Voice of the River; A Deep Listening & Singing Retreat; Eddie FitzPatrick (4 day)

Join Eddie FitzPatrick on a nourishing journey with Voice of the River — a gentle invitation to remember your voice as part of the living world. Through meditation, creative writing, group singing, deep listening, plenty of solo relaxation time and fireside singing you’ll be invited to tune deeply to the river, the bush, the birds — and within.

Together we’ll share stories, weave songs, and gather in circle, enjoying a joyful journey of remembering. Nights under open skies transform from mere camping to a profound communion with the environment. The boundary between self and landscape blurs, as the sounds of rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the river's gentle movement weave a complex tapestry of belonging. Each moment becomes an invitation to step beyond human-centric perspectives and recognise the intricate web of life that sustains and surrounds us.

There is a magic that happens when we sing in a circle without any pressures of ‘technique’ and performing – when we’re simply enjoying the ancient way of gathering and playing together in sound. As bodies co-regulate and brain states change, we can move into a simple state of play and collective exploration in resonance and celebration of being alive.

You can expect to leave the retreat feeling well rested, connected to your creativity and a quieter, simpler way of being on country. This is not simply a journey across kilometers, but a passage through understanding—a slow, deliberate pilgrimage that allows participants to rediscover their fundamental connection to the natural world, one paddle stroke at a time.

Itinerary

Day 1: We meet at Southern Cross Station, travelling up as a community. Arriving at Cobram, we begin to imagine our trip together.

Day 2-4: Over the next four days, we immerse ourselves in our environment as we paddle toward Tocumwal. paddling, being with ourselves, each other, the more-than-human world, and Country (as well as our artist in residence, who may come with art supplies, song or dance, curiosities, and a sparking of our imaginations).

Day 5: We then return together, reflecting and slowly transition back to our lives, bringing with us all that we learnt and hope to cultivate.

Paddlers with other commitments can make their own way to Cobram on day 1 or leave a day early.

What's included

• Accommodation (camping)
• All meals
• Water