I like Spring because flowers bloom,
And sunshine fills the sky.
The little birds go chirp, chirp, chirp,
As they fly up high.
At the campground I can see
Bluebells dancing in the breeze.
And jasmine grows upon the vine
Near the chapel trees.
Spring is bright and warm and new,
With colours everywhere.
I love Spring because it shows
God’s love and wonderful care.
By Ella Swan
As we all experience the delights of Spring after Winter, we see how creation renews and restores hope through such beauty and promise. The gold of the wattle heralds its arrival and all of nature rejoices with bird song, bursting buds, fledglings and nature’s energies bubbling up around and within us.
The critically endangered Tumut Grevillia at Elm Grove Sanctuary. Photo by Michael Reid.
And yet, in reality we also see the chaos and suffering of our world that is the result of our increasingly unstable world both politically and environmentally. A world that has seemingly lost its way and its connection to our natural world, our humanity and our Creator.
In reflecting on what is occurring at Elm Grove at this time I find there is a renewal of hope and purpose that will restore the vision that was given to Edwin and me from its founding back in 1983. I find such deep inner gratitude and acknowledgement that a Greater Plan is now renewing that sacred space and leading it into the future. Such places of sanctuary, rest and solace are so needed at this time and my deep joy has come from the wonderful commitment and restoration work that has been unfolding with Elm Grove’s new stewards, Sarah and Pete Swan, who are open on the inner heart-level of inner listening and Divine direction.
Pete and Sarah Swan. Photo by Blair Montague-Drake.
On Saturday, 19th September, 2026 Sarah and Pete were Inducted as Companions of our Franciscan Order, the Little Followers of Saint Francis (LFSF). Their request to become more formally aligned with the Franciscan ethos and charism that acknowledges the Divinity of all Creation, was a time of rejoicing and was shared by our wider Franciscan Community along with their family and friends. I hope that you will enjoy the photos of this wonderful event in this edition.
The St. Clare Chapel. Photo by Angela Young.
Sr Laurel, Pete and Sarah Swan. Photo by Blair Montague-Drake.
Our charity’s Board of Directors are returning to Elm Grove for our Annual General Meeting on 17th October, and we are all holding in discernment the important transition occurring that re-connects us back in loving support of the ‘Swans of Elm Grove’. Sarah and Pete will bring to the Sanctuary their own unique inspiration, giftedness and focus for the future. We are feeling such deep joy as we know that God’s Promise has been fulfilled by them saying ‘yes’ to a Higher Calling and we acknowledge their courage and commitment to take on this task.
Sarah and Pete, will assuredly place their own unique imprint on that sacred space with the guidance that comes from their own deep inner listening. I feel sure that the distinct clarity that led us to found Elm Grove, revealed to us through prayer and discernment, is such a powerful spiritual energy of love that brings amazement, awe and deep trust and that will inspire them to go forward despite the challenges that will come. When we work with love and complete trust in being led to act for a higher purpose, we can experience our fears vanishing.
Ella and Charlie Swan offered readings during the service. Photo by Blair Montague-Drake.
They have made a definitive statement by aligning their lives to the Franciscan charism to care for the earth. Pete and Sarah have not only become Carers for God’s Chosen Place – ‘hallowed ground’ – they acknowledge the significance of this sacred place for the Walgalu people. Long before us Europeans came to greatly honour and love it as a special place, it was and remains especially sacred for all Walgalu women. Above where the Bahloo River joins the Goobarragandra River is their sacred birthing place and it is their place of ceremony.
Over the many years from the founding of Elm Grove Sanctuary as a place of rest, solace and healing for weary souls, so many wonderful times were shared in happy and enthusiastic shared work as well as renewal. We collectively created environmentally responsible buildings to accommodate those who came to stay. We shared the joy of creating this centre of Hope. Right from our initial fun ‘muddie’ experiences, we formed the bricks together and then actually lifted those bricks to firstly build the St. Clare Chapel and then Bahloo Cottage, primarily for those who were referred for counselling, support and loving care.
This commitment and participation sank deeply into those lovely creative helpers over those years, and I see how this has been sustained within their memories and hearts. People continue to express their longing to return to spend time for reflection and inner peace and I am sure that when Sarah and Pete have reached the stage to again welcome guests back ‘home’ to that heart-space with sufficient accommodation and facilities, then this will bring much joy to many old sojourners and also new discoverers. Such places are so needed at this time.
If there are people who can offer their carpentry skills, gardening assistance etc to Pete and Sarah in this restoration work, then please do make contact with them and offer your help. Pete’s email is pete.swan@gmail.com.
With our recent return to Elm Grove for Sarah and Pete’s induction as Companions of LFSF a still moment by the river brought me back to the reading from Ezekial 47 on the ‘spring in the temple’. This reading was shared on 9th April, 1994 in the St Francis Nature Chapel beside the river before we all processed up to the new St Clare’s Chapel of Hope which was to be blessed by Archbishop Francis Carroll and Bishop George Browning.
Goobarragandra River. Photo by Michael Reid.
Ezekiel 47 presents a powerful prophetic vision of a life-giving river flowing from the newly restored temple, symbolizing God’s overflowing grace, spiritual renewal, and ultimate restoration. As the angel measures outward in intervals as the water rises it finally becomes a deep river that must be swum across representing the expanding, infinite abundance of our Creator’s grace and the call for us to go deeper into our spiritual life.
The stream flows east into the dry desert and empties into the salty, lifeless Dead Sea. Miraculously, the salty water becomes fresh, teeming with an abundant variety of fish. No place is too broken for transformation. Fruit trees grow thickly along the riverbanks bearing fresh fruit because their water originates from the sanctuary, and their leaves serve as medicine for healing.
This passage for me relates closely to the Goobarragandra River with its ebbs and flows and at times strong floods. So symbolic of the invitation and courage needed for us to step into the current of life in deep trust as God’s life affirming Greater Plan calls us on to resist our world’s greed, violence, indifference and exploitation. To know that we are called to create ‘temples of renewal and sanctuary’ especially at this time in human history, is urgently needed to restore the gifts of creation so important for all life on this planet.
Edwin and I have grown elderly, along with several of our directors since the formation of our charity. Some of us are nearing our life tenure here on earth, but the knowledge that love will carry Elm Grove onward into the future, brings us much joy. It is with deep gratitude that we invite Sarah and Pete Swan to join our Board of Elm Grove Sanctuary Ltd/Trust as new co-directors at our upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Sr Laurel and Br Edwin. Photo by Angela Young.
Our EGS Director Rev. Dr David Oliphant offers the blessing at the end of the service. Photo by Blair Montague-Drake.
I believe that in the future, new, younger and committed energies will appear to support Sarah and Pete with the ‘Greater Vision’ for the Sanctuary at Elm Grove. It will continue to unfold, enabling it to flow on like the Goobarragandra and Bahloo Rivers with their ebbs and flows and even floods at times. I believe that ‘wherever it flows that life will abound’.
Pax et bonum
Sister Laurel Clare lfsf
It is with deep sadness we acknowledge the recent passing of our Director and Treasurer, Stuart Absalom on Saturday 29th August, 2026, aged 79 years.
Stuart was appointed a director of our charity on 23rd September, 2006 at our Annual General Meeting and he was warmly welcomed.
Stuart had expressed his support for the work of the Trust after our transference to the Far South Coast in 2001.
Through all of the above endeavours Stuart strongly supported and encouraged us, along with his committed partner Philip Mawer, as well as many people within the Shire. We became dear friends with Stuart and Philip, linked mutually by the late Patricia Thompson in Bermagui, a stalwart voice for justice, and a remarkable jazz singer.
Due to these public actions by our charity at that time, Stuart expressed his strong interest and support for the ethos and actions of EGS Trust, which led to us inviting him to join our Board.
Stuart has diligently and generously served on our Board as a volunteer for exactly twenty years. For the past thirteen years he has served in the role as our Treasurer. Such a remarkable commitment was made by Stuart and we grew to love and respect him greatly as the caring person that he was.
It is with deep respect that we acknowledge this gentle man who gave his talents, time and energy to our charity. Stuart was also a member of many other groups and individuals within the local community to whom he offered his services. We know how saddened so many people will be by Stuart’s passing. It was a sudden departure from his earthly life and this shocked us all.
His loving presence remains with us in our hearts and memories. Go well dear Stuart, we thank you and bless you for your selfless service. I believe that you will be grandly welcomed back to your true home – a place where we all are destined to go.
Your transition will be to Total Love.
Sister Laurel Clare Lloyd-Jones
CEO Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust
Today we have come together to celebrate the life of Rita Colleen Reid (nee McBain). Rita was born in Newcastle, on 29th July, 1954. Rita departed this life on 28th July, 2026, just one day before her seventy second birthday.
As a young girl, Rita attended St Joseph’s Boarding School for Girls, at Lochinvar near Newcastle. Rita was a boarder for many years and these were challenging years for her. As she grew older, she loved spending time with her older brother, Brian and his first wife Louise, and their children Alicia and Ross.
Later as an adult she lived for some years with her good friends Janis and Paul in Newcastle. In fact, they had all bought a house together just before Rita met Michael. She had many good friends whose company she enjoyed socially going with them to the theatre and enjoying water skiing at weekends.
In a way I first heard of Rita before I met her. Brother Edwin and I were intrigued when Michael shared his dream from the previous night during a shared nature walk. We were in Sydney to attend a week-long Omega Order Conference at Prouille Convent in Wahroonga beginning on 21st October 1990. It was led by the Order’s Prior, Anglican Canon Peter Spink, who was visiting from the United Kingdom.
At that time, Michael had been part of our small community at Elm Grove Sanctuary for several years, and he was a very special part of our life together, so we were most interested when he told us about his dream of the previous night. His dream had disclosed to him the thought that he would soon meet the woman that he would marry.
Now Michael was never one to really like early rising so when we were signing in later, I was a little surprised when he put his name down for the Tai Chi classes prior to breakfast that were being offered each morning at 7.00am. As conference participants gathered for afternoon tea in the large common room – into the room walked Rita. Two sets of eyes met! I imagine that Michael’s eyes grew even wider when later he discovered that Rita was the person who was offering the Tai Chi classes for each morning.
Over that week everyone saw that these two young people were clearly smitten. Amidst much observation and knowing looks from everyone present, this was not to be hidden. The Dominican nuns who ran the Conference Centre referred to them as the lovely ‘young ones’ and conveniently arranged to leave the front doors unlocked for them to slip in late so that they might find some privacy in their evening walks together. So, Yes! Michael did meet Rita in a convent!
Peter Spink called me aside one morning and said – “either you’re going to lose a member of your community or you’re going to gain a new one” and I admit, I did have to agree.
With several members of the U.K Omega entourage wishing to visit Elm Grove Sanctuary, Michael had offered to drive their tour bus down from Sydney. To his delight, Rita was able to accompany them, having hurriedly organised some leave from her work in the library at the University of Newcastle where she had worked for the past ten years.
On the 29th October Michael proposed to Rita on the bridge over the Goobarragandra River at Elm Grove Sanctuary. It was just 8 days since they had met! Apparently, he proposed three times. He said that he just wanted to hear her delighted ‘yes’, which accompanied the hug and kiss that went with each one.
They shared this news with us all the next day when we gathered with our guests for morning prayer in the St Francis Nature Chapel. A short while after, within the grove of elms, a beautiful butterfly alighted on Michael’s hand, and fortunately, Edwin had his camera handy. Later, Michael passed the butterfly to Rita where it remained on her hand as she walked back with the guests to the Retreat House. It had really felt like a true blessing on their newly made commitment to each other. They decided to name the butterfly, Francis.
When 5 months later they were married in the Nature Chapel, Rita looked a picture of true beauty as she walked down through the grove to marry her Prince. She had shown me the lovely embroidered butterfly which was outlined in seed pearls on her wedding gown, which she had designed and sewn herself, and she most certainly looked like a Princess.
As Michael and Rita made their vows, again to our amazement, another lovely butterfly came to fly and circle over their heads. It was incredible to witness this yet again symbolically depicting such a blessing on this sacred moment in their lives. All of us noticed this moment and remarked upon it later.
The commitment by Rita to Michael within their marriage brought with it some really big changes for Rita as she joined us at Elm Grove. It was a major contrast to her former life. This would have been a huge challenge, and yet Rita’s commitment held firm despite now needing to share her life in the care for the many people and groups who came to us.
People came for retreat, some were referred by health practitioners, others came seeking healing space and restoration from their everyday lives. This as well meant that Rita was also sharing her new life within a community and the shared physical work of caring for others. Rita faced the preparation of meals for larger groups of people and also a life in which we trusted that our needs would be met without a regular wage packet. I was fully aware of how daunting this must have been for her. It was such a new experience. Yet Rita offered this act of service with such love, deep trust and gentle grace.
At Easter in 1991, our ecumenical order the Little Followers of Saint Francis was founded at Elm Grove Sanctuary. It was the first ecumenical Franciscan Order in Australia and unique in that it welcomed both married couples and single members. Rita and Michael were closely involved with us in the appointment of Catholic Archbishop Francis Carroll and Anglican Bishop George Browning of the Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese and Diocese. These two special men officially blessed and supported our community’s work, as our Guardians, without having any ecclesiastic authority over us.
In time, when Rita and Michael discovered that their first child, Clare was due, they moved to Canberra to bring up their family in a more usual situation remaining connected as Companions of our Franciscan community. We remained closely connected with Rita and Michael who generously came to care for Elm Grove whenever we needed to take a break away. They both have always been part of our own family as well as the Elm Grove Sanctuary family. Their lives have always been expressed from a deeply spiritual foundation.
Together Rita and Michael faced the deeply sad time with the loss of their second child, Grace, and yet their love for each other held them closely together. Rita stayed home to raise Clare and Julian for several years when they both attended the Orana Steiner School. She became involved with the craft group at Orana for some years becoming the co-ordinator and as she had always been gifted in sewing, needlework, and embroidery she was involved with the group who made a quilt each year to raffle, along with various other items, to raise funds for the school at their Spring Fair. Rita also made two much admired and beautiful quilts for their bed at home as well as organising the making of the student’s costumes for use in their plays. She was a wonderful asset to the school.
After raising Clare and Julian, Rita began working as a Learning Support Assistant in ACT schools. Firstly at Black Mountain with students in years 7 – 12 where students had various disabilities both mental and physical. She loved working especially with those students with the highest of physical needs. She built a beautiful bond with them and her loving care was absolute. Rita and Clare both worked at Black Mountain school until Rita suffered a back injury while attempting to lift a heavy boy.
She was subsequently transferred to several other mainstream ACT schools, again in the role as a Learning Support Assistant. Firstly, at Kaleen Primary, then Alfred Deakin High, Lanyon High and Giralang Primary where she worked in the library, which she really loved, before retiring from the ACT Government school system in 2020.
Rita and Michael after their retirement spent many lovely periods away travelling with their caravan to spend time close to nature and joyfully capturing this through their art and photography. Rita had always believed that she had a calling to art and so she took some online courses and discovered that she could indeed be an artist. And in fact, she was a very good artist! A friend Jenny, who was the art teacher at Orana School, loved seeing the work that Rita did. She acknowledged the beauty of her work as did anyone who was privileged to see it. Rita’s awe and wonderment within the beauty of nature was so potent that the image of her holding a leaf while showing me her artwork, remains a gifted memory that I hold most dear.
I borrow now an excerpt from a poem written recently by Clare – “Her art remains – a thread of purpose – She collects eucalyptus leaves, marvels at their tones and textures – She notices the details others overlook, translates this beauty with brushes and paint…” Rita and Michael have raised their children in a certain and steadfast love and Rita’s innate creativity has clearly flowed through to them both. This will remain with them always.
In more recent times Rita and Michael began the Southside Food Table at Kambah and each Wednesday they worked to spread kindness to others. Offering fresh produce to anyone in need they offered so much more than food to those who came. It has created a sense of community, along with a cuppa, a biscuit and a caring ear for their troubles. Such generosity and warm care has blessed many people over the past few years.
As Rita’s health was failing, she gradually was unable to continue to accompany Michael to the food table but she was always there with him in spirit. People who had come to know and to love the gentleness of Rita, continued to ask after her in gratitude and recognition of all that she offered them in friendship.
I recognise Rita’s beauty, caring and strength in her daughter, Clare. Clare has so lovingly supported Rita on her deteriorating health journey. She now continues this special care in her support for Michael.
The wonderment and blessing of butterflies was clearly present in dear Rita’s passing. Only a few hours before Rita departed this world, I was in prayer holding her close in my heart as I knew that she was failing. Then, in my mind’s eye, I saw her surrounded by a mass of brightly coloured butterflies. They circled over and around her and I ‘knew’ that abundant blessings were being showered over our dearly loved Rita. Later that evening I decided to phone Michael to share this with him and it was just three hours later that I had the news from Clare that Rita had flown free from her suffering.
I know beyond any doubt that Rita now is in the presence of an Infinite and Immense Loving Presence. I am sure that over her lifetime Rita’s butterflies have beautifully and symbolically represented her soul. They will always remind us of how much we have loved her.
Sister Laurel Clare Lloyd-Jones LFSF