Petrea King N.D., D.R.M., D.B.M., Dip Cl. Hyp., I.Y.T.A.
Petrea King is a well-known author, inspirational speaker, counsellor and workshop leader. She has practiced many forms of meditation since the age of seventeen and she is also qualified as a naturopath, herbalist, hypnotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher.
In 1983 Petrea was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and was not expected to live. Meditation and the integration of past traumatic experiences became paramount in her recovery, much of which was spent in a monastery near Assisi in Italy.
Since then, Petrea has counselled individually or through residential programs more than 60,000 people living with life-challenging illnesses, grief, loss, trauma and tragedy. Petrea sees crisis as a catalyst for spiritual growth and understanding and as an opportunity for healing and peace.
Petrea has received the Advance Australia Award and the Centenary Medal for her contribution to the community. She has been nominated for Australian of the Year in each year since 2004.
Wendie Batho M.Ed. B.A. Dip Ed. Grad Dip Min. B.Ed.
Wendie has co-facilitated residential programs with Petrea for more than sixteen years. Prior to that Wendie spent over 25 years as a teacher, school principal and was involved in educational leadership and facilitation of school executive groups.
Ten years of this time was spent in PNG where she taught and worked for the government. Wendie has been travelling since the early sixties and is especially attracted to Asian cultures. She holds degrees in Anthropology, Education, Sociology, Theology and Political Science. Her current passions are her grandchildren, travel biographies, exploring Asia, 4x4 driving, reading everything she can get her hands on, and watching movies on the big screen at home.
Bernadette is a yoga and meditation teacher who had been teaching since 1993. She has worked with all members of the community, including teenagers, people with disabilities, deaf people, the elderly, sports professionals and corporations including the NSW Department of Health, BHP and Westpac.
Bernadette specialized in teaching prenatal classes and yoga for children for many years and has worked intensively with the management of back pain and chronic fatigue. Bernadette has also taught yoga and relaxation classes for the elderly for 15 years.
From 2001-2006 Bernadette lived in the UK and taught yoga and meditation retreats across the UK and in Europe. She studied intensively in the yoga tradition of Vanda Scaravelli and taught regular classes for many community organisations including the Brighton Buddhist centre and Evolution Arts and Health Centre in Brighton as well as large, open yoga classes at international festivals like Buddhafield and Earth Spirit.
Bernadette has worked with the Quest for Life Foundation since early 2006, facilitating our residential programs and helping people to relax and renew with yoga and meditation. Bernadette brings a gentle and loving nature finely balanced with a sense of authority borne out of her experience. Bernadette is well known for her ability to assist a deeper connection with the body as a means to regenerate the spirit. Her relaxations are renowned.
Bernadette teaches privately in the Sydney-Wollongong area, is a senior lecturer for the IYTA Yoga Teacher Training Course and has facilitated yoga teacher training for other organisations for many years.
Margie Braunstein Dip Som Psych., Grad Cert Adult Ed.
Margie is a somatic psychotherapist and counsellor providing psychotherapy services to the people of the Central Coast and Sydney. Margie lives on the beautiful Central Coast with her husband, two children, two dogs and a cat.
Over the last 12 years, Margie has also been engaged in the design, delivery and marketing of transformational learning programs. During this time she has regularly facilitated personal development programs for up to 50 people on weekend workshops, week-long intensives and advanced programs of 3-4 months.
Margie has a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education from UTS, Diploma in Psychotherapy from the Australian College of Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy and qualifications in somatic therapy, executive coaching and relationship counselling.
Margie has a passion for personal development and regards people with respect, empathy and compassion in the belief that while we all do the best we can, a little bit more kindness and care can lead to even greater peace and joy in life.
Lesley Loughnan MA (Sociology), Grad. Dip. Counselling, Grad. Dip. Gestalt Psychotherapy, M'ship GANZ
Lesley brings a wise, humorous and compassionate heart to her transformational work with people. She has operated her practice in Sydney for a number of years while maintaining her close association with Quest for Life. Her work with the the Quest for Life Foundation is treasured by both her clients and our team.
A Buddhist practitioner and a qualified Yoga and Meditation teacher, Lesley integrates her knowledge and experience of both western psychological approaches and the eastern wisdom traditions. Previously, Lesley was a senior executive at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A series of life challenges, including overcoming a debilitating long-term illness, have given her a deep and personal insight into the healing process.
Jane Ewins BA (Soc Science), Grad Dip. Counselling & Communication
Jane is a counsellor and group facilitator. She spent the first 20 years of her working life as a marketing and communications executive.
Jane was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2002 and faced many challenges adjusting to the changes which followed her diagnosis and treatment. Her experience inspired her to become a counsellor, facilitator and advocate. Jane is currently working with the NSW Cancer Council to develop an integrated program called ‘Living Well after Cancer”. She is also a family and relationship counsellor and educator with Centacare and continues to offer her services to those affected by cancer and other life-challenging experiences.
Jane believes that life’s major challenges can become opportunities to expand our personal and spiritual awareness – leading to deeper levels of peace, contentment and connection.
Karen Ashworth “Karen has the voice of an Angel, the heart of a Lion and the knowledge of the Ancients.” With her extensive background in teaching, Karen is highly sought after for her skills as a Conductor, Singer, Facilitator and Voice Empowerment Coach. Having discovered a passion for the music of other cultures whilst training as a classical singer and Music educator at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Karen blends the wisdom of Ancient traditions into her work with the voice.
Bringing voices from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience to join together in harmony, fun and laughter is Karen’s rare talent. From her training as a yoga teacher, and experience with many different healing modalities, Karen enables participants to engage sound, Mantra, voice and vibration as powerful tools for healing and personal transformation.
Heather is an Energy Therapist with a particular interest in the body/mind connection. She has practised meditation for over 20 years and is a qualified teacher.
After the death of her first child in the 1970's, Heather began her search for the 'meaning of life' and her headlong spiritual journey began.
She has facilitated various groups at Quest and is committed to assisting others find their way through the maze of life, and connecting with their own inner peace.
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