The Centre for
Wellbeing @ St Michael’s 2015 Programs
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Contents Page 5
Mindfulness e-course
Page 6
Fight Free February
Page 7
Future Spirituality
Page 8
Successful Ageing with Growth And Enhancement
Page 9
Yo Mama: Mothering in the 21st Century
Page 10
Legalwise: Wills & The Power of Attory
Page 11
Psychotherapy on Sundays
Page 12
Living Mindfully
Page 13
Stress Less, Laugh More
Page 14
Law Week Event
Page 15
Spirituality in Clinical Practice
Page 16
Writing Seminar
Page 17
Relationships: School of Love
Page 18
What is Spirituality?
Page 19
The Laborastory
Page 20
Risks & Opportunities: A World in Ferment
Page 21
Australia with Professor Camilleri
Page 22
Wilma & Friends Concert
Page 23
Forgiveness Workshop
Contact Us
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St Michael’s Place, 120 Collins Street Melbourne, VIC, 3000 Phone: (03) 9654 5120 Website: centreforwellbeing.org.au Facebook: TheCentreForWellbeingAtStMichaels
What is Wellbeing? Wellbeing is a proactive stance towards health in all its aspects, and encompasses the many ways we can actively work towards a happier and more fulfilling life. Wellbeing may best be defined in terms of elements that support it. For many people, connecting to a sense of meaning, purpose or faith in life, is central to their wellbeing. Internal conflict is lessened when we develop personal values from our sense of meaning, and let those values guide our choices and actions. Contemplative practices such as meditation, or experiences of ‘flow’ (when we are absorbed in creative or intellectual pursuits), can also assist a feeling of contentment in heart and mind through inspiration, greater ‘aliveness’ and the development of mindful self-awareness. Mindful self-awareness is important to wellbeing because it allows us emotional freedom. Mindfulness empowers us to make choices in regard to unhelpful habits of mood and thinking, rather than feeling trapped in our suffering and anxieties. For most people, social connections form part of a sense of meaning and self-worth. Satisfying, trusting relationships are also important facets of wellbeing. Being connected to a sense of something larger than just oneself and being part of a community can offer such support. Not least, care of the physical body is a vital component of whole person wellbeing. The Centre for Wellbeing at St Michael’s is a space dedicated to wellbeing in the heart of Melbourne, offering events, seminars and interest groups. Our aim is to create opportunities to enhance the human spirit, contribute to a healthier world by inspiring hearts and minds to grow and to promote happiness and participation across the lifespan. The Centre for Wellbeing and Mingary Counselling Service are proud 2012 Melbourne Awards Finalists.
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Message from the Centre for Wellbeing Director, Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks
Message from the Executive Minister, Dr Francis Macnab
Welcome to the Centre for Wellbeing, an initiative of St Michael’s.
St Michael’s has many unique features. All of them together make St Michael’s an extraordinary place.
The Centre for Wellbeing aims to provide numerous opportunities to engage in enjoyment and learning for people of any age or background, by offering various paths to greater wellbeing. With a strong focus on community engagement all of the quality programs in this booklet are lowcost. I hope that you will find something of interest at The Centre for Wellbeing to enhance your journey. Enjoy!
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Each of the programs in this booklet carries an invitation to everyone to find something that will enhance their life, bring them into contact with an enthusiastic group of people and help them to become part of a wider experience of wellbeing. Wellbeing is a very personal quest, but it is greatly enriched when it occurs in the context of a flourishing resilient community. I encourage everyone to help sustain such a community at St Michael’s.
MINDFULNESS E-COURSE Suitable for anyone who is interested in learning new ways to think about and manage stress and anxiety naturally. This easy to follow seven module foundational e-course is presented by Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks and will teach you how to use mindfulness to reduce anxiety and stress in your everyday life.
ONLINE COURSE DATE Start anytime self-paced e-course COST $47 REGISTER centreforwellbeing.org.au
The course explores how mindfulness can bring your inherent emotional intelligence to the fore, which helps you to take charge of your life and deal directly with your thinking, emotions and the demands of everyday living.
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FIGHT FREE FEBRUARY
SEMINAR
Encouraging people to think before fighting. Fight Free February is a seminar that explores the different ways to resolve what could turn into a fight: with partners, kids, colleagues, or…anyone. The Centre for Wellbeing is proud to be part of Fight Free February by hosting an evening on maintaining healthy relationships and developing real strategies to deal with relationship challenges and relationship breakdowns. Includes a Q&A with experts from the fields of family law and psychology.
DATE 19 February TIME 6.30pm ROOM Hall TICKETS Pay what you can* BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
Presented by Jane Libbis of Bayside Collaborative Law, a family lawyer who understands the great need for communication skills and the ability to manage emotions in times of stress. 6
*Pay-What-You-Can tickets can be purchased for as little as $2 per ticket. Book online and choose how much you want to pay to attend this event.
FUTURE SPIRITUALITY What is the future of spirituality in Australia? What does research indicate about the likely direction of the spirituality of Australians? Dr Philip Hughes, UCA minister and researcher from the Christian Research Association, will present research findings and lead a discussion on the future of religion and spirituality in Australia. In this presentation Dr Hughes explores what we know about spiritual wellbeing from research in Australia and examines why many Australians refer to themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’.
SEMINAR DATE 22 February TIME 12pm ROOM Church TICKETS Pay what you can* BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
“Each individual could make their own decisions about religious faith as decisions of life-style.” - Philip Hughes *Pay-What-You-Can tickets can be purchased for as little as $2 per ticket. Book online and choose how much you want to pay to attend this event.
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S.A.G.E SUCCESSFUL AGEING WITH GROWTH & ENHANCEMENT
SEMINAR SERIES
SAGE offer psychological insights and information about healthy ageing in a friendly interactive forum. Dr Francis Macnab created SAGE to help people build strategies to cope with the big stresses in the years post-55, reshape their meaning of life, deal with the fears that flit through these years, learn and live well. Each month a SAGE seminar is held, focusing on a topic, such as finding life purpose, coping with the transitions of retirement and how to develop coping strengths in later years. “The SAGE seminars attract so many older people and I’m not surprised considering the important topics they discuss, all of which help older people to age well.” - Noeline Brown 8
DATES 27 February 27 March 24 April 29 May 25 June 31 July 28 August 24 September 30 October 27 November TIME 11am ROOM Hall TICKETS $20 (includes lunch) BOOKINGS
centreforwellbeing.org.au
Australia’s Favourite Octogenarian
A BIT ABOUT ETHEL Many things concern Ethel Chop: unemployment, incorrect bus timetables, the fact that today’s youth are all loopdeloo nutbags. Ethel’s wisdom and no-nonsense attitude to life means she’s perfect for your festival, corporate function or Christmas carols. Having lived through two wars and
YO MAMA: MOTHERING IN THE 21ST CENTURY The Depression, she can still whip up COMEDY a tasty casserole from an onion and an old shoe. And she can talk to anyone, DATE about anything.
EVENT
Melbourne International Comedy Festival favourite 5 March Book her now. Avoid Gout. Nelly Thomas teams up with ABC Radio’s George TIME McEncroe and Australia’s favourite Octogenarian 6.30pm Ethel Chop to honour mums this International ROOM Excellent comic timing Women’s Day. Church The Age
TICKETS
Sidesplitting...
From nappies to naughty nannas, Minecraft to $20 / $30 Ethel Chop is hilarious (parenting) minefields, rest to respite; these three Sunday Times BOOKINGS funny women will explore all the wonderful and centreforwellbeing.org.au Powell’s theatrical not-so-wonderful aspects of contemporary parenting. dexterity is first class. Melbourne Star Observer
With several husbands and nine children between them, ranging from two to sixty-two years of age - this show promises to be a no-holds barred expose on maternal matters.
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LEGALWISE: WILLS & THE POWER OF ATTORNEY SEMINAR Lawyer and Estate Planner Alan Farrar presents an informative seminar exploring the ins-and-outs of Powers of Attorney, Wills and Estate Management. The laws regarding Powers of Attorney and Estate Management and Wills have recently changed which means many people who have made arrangements in the past need to learn about the new legislation in order to ensure that their wishes have been recorded in a legally valid manner. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable information from a professional who will share his wisdom and experience on this sensitive and very important issue.
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DATE 13 March TIME 11am ROOM Hall TICKETS $10 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
PSYCHOTHERAPY ON SUNDAYS Many people will never enter a psychotherapist’s consulting room. But the teachings of psychotherapy could benefit people on a daily basis. A series of five educational lectures led by Dr Francis Macnab AM, exploring a variety of topics that will be helpful to people in their everyday lives. With more than 50 years of professional practice and over 25 published books, Dr Macnab is the founder of The Cairnmillar Institute and creator of the special form of psychotherapy – Contextual Modular Therapy (CMT). Don’t miss this opportunity to learn valuable insights from one of Australia’s foremost Psychotherapists.
LECTURE SERIES DATES 22 March 17 May 19 July 23 August 18 October TIME 12pm ROOM Hall TICKETS $10 per seminar $40 whole series BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series 11
LIVING MINDFULLY Living mindfully is not just about meditation, although it is a good way to start. Living mindfully is about deepening your perspective on life and gradually experiencing the world with less fear and worry and more confidence and calm. Learning mindfulness skills will not only lessen your stress and anxiety - it will transform the way you experience your mind and emotions. In this workshop you will learn two breathing techniques and a meditation exercise for mindfulness and be directed to further learning resources. You will also receive ample inspiration and information to carry you forward to live more mindfully.
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WORKSHOP FIRST SESSION 17 April 11am Wellbeing Studio REPEAT SESSION 23 Sept 6.30pm Hall TICKETS $10 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series
STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE
SPECIAL EVENT
A hilarious and educational evening that will enhance your wellbeing and your happiness, with comedian and clown doctor, Anthony Ackroyd. Let’s face it – stress sucks! It sucks the joy and excitement out of life. But there is a solution. Renowned comedian and speaker Anthony Ackroyd can show you how to move out of stress and into positivity, creativity, happiness, fun and success!
DATE 7 May TIME 6.30pm ROOM Church TICKETS $20 / $30 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
Anthony Ackroyd’s stellar comedy career spans three decades and he continues to be one of Australia’s most successful stand up comics and comedy writers. He is currently one of the stars of ABC’s Thank God It’s Friday! which is the top rating radio comedy show in Australia.
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LAW WEEK EVENT What Makes Couples Stick? (or not Stick!?) Family Lawyer Jane Libbis and Psychologist Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks present this special 2015 Law Week seminar. Dr Campbell-Tunks will explore what you need to create satisfying relationships, what soul-mated couples do right and what some couples so do wrong that they wind up needing a lawyer.
SEMINAR DATE 14 May TIME 6.30pm ROOM Hall TICKETS Pay what you can* BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
Jane Libbis will give you some great information about what to do if things go wrong and you find yourself in the realm of family law. Focusing on healthy, low stress ways to manage family disputes. The seminar will run for approximately one hour plus a Q&A session afterwards. 14
*Pay-What-You-Can tickets can be purchased for as little as $2 per ticket. Book online and choose how much you want to pay to attend this event.
SPIRITUALITY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE SEMINAR How is spirituality acknowledged in psychological practice? How does therapy and a person’s spirituality work together to benefit healing and support? While a number of prominent psychology forefathers such as William James, Carl Jung, and Gordon Allport were keenly interested in the relationship between psychology and religion, most of professional and scientific psychology during the past century has avoided the connection between these two areas of inquiry. Join psychotherapist and minister Dr Francis Macnab, and psychologists Dr Lynette Kramer and Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks as they discuss the connection between clinical practice and spirituality over a series of three insightful seminars.
DATES 21 May 28 May 4 June TIME 6.30pm ROOM Hall TICKETS $10 per seminar $25 whole series BOOKINGS
centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series
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WRITING SEMINAR Euan Mitchell returns to the Centre for Wellbeing to present this inspiring writing workshop, suitable for anyone who has ever yearned to write their own book. Euan Mitchell is an accomplished author and speaker, who, for the past two decades, has put words together for a living. He is the author of Feral Tracks dubbed the male version of Puberty Blues and the fast-paced, grungy portrayal of Australian Rock’n Roll Making Noise. A great opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s finest authors.
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SEMINAR DATE 11 June TIME 6.30pm ROOM Church TICKETS $15 / $20 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
RELATIONSHIPS: SCHOOL OF LOVE Love is one of life’s great mysteries but it does have its own logic and methods. In this seminar you will learn: • What makes people good at the art of intimate relating • How relationships disintegrate - even when you don’t expect it • How to heal conflict and not make it worse • How to strengthen love and admiration for each other. Presented by Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks, Psychologist and Couple Therapist.
SEMINAR FIRST SESSION 19 June 11am Wellbeing Studio REPEAT SESSION 16 July 6.30pm Hall TICKETS $10 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series
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WHAT IS SPIRITUAL WELLBEING? What is spiritual wellbeing, why do we need it and where does it come from? Spiritual wellbeing is a difficult term to define, but research is taking us closer to a more definitive understanding. Spiritual wellbeing appears to be an integral part of our mental, emotional and physical health. It is also emerging as a primary coping resource in psychological literature. The Centre for Wellbeing is developing its Spiritual Wellbeing programs in collaborative conversation with Professor Lisa Miller of LEO (Learning, Evolving, Opening), the Spirituality Mind Body Institute Wellness Centre, Columbia University. In this workshop Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks will explore the components of spiritual wellbeing and examine how you can increase your own spiritual wellbeing. 18
WORKSHOP FIRST SESSION 6 August 6.30pm Hall REPEAT SESSION 21 August 11am Wellbeing Studio TICKETS $10 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series
THE LABORASTORY An evening dedicated to the stories of science; the heroes, the egos, the breakthroughs and the mistakes. From forgotten history and lonely laboratories, science and scientists quite literally take centre stage. Five scientists from diverse background share remarkable stories of the heroes of their field. They tell the tales of the tragedies and triumphs of the men and women who made science their passion, leaving legacies of ground-breaking discoveries that inspire the scientists of today.
SPECIAL EVENT DATE 19 August TIME 7pm ROOM Church TICKETS $15 / $20 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
The Centre for Wellbeing is proud to host this special National Science Week edition of The Laborastory. The shows have proven very popular and sell out fast, so make sure you book your tickets early! 19
RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES: A WORLD IN FERMENT LECTURE SERIES We are delighted to have one of Australia’s leading International Relations scholars and commentators, Professor Joseph A. Camilleri OAM present this insightful lecture series. In this four-lecture series Professor Camilleri interpret the most critical social, economic, environmental and security challenges of our times as they affect us personally and our life prospects, our networks and communities, our nation and the world. Opening up new ways of thinking about the past and present and new possibilities for reshaping the future. Please note there is limited seating for this series, book early to secure your tickets.
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DATES 1 September 8 September 15 September 22 September TIME 6pm ROOM Hall TICKETS $15 per lecture $50 whole series BOOKINGS
centreforwellbeing.org.au
AUSTRALIA
WITH PROFESSOR JOSEPH CAMILLERI SEMINAR
Professor Joseph A. Camilleri OAM will present this special lecture in St Michael’s Church. This special presentation will hold a spotlight on Australia: the aspirations and anxieties of a new generation; the changing fabric of Australian society; and the prospects of adjusting to the global power shift. Professor Camilleri will interview two leading thinkers and practitioners on these and related issues and invite audience members to join in the conversation.
DATE 29 September TIME 6pm ROOM Church TICKETS $20 BOOKINGS
centreforwellbeing.org.au
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WILMA & FRIENDS CONCERT CONCERT
Join us for an evening of inspirational chamber music. A classical music quartet created by violinist Wilma Smith, in which she invites some of her remarkable colleagues to present a series of concerts casting a spotlight on their virtuosity and musicianship, as well as the beauty and intimacy of some of the most enjoyable chamber music in the repertoire. All proceeds will go towards the wellbeing and mental health programs of St Michael’s.
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DATE 13 November TIME 7pm ROOM Church TICKETS $30 / $20 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
FORGIVENESS WORKSHOP WORKSHOP
“Forgiveness is an ongoing process, not a moment in time.” - Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks How do we forgive? What do we do with the unforgivable? How do we forgive ourselves for terrible mistakes? Part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series, join Dr Debra Campbell-Tunks as she guides a discussion and exploration of forgiveness as an essential aspect of mental health.
DATE 20 November TIME 11am ROOM Wellbeing Studio TICKETS $10 BOOKINGS centreforwellbeing.org.au
This program is part of our Spiritual Wellbeing Series
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Mingary Counselling Service Confidential, low-cost counselling
If you are seeking relief from painful or stressful experiences, assistance with major life changes or help reducing anxiety, fear and uncertainty, call Mingary Counselling services to make an appointment today. Or visit The Quiet Place (pictured above): a peaceful, nondenominational sanctuary for people of all religions and cultures. Open 8am to 5pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm Sundays; enter from the Russell Street side of St Michael’s.
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St Michael’s Place, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne www.mingarycounselling.com.au | (03) 9654 5120