On Wednesday 15 October 2025, the Red Tree Foundation, an initiative of SIDS and Kids SA, will host South Australia’s first free, public Wave of Light ceremony, offering families, friends, and the wider community a gentle way to come together and honour little lives lost far too soon.

The event marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a global initiative that invites people everywhere to light a candle at 7pm local time, creating a wave of light that stretches across time zones and continents.

Light, love and community

Adelaide’s ceremony will run from 6:15pm to 8pm, beginning at Pinky Flat. From there, attendees will walk together across the Riverbank Footbridge to the lawns of the Adelaide Convention Centre, with Adelaide Oval glowing red in a powerful visual tribute.

“Pregnancy and infant loss touches more people than we often realise, whether through personal experience, a loved one, or in a professional role like midwifery or counselling,” says Kari Langdon, General Manager of the Red Tree Foundation.

“The Wave of Light is a chance for us to come together as a community to gently honour the babies who are no longer with us. Through light and connection, we remember them with love.”

The evening will begin with reflections from speakers with personal and professional ties to the cause, including representatives from the SA Government. Everyone attending is invited to light a candle and join the walk across the river, finishing with a quiet moment of reflection along the Adelaide Riverbank.

Open to all — A space for healing

South Australian families, friends, and colleagues are warmly invited to attend, as well as anyone in a caring or support role — such as midwives, nurses, obstetricians, or grief counsellors — who may wish to reflect and connect with others.

Fleurieu Milk Company, Leigh Street Bakehouse, and Menz Confectionery are generously providing refreshments at the event, available for a gold coin donation to support the Red Tree Foundation’s important work.

Supporting SA families through loss

The Red Tree Foundation is the trusted provider of counselling and bereavement services for South Australians who experience the sudden loss of a pregnancy or child — from pregnancy through to the age of 17. They are supported by SA Health, SA Police and SA Ambulance, and provide community healing events throughout the year.

In 2024 alone, the Red Tree Foundation supported more than 200 South Australian families, with an 8% increase in need from the previous year.

How you can show support in October

Throughout the month of October, South Australians can support grieving families in several meaningful ways:

• Purchase select Fleurieu Milk Company products – part proceeds go to Red Tree Foundation.

• Buy a Red Tree bouquet from East End Flower Market to gift to someone who may be grieving a loss, recent or long past. Proceeds also support the foundation’s counselling services.

• Make a donation, big or small, to help keep these essential services free for families across SA.

The Wave of Light Ceremony begins at Pinky Flat from 6:15pm and finishes at the Adelaide Riverbank on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. Candle lighting begins at 7pm. Register at wave-of-light.redtreefoundation.org.au

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