EVENT REPORT: navigating grief and loss

On the evening of April 2nd, the Peninsula Community Theatre became a place of reflection, connection, and shared humanity as over 200 people attended our Navigating Grief and Loss forum. The event brought together individuals and families from across the community, each with a shared interest in better understanding how we move through grief—both personally and together.

The night began with beautiful live music from local musician Andy, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many conversations were had in our foyer with several local grief focused organisations setting up stalls to share their knowledge, invite discussion and come together. Too often, grief is behind closed doors. Peninsula Voice believes that these types of conversations are exactly why we exist, and what we aim to facilitate.

Our keynote speakers—Dr Rob Gordon, Ros Lewis, and Cam McAdam—offered thoughtful, compassionate insights into the many faces of grief, from community trauma to personal loss. Their talks were deeply moving and informative, helping to start important conversations that many had been waiting to have.

We were honoured to hear from community members Lisa Corduff and Chantelle Ross, who generously shared their lived experiences. Their stories added depth and authenticity to the evening, reminding us all of the strength and surprises that can come from vulnerability and connection. An important reminder on accepting help and opening yourself to those around you. Projex J was a particular feature, highlighting the work being done on the Peninsula to plug the missing gaps in local grief support.

As the formal forum came to a close, many stayed to continue conversations over a cuppa and light refreshments. A particular highlight was the lemon slice! It was a night of genuine community spirit—proof that when we come together, even in difficult times, we can create something truly meaningful.

Our particular thanks to our trusted partners in this event, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. It is wonderful to have their support, as well as the support of our volunteers, attendees, partners and speakers.

Learning

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Conversation

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Learning 〰️ Conversation 〰️

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  • PhD, FAPS, FCCLP

    Rob Gordon is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the fields of grief, trauma, stress and work-related trauma for 30 years. He has been a consultant to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services since 1987, and The Australian Red Cross Emergency Services since 1995. He has worked with individuals and communities affected by natural and human caused disasters and provides regular training and consults to a wide range of government and non-government agencies in the human service fields. He conducts a psychotherapy practice in Box Hill North, in Melbourne. He is President of the Australasian Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies.

  • Trauma Psychotherapist

    Ros is a NZ Registered Psychotherapist with the Psychotherapy Board Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ), a member of the Assoc. of Psychotherapists Aotearoa New Zealand (APANZ). She has a Masters of Health Science (Psychotherapy) First Class Honours, and is currently completing a Ph.D in Creative Writing. Ros has been a senior lecturer in NZ tertiary institutes training students of counselling, social work and psychotherapy. She also enjoys providing clinical supervision to other mental health professionals. She has thirty-seven years experience in the mental health field and has a special interest in trauma and recovery and women’s mental health. Ros works with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, addiction; in areas of both individual and group psychotherapy. Ros’s clinical work is informed from a psychodynamic perspective which emphasises the quality of relationship between therapist and client, a belief that the past impacts the present and therefore it can be useful to explore the past so one can make more sense of present difficulties. She believes that psychotherapy should be a co-operative experience between therapist and client, with the therapist always respecting the wisdom and life-experience of the client. Ros also brings to her work the wisdom of her own lived experience as a survivor of intimate partner violence trauma, as well as her own journey of grief and loss after losing a loved one.

  • Mt Eliza Clergyman

    Rev Cameron McAdam Cam has spent many years standing with families experiencing grief and loss. He will bring a practical view on the process of dying and the subsequent events to celebrate a person’s life. He is currently the ‘Minister of the Word’ at The Village Church in Mt Eliza where he has developed a reputation for strengthening the local community.

In Conversation with

Lisa Corduff

Mother of 3 children, Lisa will share her story of losing her husband tragically at the age of 40.

Lisa has successfully run her own online business for some years whilst raising her children as a solo parent.

She is passionate about helping people to work through grief & loss and to understand that there are ways to navigate life with purpose after  significant loss.

Chantelle Ross- Projex J - GET BUSY LIVING

Through Projex J, Chantelle and the committee aims to provide the grieving community a safe space to be in the company of those who understand one another; to replace isolation with connection. Projex J aims to provide care and support in every capacity we can for those struggling with any type of grief.