Tara Hartz

Some of the Tribe

Monday 21st Oct I've reached over 10Km,( 400 laps) during the weekend with some of the most important people in my life! All the kids had a blast. Thank you Kyneton aquatic center for hosting our group. You are all wonderful ❤️. Well done to my auntie Marie who completed 10 laps of a 25m pool plus 60 laps of the toddler pool ! Hahaha. Rebecca and Rachelle = 14 laps Damian completed 100m big 🎊 congratulations! I love what Lapitup has created in my life this month. CONNECTION HEALING and HOPE Share

Donation update

Saturday 19th Oct Today I was lucky enough to complete a 1Km swim with my childhood friend Emma and also have a play with the kids for the afternoon in the shallow pool. We completed the laps in less then 1 hour with small breaks in between and some insightful conversations about self-care and wellness, breathing techniques to help with anxiety. In general it was just amazing having a swim buddy and a good friend by my side supporting, talking, listening and laughing.... and some crying aswell. I have received an answer on my request for a percentage of the funds to be sent directly to Daylesford College. LapitUp is not able to allocate individual's funds to specific communities or schools. The way that the fundraising of LAP it UP is set up means that the money goes to Live4life and through helping Live4life, additional support will be provided to all Live4Life Communities including Daylesford College in Hepburn Shire. Please know that the entire Live4life team is 100% committed to improving youth mental health and reducing suicide in regional and rural areas and delivering the program in the Hepburn Shire. Share

Healing is life long and Grief changes its textures continuously

Wednesday 16th Oct When I look at this picture I remember Michelle and the amazing adventures we had together. A beautiful church that overlooks the tobago cays.. Michelle and I standing on my favourite Island in the Caribbean Mayreau. She was 19 years old I was 26...(14 years ago) it was a dream to be travelling with my sister! Her first time travelling internationally, before she went home and back to UNI to study e-commerce and design in Melbourne. I talked about getting married on this island in this exact spot... and I always wondered where you would get married, when the time came..... Well, things have changed so much since this photo. The church that overlooked the Tobago keys is in ruin from the recent 2024 hurricane.... I am unsure if I will ever see this island again or get married there...? And my heart aches because I know that I will never see you again, until the spirit world... and I will never see you walk down the aisle... I miss you my sister. The world keeps spinning and I don't understand how it can almost be 1 year since you have been gone... yet time stands still for me. Share

Daylesford College - the lead organisation for Live4life in Hepburn Shire.

Saturday 12th Oct Daylesford College Community Partnership Group is made up of the Hepburn Shire Council, Central Highlands Rural Health and supported by Youth Live4Life. Last year they trained all Year 8 and Year 10 students in Teen Mental Health First Aid. They have continued this in 2024, with the current Year 8 cohort having completed Teen MHFA in Term 3, and they will commence the Year 10 Teen MHFA program next week. In addition to this, they have supported 25 members of school staff to complete Youth MHFA Training. Hepburn Shire Council have committed to offering 2 community-based Youth MHFA courses annually. Educating the staff and students is making a difference. They continue to see an increase in teachers referring students to the Wellbeing Centre. Young people are also more likely to refer themselves and their friends when they notice a change. Daylesford College have a variety of supports available, these include: Mental Health Practitioner, Youth Worker, Springs Medical GP, Psychology, Social Work, AOD Support (Central Highlands Rural Health), School Nursing and Art Therapy. The Live4Life Crew are our AMAZING youth advocates, They are leading a variety of projects to celebrate their message: ‘Be Aware About Self Care’ Projects include: Primary School Visits to educate Grade 5 and 6 students on the importance of Self Care Aged Care visits to share kindness and self-care message Pod Cast “Be Aware About Self Care” Share

Jaxson Daniels - Connecting- I met an amazing young man today. A fellow lapitup swimmer.

Thursday 10th Oct Today I completed a 2.5km swim ! In total I have completed 5.3km so far. I am pretty lucky to have the support of my partner to help juggle the kids whilst I swim. Today I met an amazing young man and fellow lapitup swimmer from Bendigo. His name is Jaxson Daniels. What a joy it was to meet him and swim with him this morning in Bendigo. He has just finished year 12, works at a pub and helps in the community with programs for the disabled not only this he is aiming for 25km. And today he swam 1km after coming from his hockey game! What an inspiration 👏 So much love to you Jaxson. Share

Connecting, healing and hope

Wednesday 9th Oct This October marks a year since I lost my sister—a loss that has changed my world forever. It’s hard to put into words what that feels like, and I know so many of you have experienced similar pain. Losing someone you love to suicide leaves a void that’s impossible to fill, but it also gives us a reason to fight for change. October is also Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year, in my sister’s memory, I want to do something meaningful. I’m raising funds to support those who are struggling in silence, those who have lost loved ones, and to push for a better mental health system for future generations—so that fewer families have to experience this kind of loss. But I can’t do it alone. I’m asking you to join me. Set your own goals, whatever they may be, and walk ( or swim) this journey with me. Whether it’s swimming, walking, or simply sharing your story, sharing this link with your tribe, and/or donating, together we can raise awareness and remind people they aren’t alone in their struggles. Most importantly, I want us to take this moment to check in on ourselves. Mental health is something we all need to nurture. Let’s support one another, lift each other up, and make this October about connection, healing, and hope. For those we’ve lost, for those still fighting, and for a brighter future. Let’s do this together. Please share this link, join and/or donate. #mentalhealthawareness Share

Where are your funds going?

Wednesday 9th Oct Share

Thinking about my sister today as I completed 50 laps

Saturday 5th Oct I really miss my sister and nothing I do wIll get her back. All I can do now is help raise awareness, and this starts with the next generation. Youths. So I am swimming to keep my own mental health in check, to get me through the first anniversary of my sisters passing, and in the process teaching my children about unconditional love, the importance of community and communication. Xx Share

First swim for Isla and first day of my lapitup journey

Tuesday 1st Oct Isla enjoyed her first swim with me as i knew she would. I managed 60 laps this morning, which I am pretty proud of. It's been over a decade since swimming laps in a pool and around 4 years since my daily ocean swims when I lived on boats. I've had 2 kids since then so today was a bit of a challenge but after I was warmed up, the more laps I completed it just got easier !!!! Isla had her nap in the pram whilst I attempted to get 100 laps in for day one. I did fall short but again it is a journey to reach the goal's you set yourself. It reminded me that It's not always about the destination but the moments and memories leading up to it. Share

Swimming with my 5 month old girl

Monday 30th Sep Tomorrow i will start my lap/swim journey and I will be swimming a few warm up laps with my girl Isla. It will be her first time in a swimming pool.  Share