Special Events
Are you planning an event in your area to encourage and inspire the women about birth? Would you like Leonie to speak about the birth journey and the power of birth stories to inspire, teach and heal? Then please contact us. We are open to your suggestions and invitations.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events.
Past Events
18 May 2013 – Empowering Birth Stories, Mingara
I spoke at Empowering Birth Stories in Mingara near Gosford. It was a morning of inspiration, learning & empowerment with three couples sharing their birth stories, me talking about Birth Journeys, and guest speaker Hannah Dahlen, Assoc. Prof of Midwifery sharing her wisdom.
17 May 2013 – Face of Birth Movie Night, East Gosford
I spoke at a screening of the Face of Birth movie in East Gosford.
11 May 2013 – Dressing for Two Grand Opening
I attended the grand opening of Dressing for Two, a specialist maternity boutique offering a growing collection of affordable, high quality maternity fashion, accessories, gifts and products for new and expectant mothers.
The Time Saving Crew Shopfront Opening
In May 2013, I was invited to participate in the opening of the Time Saving Crew's shopfront in Canberra. If you're in Canberra and looking for eco-friendly products for mothers, babies and children, then pop on in for a chat and a look at their range (which also includes Birth Journeys!)
Branch Conference for the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ACT/Southern NSW)
In October 2012, I was invited to be the welcoming speaker at the ACT/Southern NSW ABA Branch Conference in Wagga Wagga. It was a pleasure to share my breastfeeding story for the first time as well as my birth stories and the creation of the Birth Journeys book. I spoke about how we may best support women through pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and motherhood and the importance of hearing women’s stories of birth and breastfeeding with compassion and respect. Read an excerpt from the speech.
Pinky McKay's Parenting by Heart Membership Program
In August 2012, Leonie was interviewed by Pinky McKay for her Parenting by Heart Membership Program. Pinky McKay is an International Board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and runs a private practice in Melbourne specializing in gentle parenting techniques. Pinky is a sought after keynote speaker and best-selling author with 4 titles published by Penguin, including her recent book Parenting By Heart, she’s an expert source for media appearing regularly on major network TV and quoted in various publications. Pinky’s books, parenting resources and her free newsletter ‘Gentle Beginnings’ can be found on her website. It was a real pleasure to chat about the book and about birth with Pinky!
Conference on Human Rights and Birth Rites
At the end of July 2012, I spoke at the Homebirth Australia Conference in Hobart sharing my journey into motherhood and the creation of the Birth Journeys book with an audience of midwives, doctors, birth educators, doulas and mothers. This was an inspiring conference with a focus on human rights for mothers and babies and the impact of the rite of passage of birth. Despite our difficulties in Australia we are very fortunate compared to many women around the world. Jan Tritten, the editor of the international magazine Midwifery Today was the keynote speaker and she inspired and motivated the conference to reach for their dreams and make a difference to the emotional and physical wellbeing of mothers and babies worldwide. I felt honoured to share my story with this very receptive and enthusiastic audience. I also had the chance to thank story contributor Christina while in Tasmania.
Belmont Birth Services Visit
In June 2012, I travelled to Newcastle to share Birth Journeys with a gathering of women at Belmont. It was wonderful to have two Birth Journeys story contributors there, Chrissy and Michelle. We shared our stories, the journey of creating the book and spoke about the power of positive birth stories to transform fears and teach about the possibilities of birth that may not be covered in a ‘guide to childbirth’ or an antenatal class.
Traditional Wisdom, Brisbane and Taree
In April 2012, I travelled north to meet story contributors and celebrate the book with them. In Taree, I met Linda and we held an informal morning tea where women enjoyed sharing our diverse birth experiences and hopes for future births. In Brisbane, we held a more formal book event at the city library where it was wonderful to meet story contributors Miatta and Jessica as well as Melissa and Debby from Birthtalk.org. Then we stopped in Nimbin to visit Traditional Wisdom and we celebrated with story contributors Hellena, Bree and Kelly.