The people behind the Sanctuary

A registered Australian charity with DGR status, set on six secluded acres in Port Stephens. Our founders, board, and facilitators share one purpose: a calm, supportive place where women can rest and reconnect.

Our founders

Led by lived experience

Women’s Healing Sanctuary was co-founded by Sharalyn Drayton and Janine Hanna. Their lived experiences shaped why this place exists, and why rest, nurture, and emotional safety sit at the heart of everything we do.

Sharalyn combines a background in corporate leadership with more than two decades of experience in the mental health field. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals, couples and families affected by addiction, betrayal trauma and grief. Following the loss of her eldest son in 2017, her own search for a place to retreat and heal inspired the creation of Women’s Healing Sanctuary. The feather in our brand identity is a quiet acknowledgement of that journey.

Janine has worked as a specialist oncology and palliative care chaplain since 2005, supporting patients, families and staff through some of life’s most difficult moments. Years attending a women’s retreat in New Zealand, and a management role there in 2019, shaped her approach to running the Sanctuary day to day.

Sharalyn Drayton

I found myself constantly thrown into depths of grief after my son died in a car accident. How could I ever function as ‘normal’ again? My friend Janine, witnessed my struggle and encouraged me to take some time to step away from it all and retreat to a women’s sanctuary to just pause, rest and allow myself to really ‘be’ with my son. Now my new ‘normal’ includes honouring my need to retreat regularly and pause to be with my son. It has expanded me to find room in myself for my grief and enabled me to further explore my continuing bond with him.

The feather in our logo is a reminder of my son. Women’s Healing Sanctuary has only come about because of him …. and because ALL women benefit from having a place to hold the parts of ourselves and our stories that we may be too busy, exhausted, sad, scared, or just too damn tired to continue holding on our own.

Janine Hanna

I had retreated annually overseas for many years for self-care, rest, (and counselling when needed), to sustain my full time work supporting terminally-ill cancer patients and their families. I remember the first time I went, I basically slept for the first 3 days! I hadn’t even realised I was THAT exhausted. Each year I would return home with increased levels of peace, greater awareness of the affect other people (and my job) had on me, and wiser about what I could do to retain my equilibrium.

The first few years I felt like I could barely afford to go, but as I found myself and began to re-create myself, I knew I couldn’t afford not to go! As old beliefs were able to be released and replaced with new beliefs that enabled me to thrive, I loved who I had become!

Our board

Board of Directors

Our Board brings experience across community, governance, finance, local government, construction, education, and women’s wellbeing. Their stewardship supports the Sanctuary’s long-term sustainability and our commitment to making rest and recovery accessible to more women.

Sharalyn Drayton

Co-Founder & Chairperson

Counsellor, clinical trainer and supervisor, speaker and author, with a corporate and mental health background. Sharalyn co-founded the Sanctuary and chairs the Board.

Janine Hanna

Co-Founder & Manager

Specialist oncology and palliative care chaplain since 2005, with retreat management experience. Janine co-founded the Sanctuary and leads its day-to-day operations.