Our Program
2.30pm
Julianne Grant & Kristin Gilmour
Botanicals for the Nervous System in Today's World
In a world that never slows down, nervous system dysregulation has become one of the most significant health challenges of our time. Stress touches every system of the body, making this topic essential for holistic health practitioners across all modalities.
Join Kristin and Julianne as they explore the unique benefits of botanical medicine for nervous system support, from foundational herbs and strategies that build long-term stress resilience to targeted remedies for acute care when your clients need it most. Drawing on plant energetics and the art of person-centred prescribing, you'll leave with the confidence to match the most specific nervous system herb to the individual sitting in front of you.
Whether you're looking to deepen your existing practice or expand your botanical toolkit, this session offers practical, meaningful strategies to help your clients not just cope, but truly thrive.
3.30pm
Brenda Rogers
The Magic, Medicine & Mystery of Menopause
Menopause is more than a hormonal transition (Brenda calls in Dragon Time!), it is a profound invitation to reconnect with yourself. In this inspiring presentation, naturopath Brenda Rogers explores the science of menopause, practical natural support strategies, and the deeper journey of reclaiming your voice, purpose, and personal sovereignty.
Participants will leave with practical clinical insights, a richer appreciation of the menopause journey, and a renewed perspective on the potential of this powerful stage of life, not only for their clients, but for themselves and the communities they serve.
4.30pm
Panel
Navigating Fear
A Panel Discussion addressing the holistic regulation of acute and chronic fear with plenty of practical take away suggestions from nutrition, herbal and naturopathic support, spiritual support, grounding techniques, play, movement, breath and meditation. The panelists will bring their experience and wisdom to the management of our energy when fear arises.
Our Presenters
Brenda Rogers
Brenda Rogers is a naturopath, educator, speaker and certified coach with more than 35 years of experience in natural medicine and women's health. Drawing on naturopathic medicine, ancestral nutrition and holistic wellbeing practices, Brenda is passionate about helping women navigate midlife and menopause with greater confidence, clarity and self-understanding.
Known for her practical, grounded and compassionate approach, Brenda combines modern science with nature-based wisdom, making complex health concepts accessible and relevant to everyday life. She is part-owner of The H Dispensary in Canberra and creator of Dragon Time, a body of work exploring menopause as a powerful biological and life transition.
brendarogers.com.au/
Julianne Grant
Julianne Grant is an experienced naturopath, herbalist, educator and speaker who has worked in complementary medicine for more than 20 years. Passionate about both patient care and practitioner education, Julianne is committed to making herbal medicine accessible, practical and clinically relevant for everyday practice.
Alongside her clinical work, Julianne is a technical writer, researcher and co-presenter of the Tech Talk with OptimalRx podcast. She is co-author, with Kristin Gilmour, of the Phytomedicine Compendium – A Desk Resource for Naturopaths and Herbalists, a comprehensive clinical reference supporting practitioners in the use of medicinal plants and fungi.
www.juliannegrant.com.au
Kristin Gilmour
Kristin Gilmour is a Melbourne-based naturopath, herbalist, educator and researcher with a special interest in immune health, mental health and chronic inflammatory conditions. Known for her passion for herbal medicine, Kristin has dedicated much of her career to researching, writing and teaching on the clinical application of medicinal plants.
An enthusiastic contributor to naturopathic education, Kristin is co-presenter of the Tech Talk with OptimalRx podcast and co-author, with Julianne Grant, of the Phytomedicine Compendium – A Desk Resource for Naturopaths and Herbalists, an extensive clinical reference detailing 180 medicinal plants and fungi.
www.kristingilmour.com
Our Master of Ceremonies & Facilitator
Jo Roberts-Thomson
Master of Ceremonies
Jo Roberts-Thomson is a naturopath, herbalist, iridologist and educator with more than 20 years of clinical experience supporting people to improve their health through natural medicine.
​
Known for her gentle, body-led approach, her particular interest is helping clients uncover and address the underlying patterns that contribute to illness and imbalance. She works across the physical, emotional and energetic aspects of health, drawing on herbal medicine, iridology, flower essences, bioenergetic techniques and other complementary therapies to support lasting wellbeing.
​
A former teacher of Herbal Medicine and Clinical Studies, with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, Jo integrates evidence-based practice with traditional herbal medicine and holistic healing approaches.
​
Jo is passionate about sharing practical knowledge that empowers both practitioners and the wider community. She is co-owner of Lighthouse Health Hub in Newcastle and continues to support clients through her clinical practice.
www.thenurturepath.com.au/
Nancy Evelyn
Panel Facilitator
Nancy Evelyn is a founding member and president of Estuary Learning. She is a herbalist, iridologist, educator, mentor and astrologer who has been in practice since 1978, accumulating all manner of wisdom from wherever she finds it and integrating it into her practice and teachings.
Nancy brings to life her intention of ‘every clinic a classroom, every practitioner a teacher’ through her nurturing, encouragement and counselling.
She is well known for past master classes in the clinical practice of herbal medicine and for her small interactive classes in astrology for the practitioner and counsellor. Nancy is currently feeling her way through earth changes and unsure what her next classes will be, but we are certain they will be remarkable.
​
info@estuarylearning.org.au
Our Panellists
Jason Adamson
Jason Adamson from Acupuncture Newcastle, is an East Asian medicine practitioner of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Qi Gong who has been an ongoing student of the Daoist arts for 20 years.
At the root of his fields of study is the path of inner cultivation. Merging grounded medical practices with metaphysical philosophy allows an interaction with the conscious energetic field around us. The intention is to develop a level of self awareness, self responsibility and self mastery that offers a feeling of acceptance and peace amongst all of life's changes.
www.acupuncturenewcastle.com.au
Lara Ryan
Lara Ryan is a Sydney based naturopath, herbalist, somatic therapist, educator and speaker with 30 plus years of experience in natural health, complementary medicine and international public health.
An early apprenticeship to a gifted herbalist developed her deeply embodied understanding of plant medicine that weaves science with the sacred. The healing intelligence shared between the human body and the living earth is the inspiration of Lara’s work.
Well grounded in a trauma informed, heart centred approach that integrates naturopathy, herbal medicine and somatic therapy, Lara supports other practitioners through her work with The Herbal Extract Company and lectures in nutrition with the Master of Mental Health program at the Nan Tien Institute.
lara.ryan@herbalextracts.com.au
Maya Dakdouk
Maya Dakdouk from Naturopathic Medicine and Fitness, is a naturopath, personal fitness trainer and solo mother of two teenage boys, Maya honed her nurturing and natural teaching skills on her five younger siblings growing up Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
Her path of exploring natural ways to support her family took her into the world of nutrition, herbs, energy, emotions and overall wellness. Seeking to improve their own lives through unpredictable changes all around them has given Maya the skills she now shares not only with her clients but with her friends who have nicknamed her Pachamaya. Destiny called her.
maya.dakdouk@outlook.com
Our Event & Ocean Sponsor
