Well, it has been a while inbetween the blog posting - and much has happened!. But if I could sum it up in one word it would be this -
Thankful.
Throughout the weekend, I was honoured and absolutely blessed to have been awarded a $7.5k grant from Business Women Albury Wodonga. It has been an incredible moment - and was an overwhelming and humbling one at that. Not because I do not believe in the work I do—trust me, I could talk about death and dying all day—but because standing in that room, listening to people genuinely discuss death, grief, and loss openly made me realise: We are making a difference.
This grant means so, so much. Practically, it allows us to bring a cooling plate into our community—a resource that gives families the ability to keep their loved ones at home for longer, to say their goodbyes in their own time, without the rush of external (or financial) pressures. It means we can support family-led funerals in outlying towns such as Jindera, Urana and Walla Walla, educate more people, and create accessible options for those who want a more personal, hands-on experience with their loved ones. It also means supporting other end-of-life doulas in the community, ensuring this work continues beyond just me - because it has NEVER been about me.
And let me be clear: nothing in this reflection below takes away from how important that is. This grant matters.
The Runners-Up—And Why This Matters for Our Community
A massive congratulations to Insight therapies for receiving the $5,000 grant and redefined counselling for receiving the $2,500 grant! These women are doing such valuable work in our community, and I am thrilled to see them recognised. A heartfelt congratulations to the other beautiful, kind, amazing women that pitched their ideas, too.
Huge appreciation also goes to Que property group and starfish marketing - without their generous contributions, these grants would not be possible.
And to the guest speakers who shared their stories of resilience, loss, and growth—thank you. Carmen Connell, your strength is incredible, and your words truly resonated with all of us - thankyou so much.
The Weight of It All—And Learning to Accept Help
I never want to be arrogant about what I do - but on occasion I do feel the gravity of it. There are times when I have felt completely overwhelmed - and I think as a small business owner it is a feeling we have all had from time to time. The amount of energy it takes to advocate for change, to challenge societal norms around death and grief, and to be emotionally present for so many people is enormous. And I love it. I truly do. But I also need to recognise my own limits—because if I keep telling people that life is impermanent, that we should make the most of our time here, then maybe I should take my own advice.
And part of that advice? Learning to accept help.
I am the firstborn daughter. If you know, you know. Being the firstborn daughter comes with an inbuilt expectation (self-imposed) that I should just handle things. That I should be independent, capable, and, above all else, fine. Always fine. Even when I was moving house in the middle of all of this, juggling everything at once, and wondering why I have so many things (I live by myself - why do I need so many coffee cups and toilet paper - is there a reason I stocked up on 20 rolls...am I expecting to be house bound for a month?).
Asking for help is not my strong suit, but I am realising—slowly—that it is okay to lean on people. That I do not always have to be the one offering, supporting, doing (even though I love doing it, and will never stop showing up for others). That sometimes, I can be the one saying, “Hey, I need a hand.” Or, “Can someone please lift this box because my tiny trex arms were not built for this?”
The Unanswered Messages, The Missed Calls, The Coffee Dates I Keep Rescheduling
I see you. I love you. I am sorry.
Lately, my phone has been full of unread messages and missed calls, and I keep promising that I will get back to them. If I had a dollar for every “We should grab a coffee!” that I have enthusiastically agreed to and then promptly forgotten about (or had to cancel), I would be able to fund a second cooling plate.
I do not want to be that person who is too busy to live the life they encourage others to embrace. I do not want to let my friendships slip, to miss out on the love and laughter, the paddle boarding sessions, the belly laughs over a ridiculous meme sent at 11 pm.
So, I am making a promise—not just to you, but to myself. I am going to take a page out of my own book and be present in the little things. Because the work I do reminds me every day that these little things are everything.
And while I am at it—tell people you love them. Say it out loud. Say it often. You never know if it will be the last time they hear it.
International Women’s Day – Celebrating the Women Who Shape Our Community
As if the large cheque (which, by the way, was nearly bigger than me - which is not hard) was not overwhelming enough, I have also had the honour of being part of a truly incredible initiative for International Women’s Day 2025.
Behind the scenes Wodonga Council has been working on a photography exhibition over at Junction Square, showcasing some amazing, kick-arse, resilient, beautiful women of Wodonga and what they have achieved for our community. And somehow—somehow—I found myself included in this line-up of extraordinary women.
Let me just pause for a second to appreciate the irony: I spend my life making people comfortable talking about death, and suddenly, I had to stand still and pose for a anxiety inducing photo. Wild.
But jokes aside, this means the world to me. I was born here in 1990. This community raised me, shaped me, and continues to support me every step of the way. And now, I get to stand alongside so many incredible women who are out there making real change, proving that you don’t have to be the loudest (or the tallest) to make an impact.
It is so incredibly important that we support and encourage all women and young girls to go after the things they want, to take up space, and to know they belong at the table (or in front of a giant cheque). Because when we lift each other up, we do not just change our own lives—we change our communities.
Gratitude and the Road Ahead
So, to Business Women Albury Wodonga—thank you. Thank you for seeing the value in this work. Thank you for helping normalise these conversations. Thank you for the financial support, but more than that, for the recognition that this work matters.
To my community—thank you. For embracing these conversations, for allowing me to walk alongside you in some of your most difficult times, and for continuing to break down the stigma around death, grief, and loss.
To my friends and family—thank you for your patience. I promise I am trying. And if you send me a coffee date invite with a calendar reminder, I swear I will show up.
To those who have helped me, lifted boxes, or just reminded me to breathe and that it is ok to ask for things—I see you, and I appreciate you.
And to myself—a little note: Breathe. Take time. Go for that paddle. Eat the cannoli (and take the ridiculous photo to boot). Answer the damn messages. Tell people you love them. Life is short.... and I do not just mean that metaphorically.
With so much love and thanks - Kara x
#BusinessWomenAlburyWodonga #BWAW #EndOfLifeDoula #DeathPositive #CommunitySupport #GriefWork #WeOnlyDieOnce #YourDeathYourDecisions #WomenSupportingWomen #AlburyWodonga #LocalLeadership
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