by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Oct 8, 2026 | Newsletter
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.
- With our Trust setting up Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) in the region and our submission to Bega Valley Shire Council to become a ‘Welcome Town’ this was successful with Bega Valley Shire Councillors voting unanimously to become the first town in Australia to welcome and support refugees. Several other towns then duplicated our proposal and our charity became better known in this region.
- We then formed the Save our Bermagui Action Group (SOBAG) to oppose a major development proposal to protect Meads Bay on Wallaga Lake from being rezoned so as to conserve this nursery for all finned fish and marine life here on the southern coast. This action brought former State Government Minister, Dr Andrew Refshauge and an expert panel to the area, which resulted in the State Government blocking any attempt to rezone that land for residential development.
- Our charity upheld Justice for an Indigenous family in Bermagui which led to my being sued for defamation by the then mayor of BVSC, in my capacity as Social Worker acting on behalf of the Trust. This led to 6½ years in defence of this action which went up to the High Court of Australia. Truth was subsequently the victor when, Justice Judith Gibson’s judgement found that from the viewpoint of community standards, the mayor ‘did bully a woman and intimidate her by acting in a bullying and overpowering manner’. The large legal expenses following the first trial were met by the Trust, so we were extremely thankful when my barrister the late Clive Evatt and his legal team generously represented me on a pro-bono basis throughout the subsequent court actions.
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
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | Oct 8, 2026 | Newsletter
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
by Laurel Lloyd-Jones | May 13, 2026 | Newsletter, Projects
By Sr. Laurel Lloyd-Jones lfsf
Recently I celebrated becoming an octogenarian and enjoyed sharing my birthday with our family and many cherished friends both old and new. Despite my request for no gifts several people gave me some funds tucked into cards.
After reflection I feel inspired to offer those gifts to provide for a craftsperson to build a new altar for St Clare’s Chapel of Hope at Elm Grove Sanctuary. Sadly, the chapel had been neglected and stripped of all content by the time that Pete and Sarah took over ownership.
Should you wish to contribute funds towards the restoration of the Chapel, or any other needed restoration work, our Elm Grove Trust has decided to open an appeal in support of this.
Donations can be made to: EGS Project A/c BSB 032 766 A/c No: 13 9061
Please specify ‘Chapel and Restoration work’ and email your details for receipting purposes to egstrust2@gmail.com
Photo of Clare’s Chapel from 1998
by admin | May 12, 2026 | Articles, Newsletter
After just a few months here and a lot of hard work, self-doubt and feeling overwhelmed, God came through with a strong response this weekend. Remembering Sister Laurel’s message, ‘Elm Grove will not fail’, we got to experience a taste of this. We had the blessing of my “Men Alive” friends come to do a full-on working bee over the Anzac Day long weekend.
They achieved what would have taken me at least a month to achieve with fellowship, prayer and great food and drink. One guy who left on Sunday morning felt the need to come back because he ‘was just sad leaving’, so he brought his wife and her friends back to join us that evening.
Fr Dave from the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) celebrated mass in St Clare’s chapel (our first mass) and Sar and I couldn’t stop the tears. A chapel with 26 people, feeling the Spirit moving, and us knowing very deeply that this is exactly where we are supposed to be and what this is all about.
This is just the beginning. Imagine hundreds coming to connect with what is most important – our true selves – and of letting the shadows go! Sar and I have no idea on the ‘How’. But God is showing us glimpses of what might just be possible for Elm Grove into the future. We will do our best to say Yes.
Please pray for us. An awesome weekend, thank you God!
(MGL is a Roman Catholic religious contemplative community of priests, brothers, and sisters that came into being in Canberra, Australia in 1986, founded by Fr Ken Baker who was inspired by St Francis of Assisi during a visit to Umbria, Italy in 2000. He founded the Young Men of God Movement to reach out and empower young men with the love of God and to encourage them to become leaders within their own communities; maximise the talents God has given them; and realise their full potential.)
by admin | May 12, 2026 | Newsletter, Poetry
Photo by Peter Sands
Given that SE Australia has just been subjected to mid-April highland snow, followed by a record-breaking May heat-wave I revisited the following I first wrote in April over 20 years ago …
Autumn has been warm, a lingering of summer beyond the end of late evenings into the shortening days which herald the coming of winter. Calm sunny days have been interspersed with short periods of gales and frigid showers, the precursors of winter.
One morning, as I examined the weather map in the paper, I sensed a tension in the air, as if a great battle is being enacted out across the spaciousness of these Southern lands and oceans …
The Gods of Summer and Winter are battling
for a change of the seasons.
It’s Autumn!
A high-pressure ridge extends down the eastern seaboard.
At its centre there is calm, a balmy and benign peace.
Lows to the south-west thrust fronts northwards,
with jagged fangs threatening
the bitter bite of Winter’s cold.
For now, hot strong winds roar from the north,
the sun desiccates the land, fires burn.
The God of Summer exerts a last tenuous hold!
But inexorably, inevitably, change will come.
As the wind strengthens, clouds gather
around the mountain behind the city.
Suddenly, the wind ceases!
A warm, humid and clammy hand descends
on the landscape, adding to a deepening dusk.
With the fading of the light the wind shifts – to the south!
Icy squalls race up the river while
freezing showers dash down the mountain valleys
and across the city.
Diners and theatre goers exit their warm shelter,
collars turned up against Winter’s bite,
and hurry homewards as another cycle
begins in an interminable battle,
a see-sawing quest for balance between
irreconcilable and incompatible opposites.
Thoughts turn to the Winter months ahead,
with long nights, dull days, and bitter winds,
or to the times of four seasons in one day
when south-westerlies rule our lives,
cleansing the air we breath, and our hearts.
A time when Earth retreats into herself,
a time for reflection, renewal,
and the reconciliation of opposites.
Peter Sands
Late April 1994 and 2026.
Photo by Peter Sands
by admin | May 12, 2026 | Articles, Newsletter
“Come, Come, Whoever you are Ours is not a caravan of despair Come, Come, Whoever you are This caravan has no despair. Even though you have broken your vow perhaps ten thousand times Yet come again, come again, whoever you are whoever you are, come Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, come Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving”
These words by the 13th century poet Jalaluddin Rumi formed the opening to an event at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney under the banner of ‘In the Service of Peace’. The event was an interfaith gathering in response to events being witnessed in the middle east and elsewhere and was hosted by Dr Stephanie Dowrick who is well known as an author, publisher and psychotherapist and who is also an interfaith minister.
Addressing those gathered in the church, Stephanie Dowrick spoke of the challenges facing humanity at this point in time. The response to these challenges requires courage and the support of community, and what can enable these qualities to thrive is joy. So, the event was a celebration of the joy to be found in poetry and music.
Poetry included the reciting of works by Sufi poets such as Rumi, a 13th century Persian mystic whose words resonate with timeless authenticity. Music formed a backdrop but also came to the fore with a performance of a guitar piece from 9th century Moorish Spain. A pair of soprano voices rang through the church and came together to bring the event towards a close performing the Flower Duet from Lakme by Delibes.
It was an altogether uplifting event and a source of joy and inspiration. Stepping out onto the noise and busy-ness of Pitt Street I somehow felt a little lighter, and my step was imbued with a sense of hope.
People for Peace
A week later I attended another event at Pitt St Uniting Church. This time the event was hosted by Standing Together Sydney and brought together speakers, musicians and community members to promote peace in a region that is currently riven by violence.
The ‘Standing Together’ movement is a grassroots movement based in Israel that seeks to bring about peace, equality, social and climate justice for Palestinians, Israelis, Jews and Arabs.
Speakers came from different backgrounds and faiths including Israel, Lebanon, Hindu and Moslem. Once again, music played an important part of the event. In the midst of conflict, music is seen as a way of bringing people together and the performances were beautiful and exceptionally moving. From an Arab lullaby to songs written and performed in response to genocide and war they both soothed and inspired a sense of deep respect for those facing the horrors of war.
A young Israeli man spoke of hope, but not just hope…hope that is accompanied by courage and the resolve to bring about lasting peace. And peace is not just the absence of war but the flourishing of culture and joy.
And once again, after being inspired by the stories shared and experiencing the joy of music, as I stepped out of the church, I too was able to feel a sense of hope.