Melbourne 2010

The Peter Hughes BURN Foundation just held their retreat at Urban Camp in Melbourne. We welcome the new retreat attendees for their courage and invaluable input.

As the CEO of The Peter Hughes Burn Foundation and a Burn Survivor I have to say that this is the best retreat that I have ever attended. Not only did we have the professional expertise of David Bonython-Wright who facilitated but to all the attendees who came and made the weekend great. We did something different on this retreat by leaving the comfort zone of camp and ventured into Melbourne and visited the Melbourne Markets. Well what a trip to the markets it was, to see those that were a bit apprehensive about going and being guided by those that have accepted the Burn. They became their peers and made them feel comfortable to go out in public and lead a normal life.

People travelled from Tasmania, Sydney, Cairns, Perth, and Melbourne to attend this retreat. When everyone arrived on Friday afternoon it was catch up and it was very interesting for me watching people mingle and introduce themselves. There were a few quiet ones but believe me by Monday morning those people were chit chat and completely came out of their shells. This is what I love to see at a Burn Survivors Retreat people change for the better.

Friday was our normal Trivia Night and not only did the questions get harder but some of the attendees got smarter. With technology, comes the iphone and with it came Google, some players tried to well lets no say cheat but outsmart others. Well it didn’t work and penalties were handed out, all in all it was a funny night.

Saturday we all took the tram and went to the Markets, the smell of all the exotic food was heaven to anyone’s nose. We bought plenty of food as we were cooking for ourselves that night, when we got back at camp the cooks took over. The best part was all of us who have never met slicing and dicing, having a laugh and then to sitting down to a well cooked meal. I have been to a few retreats and this was the best night of all of them. After dinner Singstar took over and the laughter was contagious, later on we all had a dance and for those that have never danced before WELL DONE.

The Markets was that much fun that we went back in on Sunday, again we bought food and cooked again. The food we cooked would rival anything you would see on Master Chef and we did it without the fancy kitchen. The food tasted great but the BONDING was second to none. Again we left the comfort zone where a lot of Burn Survivors get accustomed too, we ventured out, this is what the PHBF tries to show them that we have scars and only that.

On Monday we all said our goodbyes but the friendships, the laughs will last forever. The quiet ones on Friday were not quiet anymore, a big thank you to those that helped them. They too were in that position and know lead by example, this is what the PHBF does, it shows all Burn Survivors to LIVE BEYOND THE BURN.

Special thanks from Peter Hughes and the Board Members to all the organisations that supported us towards making this retreat a success. Drayton’s Family Wines, Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers, Loscam, Bio Oil, V Moto, Melbourne Mini Buses, Banana Boat, FRESHPROMOTIONS, Marine Blue Sunscreen, PharmaCare, and all the staff at Urban Camp.

Grazi Lisciotto
CEO
Peter Hughes BURN Foundation

Gallery