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About the event
Join us for a very special day of lawn bowls and family fun!
Pakenham Bowls Club have been fantastic supporters of Very Special Kids for many years and have generously offered Very Special Kids families the chance to enjoy a day of lawn bowls at their beautiful club.
Families are welcome to try their hand at lawn bowls, participate in a ‘Drum and Fun’ incursion, play games or just watch the amazing skills displayed by members of the club. We also hope to offer families some face painting fun too!
Free onsite parking is available. For more information and to register your attendance please contact Karen at Pakenham Bowls Club at karenoosthuizen@msn.com by Wednesday 9 September. Please include the name of your registered child, the number of adults and children attending, as well as any dietary requirements.
Family support practitioner Jodie is also contactable on jvigenser@vsk.org.au or 0419 773 294.
NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to children and families supported by Very Special Kids
Date & time
13 September 202611:00am - 03:00pm
Location
Pakenham Bowls Day – September 2026
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About the event
At Very Special Kids, we know that when a child dies, grief is felt across generations.
Grandparents often carry their own deep sense of loss while also supporting their adult children and the wider family.
The Bereaved Grandparent Support Group offers grandparents a chance to come together in an informal, supportive setting to share experiences and connect with others who understand.
As one grandparent reflected, “When a child dies, we have to survive first and then grieve. Sometimes we don’t look after ourselves in the best ways. It’s a shock reaction.”
Facilitated by Red Nose Bereavement Support Worker Anne Altamore and Very Special Kids Family Support Practitioner Anna Phipps, the in-person group provides a safe space for grandparents to acknowledge their own grief, feel supported, and move forward at their own pace.
We invite parents and carers to extend this opportunity with their own parents or grandparents.
The group meets the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates include:
- 16 September
- 21 October
- 18 November
This program is delivered in partnership with Red Nose. Participants may include bereaved grandparents who do not have a direct connection to Very Special Kids. To register your interest please visit Red Nose’s registration link here and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
Please note: This registration link is used for a range of Red Nose programs. Please ensure you select your state of residence as ‘VIC’ and scroll to the “In person” group to select the “Melbourne Grandparents Support Group” program.
Date & time
19 August 202611:00am - 12:30pm
Location
Bereaved Grandparent Support Group – August 2026
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About the event
At Very Special Kids, we know that when a child dies, grief is felt across generations.
Grandparents often carry their own deep sense of loss while also supporting their adult children and the wider family.
The Bereaved Grandparent Support Group offers grandparents a chance to come together in an informal, supportive setting to share experiences and connect with others who understand.
As one grandparent reflected, “When a child dies, we have to survive first and then grieve. Sometimes we don’t look after ourselves in the best ways. It’s a shock reaction.”
Facilitated by Red Nose Bereavement Support Worker Anne Altamore and Very Special Kids Family Support Practitioner Anna Phipps, the in-person group provides a safe space for grandparents to acknowledge their own grief, feel supported, and move forward at their own pace.
We invite parents and carers to extend this opportunity with their own parents or grandparents.
The group meets the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates include:
- 19 August
- 16 September
- 21 October
- 18 November
This program is delivered in partnership with Red Nose. Participants may include bereaved grandparents who do not have a direct connection to Very Special Kids. To register your interest please visit Red Nose’s registration link here and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
Please note: This registration link is used for a range of Red Nose programs. Please ensure you select your state of residence as ‘VIC’ and scroll to the “In person” group to select the “Melbourne Grandparents Support Group” program.
Date & time
15 July 202611:00am - 12:30pm
Location
Bereaved Grandparent Support Group – July 2026
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About the event
Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions.
Creating Memories is a safe and informal space for parents to spend time with others in a similar situation. Scrapbooking is a unique way to preserve and enhance your valuable keepsakes, whether they are photos or memorabilia. Please bring your special photos and we will provide the tools and materials to create your pages.
A light lunch is provided, and we can provide childminding by one of our volunteers, providing you let us know in advance. Future Creating Memories sessions will be held on:
- Thursday 8 October
- Thursday 3 December
Please register here. For more information, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids
Date & time
06 August 202610:00am - 02:00pm
Location
Creating Memories – August 2026
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About the event
Join us for the Hume region family day! The main activity will be led by ‘In The Groove’ a drumming community and will include a community drumming jam where rhythms are led by the facilitators, and everyone is invited to join in. Drums and shakers will be provided to encourage family involvement with the aim of being fully inclusive to all family members.
The Ford Zephyr Club Victoria will also be joining us and will provide short joy rides for families. Lunch will be provided, along with other fun activities and games.
Please RSVP by Tuesday 19 August here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenni (shepparton@vsk.org.au/0408 583 378) or Karen (ksutherland@vsk.org.au/0439 225 450).
NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.
Date & time
29 August 202610:00am - 02:00pm
Location
Hume region family day
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About the event
Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions.
Creating Memories is a safe and informal space for parents to spend time with others in a similar situation. Scrapbooking is a unique way to preserve and enhance your valuable keepsakes, whether they are photos or memorabilia. Please bring your special photos and we will provide the tools and materials to create your pages.
A light lunch is provided, and we can provide childminding by one of our volunteers, providing you let us know in advance. Future Creating Memories sessions will be held on:
- Thursday 6 August
- Thursday 8 October
- Thursday 3 December
Please register here. For more information, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids
Date & time
11 June 202610:00am - 02:00pm
Location
Creating Memories – June 2026
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About the event
At Very Special Kids, we know that when a child dies, grief is felt across generations.
Grandparents often carry their own deep sense of loss while also supporting their adult children and the wider family.
The Bereaved Grandparent Support Group offers grandparents a chance to come together in an informal, supportive setting to share experiences and connect with others who understand.
As one grandparent reflected, “When a child dies, we have to survive first and then grieve. Sometimes we don’t look after ourselves in the best ways. It’s a shock reaction.”
Facilitated by Red Nose Bereavement Support Worker Anne Altamore and Very Special Kids Family Support Practitioner Anna Phipps, the in-person group provides a safe space for grandparents to acknowledge their own grief, feel supported, and move forward at their own pace.
We invite parents and carers to extend this opportunity with their own parents or grandparents.
The group meets the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates include:
- 15 July
- 19 August
- 16 September
- 21 October
- 18 November
This program is delivered in partnership with Red Nose. Participants may include bereaved grandparents who do not have a direct connection to Very Special Kids. To register your interest please visit Red Nose’s registration link here and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
Please note: This registration link is used for a range of Red Nose programs. Please ensure you select your state of residence as ‘VIC’ and scroll to the “In person” group to select the “Melbourne Grandparents Support Group” program.
Date & time
17 June 202611:00am - 12:30pm
Location
Bereaved Grandparent Support Group – June 2026
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About the event
At Very Special Kids, we know that when a child dies, grief is felt across generations.
Grandparents often carry their own deep sense of loss while also supporting their adult children and the wider family.
The Bereaved Grandparent Support Group offers grandparents a chance to come together in an informal, supportive setting to share experiences and connect with others who understand.
As one grandparent reflected, “When a child dies, we have to survive first and then grieve. Sometimes we don’t look after ourselves in the best ways. It’s a shock reaction.”
Facilitated by Red Nose Bereavement Support Worker Anne Altamore and Very Special Kids Family Support Practitioner Anna Phipps, the in-person group provides a safe space for grandparents to acknowledge their own grief, feel supported, and move forward at their own pace.
We invite parents and carers to extend this opportunity with their own parents or grandparents.
The group meets the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates include:
- 17 June
- 15 July
- 19 August
- 16 September
- 21 October
- 18 November
This program is delivered in partnership with Red Nose. Participants may include bereaved grandparents who do not have a direct connection to Very Special Kids. To register your interest please visit Red Nose’s registration link here and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact Anna on aphipps@vsk.org.au or 0428 989 122.
Please note: This registration link is used for a range of Red Nose programs. Please ensure you select your state of residence as ‘VIC’ and scroll to the “In person” group to select the “Melbourne Grandparents Support Group” program.
Date & time
20 May 202611:00am - 12:30pm
Location
Bereaved Grandparent Support Group – May 2026
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About the event
The bereaved parent support group is an opportunity for parents in the Hume region, to come together and reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another. Join us at Country Hope for a cuppa and gentle conversation.
The next bereaved parent group sessions will be held on Wednesday 21 October.
Please RSVP by Wednesday 1 July to Jenni (shepparton@vsk.org.au/0408 583 378) or Karen (ksutherland@vsk.org.au/0439 225 450).
NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids
Date & time
08 July 202610:30am - 12:00pm
Location
South Albury bereaved parent group – July 2026
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About the event
The bereaved parent support group is an opportunity for parents in the Hume region, to come together and reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another. Join us at the Mooroopna office for a cuppa and gentle conversation.
The next bereaved parent group sessions will be held on Tuesday 27 October.
Please RSVP by Tuesday 23 June to Jenni (shepparton@vsk.org.au/0408 583 378) or Karen (ksutherland@vsk.org.au/0439 225 450).
NOTE – this is a private event, provided at no cost to families supported by Very Special Kids
Date & time
30 June 202610:30am - 12:00pm