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Presentation by Tess Presswell, Program Manager, Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council, at the 2010 AFAO HIV Educators Conference.
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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