Community Building
As part of our committment to building an inclusive village, we also run several free community groups. This includes: Dinghy Sailing; Bush School Family Camps; Seasonal Gatherings and a Men's Circle.
Iluka Sailing Collective
We are a grassroots, inclusive approach to sailing that focuses on accessibility, learning, and fun rather than competition or elite training. Our dinghies are easy to handle and suitable for beginners that are mentored by more experienced sailors.
We promote
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Accessibility: Open to people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds.
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Affordability: Participants don’t need to own a boat. A $5 donation for fuel and up keep.
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Shared Equipment: Boats, lifejackets, and safety equipment are provided.
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Learning & Socializing: Instruction is included, and shaded communal area is provided.
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Casual and Fun: Emphasis on enjoyment and safety rather than racing
Goals and Benefits
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Skill development: Teaches sailing, water safety, and sometimes boat maintenance.
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Community building: Encourages connection, volunteerism, and teamwork.
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Youth engagement: Keeps kids active and involved in outdoor, team-based learning.
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Mental and physical health: Sailing is both physically engaging and mentally stimulating.
Seasonal Gatherings
Seasonal marker gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere are festivals, rituals, or communal events aligned with key points in the seasonal calendar: solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days.
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We gather for a BBQ and picnic with activities and games. We also hold a respectful circle where we are invited to share our thoughts related to the particular theme of the gathering.
Winter Solstice (Yule) – Sunday 22nd June 2025
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Significance: Longest night of the year; return of the light.
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Themes: Energy of endings and new beginnings. The void between death and re birth.
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Imbolc – Sunday 3rd August 2025
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Significance: First signs of spring.
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Themes: Birth, sprouting, a time of quickening.
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Spring Equinox (Ostara) – Sunday 21st September 2025
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Significance: Day and night are again equal; emergence from darkness.
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Themes: Fertility, new life, balance, rising energy.
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Beltane – Sunday 2nd November 2025
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Significance: Peak of Spring, fertility and passion.
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Themes: Weaving of community, collective support, union, life-force, blossoming
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Summer Solstice (Litha) – Sunday 21st December 2025
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Significance: Longest day of the year, peak of sunlight and solar energy.
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Themes: Abundance, celebration, gratitude, vitality, full bloom, full expression.
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Lammas (Lughnasadh) – Around February 1st 2026
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Significance: First harvest, end of summer.
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Themes: A time of reflection and learning, fruits of our labour begin to be seen, gratitude, sacrifice, abundance.
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Autumn Equinox (Mabon) – Around March 20th 2026
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Significance: Day and night are equal; descent into the darker half of the year.
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Themes: Balance, releasing, letting go.
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Samhain – Around May 1st 2026
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Significance: Ancestor veneration, 3rd harvest.
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Themes: A time of decay and death, seeds of new life for after winter, transformation, thinning of the veil.
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Bush School Family Camp
Our family camp is a hands-on, immersive experience where families live in a natural camping setting. This family camp is primarily a holiday for most people and so we aim to strike a balance between doing and being, structure and going with the flow.
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Our aim is to focus on intergenerational learning and respect through play, shared skills and communal meals held by the beauty nature and a caring community. To keep costs to a minimum, you pay for your own camping directly with the site and bring all your own food.
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Over this time, we will come together for:
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Morning "village meetings" for planning and reflection
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Morning yoga/movement or meditation
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Group swimming and canoeing
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Group meals
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Skills exchange (e.g. weaving, woodworking)
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Story circles, music, and crafting and games
Describe your image
Describe your image
Why we grow!
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"When involved in an ongoing men's support group we are constantly exploring new ways of being, which expands our limited view of ourselves, other people, and life in general."
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From the book: A Circle of Men by Bill Kauth
Men's Circle
Bi-weekly Meetings - Wooloweyah Hall
Support, connection and accountability are ever present.
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We have a diverse group of men. Fathers, young men and elder men who come together to learn new skills such as listening and awareness skills.
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If you have been looking for a place to gather with men and have real interactions, this is it.
Men getting real, being honest and being honoured. Sobriety is paramount.
Men gathering has been an integral part of many cultures for centuries. For very intentional purposes. It has been lost in recent generations, having negative impacts on men, women, children and society.
Come and sit with us. For you, and those you love.
Safety, confidentiality and support are fundamental.
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Contact us for more information.
