“Memories are everything when you look at dementia and when you look at grief."

These words by Trudy Hanson OAM, CEO of the National Association For Loss and Grief (NALAG), are at the heart of a special free community event taking place in Dubbo on Sunday, August 9.

NALAG Grief Support, in partnership with the Dubbo Dementia Alliance, will host the return of the Dubbo Memory Walk on Sunday, August 9.

Set to take place at the Dubbo Botanical Gardens and Shoyoen Japanese Gardens, the Dubbo Memory Walk will start at 9.00 am at the Memorial Avenue in the gardens, and is for people of all ages. People living with dementia, their carers, families and allies are welcome, as is anyone else in the community who would like to participate.

The event includes a short (30 minute) self-guided walk through the gardens, followed by a healing ceremony, live music and a community barbecue.

The healing ceremony after the walk will support those who have been bereaved through suicide, organisers said.

Bruce McDermaid from the Dubbo Dementia Alliance said the Dubbo Memory Walk is about emphasising memory loss but also the memory of grief, something which connects his organisation and NALAG.

“There will be information tables from NALAG Grief Support and the Dubbo Dementia Alliance with many of our wonderful volunteers there to talk to you about the services available in our local community,” Bruce added.

“The Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie will be there to provide a great community barbecue, giving everybody the opportunity to get together and share their own experiences with grief and living with dementia or as a carer,” he concluded.

Register for the event at www.nalag.org.au or call 6882 9222. Event details are listed in the Dubbo Photo News Community Diary under COMING SOON.