ENGAGE.fACILITATE.CONNECT.
Deliberations + Systems & Complexity + Engagement & Facilitation
Policy & Strategy + Conference Design + Public Health
Training + Research + Evaluation
ENGAGE.fACILITATE.CONNECT.
Deliberations + Systems & Complexity + Engagement & Facilitation
Policy & Strategy + Conference Design + Public Health
Training + Research + Evaluation
Liminal
adjective meaning:
1. Relates to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
2. Occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.
About Us
About Us
Liminal by Design is a boutique consultancy working with organisations at times of change for purposeful choices. Our dual specialities are curating deliberative processes and deploying systems approaches. Adept at complexity and decision-making, our projects span the societal issues of our time from global topics of public health and climate change, to local matters of interest to particular communities. We support groups and organisations through liminal spaces toward alternate futures.
“Liminality - During liminal periods of all kinds, social hierarchies may be reversed or temporarily dissolved, continuity of tradition may become uncertain, and future outcomes once taken for granted may be thrown into doubt. The dissolution of order during liminality creates a fluid, malleable situation that enables new institutions and customs to become established. ”
At Liminal by Design, we are here to help you and/or those you work with through increasingly liminal times. We provide methods, techniques and frameworks that draw on systems and complexity science, together with processes from the fields of deliberation and democratic innovation that are grounded in real world applications. We use this range of tools to support risk taking, challenging of paradigms, reorienting systems and the handing over of decisions to those that will implement the outcome decisions taken. We undertake this journey with you and at times with communities and/or stakeholders through purposeful co-design of process.
“If the future is to remain open and free, we need people who can tolerate the unknown, who will not need the support of completely worked out systems or traditional blueprints from the past.”
If you feel your organisation requires this type of assistance through times like these, where your future direction is uncertain; where the consequences of your choices appear hidden or unknowable; or where the system you are utilising requires re-orienting, then Liminal by Design can help you. We can help you to let go of false certainties, to suspend judgement, to become open to inquiry and to design ways forward that bring them closer to what you are seeking. We do this with a consciousness of the implications of our actions or lack of action. When situations are complex we will help you to proceed even when uncertainty remains, then monitor impacts and respond accordingly.
Services
Services
Creative Facilitation Training - Bring Your Meetings and Workshops to Life
Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th November, 2025. Register here.
Event description
Creative Facilitation Two Day Training
This hands-on workshop is designed for facilitators and trainers who want to share information in ways that keep people engaged, energised, and curious. You’ll walk away with practical tools to make your sessions more interactive, more alive and a better use of everyone’s time.
We’ll explore creative ways to share knowledge, invite participation, and encourage people to bring their own insights and experiences into the room.
Expect facilitation tips aplenty:
• The problem with some room set-ups
• The importance of finishing on time
• How to avoid the Plenary Vortex and the Teacher Trance
It offers a rich, hands-on learning experience in a small group setting. It’s especially useful when you’re designing training or events with a lot of content and want to avoid defaulting to lecture-style delivery.
Who should attend?
Anyone who designs and leads training or events, whether internal, with clients, or in community or consultation settings. If you’ve ever felt frustrated or bored by traditional approaches, this workshop is for you.
What can I expect?
You’ll be surprised by the variety and depth of ways to engage people. You’ll experience them yourself, reflect on your reactions, and discuss insights with other professionals facing similar challenges.
You’ll spend very little time sitting down and a lot of time doing. Our approaches are grounded in behavioural science, but you won’t be overwhelmed by theory. You’ll leave with practical ideas you can use straight away in your next workshop or meeting.
We’ll explore different types of conversations, new perspectives, and how to use physical space creatively. It will be fun and energising, and we’ll gently challenge some of the unspoken rules and assumptions of traditional facilitation.
This workshop is less about formal structure and more about co-creating an experience with the group. In many ways, this is the meta-skill of facilitation—being able to shape the experience together.
Topics we’ll cover
Beyond traditional approaches
Avoiding the mistakes we were taught in school and moving toward how people actually learn and connect.
Participatory methods
Creative ways to share information, generate ideas, and foster trust and collaboration.
Beyond words
How to use photos, movement, and story to bring ideas to life, without relying on endless slides and jargon.
You as a performer
How to manage nerves, stay present, and deal with unexpected moments. The second day focuses on you—your mindset, energy, and confidence in the room.
The Small Print
GST of 10% is added to your registration fee.
Early bird rates require booking and PAYMENT to be completed before the close of early bird sales. Group rates will automatically generate a $50 discount per ticket if three or more people are attending on the one transaction and one invoice will be generated.
We understand that sometimes plans change. If you find you need to cancel, we'll be sorry and will reimburse your registration fee less a 20% handling charge. Cancellations must be two weeks prior to the event.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Start and Finish Time Each Day
9.30am until 3.30pm each day
Location
The Larwill Studio is an Art Series Hotel celebrating the work of David Larwill. It has reception, restaurant/bar, accommodation and conference facilities. It is attached to The Royal Children's Hospital
Parking
Parking is available underground, and fees are managed by the RCH hospital. A discounted parking rate of $29 per day applies to customers staying at the hotel.
The Royal Children's Hospital – Point Parking
Public Transport
Both the #55 and #59 trams stop directly outside the hotel on Flemington Road (Tram Stop Number 19)
Catering
Cost of training includes refreshments and lunch on both days.
Acknowledgement
This workshop has been designed by Viv McWaters and Johnnie Moore and is based on the ideas in their book Creative Facilitation.
We’re grateful to Viv and Johnnie for their generous and ongoing support, and for entrusting us at Liminal by Design Pty Ltd to continue sharing and evolving this work.
Register here.
To Register click here
Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th November 2025
To Register click here
Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th November 2025
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Our Work
Our Work
Contact Us
Contact Us
CHAD FOULKES
DIRECTOR
Margaret FOULKES
Learning & development
If you would like to know more about how we can assist you, please complete the form below.
“Click to fill in your details to keep up to date with all our news and upcoming events. We only send out newsletters a handful of times a year so it’s a light load. You might find out about training we or others are delivering, see your work or get ideas about what’s next for you or your organisation.
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