Heart Trust
Our 2026 Heart Trust is made up of respected local voices who serve our community as practitioners, creators and gatherers. They have volunteered to support Golden Wellness Festival by holding our intention of community connection, resilience and wellbeing. They offer valuable practitioner insight, share guidance on needs from within our local wellness community, and strengthen our festival community through trust and collaboration.
We’ve selected them for their warm, radiant energy and their balanced insights, and we are deeply grateful for their generosity.
Nikki Valentini
Clinical Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner
Nikki Valentini is a Clinical Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner living and working in Castlemaine and internationally.
She has a deep curiosity about how our bodies function including the biochemical, emotional, intuitive and spiritual planes. As well as practicing precision Functional Medicine, she uses the Autonomic Response Testing (ART) technique to diagnose and treat complex chronic illness from its core source. Nikki specialises in Genetics, Heavy Metal Toxicity and the Gut. Nikki also facilitates Detoxification Retreats overseas and loves working with people to achieve complete health.
She loves spending time on her property connecting with nature, meditation and with her family.
"I completely believe in the value of trying different health modalities. I often say to my clients: ‘There is not one way to skin a cat’. I love that Golden Wellness Festival is offering a taste of the many incredible practitioners and health. modalities in our region."
Sun Hyland
Kirtanist, Songwriter and Guitarist
Kirtanist, songwriter & guitarist Sun Hyland combines a heartfelt devotion to yogic practice and powerful, sweet voice to create a wonderful healing sound experience.
For the last 15 years Sun has been leading soulful and uplifting musical mantra & meditation sessions at festivals and yoga centres around Australia and beyond. Come and sing with him and embrace your bliss!
"Golden Wellness Festival feels like a beautiful opportunity to share mantra and music, to help people open their hearts, connect with the breath, and experience presence. In these times of challenge and uncertainty, coming together as a community matters more than ever."
Marye O'Brien
Ayurvedic Practitioner and Founder of Maiaveda
Marye O’Brien is the founder of Maiaveda, a pioneering Ayurvedic wellness spa and retreat centre established in Kyneton in 2011. For 15 years, Marye has created transformative spaces for healing, connection and self-discovery, introducing countless people to the wisdom of Ayurveda and holistic wellbeing.
Through Maiaveda’s retreats, treatments, workshops and community offerings, Marye’s work has helped make embodied, preventative and nature-based wellness more accessible, inspiring people to live with greater balance, vitality and intention.
Marye’s gifts extend beyond her work as a practitioner, she is a spiritual teacher and guide who listens with empathy and leads with wisdom. Marye’s approach is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom, she offers personalised care that transcends conventional therapy, touching lives through her profound insights and nurturing presence.
"As the founder of Maiaveda, I’m truly honoured and grateful to be part of Golden Wellness Festival. I’ve always believed that when people gather with care and good intention, something quietly beautiful unfolds – a sense of connection, openness, remembrance and belonging that lingers long after the moment has passed. That’s what excites me about this festival, and why it feels so meaningful to be involved."
John Terry
Acupuncturist and Castlemaine
Rites of Passage Facilitator
John started acupuncture practice in 1984 and currently practices in Castlemaine.
He completed a Master’s degree by research into acupuncture education in 2000.
As well as private practice, John was teaching acupuncture for over 20 years at colleges and Victoria University.
He has a particular interest in how our consciousness and the energetic body influences physical body conditions.
Camilo Demarco
Community Connector, Collaborator, Consultant
Camilo Demarco is a Uruguayan man living on Djaara Country and has been working in the men’s wellbeing space for almost 15 years. He has worked across Men’s Health, Youth Justice, Drug and Alcohol and Family Violence sectors, using approaches that are culturally aware, gender sensitive, trauma-informed and strength-based.
Camilo has led numerous successful projects whilst working with Aboriginal organisations including Bendigo District Aboriginal Cooperative, Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation and the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation.
He is currently in various roles at Nalderun including as Project Manager of the MeMandook Galk Indigenous Education Building and the Guildford Biyal Project at Djaara.
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His close work and collaboration with senior Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson began in 2017 with the creation of Merrijig Mooroopook (Healthy Spirits), an Aboriginal men’s healing program held on Country. This collaboration continues today with them working side by side running a men’s yarning group in Middleton Prison and through various other projects including Waaman Tours.
He was a founding member of the Bendigo Aboriginal Men’s Shed and was awarded lifetime membership in 2023 for his central role in the shed's inception.
In 2023, Camilo was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship that took him on a journey to explore community-led, culturally focused programs in First Nations and Pacific communities supporting men to take responsibility for their use of violence and support the healing of their families, their communities and themselves.
Camilo has also played an important role in creating, facilitating and supporting men’s circles for almost 20 years. He has been part of the facilitating team at Castlemaine Rites of Passage since 2014 and more recently with the ManKind Project (MKP).
Camilo is a recognised We-Al-li facilitator in training based on a Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Healing Approach (CITIHA). https://www.wealli.com.au/
Camilo is passionate about people, their journeys and connection. He believes in showing up with integrity, humour, and openness - whether facilitating a circle, travelling for work, or just sharing a yarn.
Shu Yap
Astrologer, Teacher and Writer
Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer, writer, and teacher, based in Central Victoria, Australia, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, specialising in traditional Western and Vedic systems.
Shu maintains an international consulting practice, mentors foundational to advanced students and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate and the Astral Arts Certificate program at the renowned astrological school, Kepler College.
She is also a dedicated Jyotish practitioner under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa, India, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research, teaching, and practice.
In the Western astrological tradition, Shu is certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London, specialising in the astrology of the Medieval period throughout the Persian, Arabic and Latin worlds.
Dylan Lindley
Heart Trust Mentee
Dylan is an 11‑year‑old creative thinker and community‑minded kid who brings curiosity, honesty and a strong sense of what feels welcoming to Golden Wellness Festival. Dylan loves asking big questions, testing ideas, mixing potions and making her friends laugh.
As a member of the Heart Trust, she helps shape the flow of the day, offering insights on how children and young people experience events, and what makes spaces feel fun and safe, especially for kids.