CLOSE to 100 people are expected to seek consolation and support to manage grief, loss and depression at Pius X, as the local organisation kicks off its Healing Day.
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“Due to the amount of death in the Aboriginal community, Pius X has gone ahead and hosted a healing day to help people through their grief,” Pius X drug and alcohol worker Stephanie Duke said.
The day was a joint initiative of Pius X, Maayu Mali, Blackdog, PACT, Aboriginal Go4Fun, Toomelah Clinic and NDIS.
“A day like this normally draws 80 or 90 people, bringing in people from the wider region such as Toomelah and Mungindi,” Stephanie said.
A range of activities are to be held throughout the day, open to men and women. Sabaidee Thai will offer shortened massage sessions and yoga teacher Skye Watson will host yoga classes, using meditative exercises to help with the process of grieving.
“Women generally have yoga, tai-chi and other therapeutic practices down pat. It’s more so the men, so these lessons are about encouraging them look at meditation to help them process their grief,” Stephanie said.
Men will also take part in a journal workshop, an opportunity to learn the importance of self-reflection. Former NRL player Nathan Blacklock will also lead talks on depression and suicide.
Art therapy, weaving workshops and a relaxation tent were setup for the women, bringing them in touch with their feelings.
“She [Aboriginal spiritual healer Rhonda Nichols] has the power to make a strong connection with people and help them come to terms with their losses.
- Pius X drug and alcohol worker Stephanie Duke
“A lady will make her way out from Wagga Wagga to lead the weaving workshop. Weaving is important to women’s culture, being practised for many years,” Stephanie said.
Aboriginal spiritual healer Rhona Nichols was invited from Brisbane to help with the healing process.
“She has the power to make a strong connection with people and help them come to terms with their losses,” Stephanie said.
Rhonda added, “My grandmother passed down her special gift to my mother, who passed down the gift to me. I have a special gift to help these women through their grief, loss and trauma.”
A Eurah Soap-making workshop was also scheduled, with Toomelah Clinic registered nurse Anne-Marie Thomas running the class.
“Eurah soap is a traditional medicine. It was used to eradicate skin diseases and fight dryness. I’ve only been using it for a month, but I already notice the difference,” Anne-Marie said.
The Eurah soap-making process involves garnering the Eurah plant from around the region and mixing it in with coconut and sunflower oils. According to the Elders, the traditional soap has the ability to even heal eczema.
“It can even be as simple as mixing the crushed plant with warm water and bathing in the concoction,” Anne-Marie said.
