Woodcarving facilitated by Oli & Moontime Cycles workshop; The transition to puberty, male rhythm of energy & female menstrual cycle with Jessica

Join Jessica Moraes, Registered Nurse Midwife and Oli Moraes, Galk-galk Dhelkunya (Forest Gardening) Program Manager for Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation for a workshop for young boys and their fathers or male support person.

Participants will learn about the physical changes boys and girls experience during puberty. The transitions young boys go through when coming of age and compare this to the menstrual cycle for girls.

We will speak to the innate energy men have over the cycle of a whole day and the four week inner experience of women in relation to their menstrual cycle.

With gentle guidance the boys will learn about the incredible human body and changes that occur during puberty. In turn this will facilitate respectful relationships and friendships as they come of age.

Oli Moraes will share his knowledge and practical skills regarding caring for and protection of our natural environment, and working with wood. Participants will complete a wood carving project around an open fire.

We will share afternoon tea around the fire, creating a space to honour the transitions young boys experience when they come of age.

Location The Michael Center 37A Wellington park drive Warranwood

Sunday 24th May

2pm- 4.30pm

Tickets per pair (boy and adult) $100

Facilitators

Oli is an environmental and community practitioner, having worked with Indigenous communities in Australia and the Pacific Islands for 10 years. Oli currently works with Victoria

Traditional Owners the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation of forest restoration. He has worked with school groups from diverse backgrounds including in Mooroolbark with migrant children; in Johannesburg South Africa and in Geriwerd (The Grampians) he has run earth sciences fieldtrips for outdoor education groups. In his current role with Dja Dja Wurrung he facilitates forest excursions with young people from across Central Victoria.

Jessica is a mother to four beautiful boys, a midwife, paediatric nurse and maternal child health nurse. She has a deep wish to empower young girls and women to be in tune with their bodies

and develop an innate sense of the seasons of their cycle. As a mother of four boys she is passionate in teaching them about their nurturing role in caring for babies, young children and mothers as grown men. She brings knowledge and experience of anthroposophical nursing and traditional belly wrapping practices to women’s health care. She runs the Gabriel conversation group for new parents; supporting women along their pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.

Moontime Cycles presents

Adolescent Moontime Circle – a workshop for girls

Join midwives Jessica Moraes and Freya Martin for a special gathering to celebrate your body’s natural rhythms in a nurturing, holistic way.

This workshop is for girls 14 years of age and older.

What’s this circle about?

You will learn about the dynamic nature of the menstrual cycle using a seasonal framework to understand your inner winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Using their holistic midwifery wisdom, Jessica and Freya will share how to embrace your body’s natural flow, helping you feel connected and empowered throughout your cycle.

In this workshop you will also learn about reproductive health and well-being, including sexual health and contraception, to empower you with knowledge to honour and advocate for your body as you grow into womanhood.

Conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis will be explored, and we will discuss their management including both medical and holistic approaches.

This is a confidential space where all conversations remain within our sacred circle. You can share stories (like your first period, if you want to) and ask any questions.

What we will create together:

• Craft a keepsake: We’ll make a beautiful bracelet or necklace with moonstone, a gem that mirrors the moon’s cycles (just like your body), and agate, a grounding stone known for its calming, balancing properties that support emotional stability, soothe stress, and promote harmony in your reproductive system

• Learn belly wrapping: Discover the ancient, nurturing practice of belly wrapping to bring warmth and comfort during your moon time, using a scarf or rebozo

• Ease discomfort naturally: Explore simple, nature-inspired remedies to soothe cramps and support your well-being

What to bring:

• A long scarf, rebozo, or sarong for belly wrapping

Details:

Where: The Melbourne Therapy Centre, 221 Wonga Rd. Warranwood

When: Sunday October 26th, 2025 from 11am-2pm

Food: Lunch is provided - please let us know any dietary needs.

Cost: $80

Questions? Parents, guardians, or participants can reach out to Jessica for further information if required. 

Contact: Jessica Moraes 0415291172

Your facilitators:
Freya is a midwife and a mother to two young children. Since becoming a mother, she has developed a passion for increasing awareness of the menstrual cycle and the seasonal, cyclical changes within it. Freya loves to help girls and women to harness their feminine power by increasing knowledge of how their energy and motivation levels change throughout their cycle. She has a special interest in care and support for women in the months after birth, and matrescence, which is the profound change women go through when they become mothers.

Jessica is a mother to four beautiful boys, a midwife, paediatric nurse and maternal child health nurse. She has a deep wish to empower young girls and women to be in tune with their bodies and develop an innate sense of the seasons of their cycle. She brings knowledge and experience of anthroposophical nursing and traditional belly wrapping practices to women’s health care. She runs the Gabriel conversation group for new parents; supporting women along their pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.

You are warmly invited to Afternoon Tea with the MTC

Sunday 17th  March 2pm – 4pm

In the Garden Room and surrounds

221 Wonga Road, Warranwood.


Please join practitioners, patients, committee and friends to hear about the Centre’s recent updates. At 2.30pm President Judy Dixon will talk to us about the Centre and make a special presentation.

We will also celebrate several practitioner and staff milestones – yes, Paulo has been with us for more than 30 years!

Afternoon tea will be accompanied by some pop-up music performances.

Please RSVP on 9876 3011 by Wednesday 13th March to help us with catering.
Hope to see you there!

Arturs for the MTC Committee

Please RSVP by calling the MTC on 9876 3011. 

The Centre needs medical, anthroposophic therapy rooms and a Eurythmy room so we are launch a crowdfunding campaign. We invite you to participate in our Crowdfunding Launch Event. Join us for food, music, a silent auction and much more!