By Scott Rowe

The power of peer support and shared experience was showcased for more than 30 women grieving loss at the first-ever Women’s Grief Retreat on K’Gari earlier in March.

An initiative of Angel Families by local charity Rally for a Cause, the women, who had all suffered the loss of a child or partner, spent three days on the island sharing their grief journey and supporting each other through activities, love, tears and judgement-free shared grief.

For Kylee, who lost her husband Norm in 2025 after a lengthy battle with incurable kidney disease and multiple cancer battles, the retreat was a life-changing opportunity.

“I was once again fortunate to experience the generosity of Rally for a Cause when I was able to attend the Angel Families Women’s Grief Retreat. It was an incredible experience, and I believe a tremendous success.

“The understanding, support and wisdom shared during that retreat were a gift. Being able to take a breath and be surrounded by women who needed no explanation of the many and varied emotions we can experience within a single day, an hour, or even a few minutes, was profoundly comforting.”

Kylee said the empathy, compassion and retreat structure ensured life-long connections.

“The connections and friendships formed during that time have become a lifebuoy for many of us.

“I am incredibly grateful and once again humbled to have been chosen for this opportunity.”

This wasn’t the first time Kylee and her husband Norm had been assisted by the community-led charity.

When Norm was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2023, an anonymous person nominated him to receive support through Rally for a Cause.

“Throughout this period, our family was also under enormous pressure. There were frequent trips to Brisbane for treatment, growing medical bills, and Norm required my constant care. Life became incredibly difficult.

“The assistance we received was life-changing. With the mounting costs of treatment and travel, and with me caring for Norm full-time, the help with bills and expenses eased an overwhelming burden.

“Later, when Norm was diagnosed with the second cancer, our son’s boss and his wife nominated us again, and we received further assistance.

To be chosen once was humbling. To be nominated a second time meant so much to Norm. He was genuinely overwhelmed that people thought enough of him to put his name forward not once, but twice.

“The generosity of Rally for a Cause has supported our family through some of the hardest chapters of our lives.

“Moving forward, I hope that one day I can give back in some way. Helping others the way we have been helped feels like a meaningful step in my own healing, and a way to honour Norm and show my gratitude for the kindness that has been shown to us.”

For more information on Angel Families by Rally for a Cause, please visit www.rallyforacause.org.au