About the event

This gentle retreat is for bereaved parents and carers supported by Very Special Kids. Over the weekend, the retreat offers a safe, nurturing space to honour your child, share memories, and explore grief – at your own pace and comfort level.

Parents are invited to take part in facilitated therapeutic activities and conversations, spend quiet time in nature and join remembrance rituals. Whether you attend as a single parent, as a couple, or individually within a couple, the weekend is designed to meet you where you are in your grief.

A past participant shared, “I would describe it as an amazing weekend of nurturing, sharing, grieving and connecting with other bereaved parents”.

The weekend will include:

• Shared meals
• Therapeutic activities
• Massage, sound and movement
• A safe, supported environment to remember and honour your child

There is no cost for families to attend. Accommodation at The Oxford, meals and activities are all provided.

Expressions of interest have now closed. For more information, please contact Justine (jrice@vsk.org.au/0417 151 096) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au/0408 910 878).

NOTE – this is a private event for bereaved families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Tracey (tpaech@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 17 July
• Thursday 28 August
• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Join us for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour walk around Brooker Park in Warragul. The gardens are accessible by wheelchair and are kid friendly, children will need to be supervised by their parents or carers on the walk. We will finish with a complimentary coffee for those who would like to stick around.

Please bring water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing (raincoats, sun protection, hats) on the day. Please also bring asthma puffers or any other allergy/symptom management medications required by your family members. This walk will be cancelled if there is an extreme weather event (severe winds, heat or bushfire risk etc.) and we will confirm this by text or email at least a day before.

Please RSVP here – the specific meeting point will be shared with registered families closer to the event. For any queries, please contact Janelle on jphillips@vsk.org.au or 0428 240 031.

The South East walking group will also be meeting in:

• Berwick on Wednesday 16 April
• Mt Martha on Sunday 1 June

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Join us for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour walk around the scenic ‘The Briars’ in Mornington Peninsula. The gardens are accessible by wheelchair and are kid friendly, children will need to be supervised by their parents or carers on the walk. We will finish with a complimentary coffee for those who would like to stick around.

Please bring water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing (raincoats, sun protection, hats) on the day. Please also bring asthma puffers or any other allergy/symptom management medications required by your family members. This walk will be cancelled if there is an extreme weather event (severe winds, heat or bushfire risk etc.) and we will confirm this by text or email at least a day before.

Please RSVP here. For any queries, please contact Michelle on mlantz@vsk.org.au or 0476816678 to enquire about or sign up for this day.

The South East walking group will also be meeting in:

• Warragul on Wednesday 12 March
• Berwick on Wednesday 16 April

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Join us for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour walk around the beautiful Wilson Botanic Park. The gardens are accessible by wheelchair and are kid friendly, children will need to be supervised by their parents or carers on the walk. We will finish with a complimentary coffee for those who would like to join.

Please bring water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing (raincoats, sun protection, hats) on the day. Please also bring asthma puffers or any other allergy/symptom management medications required by your family members. This walk will be cancelled if there is an extreme weather event (severe winds, heat or bushfire risk etc.) and we will confirm this by text or email at least a day before.

Please RSVP here. For any queries, please contact Jodie on jvigenser@vsk.org.au or 0419 773 294.

The South East walking group will also be meeting in:

• Warragul on Wednesday 12 March
• Mt Martha on Sunday 1 June

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by creative coordinator Gerry Silk and representatives from Very Special Kids and Red Nose.

Creating Memories is run jointly by Very Special Kids and Red Nose and 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. Creating Memories will run on the following dates:

• 19 June
• 7 August
• 9 October
• 4 December

Please RSVP here. For more information, please contact Justine on jrice@vsk.org.au or 0417 151 096.

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Tracey (tpaech@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 5 June
• Thursday 17 July
• Thursday 28 August
• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

Western Port Model Aircraft Club are offering children and families the chance to visit their picturesque flying field.

Come along and try your hand at flying a remote control plane with guidance, use the flight simulator or just watch the amazing skills displayed by the pilots. Children of all abilities will have the opportunity to participate.

During the day, a basic sausage sizzle will be provided with sausages, bread and drinks or bring along your own picnic. Kitchen facilities are available if required.

Please RSVP here by Tuesday 1 April. For more information, please contact Jodie on jvigenser@vsk.org.au or 0419 773 294 or Michelle on  mlantz@vsk.org.au or 0476 816 678.

NOTE – this is a private event for children and families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Tracey (tpaech@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 1 May
• Thursday 5 June
• Thursday 17 July
• Thursday 28 August
• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.

About the event

The evening provides an opportunity for parents statewide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of their own home. It’s a chance to reflect on your own grief with other parents and support one another.

A participant in 2024 shared this about the group:

“I would describe as a safe place to connect with other parents who have lost a child. It’s a place to share feelings and memories without fear of how others will react. You can let your guard down and feel all the emotions!!”

Please RSVP here or contact Tracey (tpaech@vsk.org.au) or Chanelle (cburns@vsk.org.au) with any questions.
The Zoom link will be emailed to parents who have expressed their interest prior to the evening.

The Online Bereaved Parent Support Group will also be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on:

• Thursday 20 March
• Thursday 1 May
• Thursday 5 June
• Thursday 17 July
• Thursday 28 August
• Thursday 16 October
• Thursday 20 November

NOTE – this is a private event for families supported by Very Special Kids.