MacKillop Seasons

04/10/2026

👶💛 Parenthood is full of love, growth and change, but it can also bring moments of grief and loss.

In Episode 4 of Shared Seasons, we explore the emotional transitions that come with raising children, from the early years and first days of preschool to teenagers, independence and the empty nest.

Every stage brings new beginnings, but also the experience of letting go.

🎙️ A heartfelt conversation about the realities of parenting and navigating life's changing seasons.

🎙️ Featuring Kim Landouw CEO of Big Yellow Umbrella, a community organisation supporting children and families across South Western Sydney. Dani shares insights into the challenges, growth and resilience that can emerge throughout the parenting journey.

🎧 Listen now. https://tinyurl.com/SharedSeasonsPodcast

Funded by South Western Sydney PHN as part of an Australian Government initiative.

📚 Interested in bringing a MacKillop Seasons program to your school or community? Learn more about our training opportunities, programs and available funding options through the Seasons for Life initiative.
https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/seasons-for-life/

02/10/2026

Celebrating an outstanding achievement 🎉

Congratulations to Godelieve Verkuyl, National Lead, Disaster Resilience at MacKillop Seasons, on receiving the AWE Community Resilience & Inclusion Award.

As featured in The Sector, this prestigious award recognises Godelieve's outstanding contribution to emergency management and disaster resilience.

For more than six years, Godelieve has led major initiatives that have strengthened community preparedness, recovery and long-term wellbeing, supporting schools, organisations and communities to respond to adversity and disasters with confidence and connection.

Guided by the belief that resilience is built with communities, not for them, Godelieve continues to champion inclusion, collaboration and locally led action that creates lasting impact.

Please join us in congratulating Godelieve on this well-deserved recognition.

🔗 Read the article in The Sector
https://thesector.com.au/article/mackillop-seasons-leader-awe-award-godelieve-verkuyl

🌱 Learn more about the Stormbirds Disaster Readiness Initiative
https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/disaster-Resilience/

📧 Contact: [email protected]


MacKillop Seasons' disaster resilience programs are supported through funding from the Australian Government's Disaster Ready Fund and the NSW Government's Stormbirds Disaster Readiness Initiative.

Godelieve Verkuyl, Manager of the Disaster Resilience team at MacKillop Seasons, has been recognised with an AWE (Australasian Women in Emergencies Network) Award in acknowledgement of her outstanding contribution to emergency management and disaster resilience.

30/09/2026

🦉As communities face another season of floods, bushfires and severe weather, how are we supporting the children whose recovery from previous disasters is still unfolding?

But for many children and young people, the impact is only just beginning.

Stormbirds trains educators and community professionals to lead small groups that help children navigate the change, loss and grief that can follow a natural disaster.

Because recovery is more than rebuilding.
Funding may be available in your area.

🔎Discover upcoming training opportunities or connect with our team to learn more.
https://ow.ly/pMnE50ZSWVg

25/09/2026

🌱 What does it take to rebuild your life in a new country?

In Episode 3 of Shared Seasons, we hear about the challenges many refugees and migrants face when navigating an unclear future, rebuilding careers, and adjusting to a new life.
Through lived experience, this episode explores how uncertainty can affect wellbeing, and how support, structure and connection can help people find their way forward.

🎙️ Featuring Melek Ucak from STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) and Simangaliso, Multicultural Practice Lead at MacKillop Family Services. Together they share professional expertise and lived perspectives on resilience, cultural identity and finding hope after change and loss.

🎙️ A powerful conversation about resilience, hope and embracing change.
🎧 Listen now. https://tinyurl.com/SharedSeasonsPodcast

Funded by South Western Sydney PHN as part of an Australian Government initiative.

🌱 Through the Seasons for Life initiative, eligible secondary schools can access funded training and resources to help strengthen protective factors for wellbeing and support young people experiencing change and loss.

Learn more:
https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/seasons-for-life/

22/09/2026

💚 The Power of Being Heard

"One of the most rewarding parts of this work has been building a different kind of relationship with the children who take part."

Since completing Companion Training, this Companion has facilitated Seasons for Growth groups with students from Prep to Grade 5, helping children build connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.

From children seeking check-ins during yard duty to families sharing positive feedback, the impact of creating a safe space where young people can speak and be listened to is profound.

🌱 "He loved coming to the sessions, and it meant so much to be able to speak and be truly listened to."

Find out how to become a Seasons Companion
mackillopseasons.org.au/events-list

18/09/2026

🧡 "Just toughen up."

It's a message many men have heard their whole lives.

In Episode 2 of Shared Seasons, we explore the importance of creating safe, judgement-free spaces where men can talk openly about their challenges, experiences and mental wellbeing.
Because asking for support isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.

🎙️ Hear powerful insights on breaking down stigma and fostering connection.

🎙️ Featuring Fr Joseph, Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Coordinator, alongside guests Benita and Juliane Seasons trainers, sharing reflections on men's experiences of change, loss and emotional wellbeing.

🎧 Listen now. https://tinyurl.com/SharedSeasonsPodcast

Funded by South Western Sydney PHN as part of an Australian Government initiative.

15/09/2026

🌱 The Power of Belonging

Belonging is a fundamental human need.

For children and young people, feeling connected to peers, trusted adults and their community can support confidence, wellbeing and resilience. Small moments of inclusion can make a lasting difference.

The MacKillop Seasons booklet series, including Worried, Sad and When Someone You Love Dies, offers practical ways to look after ourselves and support others through life's challenges.

🌱 Explore the free resources:
https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/resource-list/

💬 How do you foster a sense of belonging in your school or organisation?

11/09/2026

💭 Grief isn't always about death.

Sometimes it's the loss of a relationship, a career, a role, or even the person you used to be.

In the first episode of Shared Seasons, we explore how major life transitions can bring unexpected feelings of grief as we navigate changes in identity, purpose and belonging.

️🎙️ Featuring Join Luisa Dematos, Representing the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN), and Jeanie, a MacKillop Seasons trainer, as they share insights into building resilience, connection and emotional literacy across communities. Together, they discuss how programs such as Seasons for Growth and Seasons for Life initiatives help individuals and communities build the skills to navigate change, loss and life's challenges.

🎙️ A powerful conversation about finding the language for loss and making sense of life's changing seasons.

🎧 Listen now. https://tinyurl.com/SharedSeasonsPodcast

Funded by South Western Sydney PHN as part of an Australian Government initiative.

📚 Interested in learning more? Explore our range of evidence-informed programs, including the Seasons for Life initiative for secondary schools, designed to strengthen wellbeing, resilience and connection for young people and school communities.

https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/seasons-for-life/

🍂

11/09/2026

Celebrating the incredible legacy of Seasons for Growth at Lead the Way Conference alongside Professor Anne Graham AO & Sister Mary Ellen. The milestone recognises the dedication of the MacKillop Seasons team, past & present, and the thousands of Companions who have supported children, young people and families through change, loss and grief over the past 30 years. Together, they have helped build resilience, connection and hope in communities across Australia and beyond.

11/09/2026

💛 I am walking because...

Some walk in memory of someone they love. Some walk in support of family or friends. Some bring their own lived experience. Others walk to stand beside their community and help make conversations about su***de prevention more visible.

🚶‍♀️👟 Yesterday, our MacKillop Seasons team joined thousands of Australians in the Out of the Shadows Walk for World Su***de Prevention Day. From Queensland to Tasmania, our team came together to walk for awareness, connection and hope.

Together, we walked to raise awareness, foster connection and promote hope. Every step was a reminder that meaningful conversations and supportive communities can make a difference.

At MacKillop Seasons, we are committed to helping schools create environments where children and young people feel connected, understood and supported. Through Seasons for Growth and Seasons for Life, we work alongside schools to strengthen wellbeing, resilience, belonging and connection.

🏫 Looking to support student wellbeing at your school?
📚 Explore our programs and free resources:
🔗 https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/seasons-for-life/

💛 Every step matters. Every conversation matters. Every connection matters.

If you'd like to support this important cause, you can donate via our fundraising page: 🔗 https://www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/fundraisers/mackillopseasonsinstitute

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can help create moments of connection that offer hope and change lives. 💙

***dePreventionDay