by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Aug 31, 2025 | Encouragement Grants, NDESC, NEST
Our bi-annual Encouragement Grant (established in 2021) is primarily intended to offer support, encouragement and hope for the recipient to further their interests that are based upon a deep commitment and compassion for all of life and the natural world, through academic and creative endeavours, that align with the principles of our charity.
Our primary aim is to encourage the recipient to further develop their passion, commitment and capacity to achieve these values, and especially for those who may not otherwise be able to see these dreams realised due to their life circumstances.
We are delighted to be able to announce that our second Encouragement Scholarship of $5,000 for this year has been awarded to a Year 12 female student at Narooma High School.
Nominated by:
Mr. Joseph Harper – Deputy Principal Narooma High School &
Aunty Karen Ella-Bird – Senior Leader Community Engagement Narooma High School
This student has written a profile of her life to share with our readers and she holds the deep respect and support of the Executive Staff of Narooma High School for her amazing commitment and sense of purpose for her life.
Here are her words.
I grew up in Wagga Wagga, spending the first few years of my life growing up with my single dad. While living there, the situation was unstable and we were constantly moving, and when I was five, we moved to Dalmeny to live with my grandparents. During this time, my dad, three brothers, and I shared a single room until we found a place to rent. As I grew up, I learnt to look after my brothers – taking on a motherly role by supporting and looking after them. This was quite challenging as I was growing up myself, having to look after myself on top of that.
I’ve always felt a deep connection to the land, but it wasn’t until Year 7 that my passion for the environment truly blossomed as I learnt more about science. This has inspired me to pursue a career in environmental fields – focusing on conservation and sustainability.
I have faced hardships at home, having moved out in Year 10 when my relationship with my father fell through – and I was securing a roof over my head and was out of a home for weeks. I was in out-of-home care for almost 2 years before that relationship also fell through. Since then, I have been living back with my father, however the arrangements are still precarious.
Despite the hurdles faced, I have remained focused on my studies, with my interest in science unwavering. In Year 10, I was selected for an astrophysics immersion course at Swinburne University – my first experience with tertiary study, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I completed a research project on black holes and Hawking radiation, and upon returning to school, I had the opportunity to present my findings to the school and wider community at a formal assembly.
In Year 11, I delved into my love for science, conservation, and sustainability. I chose my careers carefully, giving me the opportunity to seek a pathway into environmental studies. Subjects aligning with this goal include Earth and Environmental Science, Biology, and Aboriginal Studies – having completed EES via distance as it wasn’t offered at my school. I have achieved highly in EES, having finished first in my cohort.
My cultural heritage has always been integral to my connection with the environment. I have been actively involved in this space at school, serving as a member of the Junior Aboriginal Consultative Group. In this role, I advocated for environmental issues within the school community, which helped me develop as a leader in environmental matters. Additionally, it has allowed me to build connects with my culture and community – who have steered me in the right direction towards my career/ life aspirations.
Next year, I hope to begin a Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation, followed by a Master of Protected Area Conservation at the University of Tasmania. This transition will undoubtedly bring challenges, but having overcome many obstacles before, I am confident I will meet them with resilience and determination.
We sincerely extend our warmest of congratulations to this very worthy recipient.
This kangaroo skin cloak was created by the recipient of our Encouragement Scholarship and it depicts the story of her life’s journey to this time.
A Further Appeal:
If you are feeling as inspired as we are by this young woman’s determination to achieve her life’s goals, we invite you to contribute a donation towards her studies in 2026. All donations are tax deductible and can be made to our charity’s Project Account – details below. Please send a notification via email to egstrust2@gmail.com so that our Treasurer can email your receipt to you.
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust
BSB 032766 Account No. 139061
Reference – 2025 D. Scholarship
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Mar 30, 2025 | Encouragement Grants, NDESC, NEST
Our Trust board of directors was unanimous in the decision to award our 1st Encouragement Grant for 2025 to a young student at Narooma High School. We extend our congratulations to this student who was nominated by staff at Narooma High School for this Grant.
This student has suffered a turbulent and challenging life since infancy yet has remained clearly focused and determined to succeed academically. It is gratifying to see the wonderful support offered to this student from staff and counsellors. With university in mind this student takes great pride in subject work, ensuring that it is aesthetically presented while also adhering to all marking criteria and the outcomes.
A small scholarship to support the academic needs of this student, enabling a successful completion of the final year towards the HSC, will hopefully lead to a rewarding and successful future. The Class Advisor who has supported this student speaks of the great role model that this student offers through engagement in school and community activities with a generous willingness to support younger students. “A delight to have in the classroom” is the clear message from the teaching staff.
A bank account will be set up to cover primary support of this student’s educational expenses and administered by two support persons. Should anyone wish to contribute additional funds to this account – this can be done through our EGS Trust Project Account BSB 032766 Account No. 139061 with reference to ‘Student Scholarship’.
Please email us at egstrust2@gmail.com with your details so that we can send out a receipt which is tax deductible.
I thank you for your kind support and encouragement of this very impressive and worthwhile student.
Laurel Lloyd-Jones
Executive Director
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Sep 30, 2024 | Indigenous, NDESC, NEST
An update on our Trust’s activities
The Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust last month signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Narooma High School (NHS). Our Trust is deeply committed to this partnership as we support quality education for students that builds unity and equal opportunity for our younger generation who are the future.
The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” originates from an African proverb and conveys the message that it takes many people (“the village”) to provide a safe, healthy environment for children, where children are given the security they need to develop and flourish, and to be able to realize their hopes and dreams.
We believe in the importance of nurturing and bringing forth the essential abilities of every student within a holistic and unified environment for them to flourish and discover their own unique giftedness that is based upon dedicated support and opportunity. In February our Trust formed a committee – the ‘Narooma & district Educational Support Team’ (NEST) made up with Associate Members of the Trust.
Our partnership with Narooma High School is an acknowledgement that as educators they welcome the support of community members and parents who share this same commitment. Programs which the NEST committee is currently working in partnership with NHS are:
- assisting with the Breakfast Club, Equine Therapy, and soon to begin, an ‘Out of Classroom’ program that EGS Trust was fortunate to obtain a grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. EGS Trust is supporting these programs from donated funds along with this grant.
Volunteers have discovered the delights of relationship and trust that has been built between the students and themselves as they offer their gentle and committed support.
We are currently visioning some diverse programs that we hope will go ahead in 2025 that are widely cross-cultural programs for both indigenous and non-indigenous students. One is a Bark Canoe Building project for the young men and a Bush Food and Medicine Project for young women students. The broadening and sharing of cultural knowledge will serve to enrich everyone as it enhances good relationship.
NEST is seeking people who have a background in these areas who would understand and be committed to the responsibilities that come in working voluntarily within the school environment. All volunteers are required to have a current Working with Children Check clearance (WWWC). The final approval of mentors will be determined by NHS.
Should you like to know more about NEST, to volunteer you own special gifts, or support these programs with a donation (tax deductible), then we would be delighted to hear from you. Please enquire –egstrust2@gmail.com
Principal Mrs Tracy Scobie and Sr Laurel Lloyd-Jones signing an MOU
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Aug 17, 2024 | Indigenous, NDESC, NEST
Our members of Narooma Education Support Team (NEST) and Associate Members of Elm Grove Trust – Angela Young, David Oliphant and Tony Agnew have been supporting the Narooma High School Breakfast Club as volunteers over the last two terms.
Angela and Tony provided feedback recently to the principal Tracy Scobie and staff members on their experience and pleasure in their involvement at the Breakfast Club.
Angela’s message is so worth sharing with you all.
“To me the breakfast club is a beautiful oasis. The students come in focussed and self-nurturing. They are exercising their own choices while learning responsibility. Here they connect up with each other respectfully, with delightful playfulness and raw honesty. The staff are tuned in, loving and kind. I enjoy getting to know them.”
For those who have offered financial support towards this program, I would like to offer my sincere thanks on behalf of EGS Trust and our NEST committee.
Laurel
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust
17.08.2024
by admin | Aug 17, 2024 | Indigenous, NDESC, NEST
Introducing…
The Narooma and District Education Support Committee (NDESC) – (Facebook page)
(Supporting and enhancing Public Education)
You are invited to a gathering
Saturday August 31, 2024
1-2pm Lunch (Bring a plate)
2-4pm Meeting
The Narooma Fishing Club, 25 Riverside Drive
Djawa Yunupingu, chairman of the Yothu Yindi Foundation, described at the Gama Festival, how he hoped 12 months ago that by the time of this year’s festival, his ancestor Garrtjambal the kangaroo would ‘stand in the constitution’ as it does on the coat of arms.
Yunupingu declared only the referendum question was defeated – his people were not. ‘After the fire, when the rain comes it renews the land and new growth emerges.’
Following the Voice Referendum in 2023, a few of us have gone on to become involved in this new committee established by the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust, focussing attention on supporting and enhancing Public Education through Narooma High School and its feeder Primary schools.
Come along and
- Hear about what is happening and what is planned
- Learn about volunteer opportunities
- Share what else is happening
- discuss closing the Yes 23 Facebook group
- Catch up with people
Please RSVP to dukest@me.com or in message 0417 738 331
Kind regards
Steve Payne
0417738331
dukest@me.com
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Jun 17, 2024 | Encouragement Grants, Indigenous, NDESC, NEST
The first of our 2024 Encouragement Grants has been awarded to the Narooma High School Breakfast Club.
When we look at the world today, we may well ask whether it can be transformed on the global level, but with patience and steady perseverance to transform negative structures that alienate and divide, we can begin an inner revolution towards equality and justice in our world. This needs to be begun with our children within our homes and our educational systems.
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust has worked with this aim and purpose through educational programs from its founding in 1987. Our Encouragement Grants are an expression of this commitment. We are exceedingly pleased to present the first of our 2024 Encouragement Grants of $2,000 to Shirlee-Maree Rowland on behalf of the Narooma High School ‘Breakfast Club’.
Shirlee is Head Teacher for Welfare and the Language Teacher at Narooma High School. She believes, and quotes Rita Pierson, “every child deserves a Champion Adult who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the very best that they can possibly be”. The Breakfast Club offers this support each and every day for students to enable them to begin the school day feeling loved, cared for and fed a healthy breakfast no matter their circumstances. We have also been fortunate to be able to offer a further donation of $5,000 to enable some further creative, innovative and inclusive programs for students made possible by the generosity of our Trust’s supporters.
Photo information:
Encouragement Grant awarded to Shirlee-Maree Rowland by Sr. Laurel Lloyd-Jones Exec. Director EGS Trust 17th May 2024.