Room Eleven - A Year in Review
With it being the weird time of the year where not much is happening and it’s sometimes hard to recall what day it is. I figured it’s time to sit down and reflect on the past 12 months, on the moments that shaped it, the challenges that stretched me, and the connections that were made along the way. 2024 was all about shining a light on the issues we care about, breaking silences, and finding ways to make meaning out of the hard things. Here’s a look back at what has been accomplished together.
Delivering Still Billie Boxes Across Australia
Our Still Billie Boxes reached families across the country in 2024. Hearing how these boxes brought comfort and support to people in their hardest moments has been one of the most rewarding parts of the year. It also brought some valued feedback that we will be looking forward to implementing in 2025.
Running 6 km Every Day
I took one of the first challenges I’ve attempted in a very long time that was not only physically and mentally challenging, but something that required immense commitment. Running 6 km every single day. For 366 days straight, I ran to honour and represent the six babies lost to stillbirth every day in Australia. It was tough, but it kept the conversation going and served as a constant reminder of the importance of this cause.
Contributing to Global Research
In April I was invited to join a team of international researchers to create a Cochrane review protocol focused on ‘Support for parents and families after stillbirth and neonatal death’. It felt deeply meaningful to contribute to work that will improve care for families in the future.
You can read the published protocol here
Welcoming Baby Number 3
In May, we welcomed our healthy, happy baby girl into the world. While the pregnancy brought its share of concerns and, at times, mirrored our experience with Billie, we were fortunate to have an incredible team caring for my wife and our baby. She was delivered safely at 36 weeks, and the experience left a profound impact on me.
It reinforced how vital it is to advocate for your baby. At our first appointment, we were told that we wouldn’t be treated as high risk and would instead follow the standard pregnancy pathway. The reasoning was that, although we lost Billie, our son’s safe arrival meant we no longer qualified as high risk. To be honest, a 50% success rate is nothing to feel reassured about. We pushed back hard, insisting that our concerns be taken seriously.
Eventually, they consulted the doctor who had cared for us during our son’s pregnancy. By an incredible stroke of luck, she was now the director of the birth centre and had recently started a pregnancy after loss clinic. Thanks to her involvement and our insistence on being heard, our daughter’s growth restriction was identified in time, and the necessary protocols were put in place to ensure her safe arrival.
I truly believe that, had we not advocated for her and accepted the standard pregnancy care pathway, we would have lost her alongside Billie. This experience underscored, yet again, the importance of speaking up and trusting your instincts when it comes to your baby.
Returning to Writing
After almost a decade, I contributed to a new book project aimed at supporting bereaved families. Stepping back into writing was both challenging and fulfilling, and I’m grateful to have been part of this initiative.
It was great to get back into writing again. For context, I dabbled as an adventure travel writer a while back. Most notably contributed to an anthology series alongside some world renowned adventurers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Levison Wood.
The Letters of Loss book will be released sometime in the near future.
You can get a copy of “The Walkabout Chronicles: Epic Journeyrs by Foot” Here!
Raising Awareness Through Running in Adelaide
In August, I was honoured to be flown to Adelaide to speak at a gala event and take part in a documentary about stillbirth. I shared how running became a way for me to honour Billie and raise awareness about stillbirth, hoping to turn a deeply personal journey into something that could inspire others to talk, learn, and connect.
The most powerful moment from that experience wasn’t on stage or in front of a camera—it came from one of the gala’s guests. He was a dad who had also experienced the heartbreak of stillbirth but had never felt comfortable or knew how to talk about his loss. Hearing me speak from a father’s perspective sparked a conversation for him, helping him realise he wasn’t alone. Moments like that remind me why sharing these stories matters so much.
Sharing Billie’s Story in Sri Lanka
In November, I had the privilege of speaking at the International Stillbirth Alliance Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was an incredible opportunity to share Billie’s story on a global stage and contribute to vital conversations about improving bereavement care around the world.
The conference sparked meaningful discussions, led to valuable connections, and opened the door to exciting opportunities that I’m eager to explore in the coming year.
Launching the Room Eleven Newsletter
The latter part of the year saw the launch of the Room Eleven newsletter. A space to share stories, updates, and resources. Hoping to help us at Room Eleven connect with a growing community of people who care about grief, growth, and resilience.
Speaking at the Royal Women’s Hospital
I was also invited to speak at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne in November. Sharing my lessons, and a parent’s perspective with their medical teams about improving bereavement care was a powerful reminder of how lived experiences can help shape better practices.
Becoming a Member of Cochrane
This year, I was invited to become a member of Cochrane, a community dedicated to advancing evidence-based healthcare worldwide. Joining this network was both humbling and inspiring, as it connected me to a global effort to improve health outcomes through rigorous research and collaboration.
As a Cochrane Member, I now have the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways: shaping future policies by voting in elections, building on my skills and expertise, and aligning my contributions with Cochrane’s broader mission. This milestone not only reflects my commitment to supporting bereaved families but also opens the door to continued learning and impactful advocacy.
The Introduction of Room Eleven Merch
This year, we launched Room Eleven merch. Our purpose-driven clothing line designed to spark conversations and raise awareness about bereavement and loss. With profits form each product going directly to helping us create our Still Billie Boxes, Care packages for grief.
Joining the University of Utah Stillbirth CRE
I was invited to join the University of Utah’s Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) Parents Advisory Council in 2024. It’s an honour to contribute to their work and ensure that bereaved parents’ voices remained central to research efforts.
Finding Resilience Through Running
Running every day didn’t just help me achieve my goal; it became a way to continue building on my fitness and accumulating resilience. It reminded me of the power of movement in both healing and growth.
Raising Awareness About Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Throughout 2024, I saw conversations about pregnancy and infant loss grow. People shared with me how they had learned more about the prevalence of stillbirth, or expressed surprise at how many lives it affects. These moments of awareness felt like important steps forward in breaking the silence.
To Sum Up
2024 was a year of challenges, growth, and connection. As we step into 2025, I’m grateful for the support, conversations, and community we’ve built together. Here’s to continuing this work in the year ahead.
Giving Back
Donate a Still Billie Box
Our care packages for families who’ve lost their baby, named after our baby daughter Billie. Offering comfort during what should be a joyful season. Your donation can make a real difference in allowing us to provide free Still Billie Boxes to hospitals across Australia.
Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.