“A PLACE TO BREATHE” – Women’s Wellness Retreat

with Sam and Delwyn from Whittlesea Physiotherapy

Friday January 30th – Sunday 1st February 2026

About this retreat 

Just minutes from the fabled Bells Beach Ocean Reserve, Summer House Retreat offers a relaxed yet luxurious setting with stunning interiors, expansive ocean views, and tranquil outdoor spaces.

Once the homestead of a large sheep station, it has been beautifully transformed into a sanctuary surrounded by nature – the perfect place to pause, recharge, and reconnect.

• Your retreat experience includes daily yoga and meditation, designed to gently realign your body and mind while creating space for stillness and clarity.
• You’ll also enjoy guided beach walks, grounding you in the rhythm of the ocean and the natural beauty of the coast.

We have designed a full schedule of activities to support your journey, while also leaving time to slow down and integrate between sessions. Take advantage of the beautiful pool, sauna, and zen garden – spaces created for rest, reflection, and connection.

In the evenings, gather with like-minded women around the fire pit ceremony, a powerful ritual to release, reset, and embrace new beginnings.

The journey is further elevated by our in-house chef and nutritionist, Lorraine Anastasio (www.agrazenthyme.com.au), who brings a mindful approach to food.

More than just nourishment, her cuisine invites you to slow down, savour each bite, and embrace the joy of presence – perfectly aligning with the energy and intentions of our retreat.

Join a group of like-minded women for this special experience. Through yoga, nourishing food, connection with nature, and soul-nourishing rituals, give yourself the time and space to restore balance, embrace wellbeing, and rediscover your breath.

 

SAMANTHA HEYFRON

Your Retreat Facilitator & Wellness Guide

Samantha brings over 30 years of expertise in health and wellbeing to create transformative retreat experiences specifically designed for women navigating midlife transitions.

As Director and Practice Principal of Whittlesea Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates, Samantha has dedicated her career to helping people reclaim their health, vitality, and joy. She graduated from La Trobe University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and established her practice in 2005 with a vision of providing holistic, evidence-based care that empowers people to thrive.

Why Samantha Is Your Ideal Retreat Guide

Deep Understanding of Women’s Midlife Journey: Samantha specializes in supporting women through the unique challenges of perimenopause and menopause, combining clinical expertise with genuine empathy for what you’re experiencing.

Holistic Wellness Approach: She believes in treating the whole person, not just symptoms, using a collaborative approach that honours your individual needs and goals.

Evidence-Based Expertise: With specialised training in areas directly relevant to your wellbeing journey, including:

• Musculoskeletal health during hormonal transitions
• Stress management and sleep optimisation
• Pain management strategies
• Yoga and meditation practices
• Clinical Pilates for strength and mobility
• Lifestyle optimisation for midlife wellness

Passionate About Empowerment: Samantha is genuinely passionate about inspiring women to prioritise their health and wellbeing. She loves helping clients feel supported, confident, and equipped with practical tools they can use in daily life.

A Wellness Practitioner Who Walks the Talk

Samantha practices what she teaches. Outside of her clinical work, you’ll find her embracing the same wellness principles she shares with retreat participants:

• Connecting with nature through outdoor activities and running with her dogs
• Finding balance through yoga and meditation practice
• Staying active with stand-up paddleboarding and snowboarding
• Nurturing family connections while supporting her sons’ sporting activities
• Continuously learning and growing (when she’s not enjoying a good book!)

Her Personal Philosophy: “True wellness comes from understanding that caring for yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential. When women feel supported, educated, and empowered to prioritise their health, they don’t just transform their own lives, they inspire everyone around them.”

Your Retreat Experience with Samantha

When you join one of Samantha’s wellness retreats, you’re not just getting a qualified healthcare professional – you’re gaining a compassionate guide who truly understands the complexities of being a woman in midlife. She creates a safe, nurturing environment where you can explore new approaches to wellness, ask questions without judgment, and leave feeling equipped with evidence-based strategies that actually work.

Samantha’s warm, approachable style combined with her clinical expertise ensures you’ll receive the perfect balance of professional guidance and personal support throughout your retreat journey.

DELWYN BERRY

Community Engagement & Program Manager | Retreat Coordinator

Delwyn is the heart behind our wellness retreats – the dedicated professional who ensures every detail is perfectly orchestrated so you can focus entirely on your wellbeing journey.

As our Community Engagement and Program Manager, Delwyn brings extensive experience in event management and program coordination, combined with a genuine passion for creating meaningful experiences that bring people together and support their wellness goals.

Why Delwyn Is Essential to Your Retreat Experience

Expert Event Orchestration: With her background in sports administration, football and netball operations, and event management, Delwyn understands how to coordinate complex programs that run seamlessly from start to finish.

Community Connection Specialist: Delwyn is passionate about building supportive communities and helping people connect with others who share similar journeys. She knows that the relationships formed during retreats are often as transformative as the wellness activities themselves.

Personal Investment in Wellness: Delwyn doesn’t just organise retreats – she lives the wellness principles we teach. Her own commitment to balance, self-care, and meaningful connections gives her first-hand understanding of what participants need to feel supported and nurtured.

Attention to Every Detail: From venue selection and meal coordination to creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and learning, Delwyn ensures that every element of your retreat experience is thoughtfully planned and executed.

A Wellness Advocate Who Understands Balance

Delwyn practices the same principles of balanced living that our retreats promote. You’ll find her:

• Exploring new destinations through travel, understanding the restorative power of beautiful surroundings
• Finding peace and grounding through gardening and connecting with nature
• Prioritising quality time with family and friends, knowing that relationships are fundamental to wellbeing
• Taking time to relax and recharge by the Murray River at Echuca, embracing the importance of rest and reflection

Her Approach: “I believe that when women take time to invest in themselves, they return to their lives with renewed energy, clarity, and joy. My role is to remove every possible barrier so that participants can fully immerse themselves in their wellness journey without worrying about a single detail.”

Your Retreat Experience with Delwyn

When you join one of our wellness retreats, Delwyn is working behind the scenes (and often alongside you) to ensure everything flows effortlessly. From your first inquiry to your final farewell, she’s dedicated to creating an environment where you feel completely cared for and supported.

Her warm, welcoming approach and meticulous attention to detail means you can trust that every aspect of your retreat – from accommodation and meals to activity coordination and group dynamics – has been thoughtfully planned with your comfort and transformation in mind.

Ready to experience a retreat where every detail is perfectly managed?
Contact Delwyn directly: delwyn@whittleseaphysiotherapy.com.au