Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine

25/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/17k5AL2bzq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Big news for NSW 🌱 Sydney MP Alex Greenwich is introducing a bill to parliament today to make natural organic reduction (aka human composting or terramation) a legal end-of-life option here. Could be available as early as 2027 if passed!

The body is gently broken down into nutrient-rich soil over a couple of months. A choice that’s already happening in the US and Germany.

A huge shoutout to NDAN - Natural Death Advocacy Network, Tui Davidson from Earthly Remains, Jude Warren and all the other folk who have been awesome in their advocacy for human composting in NSW 🌿

Premier Chris Minns says he “felt a bit weird about it” and will “kick the tyres” on the proposed legislation. So what are your feelings and questions?

📷 Recompose, the Seattle facility leading the charge on human composting in the US and an inspiration for what’s possible here 💚

23/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17wmN9TPaW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

23/06/2026

What is natural burial?

Natural burial is the practice of burying a body in the earth, in a manner which allows for natural decomposition with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

While natural burial grounds first emerged in England in 1980’s and now are found throughout the UK and USA, their emergence in Australia has been more recent.

You can find a list of natural burial ground offerings on our website (www.ndan.com.au). NDAN offers membership to Natural Burial Grounds who agree to our Standards and Code of Conduct.

21/06/2026

Between 5 and 10 percent of Australians will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AnAJLWt7y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Moving beyond a harrowing event is a deeply challenging journey, but with the right evidence-based support, recovery and renewal is always within reach.

This PTSD Awareness Day, we want to change how the world sees trauma. Help and support takes many forms, and by opening up the conversation, we can ensure no one has to navigate their recovery alone.

How you can support the cause this month:
• Share our updates across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to amplify the message.
• Visit our website to access trusted resources for yourself or a loved one.
• Donate via the link in our bio to fund life-changing trauma research.

Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health. For over 30 years, we have led national and international efforts in our field, focusing on the understanding, prevention, and recovery from trauma.

Phoenix Australia. Understanding trauma. Renewing lives.

21/06/2026

In The Age for subscribers:

https://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2026/human-composting/

Or on the ABC:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-27/calls-to-legalise-human-composting-for-eco-friendly-burials/103677926?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

Julieanne Hilbers spends much of her life with her hands in the dirt, planting native shrubs in her garden, so she thinks it makes sense for her body to be turned into human compost after she dies.

26/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fix3ccutp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Rest in Peace, Neale Daniher AO

Today, we honour the life of Neale Daniher — a remarkable Australian who faced MND with extraordinary courage, grace and love.

It has been a true privilege to care for Neale over the past four years, and to walk alongside him, Jan, and their children Lauren, Luke, Bec and Ben during that time.

The Daniher family’s strength, generosity and unwavering commitment have touched so many lives. Through their advocacy, they have helped raise national awareness of MND and inspired a movement that has funded vital research and support for others facing this devastating disease.

Being part of Neale’s journey has been a profound reminder of why our work matters so deeply. It was a privilege to support Neale and his family during this time. This photo, taken by Jan just weeks before Neale’s passing, captures a special moment with our specialist palliative care nurse, Kirsty. Neale touched the hearts of so many across our team, and it was an honour to care for him.

Neale and Jan had so generously agreed to share their story as part of our tax appeal, so that others living with life-limiting illness might also experience the comfort, dignity and support of living well at home — as Neale did. In the midst of this profound loss, Jan has expressed her wish for the appeal to continue, and we are incredibly grateful for her support and generosity.

Our hearts are with Jan, Lauren, Luke, Bec and Ben, all who loved Neale.

Rest peacefully, Neale.

If you or someone you love needs specialist palliative care support, please reach out to our team. No one should face serious illness alone.

25/05/2026

It’s about making every moment count, not just the end.

25/05/2026

Marita Scott

"The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not "get over" the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal, and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to.

The time we take following a loss is important in grief and grieving as well as in healing. This gift of grief represents a completion of a connection we will never forget. A time of reflection, pain, despair, tragedy, hope, readjustment, reinvolvement, and healing.

The time after a significant loss is full of the feelings that we usually have spent a lifetime trying not to feel. Sadness, anger, and emotional pain sit on our doorstep with a deeper range than we have ever felt. Their intensity is beyond our normal range of human emotions. Our defenses are no match for the power of the loss. We stand alone with no precedent or emotional repertoire for this kind of loss. We have never lost a mother, father, spouse, or child before. To know these feelings and meet them for the first time brings up responses from draining to terrifying and everything in between. We don't know that these foreign, unwelcome feeling are part of the healing process. How can anything that feels so bad ever help to heal us?

With the power of grief comes much of the fruits of our grief and grieving. We may still be in the beginning of our grief, and yet, it winds its way from the feelings of anticipating a loss to the beginnings of reinvolvement. It completes an intense cycle of emotional upheaval. It doesn't mean we forget; it doesn't mean we are not revisited by the pain of loss. It does mean we have experienced life to its fullest, complete with the cycle of birth and death. We have survived loss. We are allowing the power of grief and grieving to help us to heal and to live with the one we lost.

That is the Grace of Grief.
That is the Miracle of Grief.
That is the Gift of Grief." -

Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler (Authors of the book: On Grief and Grieving- Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss)

22/05/2026

What a wonderful way to wrap up National Volunteer Week.

Our Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine volunteers and committee members came together this morning at 360Q to celebrate the incredible kindness, compassion and support our volunteers bring to the Bellarine community.

We are grateful for the time, care and connection our volunteers give so generously to people and families facing life-limiting illness, grief and loss.

The difference they make each day is truly meaningful. 💛

If you are interested in joining our volunteer team and making a difference in the community, visit our website:

https://www.chob.org.au/volunteering

18/05/2026