People often say to us: "One day I'll do a retreat" or "I've often thought about doing a retreat."
We heard a great saying: "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago-the second best time is now."
This is true and also applies to retreats.
Retreats in planning
Sounds of silence: choose 2, 5 or 7day silent directed retreat.
In the Shoes of Van Gogh: An art retreat learning from the art and reflections of Vincent van Gogh.
​Couples Retreat: Deepening relationships.
A rare opportunity to spend time with 2 of Australia’s most long serving, respected thinkers and faith leaders:
Tim & Merridie Costello
"Leadership in a fragmented world"
8 - 10th August 2025
​Weekend Retreat at Fosterton Retreat:
Friday evening to Sunday
Go deeper on this topic
Explore, recharge up close & personal
Wrapping up with Sunday reflective time.
Tim & Merridie have formerly spent years leading a church, building community in a challenging part of Melbourne, working in not for profit spheres and more recently leading tours of Australians in the Footsteps of the Apostles around Greece and Turkey. They are a good team and somehow hold together a vibrant family. Tim is a well known face and voice in the nation whilst Merridie keeps him honest and grounded.
Early Bird Price until 30th June 2025
Who is the retreat for?
Leaders in any situation: work, politics, business, community, a faith community.
A small number of people, no more than 20.
As Tim & Merridie have such a wide range of experience and knowledge it will be helpful for a wide range of leaders/people.
This is a rare opportunity
What should I expect?
To hear from Merridie, not just Tim.
Be inspired, refreshed & encouraged through times of input, discussion, question, reflection and application.
Casual discussions round the fire place & meal times.
Slowing down and take a reflective walk through the bush or one of the 4 labyrinths on the property.
Be nurtured by nature.
Do we have to stay?
Stay with us for the full experience.
LIMITED NUMBERS.
There is room for a few day attendees or if you stay somewhere else locally.
Book me/us
in!
Costs: $600 pp
(Earlybird $500 until July 20th)
Contact us for a discount for couples.
Includes meals & morning tea.
Pay by direct debit/credit card (with surcharge)/invoice
​
Accommodation options:
Get in early for a cabin just for you, with your own bathroom
Bring a friend, share the cost, (share a bathroom)​
Fosterton House, sharing 2 bathrooms:
Single bed, share a room
All at special retreat rates (see booking form).
Remember to
read Retreat Terms & Conditions
before booking!
If you'd like others in your community to hear from Tim & Merridie come along to the
Business Breakfast in Newcastle Friday 8th
in partnership with Radio Rhema.
​
​Listen to conversations and lectures by Tim Costello:
‘You are Blessed to be a Blessing’ Menzies’s Sense of Duty to Australia’s Neighbours
Investigator Lecture on Changing the World with Flinders University
A Conversation with Tim Costello
Or read articles:
Why Christians Should Care About the USAID Freeze
Tim Costello on Social Cohesion
Girl Talk with Tim Costello with Martine Harte from 'Engaging Women'
​​
We can't guarantee a koala when you visit, but 'our' wallabies are lovely too.
Koala photo coutesy of guest Phillip.
Max will be running Choice Theory, Reality Therapy,
Lead Management, (CTRT&LM) in 2026 - dates to be confirmed.
One person cannot ‘make’ another person do anything that person chooses not to do.
This way of working with people (including ourselves)
helps us understand which of our basic needs we're trying
to meet & healthy ways to get there.
If you engage with people in any capacity,
it is a helpful tool for:
Working through relationships with family or neighbours, and/or
Youth workers, Family workers,
Teachers, (of all ages)
Community workers, Managers, Social workers,
Well-being teachers, Counsellors, Health workers,
Aged cared workers, Pastors, NDIS workers (in any role)...
.... you get the idea.
Want to know more? Call Max 0490 663 228.
As we used to say at mayCARE Community Centre:
"It's good for ages 4- 104". (We trained all the volunteers in basic CTRT).
Find our more about Choice Theory at our resources pages or retreat and training pages.
ALSO:
We can run a retreat just for you, or you & a friend, or a group of friends, or you & your partner.
Possible personal/group retreats
Listening to self in nature
The Seasons of Change
Creating a life you can love
Finding some Calm
Play & Pray
In the eye of the storm-being still in a busy world
An Attitude of Gratitude
A Walk Toward Healing
Having Fun in the Labyrinth
Where are you now - where do you want to be?
Solid Rock-Standing on Sacred Ground-
Building Inner Strength & Resilience
Awakening your creativity
Forgiving self-forgiving others
Specific couple themed retreats:
Knowing me knowing you (understanding each other's personality)
Love languages (learning how each other best receives love)
Deepening Our Love Story
Some people ask: "What is the point of a retreat?"
Our retreats (even creative ones) are for stepping back (not running away), to take stock of the now, learn new things, going deeper within before heading forward.
OTHER RETREATS WE HAVE RUN
Awakening your creativity,
Untangling your personality through the ancient wisdom of the enneagram, (looking at 9 personality types)
Play and Pray Zone (In the Spirit of the book: 'Sensible Shoes')
Take charge of your life: using Choice Theory in the everyday
More information will be added to our retreat page throughout the year.
If you would like to know more about who we are and our values visit our 'About us' page or you can contact us to see if any of these are a fit for you.
Did you know?
We can offer you your own retreat and creative dreaming space with life coaching, nurturing and if wanted Spiritual Direction.
If you're interested in nurturing your interior world, but couldn't get to a retreat this year, or would like to know more about what we do, check out our Stay-at-home retreat series on our blog.
