Welcome to the June 2023 edition of Between Friends.

I want to take a moment to express my genuine joy in meeting so many incredible volunteers and members over the past few months. Your dedication and kindness continue to inspire me every day. Remember, my door is always open, and I would be thrilled to connect with each and every one of you. Email alexh@tcfv.org.au

This year holds special significance for us as we mark the 50th anniversary of a tragic event that forever changed the lives of our founders, Lindsay and Margaret. The loss of their beloved 11-year-old son, Rhys, in a devastating road traffic accident still resonates deeply within our hearts. In the passing years, we have come to understand the power of speaking the names of our loved ones and cherishing their memory.

As we reflect on Rhys's life, let us also pay tribute to Lindsay and Margaret for their unwavering strength and resilience. They brought The Compassionate Friends to our shores, and we remain eternally grateful for the connections and hope they have brought into our lives. It is in this spirit that we invite you to join us in supporting families in their time of need, as we set our sights on raising $20,000 by the end of this financial year.

By making a donation, you become a lifeline for those who are going through unimaginable loss. Your generosity will allow us to continue providing compassionate and understanding lived experience peer support to those who need it most. Together, we can ensure that Rhys's legacy lives on and that families in Victoria find the solace and understanding they seek during this difficult journey.

If you would like to contribute, please click on the link below. Your support means the world to us, and we cannot thank you enough for being part of this compassionate network.

https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/become-involved/commemorating-rhys/

Alex

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TCFV MEMBER SURVEY

Dear members,

We want to make sure we are giving you all the best possible service and opportunities.

We therefore welcome your feedback on where TCFV has helped you, as well as your suggestions for enhancing services.

Please click on the link below to complete the survey which will take approximately 5-10 minutes. This link will be open until Friday, 30 June, 2023.

https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/QUBUZk

Thank you.

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EVENT REGISTRATION

Please note that for all the events listed in this newsletter you have the option of registering via the website www.tcfv.org.au/events or by using this QR code.

Upcoming events include:

ONLINE 'EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH ART' (June 29)

WALKING THROUGH GRIEF (July 14)

'EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH ART' AT TCFV CENTRE (July 25)

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SIBLING CONNECTIONS TRIVIA NIGHT
Friday 16 June from 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Please come along and connect with other siblings in a safe social setting.

And a quick reminder, re. siblings services ... the ONLINE CHAT SERVICE for siblings who live in Australia - aged 18 and above - gives easy access to support from someone who has been where you are now, a bereaved sibling who is further along on their grief journey. Once registered, you can have an instant live chat with a trained peer Chat Responder between the hours of 8pm - 11pm every evening.
LINK: www.siblingsupport.tcfv.org.au

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WINTER SOLSTICE
Friday 23 June from 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Throughout history, the Winter Solstice has been recognised that although the year’s shortest day heralds the onset of winter, it also promises the gradual return of the sun after a prolonged period of darkness.

In light of this (no pun intended), we are opening our doors and inviting our bereaved families and the community to join us for an evening of music and readings, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows, mulled wine and rituals to welcome the return of the light.

This is a relaxed, simple get-together so come share the warmth of the fire with friends or make new friends. Join us at the Centre and find light and hope out of the darkness. Family and friends most welcome.

Fire Release Ceremony
Music & Readings
Mulled Wine and Hot Chocolate
Toasted Marshmallows and Food to Warm the Heart
Connecting with Friends

Registrations for this event are essential, please click on the link below to RSVP.

Winter Solstice Gathering 2023 - The Compassionate Friends Victoria

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COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER

AFTERNOON TEA WITH TCFV MEMBER KAREN PHILIPPZIG

Sunday 25 June from 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Please come and join TCFV member Karen as she shares stories of her recent fundraising trip to Nepal.

Click on the link below to purchase your ticket and then leave a message putting the code "For Bree" in the message box.

https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/bagofhearts
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RUN MELBOURNE

Sunday, 16 July 2023

Calling all runners and walkers it's time to start training!

Please consider joining Team TCFV at this year's Run Melbourne where we can walk or run and remember our lost loved ones.

With closed roads and a fast, flat course, more than 20,000 runners descend on the streets, heading past some of Melbourne’s most famous landmarks. Cheer zones and epic vibes make this a race weekend unlike any other.

The events include a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km Run, 5.2km Run and a 5.2km walk.

Sweat, laugh, cheer and push yourself past iconic city landmarks, with the crowds cheering you on and the adrenaline pumping through your veins. Run Melbourne is a feeling like no other.

We are thrilled to once again use the Grand Slam oval as our central hub for our event village and finish line celebrations with DJ’s and live music, clothing drop, post-run massage, retail and race merchandise, food trucks, finisher big screen viewing and Run Melbourne’s Charity Lane.

Team Name: "The Compassionate Friends Victoria"
Please click on this link to join Team TCFV!

https://runmelbourne23.grassrootz.com/the-compassionate-friends-victoria

When you register select Registration Type - Individual and under Team Options select I'm part of a Team. Then if you wish set up your own fundraising page and share with family and friends.

If you require any help with joining the team, please contact info@solemotive.com

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Introducing TCFV sporty t-shirts and caps

T-shirts are $30 each.

They come in Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Double Extra Large.
Unisex Elite Sports Tee with reflective feature, made from 145Gsm 100% breathable polyester fabric that features an anti-bacterial coating. Fabric is cool, comfortable and light weight.

Caps are $15 each and are one size fits all.
Made from breathable, colourfast mesh fabric.

Special Offer, if you buy both a T-shirt and a cap it’s $40 for the two.

You will have a choice of either collecting your purchase from the Centre or paying to have it posted to you.

To puchase online please click the link below ...

Merchandise - The Compassionate Friends Victoria

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TCFV SUPPORT & SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUPS

For the most recent updates on group meetings (onsite and online), please regularly visit the website.

www.tcfv.org.au/support-groups/

One of our newer groups...

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP for Regional Victorians bereaved through suicide of a child, sibling or grandchild

Next meeting: June 15 @ 7:30 pm

This welcoming and friendly online environment provides bi-monthly – Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec – peer support to regionally-based suicide bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. An opportunity for us to speak openly – in an environment of peers – about our grief, bereavement-related challenges we are facing, our lost loved ones, and where we find meaning or comfort.

Please note: attending this particular group requires registration: https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/event/regional-15-jun/

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Those we love don't go away,

they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near,
so loved, so missed, so very dear.

Anonymous

Until next time, take care and stay safe.