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Origins Update 5th of November
AGM Chairpersons Comment
It’s been another successful year at Origins Centre, and we’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed in so many ways. The Dharma continues to live brightly here - through the shared practice, generosity, and care of all who come.
Coorain
Lots of whipper-snippering happening around the grounds at the moment! We’re also collecting rose petals for Peace Pagoda Day – please bring or contribute some if you can.
Landcare
We’ve made excellent progress on the phalaris grass across the hill, with caretakers and volunteers putting in a big effort over recent weeks. There are less thick patches remaining, and the landscape feels more open and cared for. Next up, we’ll be focusing on maintaining the fire breaks to ensure the property stays safe and well-prepared through the dry season ahead.
Natural Perspectives
The bushwalking season draws to a close this weekend with our final hikes of the year. Across the Spring season, 25 participants joined our adventures – some returning from Autumn journeys to deepen their practice. A wider community continues to flourish, with many staying connected beyond the trail. Whenever I travel to Perth, I aim to meet past participants for a day walk through the Kalamunda hills, keeping that thread of connection alive. In a broader sense, hiking is experiencing a surge of interest in 2025 – perhaps a collective response to the complexities and pressures of modern life. More than ever, people are seeking simplicity, presence, and the quietude of the wild.
Early Education Meeting
There’s going to be an Early Education Conference on December 10th here at Origins Centre. We’re opening this up to people with skills or experience in kindergarten, early learning, or teaching more broadly. If you’re curious or would like to be involved, please reach out – we’d love to hear from you.
Caretaker Advertisement
We’re putting the call out for new caretakers to join the Origins sangha. In exchange for residency and access to Dharma teachings, caretakers help maintain the grounds, share in the daily rhythms of the centre, and support its ongoing activities. We’re seeking people who have an interest in the Dharma and wish to deepen their practice while living and working in a supportive community. If this sounds like you – or you’d like to learn more – please contact [email protected].
2026 Retreats
We are approaching the new year with a strong and dedicated cohort of course providers forming the foundation of next years weekend retreats. Each brings years of experience, authenticity, and care to their offerings – from mindfulness and movement to creative arts and poetry. Together, they hold the spirit of the Centre through the changing seasons, ensuring a rich and balanced calendar of retreats and workshops. Spaces for new facilitators and fresh collaborations are also being considered, as we continue to evolve and open to what wishes to emerge. Stay tuned to our updates as the year’s schedule takes fuller shape.
Reptiles
Snakes are around and moving, along with the bobtails. We advise everyone to be observant and shut doors behind them. We ask people to be careful in the long grasses and thickets, and when driving along the gravel road. Respect to the reptiles.
Thanks
- Deb for her help with the archive and assisting Adam
- Peter for his work in maintaining the Peace Pagoda
- Chan for refurbishing the T-umbrella of the rotunda. Chan represents the Mon community of Western Australia, who deeply value the rotunda and its cultural significance.
- Lynne for her ongoing work with bookkeeping
- All participants and teachers who financially support the operations of Origins
- Callum for his three week stay. His creative presence and helpfulness around the centre was deeply appreciated.
Upcoming Events at Origins
Mindfulness Weekend: 8th & 9th November
Mindfulness practice is in harmony with all others dedicated to developing an engaged and helpful way of living. The exercise at the core of Chim's mindfulness weekends is a brief meditative exercise for inner calm, awareness and transformation. Sessions are Saturday 9:30am and 3pm and Sunday 9:30am (three 90-minute sessions). To book accommodation, or for more information contact: [email protected]
Meditations on Nature Weekend with Sonam: 14th to 16th November
Explore traditional knowledge and meditation practices to enrich awareness and deepen our relationship with Buddha-nature and this living world. We walk, sit, yarn, share and practice together. For bookings, please complete the Registration Form or contact Sonam directly at [email protected]
Vajrayāna, Green Tara Retreat with Lama Sonam: 24th to 28th November at Coorain & Origins
Green Tara of the Acacia forests, the beloved female bodhisattva of Tibetan Buddhism. Symbol of the enlightened activity of compassionate care in the world. Vajrayāna is the Tibetan Tantric Vehicle, a body of teachings and practices aimed at awakening the good qualities of our humanity for the benefit of an all-inclusive Refuge. Retreat includes Wongkur, Sadhana meditation and nature-based activities. For bookings, please complete the Registration Form or contact Sonam directly at [email protected]
Elements of Dance Weekend with Jai: 28th to 30th November
Join us for an immersive weekend journey into movement, music, and nature ! Inspired by the wisdom of the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Over three nourishing days in the heart of the Balingup forest, we’ll embody the elements through dance, ritual, and nature connection. Together, we’ll explore the primal and the mindful, awakening the elements within and around us, and discovering how they shape our mind, body, and spirit. This retreat will be a beautiful balance of movement, creative expression, and deep restoration. Take the leap and join us for three nights of musical medicine, movement, and magic ! For more information and bookings, please contact Jai: [email protected]
Peace Pagoda Day - 7th of December
Join us on this day to celebrate the lineage connection and World Peace, which is always so very important, with a short ceremony and walking around the stupa with water and flower blessings and adding our own prayers for World Peace. If you would like to stay at Origins, please contact: [email protected]
*A gentle reminder - please care for others and yourself, and do not attend Origins if you are feeling unwell, especially with cold or flu symptoms. Thankyou!
Weekend Retreats & Dana Deposit to Confirm Booking
A wonderful balance of health, art, nature and mindfulness with these weekend retreats. Appreciation to everyone for contributing to such a vibrant centre full of good energy and creativity.
We will be asking people planning on attending retreats to make a $80 - $120 non refundable contribution to your dana for accommodation to confirm your booking ($100 for the May and September retreats).
Regular Program and Services
Mindfulness Sessions on fb streaming
Live practice stream including commentary.
Venue: Coorain – Balingup, and Facebook
Time: Tuesdays from 9.10 - 9.50am with Chime, and Fridays - 7.30am to 8.30am with Anne
Daily Mindfulness in the Rotunda
Mondays - Fridays, 7:30am - 8am, you are welcome to join Kip for a mindfulness session in the Rotunda.
All teaching done by Origins is supported by donations which go to benefit the work of Origins Centre.
Please deposit your donation to:
Teachers Account: BSB: 066 504 Account: 1012 8642
or Teacher Paypal: https://paypal.me/chimshore?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU
or Back of House Account: BSB: 633 000 Account: 209 373 331
or Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KD9YH2ZP7WG7S
Coorain Virtual Library
Take a look at this great resource - https://tinyurl.com/y48dah3e
Donations: We are a charitable organization and your donations make the difference! If you would like to support us financially, our bank details are:
Origins Centre
BSB 066504 Account Number: 10017993
PayPal account http://www.originscentre.org/support-origins.html
Origins Centre Coorain Account
BSB 066504 Account Number: 10056415
Rumtek Nuns Support
If you are able to help support the Nuns, please follow the below link to our website for bank account and Paypal details:
http://www.originscentre.org/support-rumtek-nunnery.html
Or to go directly to Paypal (please choose 'Nuns Support' from the drop down box):
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BHQV666ECL6ZC
GOVERNANCE
The Origins Committee of Management has full responsibility for all administration, management, landcare, finance, maintenance, media and teaching at OC and Coorain. The responsibility is represented on-site by committee members or on-site duty managers. Many friends help. OC is a registered, charitable not-for-profit NGO that offers its services, land and infrastructure on a donation basis. Origins is run and used by volunteers and supported by core paid work.
AGM
Present: Chim Shore, Anne Clark, Shavi Klaphake, Rosemary Kelly, Kip Cameron, Adam Shore, Sondra Noonan
Zoom: Sonam Hackett, Melinda Tupling
Apologies: Marissa Stern
Guests: Paul, Jai, Pat, Malli, Sierra
1. Apologies (as above)
2. Confirm Minutes of last AGM
Move to accept: Adam Seconded: Chim
3. Review Finances
Thankyou to Lynne for preparing the finance report for YE 30.06.25.
October reconciliation - balances as at 31.10.25
CBA: $24193.54
Bendigo Bank: $2414.21
Move to accept: Anne Seconded: Shavi
4. Nomination for committee
-Sonam Hackett has requested to join the Origins Centre committee, and is nominated by Chim Shore. All present in favour.
Moved: Anne Seconded: Kip
-Resolution to remove Joshua Wilson from the committee.
Moved: Chim Seconded: Sondra
Election of Office Bearers
Chair: Bryan (Chim) Shore Deputy Chair: Adam Shore
Treasurer: Anne Clark Secretary: Sondra Noonan
Committee members: Kip Cameron, Zita (Shavi) Klaphake, Melinda Tupling, Rosemary Kelly, Marissa Stern, Ian (Sonam) Hackett
Proposal that the committee has a Landcare officer and that Sonam Hackett fill that role.
Moved: Sondra Seconded: Rosemary
Next meeting: 1pm, 19th of November 25
Thank you everyone,
Team Origins
AGM Chairpersons Comment
It’s been another successful year at Origins Centre, and we’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed in so many ways. The Dharma continues to live brightly here - through the shared practice, generosity, and care of all who come.
Coorain
Lots of whipper-snippering happening around the grounds at the moment! We’re also collecting rose petals for Peace Pagoda Day – please bring or contribute some if you can.
Landcare
We’ve made excellent progress on the phalaris grass across the hill, with caretakers and volunteers putting in a big effort over recent weeks. There are less thick patches remaining, and the landscape feels more open and cared for. Next up, we’ll be focusing on maintaining the fire breaks to ensure the property stays safe and well-prepared through the dry season ahead.
Natural Perspectives
The bushwalking season draws to a close this weekend with our final hikes of the year. Across the Spring season, 25 participants joined our adventures – some returning from Autumn journeys to deepen their practice. A wider community continues to flourish, with many staying connected beyond the trail. Whenever I travel to Perth, I aim to meet past participants for a day walk through the Kalamunda hills, keeping that thread of connection alive. In a broader sense, hiking is experiencing a surge of interest in 2025 – perhaps a collective response to the complexities and pressures of modern life. More than ever, people are seeking simplicity, presence, and the quietude of the wild.
Early Education Meeting
There’s going to be an Early Education Conference on December 10th here at Origins Centre. We’re opening this up to people with skills or experience in kindergarten, early learning, or teaching more broadly. If you’re curious or would like to be involved, please reach out – we’d love to hear from you.
Caretaker Advertisement
We’re putting the call out for new caretakers to join the Origins sangha. In exchange for residency and access to Dharma teachings, caretakers help maintain the grounds, share in the daily rhythms of the centre, and support its ongoing activities. We’re seeking people who have an interest in the Dharma and wish to deepen their practice while living and working in a supportive community. If this sounds like you – or you’d like to learn more – please contact [email protected].
2026 Retreats
We are approaching the new year with a strong and dedicated cohort of course providers forming the foundation of next years weekend retreats. Each brings years of experience, authenticity, and care to their offerings – from mindfulness and movement to creative arts and poetry. Together, they hold the spirit of the Centre through the changing seasons, ensuring a rich and balanced calendar of retreats and workshops. Spaces for new facilitators and fresh collaborations are also being considered, as we continue to evolve and open to what wishes to emerge. Stay tuned to our updates as the year’s schedule takes fuller shape.
Reptiles
Snakes are around and moving, along with the bobtails. We advise everyone to be observant and shut doors behind them. We ask people to be careful in the long grasses and thickets, and when driving along the gravel road. Respect to the reptiles.
Thanks
- Deb for her help with the archive and assisting Adam
- Peter for his work in maintaining the Peace Pagoda
- Chan for refurbishing the T-umbrella of the rotunda. Chan represents the Mon community of Western Australia, who deeply value the rotunda and its cultural significance.
- Lynne for her ongoing work with bookkeeping
- All participants and teachers who financially support the operations of Origins
- Callum for his three week stay. His creative presence and helpfulness around the centre was deeply appreciated.
Upcoming Events at Origins
Mindfulness Weekend: 8th & 9th November
Mindfulness practice is in harmony with all others dedicated to developing an engaged and helpful way of living. The exercise at the core of Chim's mindfulness weekends is a brief meditative exercise for inner calm, awareness and transformation. Sessions are Saturday 9:30am and 3pm and Sunday 9:30am (three 90-minute sessions). To book accommodation, or for more information contact: [email protected]
Meditations on Nature Weekend with Sonam: 14th to 16th November
Explore traditional knowledge and meditation practices to enrich awareness and deepen our relationship with Buddha-nature and this living world. We walk, sit, yarn, share and practice together. For bookings, please complete the Registration Form or contact Sonam directly at [email protected]
Vajrayāna, Green Tara Retreat with Lama Sonam: 24th to 28th November at Coorain & Origins
Green Tara of the Acacia forests, the beloved female bodhisattva of Tibetan Buddhism. Symbol of the enlightened activity of compassionate care in the world. Vajrayāna is the Tibetan Tantric Vehicle, a body of teachings and practices aimed at awakening the good qualities of our humanity for the benefit of an all-inclusive Refuge. Retreat includes Wongkur, Sadhana meditation and nature-based activities. For bookings, please complete the Registration Form or contact Sonam directly at [email protected]
Elements of Dance Weekend with Jai: 28th to 30th November
Join us for an immersive weekend journey into movement, music, and nature ! Inspired by the wisdom of the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Over three nourishing days in the heart of the Balingup forest, we’ll embody the elements through dance, ritual, and nature connection. Together, we’ll explore the primal and the mindful, awakening the elements within and around us, and discovering how they shape our mind, body, and spirit. This retreat will be a beautiful balance of movement, creative expression, and deep restoration. Take the leap and join us for three nights of musical medicine, movement, and magic ! For more information and bookings, please contact Jai: [email protected]
Peace Pagoda Day - 7th of December
Join us on this day to celebrate the lineage connection and World Peace, which is always so very important, with a short ceremony and walking around the stupa with water and flower blessings and adding our own prayers for World Peace. If you would like to stay at Origins, please contact: [email protected]
*A gentle reminder - please care for others and yourself, and do not attend Origins if you are feeling unwell, especially with cold or flu symptoms. Thankyou!
Weekend Retreats & Dana Deposit to Confirm Booking
A wonderful balance of health, art, nature and mindfulness with these weekend retreats. Appreciation to everyone for contributing to such a vibrant centre full of good energy and creativity.
We will be asking people planning on attending retreats to make a $80 - $120 non refundable contribution to your dana for accommodation to confirm your booking ($100 for the May and September retreats).
Regular Program and Services
Mindfulness Sessions on fb streaming
Live practice stream including commentary.
Venue: Coorain – Balingup, and Facebook
Time: Tuesdays from 9.10 - 9.50am with Chime, and Fridays - 7.30am to 8.30am with Anne
Daily Mindfulness in the Rotunda
Mondays - Fridays, 7:30am - 8am, you are welcome to join Kip for a mindfulness session in the Rotunda.
All teaching done by Origins is supported by donations which go to benefit the work of Origins Centre.
Please deposit your donation to:
Teachers Account: BSB: 066 504 Account: 1012 8642
or Teacher Paypal: https://paypal.me/chimshore?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU
or Back of House Account: BSB: 633 000 Account: 209 373 331
or Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KD9YH2ZP7WG7S
Coorain Virtual Library
Take a look at this great resource - https://tinyurl.com/y48dah3e
Donations: We are a charitable organization and your donations make the difference! If you would like to support us financially, our bank details are:
Origins Centre
BSB 066504 Account Number: 10017993
PayPal account http://www.originscentre.org/support-origins.html
Origins Centre Coorain Account
BSB 066504 Account Number: 10056415
Rumtek Nuns Support
If you are able to help support the Nuns, please follow the below link to our website for bank account and Paypal details:
http://www.originscentre.org/support-rumtek-nunnery.html
Or to go directly to Paypal (please choose 'Nuns Support' from the drop down box):
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BHQV666ECL6ZC
GOVERNANCE
The Origins Committee of Management has full responsibility for all administration, management, landcare, finance, maintenance, media and teaching at OC and Coorain. The responsibility is represented on-site by committee members or on-site duty managers. Many friends help. OC is a registered, charitable not-for-profit NGO that offers its services, land and infrastructure on a donation basis. Origins is run and used by volunteers and supported by core paid work.
AGM
Present: Chim Shore, Anne Clark, Shavi Klaphake, Rosemary Kelly, Kip Cameron, Adam Shore, Sondra Noonan
Zoom: Sonam Hackett, Melinda Tupling
Apologies: Marissa Stern
Guests: Paul, Jai, Pat, Malli, Sierra
1. Apologies (as above)
2. Confirm Minutes of last AGM
Move to accept: Adam Seconded: Chim
3. Review Finances
Thankyou to Lynne for preparing the finance report for YE 30.06.25.
October reconciliation - balances as at 31.10.25
CBA: $24193.54
Bendigo Bank: $2414.21
Move to accept: Anne Seconded: Shavi
4. Nomination for committee
-Sonam Hackett has requested to join the Origins Centre committee, and is nominated by Chim Shore. All present in favour.
Moved: Anne Seconded: Kip
-Resolution to remove Joshua Wilson from the committee.
Moved: Chim Seconded: Sondra
Election of Office Bearers
Chair: Bryan (Chim) Shore Deputy Chair: Adam Shore
Treasurer: Anne Clark Secretary: Sondra Noonan
Committee members: Kip Cameron, Zita (Shavi) Klaphake, Melinda Tupling, Rosemary Kelly, Marissa Stern, Ian (Sonam) Hackett
Proposal that the committee has a Landcare officer and that Sonam Hackett fill that role.
Moved: Sondra Seconded: Rosemary
Next meeting: 1pm, 19th of November 25
Thank you everyone,
Team Origins
