The Practical Doula

26/02/2026

Reviewing photos and remembering the Mourning After exhibition at RMIT. Still thinking about the impact of this show months later. 🕊️

✨ https://www.themourningafter.net/exhibitions/

23/02/2026

Take a breath.
Sit quietly.
Hold their hand for as long as you need.
While you let your heart take the lead.

This post explores the legal and emotional space you have to honour those final hours at your own pace. 🤍

Read the full blog: https://www.practicaldoula.com.au/blog/take-it-slowly

18/02/2026

So grateful to Eastern Innovation and Sharrock Pitman Legal for hosting this morning’s Business Foundations Breakfast. Informative, energising and full of genuine local connections. So good to be part of a supportive local business community in the work Melanie does at The Practical Doula.

17/02/2026

Join Melanie, an End-of-Life Doula, for a relaxed, honest conversation about death, dying, grief, and what matters most in life.

There’s no agenda and no pressure — just a welcoming space to talk, listen, or simply be.

Open to anyone curious about talking about death!

Discussions of Life and Death Over Coffee!

A gentle, open conversation about life’s most universal topic.

Join Melanie for a relaxed, heartfelt gathering to talk openly about death, dying, grief, and the things that make life meaningful.
This is a welcoming, judgement-free space to share your thoughts, listen to others, or simply sit with a warm drink and reflect. There’s no agenda, no goal, and no expectation to speak — just honest conversation in good company.

What to expect:
• A cosy table at a local café
• Friendly, facilitated conversation
• Space for curiosity, stories, questions, fears, and wisdom
• A mix of lightness and depth
• The comfort of being with others who “get it”

Details:
• Cost: $19.00. Your payment secures your spot and includes a take-home “Keep Calm and Prepare Kit” worth $15.00
• Food & Drink: Please purchase your own coffee, tea, or cake from the café
• Who’s it for? Anyone curious about talking openly about death and dying — no experience or background needed
• Not a counselling or support group. Just open conversation among humans being human.

Come for the coffee. Stay for the connection.
You might be surprised by how empowering and life-affirming these conversations can be.

13/02/2026

Creativity meets conversation. ✨

Join us for Crafted Conversations—an evening designed to nourish both the heart and the mind.

Start the night by getting your hands busy with a relaxed earring-making workshop led by artisan jeweller, Storm from Gilded Poppy Makery. While we create, Melanie from The Practical Doula will lead a gentle, supportive conversation about end-of-life planning, bringing clarity and peace to a topic that matters for us all.

Come for the craft, stay for the connection, and leave with a beautiful pair of earrings and a lighter heart. 🥂✨

📍 Where: Gilded Poppy Makery, Boronia
📅 When: Wednesday, 25 Feb | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
🎟 Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DHVNU

11/02/2026

Discussions of Life and Death Over Coffee!

A gentle, open conversation about life’s most universal topic.

Join Melanie for a relaxed, heartfelt gathering to talk openly about death, dying, grief, and the things that make life meaningful.
This is a welcoming, judgement-free space to share your thoughts, listen to others, or simply sit with a warm drink and reflect. There’s no agenda, no goal, and no expectation to speak — just honest conversation in good company.

What to expect:
• A cosy table at a local café
• Friendly, facilitated conversation
• Space for curiosity, stories, questions, fears, and wisdom
• A mix of lightness and depth
• The comfort of being with others who “get it”

Details:
• Cost: $19.00. Your payment secures your spot and includes a take-home “Keep Calm and Prepare Kit” worth $15.00
• Food & Drink: Please purchase your own coffee, tea, or cake from the café
• Who’s it for? Anyone curious about talking openly about death and dying — no experience or background needed
• Not a counselling or support group. Just open conversation among humans being human.

Come for the coffee. Stay for the connection.
You might be surprised by how empowering and life-affirming these conversations can be.

09/02/2026

Win a movie of your love story! ❤️🎥 - My Life Story Legacy

Every great love story deserves to be told. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing an incredible giveaway from My Life Story Legacy!

One lucky couple will win a professional video documentary of their journey together—a timeless keepsake valued at $1,400. Whether it’s for you and your partner or a beautiful gift for your parents or grandparents, this is a chance to preserve those precious memories forever.

✨ The Prize: A 10-15 minute professional documentary film - recorded in your venue of choice.
📍 Who can enter: Residents of Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and surrounding areas (within 100km of Melbourne CBD).
⏳ Deadline: Entries close at 11:59 PM on Valentine’s Day!

Enter here for your chance to win: https://kingsumo.com/g/3odv6vm/love-story-video-documentary-giveaway?utm_campaign=%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%20Love%20Story%20GIVEAWAY&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

02/02/2026

Friendly reminder: It’s never too early to have a plan! 📝✨

Sharing this important workshop on Advanced Care Planning. It’s a great chance to ask questions and get help with the paperwork in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Make your big decisions before it’s too late - take a moment to secure your spot for the upcoming session!

📍 Details & Registration: https://www.socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=43048

Give your family the gift of clarity. ❤️

Planning for your future health care is one of the most important things you can do - not just for your own peace of mind, but for your loved ones.

This workshop is to help you think about what’s important to you, how to navigate these big conversations, and how to document your decisions - all in a safe, supportive environment.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to: ✅ Appoint a medical treatment decision-maker. ✅ Clearly document your future healthcare wishes. ✅

Ensure your personal values are respected. It’s about making sure your voice is heard, no matter what. Join us to learn more!

📍 Register here: https://www.socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=43048

30/01/2026

Give your family the gift of clarity. ❤️

Planning for your future health care is one of the most important things you can do - not just for your own peace of mind, but for your loved ones.

This workshop is to help you think about what’s important to you, how to navigate these big conversations, and how to document your decisions - all in a safe, supportive environment.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to: ✅ Appoint a medical treatment decision-maker. ✅ Clearly document your future healthcare wishes. ✅

Ensure your personal values are respected. It’s about making sure your voice is heard, no matter what. Join us to learn more!

📍 Register here: https://www.socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=43048

23/01/2026

"I left our conversations feeling informed and inspired." ✨

This is why I do what I do. Huge thanks to Claire M. for the lovely testimonial and for joining us this past August!