.au/), the International Adventure Therapy network (IAT https://internationaladventuretherapy.org/) and Outdoor Health Australia (OHA https://outdoorhealth.org.au/). She is currently co-director of Adventure Works and volunteer-leads the policy work of Outdoor Health Australia. She is motivated by the transformational power of nature, and our potential to help heal people and planet through nature immersion experiences. Anita is keen to support beach walks, ocean swims, river floats, kayak experiences, and other ways for us to be in and with nature during our retreat.
