“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)
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust/Limited was founded in 1987
We are a Not for Profit foundation listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC)
We rely upon private donations from individuals who support our work and enable this to continue.
Our Purpose
– Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust offers support, encouragement and hope for all people, irrespective of race or creed, especially when they are in need.
– Our focus is based upon a deep compassion for all of life in respect to the beauty and awe of our natural world.
– The daily human challenges confronting us all call us to stand beside each other as we seek to find solutions, lift despair, and offer hope for better outcomes.
– We support the need for a holistic approach to education for our younger generation with a focus on community engagement in the education of our young people to support equality of opportunity and enable them to reach their full potential.
– We hold in grave concern the health of our planet – a direct result of human consumption and failure to realise the sacredness of our natural world of which we are an integral part.
– We seek to draw people to a greater understanding and connection to our role as Guardians of Creation.
The Story of our logo
Our Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust’s logo was formed from an elm leaf. Designed by Natasha Lloyd Jones, it contains the whole tree as the far-reaching roots intertwine to form the circle. The tree of life that sustains us all. A rich symbolism that can be found within each one of us under many names and expressions of thought.
“We are all in our own way ‘leaves’ with stories we want to share and recapitulate before we fall from the tree! For me this carries a sense of deep reflection but also celebration. Reflecting and celebrating the mystery we dare to name as God. It is very personal. We all need to know that our story will be listened to and accepted as my story just as I need to listen to and accept others’ stories. Story sharing is not debating ideas. But it is the sharing of ideas and experiences in the context of our lives, what has given us meaning. It is not abstract; it is embodied meaning. It is about relationship and relationships. It is about understanding ourselves in relation to the Whole of Life – ’to understand the leaf with what we know of love, is to seek all we need to know of wisdom’ (Living Dangerously, Ian McFarlane). Understanding ourselves, and each other. Love and Wisdom.” David Oliphant
“Leaves are ephemeral but the trees they are attached to are long lasting, and have deep roots. There’s actually a direct connection between leaf and root – through which the spirit of life flows!” That’s basic science, but it’s also about us!” Peter Sands
“I love the metaphor of the tree, with its leaves and roots and strong trunk. I love how the fungi under the ground connect the trees together to sustain them and so many creatures find their home there…” Angela Young
Our Projects
Our projects align with our stated purpose and our primary focus is to support current identified need whenever we can. We hold a strong commitment to programs that address the interconnection of all life and our responsibility to care for humanity and our planet.
We see the importance of a holistic approach to education and equity of opportunity for our younger generation to enable them to reach their full potential.
Our Scholarships and Encouragement Grants provide further opportunity for the recipients to develop their interests in the arts, creative endeavours, environmental care, cultural awareness, and supportive programs for the disabled and marginalised.
Our commitment to these current awards and programs are updated in reports within our quarterly newsletters with photographs of progress. Latest project report
Anyone wishing to become an Associate Member of the Trust is asked to complete this form: Associate Membership and email it to us at egstrust2@gmail.com
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust relies on private donations to enable our charity’s work to continue.
To contribute, please click here.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of our wide land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
