A Foundation of Hope

Definition of Hope (Oxford English Dictionary)  'to look with expectation of something desired; to trust, have confidence; to expect with desire, one of the three heavenly graces (faith, hope and love); it is a ground of hope - a promise.'

ELM GROVE SANCTUARY TRUST

Bellbird Cottage,
88 Nutleys Creek Road, Bermagui NSW Australia
Postal Address:
PO Box 286, Bermagui 2546 NSW Australia
Tel:+61 (02) 6493 5511
Fax:+61 (02) 6493 5511
Email: bellbird@asitis.net.au

The Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust is a registered charitable foundation with the Australian Taxation Office (ABN 27003 317 619)

DIRECTORS OF THE ELM GROVE SANCTUARY TRUST

Exec. Directors

Laurel Clare Lloyd-Jones
Edwin Thomas Lloyd-Jones

Directors

Peter John Sands
Sheila Elizabeth Scott
Alan Frederick Wright
Anne Christina McLeod-Nibbs
David (Jake) Lloyd-Jones
Natasha Jane Lloyd-Jones
Annette Marie Turner
Dean Graeme Turner

PURPOSE

In response to the growing world-wide awareness of the environmental crisis now facing our planet, the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust seeks through education and support of organisations (working to provide a sustainable model of responsible action and development), to provide a more hopeful future for the generations who will follow us.  

"If we will have the wisdom to survive,to stand like, slow, growing trees on a ruined place, renewing, enriching it: if we will make our seasons welcome here, asking not too much of earth or heaven, then a long time after we are dead - the lives, our lives prepare, will live here."
(Wendell Berry)

The trust has a deep commitment to environmental education and associated issues in an endeavour to ensure a more hopeful future for our earth.  It strives to care for people, seeking justice and human rights for all. 

• Save Our Bermagui Action Group (SOBAG) - a project of the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust, is a citizen's group established in January, 2006 to address public concerns regarding the Bega Valley Shire's draft Bermagui and Wallaga Lake Land Use Structure Report.  Recommendations in the Report relating to the growth rate, re-zoning and infrastructure development, if adopted, could have seriously detrimental effects on the community and the area. See the website - www.saveourbermagui.org
• The founders of The Crossing Land Education Centre at Bermagui, Annette & Dean Turner, are Directors of the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust.  The Crossing Land Education Trust is now recognised as an Environmental Organisation by The Department of Environment and Heritage. All financial gifts and gifts of property (from land to roofing iron) will be tax deductible.  Trust Management Committee signatories are Annette Turner JP, Heather O’Connor OAM and Laurel Lloyd Jones LFSF.  www.thebegavalley.com and follow links to Bermagui and The Crossing L.E.C.
• promoting unity and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people of this land. Over the past 20 years the Trust has worked closely with the indigenous community. This affiliation enabled the trust to facilitate educational programs such as training in building, simple furniture making, Koori elders' spiritual and cultural instruction for young people, dance workshops and art groups.
• working to bring change to current government policy towards asylum seekers and to challenge the inhumane treatment of those held in Australian Detention Centres. Our Trust founded the Bega Valley Rural Australians for Refugees and the Bermagui-Narooma RAR. The Bega Valley Shire was the first official 'Welcome Town' in Australia which offered an alternative model for a caring and humane approach to the processing of asylum seekers. More information http://www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org/
• the  ‘Sydney Body Art Ride’ held for the second year in 2006. This event involves a large group of people, adorned with body art, riding bicycles from Randwick to Maroubra Beach to raise funds for the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia and to promote healthy, sustainable living. The aim is to support Sydney’s Mayor, Clover Moore’s vision for a viable system of cycle-ways for Sydney to offset the damaging effects of fossil fuels on our environment. The ride is an art project named the Human Rainbow, with painted volunteers riding in bands of colour, creating a human rainbow travelling to the sea. "The ephemeral 'Human Rainbow' aims to be a devotional artwork for a secular, sophisticated community"- an art project of the SBAR organiser Jake Lloyd Jones (a Director of the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust). For details see website – www.sydneybodyartride.org
• supports 'Voice', an independent quarterly of comment and review, published by Canberra's Ginninderra Press, and edited by Bill Tully, Stephen Matthews and Ian McFarlane. The EGS Trust supports Voice believing that it provides readers with a valuable resource enabling democratic, social, cultural and political comment. The editors organise a public forum to reflect the theme of each issue. These are usually held in Canberra, however for the past two years the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust has sponsored a Voice forum here in Bermagui early in the year. This years public forum ‘Apocalypse Postponed - Global sustainability in a world divided by terrorism, economic imperialism and predicted climate change’ was a huge success. Two high-profile speakers Dr Carmen Lawrence MP and writer/activist Rosie Scott from PEN Australia and two local high-school senior students Sven Helland & Tiffany Hart provided excellent input. A full report can be found on our News and Articles page. For further information/subscriptions regarding Voice visit their website www.ginninderrapress.com.au/voice.html
• providing opportunities and counselling for renewal of body and spirit especially for those experiencing ill health or other challenges in their lives. In the connection between the health and sustainability of our planet and the health of our human community, we acknowledge the importance and urgency to seek responsible outcomes through dialogue, learning and action. "We cannot have well people on a sick planet". Our Caring for the Carers program provides nurturing and refreshment for those who care for others. For details email - bellbird@asitis.net.au
• English Second Language Classes are hosted by the Trust for new-comers to Australia and tutors are volunteers from our Rural Australians for Refugees group. These are held weekly or as the need arises.

BED & BREAKFAST FACILITY - a fundraising project of the Trust

Our fundraising Bed & Breakfast facility at Bellbird Cottage, Bermagui supports the ongoing work of the EGS Trust.   This B & B facility on the far south coast of New South Wales, with two well appointed guest suites, affords privacy and comfort in a majestic setting. Tall spotted gums, a natural bushland setting, the myriad sights and sounds of magnificent native birds and the close proximity to many wonderful beaches in Bermagui provides an ideal setting for guests seeking a tranquil stay.

Visit our B & B website for further information and bookings - www.bellbirdcottage-bnb.com or through the Boutique Bed & Breakfast Association of the Sapphire Coast www.southcoastbnb.com.au

As a Public Benevolent Institution we rely on private donation to enable us to continue the work of the Trust. All donations of $2 or more are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

The age of nations has passed. Now, unless we wish to perish we must shake off our old prejudices and build the earth. ...The more scientifically I regard the world, the less I can see any biological future for it except the active consciousness of its unity. Life cannot hence-forth advance on our planet ...except by breaking down the partitions which still divide human activity and entrusting itself unhesitatingly to faith in the future.  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin 'The Spirit of the Earth'

HISTORY

Elm Grove Sanctuary at Goobarragandra near Tumut in the Snowy Mountains was founded by Laurel & Edwin Lloyd-Jones in February, 1983 so as to provide a place of demonstration of responsible environmental sustainability and a place for retreat and renewal. The Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust was formed and the land and buildings were gifted by Edwin and Laurel to the Trust.

During the following nineteen years the sanctuary provided a valuable resource and support for guests, families, groups, schools, educational institutions, training programs for long-term unemployed, church groups, the local indigenous community, cancer patients, those facing life-threatening illness and people experiencing challenge in their lives.

Mud-brick and timber buildings for guest accommodation were built; a widely ecumenical chapel built from granite stone and mudbrick; and a nature chapel under the majestic elms beside the Goobarragandra River (both delightful venues for marriages, baptisms, naming ceremonies). All provided a nurturing environment for the many thousands of guests who visited the sanctuary over the years.

A Franciscan Spirit

The community is non-residential with the Franciscan ethos expressed through personal commitment to the care for all people and all of creation and to 'teaching by example'. Members of the community live in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. There are four Life Professed members - Br Edwin Thomas Lloyd-Jones, Sr Laurel Clare Lloyd-Jones, Sr Mona Jeshua Tyler (UK), Sr Anne Christina McLeod-Nibbs and several Associate Members. The community's Bishop Protectors are - Archbishop Francis P. Carroll (Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Bishop George V. Browning (Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn).

Due to age and failing physical stamina of the founders and administrators, the EGS Trust sold the sanctuary and moved the work of the Trust to Bermagui on the south coast of New South Wales in June, 2001, where it continues mainly working in social justice and human rights areas.

Elm Grove Mountain Retreat  www.elmgrovemountainretreat.com.au continues as a place of retreat now under the custodianship of Blair & Rhonda Montague-Drake who are continuing the vision for Elm Grove as a place of physical and spiritual celebration and healing, providing welcome and meaning for all who feel somewhat fractured by modern society. 

Both chapels will be maintained and used by guests and they intend to create a walk along the river edge with resting places for reflection and meditation. This will be a 'poet's walk' offering scripted inspirational wisdom at these resting places.

They have plans for a biblical herb garden and a bush tucker garden involving the local indigenous community of the region.

There are plans also to build a small museum for ancient manuscripts and monastic artefacts. There will be special theme days such as A Celtic Christmas, A Bush Tucker Day, A Goobarragandra Gathering, A Literary Luncheon, and an annual Elm Grove Rememberance weekend. Elm Grove Mountain Retreat is a registered Wildlife Refuge and guests please note - no dogs are allowed. Guests continue to be most warmly welcomed. Bookings - phone/fax 02 6947 5766 For bookings and additional information - see their website at www.elmgrovemountainretreat.com.au