Forest Therapy Victoria
Partners of Forest Therapy Victoria
The individuals and organisations that share our vision of getting more people into nature for their health and wellbeing.
Zorali – Cam & Elise Greenwood
I first encountered Zorali after a hiking trip to the Grampians where I had managed to destroy yet another backpack. In the hunt for a replacement, I found Zorali online and purchased one of their back packs. Well designed, sturdy and strong, I still carry it around to this day.
When the backpack first arrived, I discovered there was a quote printed on the inside of the pack. It read, “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”
Theses were my people!
Now, years later, Zorali and Forest Therapy Victoria collaborate on a number of events and develop resources to help reconnect people to nature for their wellbeing.
From the Zorali website:
“We are on a mission to renew the human spirit through time spent in nature.
At Zorali we believe that reconnecting with nature stirs the human spirit within us all. Exploring outside and having fun with friends unlocks deeper connections to self, to one another, and to the natural world. And quality time in nature’s wilds is elemental to a happy and healthy life.
Our vision is to inspire more people to enjoy nature’s restorative benefits more often.”
As a community of outdoorsists ourselves, everything we do is about empowering people to get out there, have fun, and feel the benefits of time spent in nature. We do this three ways:
Gear:
Functional clothing and equipment that suits a variety of skill levels and activities – tried and tested on ourselves, before it hits our shelves.
Inspiration:
Videos, interviews, trail tips, and everyday stories of restoration and connection that can happen just outside your door.
Community:
At our Zorali Outdoor Club hikes, meetups and events, we bring people together and make connections with our community of like-minded nature-nuts.
Visit the Zorali website to read more about their history and to browse some of their amazing products.
Join the Zorali community on your social media platforms to be informed of Zorali specific Forest Therapy events.
1000 Hearts – Sarah De Jonge
Sarah and I met years ago when we were both working in the spiritual care field. We were at a conference and Sarah was one of the presenters. She spoke with passion, emotion, and then tears and snot. We were instant friends!
Sarah’s organisation provides Forest Therapy Victoria with the pocket hearts that we give to participants at the end of a public walk. The hearts are always warmly received and a fitting reminder that nature cares for us.
From the internet:
Sarah De Jonge, a compassionate Tasmanian mother of two, founded the 1000 Hearts project in 2016 as a heartfelt response to personal adversity. Amidst a period marked by severe anxiety and the challenges of single parenting following a marital separation, Sarah sought solace and purpose through crafting. Drawing upon her lifelong passion for sewing and her professional background in psychology and counselling, she began hand-stitching small felt hearts—each imbued with love and positive intentions—to offer comfort to those in need.
What commenced as a personal healing endeavor quickly resonated with a broader audience. Sarah’s initial goal of creating and distributing 1,000 pocket-sized hearts evolved into a global kindness movement. Today, thousands of volunteers, affectionately termed “heartists,” craft and share these symbolic tokens worldwide. These hearts have provided solace in diverse settings—from hospitals and schools to communities affected by tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire and natural disasters.
In recognition of her impactful work, Sarah was honored with the Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award in 2025, accompanied by a $15,000 grant to further expand the initiative’s reach. This accolade underscores the profound impact of simple, tangible acts of kindness on individual and communal well-being.
Through 1000 Hearts, Sarah De Jonge exemplifies how personal healing can blossom into a worldwide movement, fostering connection, compassion, and hope—one hand-stitched heart at a time.
Visit the 1000 Hearts website here.