Our Name and Our Vision

Name

We chose our name to reflect something of our philosophy and mission.

The Bellarine Peninsula is our starting point. It is the place where we live, where we have our homes, and it is to this community that we belong.

bellarine memories as a name is written in lower case. Our name is not as important as what we believe and not as important as what we perceive as a focus – people and their lives and rituals.

‘bellarine’ is an aboriginal word for elbow or camping place. A camping place is generally a favourable location, where we rest on a journey, while en-route to our destination. The spot is chosen as a place to set up camp for reasons of safety, shelter, beauty, abundance, or because of distance or time constraints. We reach there tired. After we are refreshed, we move forward again.

An elbow might be seen as significant in the following ways:

It is for support, stability, and to lean upon.
It is a point of strength, for leverage and empowerment.
It is a point that describes amazing flexibility.
It is a turning point. An elbow on a track is a place indicating a change of direction.
Often an elbow is there to avoid a too steep climb in the path ahead.
The angle of the change in direction can be great or very slight.

We apply each of these understandings of the elbow in celebrating the changes in our lives as marked by rituals and ceremonies.

Memories are the ideas, thoughts, facts and backward glances that are retained somewhere in the mind. We mind those memories that have a future use. So whether they are memories filled with light and laughter, or tinged with darkness and sorrow, they are steeped in experience and they are part of what we have become and who we are today. Our memories shape our present and go with us into the future. In remembering well, we are able to see our way forward.

Philosophy

Our underlying philosophy is that you are unique, you are valued, you are remembered. Together we grow.

Vision

Our vision is to enable, promote and encourage reflection upon, and celebration of, significant events in the lives of people.

Mission

Our mission is to help plan, and oversee, personal events for the meaningful celebration of life’s occasions. Our mission is to be a resource to the community, co-operating with all who would seek positive, healthy rituals and ceremonies.