Silent Ripples

18/06/2026

I spent the last 3 days at the National Volunteers Conference in Adelaide and have been blown away by it. There were over 400 people in attendance and the National Wine Centre handled it brilliantly. The Volunteer SA/NT team did a great job pulling it all together with some amazing speakers from large organisations right down to grass roots groups. So many highlights. It was by far the best conference I've ever been to.
I met so many people who give so much because they saw a need and did something about it. I made a few new friends who are just amazing and I know they will be long lasting friendships. Thank you to Human Sevices SA who offered the sponsorship that enable us to go.

03/06/2026

Viv is a much valued member of our group and this is a really good cause and something I think we can all support either by donating or sharing the link.

Help raise funds for much-needed mental health services and initiatives by donating to my page. I’m completing The Push-Up Challenge to support this great cause and would love your help to reach my fundraising target.

01/06/2026

Something we all need to remember.

18/05/2026

The past few weeks are always a hard time for me as I'm sure it is for many others. If you're part of the Australian Defence Family ANZAC Day is a trigger, if you're a mother whose lost a child, Mother's day is a trigger, if you have a birthday or anniversary to navigate it's a trigger but if we can support each other we can find a way through. The following advice can help and remember love never dies.

A MONK’S ADVICE FOR HEALING THROUGH GRIEF:

1. Allow yourself to cry without shame
Tears are love expressing itself after loss.

2. Speak about them often
Keeping memories alive through stories helps the heart heal gently.

3. Do not isolate yourself completely
Pain becomes heavier when carried alone for too long.

4. Stop blaming yourself for what you could not control
Grief often creates guilt, even when none belongs to you.

5. Create quiet moments of remembrance
Pray for them. Light a candle. Visit places that remind you of love instead of only loss.

6. Be patient with your healing
Some wounds soften slowly. There is no correct timeline for grief.

7. Continue living your life fully
The greatest way to honor someone you loved deeply…
is to keep becoming the person they hoped you would be.

And one day, your heart will realize something beautiful:

The pain never came from losing love.
It came from having a love so deep that even absence could not erase it.

03/05/2026

We had another inspiring—and at times emotional—day at our memorial service in Murray Bridge.

Supporting those who have lost loved ones to su***de is something we feel deeply honoured to do. We hope, in some small way, that we are able to provide comfort, connection, and understanding to those who need it most.

“Thank you” is something we say often—but it is always said sincerely. Without the support of our community, we simply couldn’t do the work we do.

A heartfelt thank you to the Longriders CMC for allowing us to use their clubrooms for the afternoon, to Simone Bailey for being such a wonderful and meaningful guest speaker, and to Tom Haig for once again generously giving his time as our MC.

Your support helps make these days possible.

27/04/2026

URGENT MESSAGE: THE SILENT RIPPLES MEMORIAL DAY WILL BE HELD AT THE LONGRIDERS CHRISTIAN MOTOR CYCLE CLUB INSTEAD OF THE MEMORIAL GARDEN.

26/04/2026

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who laid a wreath in recognition of our Defence personnel who struggled with their mental health and did not survive.

For many of us, this is deeply personal. Their battles may not have been seen, but their sacrifice is no less real.

They too gave their lives for our country, and they will always be remembered.

This wreath was laid by our newest group in Bordertown. It means so much to see each group create something so personal, straight from the heart.

Thank you for honouring our Defence personnel in such a meaningful way.

01/01/2026

As this New Year begins, many of us are stepping forward with a heart that still feels heavy, because even though the calendar may have changed, grief doesn’t follow dates or timelines, and that’s okay.

If you’re entering this year missing someone deeply, please know you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need resolutions. You don’t need to feel hopeful yet.

All you need to do is breathe…and take this year one moment at a time.

Grief can feel incredibly isolating, but you’re not alone here. Every quiet tear, every ache, every unanswered “why” is understood in this space. We’re all just walking each other home, on the hard days and on the days when light begins to peek through again.

May this upcoming year bring you gentle moments of peace, unexpected strength, and reminders that love never ends, it simply changes how it shows up. And on the days when hope feels far away, lean on this community.

I want you to know I’m holding you in my heart, and that I see you, support you, and you’re not walking into this new year alone.

— Gary
Surviving Grief