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| AUTUMN Enewsletter | April 2009 |
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Hi [subscriber-firstname] Welcome to our Autumn 2009 newsletter. We are delighted to offer our newsletter in it's new format, and trust that you will find it more informative, comprehensive, and user-friendly. The new format enables you to share the WWA newsletter with a friend (simply click on the "forward to a friend" feature), and provides links to other websites, which we hope you will find useful. We would greatly value your feedback regarding the new format, and invite you to complete the e-survey included. Alternatively, you can email comments regarding the newsletter, including any ideas you have for future editions, to media@womenswellbeing.org . Happy reading! As many of you are already aware, our AGM was held earlier this year in February, and saw the formation of our 2009 Committee, a mixture of ongoing committee members (including myself, Rebecca Smith, Brownwyn Buckley, Sandy Ross, and Beverley Young), and the welcoming of two new members, Kathy Ward and Deb McDowall. In March, we all met up at Eli Martel-Webster's beautiful home to vision "where to from here" with WWA. The group shared LOTS and LOTS of ideas on how "embracing differences, making a difference to the enrichment of ..." can happen. Central to our vision, is the hope that WWA can spread her wings more widely, to share all she has to offer with the many, many more women who can benefit from her presence in their lives. I would like to introduce our "new" committee to you.  WWA Committee 2009: Back Row (L-R) Rebecca Smith (aka Bex), Caitlin Roy, Beverley Young, Sandy Ross, President Me, Caitlin Roy: I have been so happy to be part of WWA since early 2005. My partner, Andy, had become involved with Men's Health & Wellbeing and almost, literally, sent me on my way to "Womanhood"! I haven't looked back since, well, not much anyway! Andy and I have six children and run a potted plant hire business from home, so life is full on and a lot of fun. Andy and I are also part of the Pathways Community in south east Queensland. Through our involvement with Pathways, Men's Health, WWA and more, we have really, really changed. Thank God! Secretary Sandy Ross: Sandy has been part of WWA since our first Womanhood Program in Beenleigh, in early 2006. Sandy joined our committee in June 2006, saying yes to becoming our membership goddess! Sandy is into energy work, people and animal healing, nature, and trusting 'what is'! Married to Michael and blessed with children Brendan, Carly, and Tammi, Sandy is expecting her first grandchild in early May. A loyal and powerful force for WWA, you will find Sandy at most WWA events, and every Committee meeting I can remember. She is a Womanhood Facilitator, and one of the happiest women I know! Treasurer THIS COULD BE YOU: It is actually very rewarding - managing WWA's finances effectively is one of the best ways you can add real value to our community. You don't need to be an accountant, a book keeper, or a financial magician to be our treasurer, you just need the right attitude and some insight into what's required. By using the right tool for the job and taking some time to understand what's required to be a treasurer, it can be a simple and straight forward task. Eli Martel-Webster has very kindly offered to be our temporary Treasurer and we will all help with getting you feeling comfortable and confident in this role. Please contact me if you would like to fulfill this essential role. I would like to thank our outgoing Treasurer, Diana Crosby, for her valuable contribution to WWA. We will miss Diana, her upbeat love of life, her glorious intentions and her accounting ability. Vice-President Bronwyn Buckley: Brony was a reluctant participant of a Womanhood 2005 program. Since then though, she has morphed into an incredibly active part of WWA, as both a member of the Committee and Womanhood Facilitator. Brony is an acclaimed cricketer, works for Catholic Education, and has been known to disappear into the bush for substantial periods. A courageous, enthusiastic, fun and 'can do' kind of woman, Brony has really upped the ante at WWA with her ideas, publishing prowess and joyful organising ability. It is great having her as my support. Events Rebecca Smith: Bex completed Womanhood in 2006 and very promptly showered us with her vital and exciting young woman energy. Bex has been on the Committee for three years now and continues to amaze me with her incredible 'outside-the-square' ideas, which she then makes happen! Bex is into motorbikes (recently she fell off one!), has just returned from her overseas dream trip, and lives in Redcliffe with her man, Shaun. Our Gathering guru in 2007, Bex is a Womanhood Facilitator, a vibrant mover and shaker for WWA, with her marketing abilities and wisdom being incredibly valuable to WWA. Membership Beverley Young: Beverley completed Womanhood in 2008 and was a little reticent to join our WWA team when I asked her later that year. Since then though, she has proved herself an efficient and gracious people person whose quiet and reliable ways are the backbone of WWA. Beverley is married to Andrew and has two sons, Curtis and Tate. Beverley is a great baker, works part time in the city, is a 'Twilight' convert (she loves Edward), and, if you listen closely, you will hear an English accent. Beverley keeps a very steady hand on our membership wheel and her time and ability to keep in contact is essential to the wellbeing of WWA. Publicity and Marketing Kathy Ward and Deb McDowall will share this role. Kathy came to us through Womanhood as well. Kathy completed Womanhood in 2007 and was a driving force in our EveryWoman Gathering last year. Kathy is married to John, has three children (Eliza, Issy, and Kyle) and a poodle called "Cooper", works part time as a Special Needs Teacher, and is working towards her dream of becoming a counselor. Kathy is a joyful, wise, and supportive woman, who continually impresses me with her ability to reach out to others. She is extremely talented at juggling life's demands, all in all with her feet placed very firmly on the ground! Deb attended our EveryWoman Gathering last year and, I think, was quite surprised to find herself part of our WWA team after our recent AGM. Deb lived in Adelaide for a number of years and has now returned to her home town. Deb is married to John and has two boys, Lachlan and Min Yeong. Deb has a background in healthcare, and is a published author. A very caring woman, Deb strikes me with her positivity and her ability to make earnest friendships. Deb has already revamped our newsletter and has shown herself to be very capable in nurturing and sustaining WWA, getting her message out to one and all! As a group of eight women, we can only achieve so much, so it is awesome that there are a great number more women and men who have added their shoulder to the wheel of making our world a better place. The impact of these contributions may reach farther than we ever imagined! I feel very, very blessed to call these women and men my friends. WWA has made a HUGE difference to my life and I feel very privileged to do my part in her Wellbeing. With love Caitlin Quotable Quotes, Wonderful Words, Inspiring Ideas  All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. Buddhist Philosophy Preparations are well underway for this year's Gathering, entitled
The WWA Every Woman Gathering is a joyous occasion, a celebration of Self, an experience of the true Self. Set in the beautiful Numinbah Valley, the Gathering affords participants the time, space, and tools to find one's own answers, and to spend a weekend with accepting, inspiring and joyful women. It is a time of reflection, reconnection, and growth. This event is now in it's fourth year, and it's previous success has enabled us to expand our vision of "Women Embracing Differences - Making a Difference". There is nothing mystical about women coming together with shared intention ... but it can be magical. The spirit soars when we are supported to reconnect with ourselves, with each other. If you have ever dared to let go of the tightly defined expectations we often hold of self, of the beliefs that limit one's potential, and to search for true purpose, to create a joyful reality, then this is your chance to do so in a safe and supported space, with other women who seek the same outcome. [subscriber-firstname], we invite you to join us on this journey! The Gathering will be held from Friday evening, July 31st - Sunday afternoon, August 2nd, 2009.
Image by Mukee Okan (permission granted) mukee@spiritfireproductions.com WWA is delighted to profile Catherine Aitken, Reiki Master and Teacher, Advanced Theta Healing Practitioner, Spiritual Intuitive, and Workshop Leader. Those who attended last year's Gathering will recall Catherine's insightful and engaging workshop on chakras and auras. Catherine will again bring her quiet wisdom and passion to this year's Gathering, as both facilitator and participant. She explains below, the essence of her teaching and healing work. Some words from Catherine:
Amongst common 'self help' knowledge there appears to be a missing link in the understanding that we have of ourselves. This is, the understanding or ourselves as soul energy, living within a physical body, and the part that our energy plays within our daily lives. Energetically we attract all situations into our life to learn something about the energy of ourselves. When we understand ourselves as soul energy, you can make the changes you desire and attract what you choose. I created my business, 'The Soul Garden' to offer workshop opportunities and individual consultations to address this need. My teaching and healing work is guided by the close connection I have with spirit, and with the integrity of a true desire to see you grow. When working with individuals in my clinic (The Soul Garden - Ferny Grove) I intuitively identify and shift the reasons for the current energy stagnations which are causing mental, emotional, or physical disharmony. The consultations offer a blend of many healing modalities which are tailored to suit the individual need. One of the processes included is Theta Healing, which is the identification and shifting of key beliefs that are attracting undesirable life situations. For it is a fundamental truth that whatever we believe to be true of ourselves and our life is exactly the reality we will live everyday. Therefore, shift what you believe about your yourself, and you will shift your life. I enjoy connecting with other women who are on their journey to self-fulfillment and am a committee member of Womenspace in Kedron, and a member of WWA. I attended my first Gathering last year as a facilitator, which also afforded me the opportunity to participate as a guest in the many workshops offered by the other facilitators. It proved to be a great space to further develop in my own growth and build new connections with like-minded women. I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie, love, and welcoming nature of all the women on the weekend and am blessed to have been asked to facilitate again this year. I will certainly be recommending WWA to all my workshop students and clients. WWA has introduced me to a wonderful group of women who's passion for nurturing women is to be respected and lovingly supported. Catherine Aitken Email: cath@thesoulgarden.com.au
* The Mysteries of Relating 'Womanhood' offers you a genuine opportunity to gain new perspectives on your relationship with yourself and others, and awareness of your inner wisdom.
Womanhood Facilitators
Sitting in a circle, each woman is provided the opportunity to speak (of whatever she wishes), in a place of equality, trust and openness. Each woman is honoured with respect and silence as she expresses herself. In the circle, you can listen to others, and hear yourself. The sharing begins as each woman is welcomed into the circle. Each woman speaks as little or as much as she is drawn to. Following the circle, the group breaks for supper (provided), and then regroups for a supported facilitation. AUTUMN CIRCLES Iris Toscano will conduct a "Laugh, Relax, and Revive" Laughing Yoga class that will help you transform stress into well-being and leave you feeling positive, uplifted, and energised. Come and enjoy a fun, playful and interactive session of movement and laughter. Learn how to be happy on the inside and enjoy the magic of life!
All sessions run from 7pm - 9.30pm, and are held at Junjarina, 1260 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa. Investment $5.00 Members $10.00 Non-members CIRCLE REVIEW If you missed Yildiz Sethi at our March Circle, you can experience her attention arresting ways of helping people at WWA extends our gratitude to Yildiz for sharing these splendid and fascinating doorways into a brighter future with us! For more information on Yildiz and her offerings, click here FUTURE DATES Circles are held on the last Thursday of each month. Here are a list of upcoming Circle dates for your diary: We would be honoured by your company at these fun, informative, and frequently enlightening forums.  Since WWA’s conception in 2002, many women (and men) have lent their energy to the enrichment of our lives, our families, and our community. All of our activities are designed to enable each woman to recognise and act on her own potential, and your support in keeping this vision alive, is vital.
To become a member of WWA, click here
Our vision of “Women embracing differences, making a difference” means, to us, listening and integrating the wealth of ideas and resources that our members have to offer. Over the years, WWA has developed substantially to meet the needs of Women, facilitating many Womanhood programmes, monthly women’s circles, International Womens Day events and the annual EveryWoman Gathering, which continually surpasses our expectations. We believe that we are all the catalysts for change - we are all capable of affecting those around us through the ripple effect - as a drop of water effects a pond. It takes some effort to step outside the norm, but the possibilities are endless, and the rewards great. We also believe we are living in very significant times and we hope you will add to the action. Society is changing, individual by individual, group by group. Our intention is giving the ultimate gift to women, the gift of themselves. We urge you to join WWA in growing this vision into reality. When you hear the drum, answer its call! "Women Embracing Differences - Making a Difference" |
IN THIS ISSUE
WWA is a Not for Profit, self funded, voluntary organisation (Incorporated 18/08/03, Regn. IA32609). WWA is dedicated to initiating education, consciousness and empowerment raising activities for the health and wellbeing of women. We create a safe, supportive space for meeting, greeting, friendship, sisterhood, sharing and learning with like-hearted women through our programs, circles, events and festivals. Click here to forward this email to a friend WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER? Did you receive this eNewsletter from a friend? Click here to subscribe. Monday 27 Apr Tuesday 28 Apr Thursday 30 Apr Monday 4th May Tuesday 5th May Thursday 7th May Thursday 28th May Women's Wellbeing Association is very happy to be in support of, and supported by, Womenspace. For more information on Womenspace, click here The Women's Health Queensland Wide website offers up-to-date information on health issues affecting women. Do you suffer from Menstrual Migraine? To learn about the latest treatments for menstrual migraine, you can view a videostreamed presentation by Dr Caroline Harvey of Family Planning Queensland. Need advice about Healthy Weight Management? Learn about healthy lifestyle change from a dietician and exercise physiologist - view a videostreamed presentation at a time that suits you. Gin-Murin-Gari Certificate IV in Training & Assessment Pathways Foundation Camps MEN'S HEALTH & WELLBEING - Upcoming Happenings Manshine 2009 Sydney Common Ground Sunshine Coast Common Ground We are currently updating the WWA marketing materials and we need your help. We would greatly appreciate testimonials from our members in relation to the following topics: Please forward your testimonial to events@womenswellbeing.org All members supplying testimonials will go into a draw to win one of two Breast Screen Kits (to be drawn on 14th May, 2009). Winners will be notified by email/mail. We thank you in anticipation of your support in this endeavour! President Vice-President Secretary Events Coordinator Membership Coordinator Gathering Team Marketing Team Deb McDowall Please be assured that your message will be addressed by the appropriate party. Address & Postal Address: 
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'Womanhood' is a seven week program, developed and facilitated by women, for women. Through weekly facilitated sessions, 'Womanhood' provides each woman the space, time, and focus to explore:
Each month, WWA hosts a Women's Circle.