Sunrise reflections
Working with others who share our values and goals can amplify our impact.
So it was when Groupwork Centre partnered with the Sunrise Project.
By Gini Gough
Last month I had the privilege of co-facilitating The Sunrise Project Australia Program Annual Retreat. The Sunrise Project’s mission is to enable social movements to drive the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as fast as possible.
The event was held on the land of the Awabakal and Worimi people at Fort Scratchley, Newcastle where Australia's first coal seam was mined. It is now home to the world's second largest coal port. Choosing a venue with a remarkable story of transformation from coalmine to defence base to conference centre was a powerful strategy designed to provide a setting that connected participants to their vision.
The purpose of the event was to deepen relationships, to align on strategy, plan for the upcoming federal election and the 2026 UN Climate Change CoP 31 forum. It was a space to reflect on and deepen their practice of weaving justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into their work.
A deep calling
Working inside an organisation with such a grand mission brings with it a unique set of needs. It takes passion, courage and commitment to set out to change the trajectory of life on our planet by advocating and campaigning to shift the thinking of big power structures. People are there because of a deep calling to the work.
In these spaces, we often see individuals who have come to terms with the stark realities of our world, while navigating their own and others' climate grief, and the ever-present risk of burnout. It was clear that the leadership at the Sunrise Project was alive to these challenges and it was evident in the care they put into the event.
I was brought in two weeks before the start to provide feedback on their event design and then to hold the space over the course of the week together. A lot of hard work and heart had already gone into planning before I arrived.
Compassion first
The event team was made up of operations staff and the Australia Program directors. They had surveyed staff to seek feedback on the previous retreat and to be guided on what was important to them for this event. A draft program had been formulated. A comprehensive inclusion checklist was put together with guidelines for session facilitators. Care for the people and the purpose was central to the design.
Where I was able to contribute most was providing feedback on the overall design of the event and holding the container for the week, ensuring it was an inclusive, generative and creative environment.
Working with conflict
Charlie and I also delivered a Groupwork session on conflict transformation. During this session we explored how, when managed constructively, conflict can be the engine room for powerful learning. This path from conflict to collaboration often brings about transformational change, deepening relationships and strengthening collaborations.
The week ended up being a wonderful mix of connecting to country, shared learning events, scenario-based planning activities, team reflection and planning for the coming year.
It wasn't all work. There was time to be in nature and, at the other end of the spectrum, to take a close look at the fossil fuel sector at work – one team visited a local coalmine. There were shared meals, a trivia night and opportunities to connect with and learn from partner organisations. Making time for some fun and socialising was an important part of the scheduling.
Charlie Wood (on the left) facilitating
It was an absolute privilege to offer design support and to co-facilitate this event with Charlie Wood, a graduate of our Advanced Facilitation program.
A shout out to presenters from two incredible organisations who led sessions at the retreat:
Thaedra Frangos (she/her), Professor Yin Paradies & Pru Gell (she/her) from Coming to Life presented a session on Decolonisation.
Dr Beth Hill and Christie Wilson from Psychology for a Safe Climate ran a session on Climate Grief and Burnout which was incredibly powerful and insightful for me.
One of Sunrise Project’s partners from Rising Tide shared their short documentary from the People's blockade in 2023 and talked about the plans for this year's blockade (which, by the way, I am taking the family to).
Gini Gough is the co-director of Groupwork Centre. We offer support to organisations by co-designing and co-facilitating retreats and complex meetings. Find out more about our facilitation services here.