"For me working with the Threshold Collective is not just a job, its a calling. 

What greater privilege is there than to help another person celebrate their life or prepare for their death? 

One of the best gifts I received when my mum passed was being invited into a private recording studio to tell my stories of her.  I sat  alone in a dark booth with only the engineers voice in my ears.  For 4 hours I told him our stories, I cried, I swore, I laughed, I remembered and we shared a bottle of red wine.  Once my friend cast his genius over my mess, we had 9 minutes of poignant, life giving,  laughter enticing and wistful reflections of my beloved mum.  I wasnt able to speak at her funeral but the recording was played with a photo collage and the people knew who she was and how she was loved.  I want to help others in their unique way to do the same" 

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MarDee is an observer, listener, artist, writer and student of the heart.  The youngest in her family she grew up amid conversations of life, death, god, football, prison and the rhythms of Warrandyte river.

She has studied and been mentored by some incredible elders in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Canada, and Europe.  She holds qualifications in Education, Performing Arts, and Counselling from the University of Melbourne, and Theology (specialising in Spiritual Direction) from the University of Divinity.  She has over 35 years experience in theatre and during those years she performed, directed and produced both locally and overseas earning respect as a theatre practitioner.  As a teacher, counsellor, and suicide intervention trainer she has worked in local government, state education and community service sectors.  She was the director of a national arts organisation, and creative director for several festivals in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. 

 

Currently MarDee works as a mentor, spiritual director and funeral celebrant as well as coordinating The Threshold Collective.  Her work involves facilitating spiritual & creative workshops and retreats for individuals, groups and organisations around Australia.  MarDee brings to her work exceptional listening skills and a deep care for people, creating places of healing and spaces for the heart stories to be shared.

She has had the privilege of accompanying others in their death journeys and has experienced personal grief and heart felt honouring after the death of several members of her family.