What’s happening?
This October, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month, Rockhampton will host its Walk to Remember. The event begins with arrivals from 9am, followed by a ceremony at 9:30am.
The Walk to Remember is a long-running annual event in the Sands, and now Red Nose, community. The event also offers time for connection through simple lawn games and some activities in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
Why it matters
The annual Walk to Remember began as a way for families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child to meet in remembrance, love, and connection.
The formal remembrance service includes readings and reflections from local bereaved families, an opportunity for guests to publicly share the names of the little ones they are remembering, a shared time of reflection and remembrance in the Pinwheel Ceremony, and the symbolic Walk to Remember itself , taking the footsteps their babies could not.
Local impact
The Rockhampton gathering brings together bereaved families, siblings, and loved ones from across the region. As the organisers explain, “You may find that connecting with people is often easier with other people who really get it, or you might feel nervous about talking with others who have lost a precious child. There will be many members of the Red Nose staff team and community to help you feel comfortable.”
The event focuses on remembering babies and children, while providing comfort and support through shared experience. “This event is also a time to reflect, embracing both our deepest sorrow and the joy our children brought into our lives.”
By the Numbers
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Tickets start at $10, keeping the event affordable for families.
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A $30 cap means larger groups can join without extra cost.
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Each ticket includes a pinwheel, symbolising a child remembered.
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Children under 3 attend free, though they do not receive a pinwheel.
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Rockhampton’s walk is part of a national series held across Australia in October.
Zoom in
For many families, the Walk to Remember is deeply personal. Coordinator Gabriella Wheeler, who is the mother of two sweet boys and three angels, knows this significance firsthand.
Her first-born son, Malcolm, sadly passed a few hours after birth in 2020. She then went on to have her rainbow Lincoln at 24 weeks, followed by Malachi who was born sleeping in 2021. Emory was miscarried in 2023, and finally Landon, her rainbow baby, was delivered at 35 weeks in June this year.
Gabriella shared her personal connection to the event “I know how significant the walk is to families like myself, as it’s a safe and non-judgemental space for us to gather with other families, and those closest to us, who understand the pain we have experienced. Saying my babies names at the Walk is just one of the few times I’ll get to speak it in a year, so it’s incredibly special. It’s also one of the few times we can display our boys’ photographs and carry around their teddy without fear of judgement.”
Pinwheels play a central role in the remembrance service. Each registered participant receives one, creating a visible, shared act of honouring children who are no longer with us. The walk itself is held through the gardens, keeping the event calm, reflective, and family-friendly.
Zoom out
The Rockhampton Walk to Remember is part of a national series of Red Nose events. Across Australia, families will gather during October to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month. The program highlights that loss is shared across communities and that remembrance is strengthened when people come together.
What to look for next
Community members are invited to register for tickets, with options available for adults, children, and families. Sponsored tickets are also offered for those experiencing financial hardship.
Participants can also support the cause by ordering personalised Walk to Remember shirts. The shirts are produced by A Cut Above Byron, with a portion of sales donated to Red Nose to support grieving families nationwide. Event merchandise, including candles, plushies, and personalised t-shirts from A Cut Above Byron, will be available to support Red Nose programs.
For those facing financial hardship, sponsored tickets are available. Heart Strings members can access discounted tickets with the code from their welcome letter.
