Karuna

05/09/2026

Most of us will experience death, grief or caring for someone at the end of life. Yet it's something we rarely talk about openly.

Join us for the ‘Death Matters: Coffee and Catch Up’, a welcoming monthly gathering where carers can come together over coffee and conversation to explore topics around death, dying, grief and end-of-life experiences in a safe, respectful environment.

💛 Connect with others who understand
☕ Share, listen or simply reflect
🌿 No pressure, no judgement, just conversation

📍 Upper Mount Gravatt
📅 Last Wednesday of each month (starting from 30 September)
🎟 Free to attend

For more information, please visit: https://karuna.org.au/death-matters-coffee-catch-up-umg26/

Proudly delivered by Karuna in partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway

04/09/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of Steve Irwin’s death.

Internationally recognised as “The Crocodile Hunter”, Steve was a passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. He was known for his big personality and contagious enthusiasm for all animals – especially those that were unique to his home here in Australia.

After losing his life in 2006, Steve’s legacy of protecting animals and raising awareness for conservation has been continued through Australia Zoo, and his family: wife Terri, and children Bindi and Robert.

Steve’s daughter Bindi joined Venerable Tsultrim on the first season of What About Death!?, where she discussed her experience with grief and loss. Bindi spoke openly about how grief shaped her childhood, and how finding moments of joy in her memories of her dad have helped her to navigate life without him.

“Where there is great loss, you have to find joy. You still have to find joy because that’s what they would want for you as well. Dad wouldn’t want me to be sad every single day. He would want me to find joy in life. And he would want me to find happiness in every day. And that’s what I’ve chosen to do.

And it’s important to acknowledge your grief. I mean, it walks beside you every day. And when you lose someone that you love, it is like losing a piece of your heart. You never get that back. It is gone. But you can still find love and light. And I think that’s really important.”

🎧 Stream Bindi Irwin on Life, death and grief now, available on all podcast platforms:

https://tinyurl.com/bz5keja5

03/09/2026

What would you do if you or someone you love received a life-limiting diagnosis?

For many people, the palliative care journey can feel overwhelming. Questions about treatment, difficult conversations, accessing support, and planning ahead can arise all at once.

At Karuna, we support patients, carers and families every step of the way. From medical and nursing support to social work, spiritual care and carer support. Our team help people navigate some of life's most challenging moments with compassion and dignity.

Your donation can help provide the care, support and connection that patients and families need when it matters most.

To donate and learn more about our services, please visit: https://give.karuna.org.au/spring26-appeal

01/09/2026

Grief can feel isolating, but you don't have to navigate it alone.

If you've experienced the loss of someone you cared for, Karuna's Grief Peer Support Group offers a warm and welcoming space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of grief and caregiving.

Through gentle conversation, reflection and mutual support, participants are encouraged to share experiences, honour their journey and discover what helps sustain them through this chapter of life.

📅 Friday 18 September 2026 (fortnightly for six sessions)
🕐 1.00pm to 2.30pm
📍 Caboolture Library, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
💙 Free to attend

Places are limited and registration is essential.

For more information and to register visit: https://karuna.org.au/caboolture-grief-peer-support/

Proudly delivered by Karuna in partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway

30/08/2026

Today we acknowledge Grief Awareness Day, which is observed every year on August 30, to encourage open conversations about loss, bereavement and sorrow, to build empathy and community support.

Recently wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald about his ongoing grief journey related to his dad Steve Irwin, who passed away in 2006.

“If you experience loss at a young age, it really matures you very quickly. For me, it meant I sort of gained perspective on the value of life very early on, because loss was always just inbuilt factory settings. I lost dad at two years old. It’s all I’d ever really known was having some sort of piece of me missing which is very challenging and it’s always hard to talk about.

But I find I gained something back; I almost gain some form of reconnection with dad when I do talk about him, when I do see footage of him that I haven’t seen before, when I hear a story that someone shares about him. Is it painful? Yes. But I’ve learnt to embrace that. And I’ve learned the importance of embracing that pain, as weird as it sounds.

If you run at it, if you look at it in the eye, if you sit with it, if you let it in and you talk about it, and you think about it, and you cry about it and all of this, weirdly enough, this big, dark, expanding bubble pops, and the pain doesn’t go away, it’s still just as painful, but you’re not afraid of it anymore. And that has really helped for me.

I’m not afraid of grief. I’m not afraid to talk about it or embrace it or cry or be vulnerable. Sometimes you got to hug the cactus.”

28/08/2026

Our thoughts are with the people, families and communities affected by the recent natural disasters across Tibet and Nepal.

At times of immense loss and uncertainty, we are reminded of the strength found in community, compassion, and supporting one another through hardship.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those grieving loved ones, facing displacement, or working tirelessly to assist those impacted.

Over the years, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered various pieces of advice for prayers and practices to turn to when facing natural disasters. To read more about this, visit the FPMT website: https://fpmt.org/lama-zopa-rinpoche-news-and-advice/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche/nepal-tibet-border-flash-floods-lama-zopa-rinpoches-advice-for-natural-disasters/

From all of us at Karuna, we send our care and solidarity to those affected.

25/08/2026

A terminal diagnosis can feel like a hopeless situation. Many people don’t know where to begin.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing how patients and families navigate through palliative and end of life care.

It can often be a confusing and devastating time, however we will explore how palliative and end of life care can offer individuals and their families one vital option: choice.

Choice in how they would like to receive comfort. Choice in how to manage their quality of life. Choice in a journey that feels uncontrollable.

You may have walked this path before, as a carer, family member, or friend. You may be walking it now, as a patient navigating your own diagnosis. Or maybe you heard about Karuna along the way, and believe in our mission of providing personalised care to everyone.

Wherever you joined this path: your support enables individual choices, offers hope in difficult circumstances, and guides every patient on their personal journey.

To read more about walking in the steps of a palliative care patient visit:

Karuna relies heavily on the kindness of others. Only a portion of our funding comes from Queensland Health and the remaining money must be raised through donations. Community support is vital. Donate today.

24/08/2026

Our free Dying to Know Day webinar is just around the corner, and there is still time to register.

Join us as we share what people wished they knew sooner about Palliative Care & End of Life.

This webinar offers a gentle introduction to palliative care, sharing practical guidance, insights, information, reassurance, and support for people with, and caring for someone with a life-limiting illness.

Whether you're patient, supporting a loved one, working in health or community care, or simply interested in learning more, this webinar offers a safe and supportive space to explore important topics around death, dying, grief, and end-of-life planning.

DETAILS
Date: Monday 31 August 2026
Time: 12.00 – 1.00pm
Online webinar

For more information and to register, please visit: https://karuna.org.au/webinar-dying-to-know-day/

21/08/2026

Are you caring for a loved one living with a life-limiting condition? Join our new Connection & Wellbeing Yoga Group, designed to help carers prioritise their wellbeing, reduce stress and burnout, and connect with others who understand the caring journey.

You'll enjoy:
✨ Gentle yoga and movement suitable for different fitness and ability levels
✨ Simple mindfulness and breathing techniques
✨ A welcoming and supportive environment
✨ Time to focus on your own wellbeing

No previous yoga experience is necessary.

📍 Karuna House, 27 Cartwright Street, Windsor
📅 Monthly sessions from September to December
💲 Free of charge
📧 To register, please visit: https://karuna.org.au/connection-wellbeing-yoga/

Places are limited, so registrations are essential.

Proudly delivered by Karuna in partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway

Wellways
Carer Gateway

19/08/2026

After a short break, What About Death!? returns this Sunday, 19 August, at 2pm AEST.

On this episode, Venerable Tsultrim is joined by Kate Folb (Director of Hollywood, Health & Society), and Erica Rosenthal (Director of Research, Media Impact Project), from the Norman Lear Center in California. The Lear Center explores the social, political, economic, and cultural impact of entertainment.

Kate and Erica discuss how they collaborate with researchers, healthcare professionals, and Hollywood studios and producers to craft authentic and thoughtful storylines for different TV shows – including the Emmy-award-winning HBO drama, “The Pitt.”

They also highlight how important research is to understanding what stories audiences want to see on TV, and how they are responding positively to changes in the way death and end-of-life stories are being portrayed.

🎧 S3 E8: Kate Folb and Erica Rosenthal: Flipping the Channel on Death
📻 Streaming Sunday 19 August on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more

Learn more about Karuna's podcast here:
https://karuna.org.au/resource-category/podcast/