Normalising discussions about healing from grief
At the heart of every community lies a shared experience, one that transcends culture, age and background: the experience of loss and grief. Yet, despite its universality, discussions surrounding grief often remain shrouded in stigma and silence.
Here at Griefline, we believe it’s time to change the narrative. We are embarking on a journey of courageous conversations, engaging with leaders, organistions, and communities to normalise discussions about loss and grief. Through their stories, we aim to illuminate the human experience, fostering empathy and understanding while reducing stigma associated with grief.
Want to have a courageous conversation with us?
We would love to hear your story.
Connect with us if you have a story to share, that may help others during a time of grief or loss.
Share your story
Growing around grief: Tilly’s journey
Griefline is proud to collaborate with StandBy Support After Suicide this World Suicide Prevention Day. Tilly Wirihana shares her story of losing her nephew, showing how grief can change over time.
Emily’s story: What it’s like to lose a parent in your 20s
Losing a parent in young adulthood changes everything — your identity, your relationships, your future. For Emily, the pain was compounded by silence and a sense that no one truly saw what she was going through.
Benn’s story: Breaking the silence for grieving fathers
When Benn Lockyer’s son James died at just three days old, the world outside kept moving — but his had stopped. In the isolation that followed, he found solace in connecting with other bereaved dads, discovering the power of shared grief and the importance of being seen.
Kia’s story: When the nurse becomes the grieving sister
Caring for her sister with medical knowledge meant Kia could advocate fiercely, but it also stripped away the protective layers of denial. She saw every decline for what it was. While others held on to hope, Kia carried the quiet truth — and the unbearable weight of trying to be both the sister and the nurse.
Julie’s story: Forever 45 – a mother’s account of sudden loss and enduring love
When her son Aaron called her his “warrior mum,” neither of them knew it would be their last conversation. Just two hours later, her world shattered. In this moving and personal account, one mother shares the shock of sudden loss, the silence that followed, and the love that still carries her through. A tribute to a life well lived — and a son who will forever be 45.
Kristen’s story: Turning sisterly love into community care
After the heartbreaking death of her sister Brodie, Kristen Brennan began creating gentle, creative spaces for others to explore their grief. From vision board workshops to local fundraising, she’s helping her Queensland community open up conversations about loss, connection, and healing — and ensuring no one has to navigate grief alone.
Marie’s story: How she kept a promise — and found joy again
Marie never imagined she’d be raising their two boys without Rob. In the early days of loss, everything felt surreal — like life was moving on without her. But over time, she found strength in the promise they once made: to choose joy for their children, no matter what. Grief became a space for reflection, but also transformation — one small, intentional step at a time.
Sue’s story: Finding words when grief feels unspeakable
After Glenn’s death by suicide, Sue found herself in a world that didn’t know how to respond. The silence was deafening, the systems overwhelming. In the absence of answers, she turned to poetry — not as a writer, but as someone searching for meaning in the aftermath. Her poems became a quiet rebellion against the loneliness of grief, giving shape to pain and permission to feel.
Dave’s story: Finding truth in grief, illness, and poetry
Poet, counsellor, and creative space holder Dave Clark lives with chronic fatigue syndrome on Arrernte Country. Through his words, he brings visibility to quieter forms of grief — the kind bound up in illness, vulnerability, and life changes that can’t be reversed. His poetry gives shape to the unspoken, helping others feel seen, heard, and less alone.
Suzana’s story: Grieving a life that never was
At 51, Suzana found herself grieving not only the end of a relationship, but the life she had envisioned — one filled with partnership, children, and shared milestones. What unfolded was a deep reckoning with identity, purpose, and the grief that doesn’t come from death, but from dreams that no longer had a place to land.
Stephanie’s story: The shape love takes – a widow’s journey through grief, caregiving, and healing
“Grief isn’t just pain — it’s the shape love takes when the person we shared it with is no longer physically here.” After losing her brother, caring for her fiancé through terminal illness, and becoming a widow at fifty-three, Stephanie reflects on the sacredness of love, the raw truth of loss, and the strength found in showing up — for others and for herself.
Moira Junge – My story of grief, sleep, and the paths they’ve led me on
Grief taught me early on how fragile and vital sleep is — and how essential it is to our ability to cope, regulate emotions, and begin healing.
Chris’s story of spiralling pain and slowly rising again
After the unexpected death of his son, grief hit Chris like a tidal wave — overwhelming and all-consuming. It led to a breaking point, but also a turning point. Through connection, community, and supporting other bereaved parents, Chris found a way to live with the pain and honour his son’s memory.
Catherine’s story: From loss to legacy
After surviving a life-altering car crash and then experiencing the sudden death of a close friend, Catherine Ashton found herself at a crossroads — grieving not only the people she loved, but also parts of her identity. In response, she founded Critical Info, a social enterprise helping Australians prepare for the inevitable, navigate loss, and reduce the burden of confusion for those left behind.
Daniel’s story: Grief, mental health, and the courage to feel it all
When Daniel’s niece was lost at sea just weeks after the death of his best friend, the grief hit like a tidal wave. “Living with bipolar disorder has meant a lifetime of suicidal ideation,” he says. “I couldn’t see why my niece should die so young while I still live.” What followed was a journey into the depths of emotional pain — and a new, honest relationship with grief.