Wrapping Up ...
Saturday 5th December 10–3pm, 2026
At this day retreat, through personal reflective exercises and being nurtured in nature you’ll receive breathing space as you consider competing demands, gaining tools to help untangle the messy threads of life so you can move into the busiest time of the year with a sense of peace, able to face even the difficult and painful bits.
Wouldn’t it be great to go into the new year having got off the treadmill for a bit and taken time to make some deliberate decisions rather than feel like you’re on a (good but) runaway train?
Imagine if you had some breathing space to consider the competing demands in your life (immediate family, family of origin, work, friends, kids school activities etc) and work out what is important enough for you to spend your limited energy and time on?
Wouldn't it be freeing to learn ways to step back and make considered decisions even in the busiest times of the year?
You might not float in the river like Max, but we will use nature as a way to reflect.
How good would it be to have a handle on those tangled threads of your life and tools to help you unravel them so you can stay on the course you want to be on?
Imagine going into Christmas with a sense of peace so you’re able to face the difficult and painful bits of this time of year without them bursting out and derailing you?
So what can I expect?
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Gently led exercises
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A safe environment to discover new insights
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Times of quiet
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Ah-ha moments (insights)
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Laughter
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Meeting other people prepared to reflect
(you are not alone)
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A day away from the daily demands
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Reflecting on 2026 as it passes
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Expressing gratitude* for good things
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Acknowledging difficulties through this year
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Saying goodbye to the year that has been
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Learning from nature
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And using some creativity
(no artistic talent required-truly. Trust me I'm a doctor!)
Please note: This is a personal transformation retreat,
not one based in spiritual practises.
*A gratitude practice trains the brain to be more in tune with experiencing gratitude
— a positive plus a positive, equals more positives. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/does-gratitude-rewire-your-brain/
Why?
So you can be ready for 2027.
Ready to say 'yes' to some things
and 'no' to others.
Ready to plan
Ready for whatever next year throws out.
Ready for the freedom to dream.
Saturday 5th December 10–3pm, 2026
Your investment is $100,
Morning Tea is included
Bring your own lunch.
"Self-reflection is a much kinder teacher than regret is. Prioritize yourself by making a habit of it.”
Andrena Sawyer
“Reflection is one of the most underused yet powerful tools for success.”
Richard Carlson
Why would I make time to reflect on the year?
And at this time of the year?
Good questions.....
Donald Schön wrote a book on reflection in 1987 and he probably didn't realise how far reaching his ideas would go- health care, teaching, students, designers, researchers, business, leadership, the list is long of areas where they recognise and try to embed reflective practice.BUT reflection is useful in everyday life too: for understanding, learning from an experience, empathy, compassion, thinking on our feet (adaptability), and planning.
If this resonates for you, then put aside this one day to join us to take stock before rushing into the Christmas season & be more ready to meet a new year.
What have you noticed since?
I am actually a lot calmer, even in the midst of my current crisis I am calm...
Jen
Some feedback from others after Wrapping Up Retreat.
I have noticed the sense of gratitude if I sit and reflect .. and the opportunities available - D
Still more questions? Then let's chat.
Max 0490 663 228 Bronwyn 0439 500 909
You Have Options:
Come by train?
Arrange for us to pick you up OR ride your pushbike out as some people do.
Make this a day/night retreat and have a cabin or a room in Fosterton House before and/or after the day retreat.
Contact us if either of these options interest you.
Max 0490 663 228
Bronwyn 0439 500 909
New to Fosterton Retreat?
So who are we?
Why would you trust us to work with you?
Bronwyn & Max have been together for over 40 years and worked together for over 20.
And at Fosterton Retreat working as a team:
We will guide you in a range of ways to travel through the day.
We are both practicing artists with decades of experience in creativity.
Through our interests, passions, life experience and work we also have gathered and developed creative and interactive practices which feed your soul, with the aims of facilitating spiritual and personal growth.
We are parents and grandparents and have both been community workers, pastors, and counsellors.
Some of our life experience involves the reality and challenges of big unexpected life changes involving grief.
We like to help people in their quest to find a greater depth, meaning, peace and enjoyment in life.
We also like to facilitate opportunities to deepen people's self-awareness and sense of being by nurturing their soul, strengthening their connections with nature and the divine. The Space for God Retreat page gives an insight into this.
Max has training in and oozes: Choice Theory (practice and training others), Spiritual Direction, Labyrinth experiences (Facilitation) and years in frontline Welfare organisations and practice.
Bronwyn has training in Choice Theory, Spiritual Direction, Art as Therapy, The Enneagram, with Bachelor of Natural History Illustration and a PhD in it as well.
Retreat terms & conditions
We want you to be clear about our terms & conditions,
but we've tried to make them easy & fun to read!
Bookings:
· A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at least 4 weeks before a retreat to secure your place. Payment of the deposit constitutes the guest's acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
· Balance of payment must be received in full at least 21 days prior to the start of a retreat. If not, the owners will contact you, but without payment we have the right to cancel the booking and attempt to re-book your place.
Cancellations & Refunds:
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Cancellation by participants more than 4 weeks before a retreat receive a refund of all money paid, minus 10% of their deposit.
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Cancellations by participants between 4-2 weeks prior to a retreat lose the whole deposit, and a refund is given on all other money paid minus 10%.
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Cancellations by participants within 2 weeks of a retreat receive no refund, unless a person is found to replace you (like for like),
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If a retreat is not run by Max & Bronwyn Greive cancellations and refunds are between the retreat organiser and the client.
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If you want to "pull out of" a retreat and move to another one at a different time it will be treated as a cancellation. Rebooking will be subject to availability & at the listed price for that next retreat (even if it has increased).
Note: If extreme things happen outside of your control, (we know what it's like to have sudden tragedies) we understand that variations to these may be possible, so contact us- Yes talk to us!
We might have a waitlist.
Other issues:
· We care about our participants so it is important that anyone registering to attend a retreat discloses any health or related issues which might impact on their involvement, so we can take great care (eg: physical, psychological, spiritual, dependencies or family issues). To not do so could result on the cancellation of a booking/place at a retreat,
· The number of guests should not exceed the number stated on the confirmation notice/email or the number subsequently agreed in writing or email. Fees will apply for additional guests not agreed to with the owner in advance,
· While there have never been any problems with theft, personal items are the guest's responsibility during their stay,
· However anything found at the conclusion of the stay is collected by the cleaners and we contact you and ask what you want to do about it,
Alcohol: Fosterton Retreat does not have a liquor license. Some retreats are dry, others are not. It will be listed on the individual retreat page. You are welcome to bring alcohol to a retreat that is not dry but moderation is expected and unruly behaviour is not okay (see next point).
· Disturbance to other visitors or our neighbours, including trespassing on their property or excessive noise, is prohibited and may result in termination of your place at a retreat,
· Linen for residential guests is supplied by Fosterton Retreat except for extras agreed between the owner and visitor in writing (email included),
· Pets are not allowed unless specific arrangements have been made in writing with the owner (Guide and assistance dogs excepted of course with consultation).
· Smoking is not allowed inside any buildings or within 5 metres of buildings.
· Times to vacate rooms will be stipulated in each retreat and need to be adhered to for the sake of other guests.
Each retreat is different but Fosterton Retreat does not have a liquor license, if it is not a dry retreat you can bring alcohol and we expect moderation in its use.
Each retreat has a minimum number of participants required, which may vary for each retreat. The date for any cancellation of a retreat due to lack of numbers will vary but will be listed in the information for each retreat. Registered (paid) participants will be notified asap. If the retreat is cancelled by Max & Bronwyn all money paid will be refunded.
We will make every effort to ensure our retreats are available as advertised. However, the owner reserves the right to make alterations due to rare and extreme unforeseen circumstances. Max and Bronwyn will contact you soon as possible if such a situation arises and every attempt will be made to accommodate you at another suitable retreat in the next 12 months or money paid will be refunded.