Our Story Our People
Healing Country is a not-for-profit Charity that provides programs free-of-charge to service personnel to empower them to manage the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety, and to rebuild valuable human connections and meaning in their lives.
Healing Country is working in partnership with the Angkamuthi people of Cape York to form part of a New Dreaming arising within this country.
With the collaboration and guidance of the Angkamuthi people, Healing Country will deliver the Seven Rivers Project. The project aims to re-establish connection with this Ancient Land and the Spirit of Place, experienced through an elder guided walk along the remote Western Cape coastline over nine days, for the people who serve this land and for the people that have always been part of this land. It is a chance for all to reclaim the Spirit of Life that Country holds. An experience into the Heart of Australian Country.
Scott Cawley B.Sc
Director and Chair
Scott served 25 years in the military in various roles and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Scott now lives and works in SW Queensland, where he has a cattle property with his family and works in a small local business. Scott has first-hand experience of the healing nature of the country, having developed the original concept for the Seven Rivers Project while conducting cultural immersion and leadership development activities for a corporation. The program would not have succeeded, without the assistance and support of the Angkamuthi people. Whilst Scott walked on these same beaches, he became aware of the impact that landscape has, on the way you think and feel. This experience inspired him to explore the opportunity, to work with people with PTS, in this unique landscape, in this Healing Country.
Brian Benham B.Sc
Founding Member and CEO of Healing Country
Over the last 25 years’ Brian has been drawn to the Cape York and Gulf region and its people. Establishing strong bonds and relationships over the years, Brian has a particularly deep relationship with the Angkamuthi people, after leading a successful endeavour to rediscover the Jardine River Painted Turtle. The turtle has a high level of significance for the Angkamuthi people and was thought by scientists to have become extinct. It was during this time that Scott Cawley raised the concept that this country and its people could potentially help Service Personnel recover. Brian holds a Degree in Environmental Science as well as Diplomas in Training and Assessment and Project Management. With over 15 years’ experience with the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment Brian is passionate and completely committed to supporting all service personnel.
Sandra Sebasio
Director and Project Development
Sandra is the Chairperson for Angkamuthi Tribal Aboriginal Corporation and lives in Injinoo Far North Queensland. Sandra has served her community for over 20 years, sitting on various representative committees and the boards of various community groups. Sandra has been involved in the Seven Rivers Project from the very beginning. Sandra is passionate about the physical and mental health of her family and her community.
“When we take people out on country, I know we can help them heal. When we do that, we help ourselves heal and we strengthen our culture by sharing it. This is the only way we can all move forward as a Nation”.
Deena Birrell BAppSc
Nutrition and Well-being Coach Healing Country
Knowing that food was essential to human existence and having a passion for Health and Well-Being, Deena attained a Degree in Applied Science in Food Technology, with Honours. Deena will ensure that the participants are provided with the right nourishment and education around this topic. Daily yoga, stretching and the practice of mindfulness and meditation, will also be guided by Deena.
Deena has a Cert IV in Workplace Training & Assessing and has taught in TAFE, worked in the food industry as a consultant to business, owned her own café and worked in employment services as a trainer and indigenous mentor. “Empowering people is done by educating them on being kind to themselves and others”. Deena’s philosophy is “People matter to each other and feeling human connection, is what WE ALL NEED”.
Carole Hine
Director
Carole is a woman with incredible energy and passion and never backs away from a cause she believes to be worthy. Carole’s family has had firsthand experience with Post-traumatic stress and the effect this can have on family members. Carole has owned and operated businesses throughout North Queensland for over 25 years. Throughout her career she has assisted over 300 small businesses, including not for profit organisations. Carole brings to the board her business knowledge and experience as well as her skills as a business coach and mentor.
James Greenshields
Director
James is a man with a huge heart and a vision to match, and one of his favourite sayings is “we haven’t hit the causal issue yet …” His experience with Post Traumatic Stress, after serving in Iraq, set him on a path to learn all he could about healing the ‘causal issues’. The success of his healing journey is evident, and he describes himself as a man who lives with post-traumatic growth!
James is the Lead Facilitator for Men’s Wellbeing for the Resilient Leaders Foundation . The foundation provides various levels of support for Healing Country and James brings to the board over ten years of experience with Resilient Leaders Foundation as well as his own life experience.
Cristina Giai-Coletti
Project Development Healing Country
Cristina is a Clinical Psychologist with over 16 years’ experience in the field of mental health, having worked as a Clinical Psychologist in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. She has a particular interest in trauma, including PTSD and trauma-related dissociation of the personality.
Cristina believes that psychology is only one perspective on healing and health and that full health requires a holistic and integrated approach, including understandings and approaches from non-medical contexts and practices. It is her desire to bring these more fully into the realm of psychology. Cristina holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Psychology) and a Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology).