June 26th - Keith Purvis Subject: Compassionate Friends Kevin is the ex-President of TCFV and has been part of the Guest Speaker program for several years and an experienced speaker. Kevin is a retired Primary School teacher. Prior to that he worked in pastoral ministry for more than 20 years, in various Baptist Churches and Chaplaincy positions. In both these roles he gained wide experience in committees and boards of management. Kevin is the bereaved father of Stephen, who died by suicide in 2001. Kevin will deliver a heartfelt presentation on behalf of TCFV, beginning with a few words about his own grief journey and how he came to find our community. He will share a brief history of The Compassionate Friends Victoria and highlight the vital support we provide to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents. The presentation will also offer practical guidance on supporting someone who is grieving, address common myths and misunderstandings, and include an important discussion around the language of suicide. Through this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of grief and how to walk alongside those who are navigating profound loss. July 24th - Tower Property Advisory Our speakers for the presentation will be : Liz Collins, LLB; Sara Cook, RN; Kathryn Gray, Wills; Phil Hoopmann, Senior Property Manager; Athena Connock, Business Development Manager at Tower Property Advisory. Smart Strategies for the Transition to Retirement Living and Aged Care Overview Moving from the family home into retirement living or residential aged care is one of life’s bigger transitions, and it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions and uncertainty along the way. For many families, the decision comes after an unexpected event—such as a fall and hospital stay—or when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s becomes simply too much to manage alone. In just 60 minutes, our presenters will explore three key areas of the transition into retirement living or aged care: estate planning and elder law, residential placement considerations, and property sale decisions. With empathy, planning, and some insight, this journey can be navigated with greater confidence, ensuring you or your loved one can settle in comfortably while achieving the best possible outcomes. During the presentation we will explore three key areas of this transition: estate planning & elder law, residential placement considerations, and property sale decisions. August 27th - Samantha Clarke Samantha Clarke is the Victorian Ambassador for Mercy Ships Australia, where she shares the extraordinary life changing work of hospital ships bringing free surgery and medical care to communities in Africa. Samantha’s career has taken an unusual and interesting path, beginning as a hairdresser before moving into senior roles across community building, membership, philanthropy and impact driven organisations, including working for a former Prime Minister. Across every chapter of her career, Samantha has been driven by a desire to create meaningful change, bring people together, and contribute to a kinder and more compassionate world. Talk Summary
Samantha’s presentation, The Life Changing Work of Mercy Ships, introduces audiences to the remarkable work of Mercy Ships and its mission to provide free, safe surgical care to people who would otherwise have little or no access to medical treatment. Through powerful patient stories, behind the scenes insight and moving examples of transformation, Samantha shares how Mercy Ships restores health, dignity and hope, while also training local healthcare professionals and strengthening medical systems for the future. | 