2010 Retreat Mt Bundy

Presentation by Tess PresswellProgram Manager

Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council

IntroductionThe Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis

Council is a non-profit organisation providing a diverse range of services to the community

Our vision is for a community free of BBVs in the NT and supporting those living with BBVs to lead

healthy and fulfilling lives

Introduction

The ATSI team consists of:–Coordinator / research– Education officer–Project officerKnown to us as Verity, Daniel and Emily

Why a retreat?

• Build positive relationships with the Sistergirls

• Collaborate with other organisations like Danila Dilba, Wurli Wurlinjang, NT Sexual Health and BBV staff and Red Cross.

AIMS

• The retreat is about time out from community life

• A safe environment with appropriate services for participants to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing

• Give time for healing

Invitations

• Invitations were sent all over the NT.• Posted on our website.• Advertised in the Katherine Times.• Word of mouth – previous attendees.• 15 people confirmed

CHALLENGES

• The Retreat was held the 26-28th February• Hector• Alcohol and drug free event

PARTICIPANTS

• Seven attendees • From– Alice Springs– Katherine– Darwin and – Tiwi Islands

First hurdle

The first obvious issue was personal space• Solutions– Some staff left– Designated Sistergirl space

GUESTS

• Past attendees from Danila Dilba were invaluable with their insight.

• Nutritionists from Wurli • Counsellor from NTAHC and Danila Dilba• Shellie Morris

Workshops

• Both nights had cooking demonstrations conducted by Nutritionists

• Shellie Morris attended and ran a music expression workshop on the Saturday

• Danila Dilba facilitated an art space

COUNSELLING

• The NTAHC counsellor• Danila Dilba provided an emotional and

wellbeing counsellor• This provided lots of opportunity to heal

RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Poor weather created a problem with outdoor activities.

• Solution– Set up a music space – An art space – A recording studio – A sexual health and BBV information space

RECREATION ACTIVITIES

• The Saturday night was the big night of the retreat – Mt Bundy Drag Show!

• Informal sing-a-long and traditional dancing• A dry spell on Sunday allowed horse riding to

go ahead (until the rain kicked in again!)

FREE TIME

• Very important component of any retreat

HEALING TIME

• A recent death in the community lead to the utilisation of this time by the group for reflection.

• A candle light ceremony was held on the Friday night

HEALING TIME

• Shellie Morris conducted a music expression workshop. This provided another opportunity for the Sistergirls to express the grief.

• The resulting song ‘I could be me’ is about loss and how we can learn from others.

CONCLUSION

• The retreat is important to promote connectedness among a very isolated group who live in rural and remote locations

• Learning– Dry season– What worked – Balance of staff, activities and space

I COULD BE ME

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Thank you