It is with deep sadness we acknowledge the recent passing of our Director and Treasurer, Stuart Absalom on Saturday 29^th August, 2026, aged 79 years.

Stuart was appointed a director of our charity on 23^rd 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