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Origins Update 30th of June
It’s been a busy and fruitful six months. As July approaches, the Centre will take a pause—giving everyone a chance to rest, recoup, and enjoy a well-earned break.
In the background, Origins is steadily transitioning toward a more collective model of onsite governance, as Chime steps back with age. Kip is now taking on management of the hill, volunteering coordination, and elements of general oversight. Sonam has been offering much of the Dharma teaching and is now also guiding bush regeneration supervision. If we can bring this vision to fruition, it will lay a stronger foundation for the Centre’s future—offering greater stability and a more resilient approach to stewardship.
Coorain
Friends,
Winter is here and we close the centre for July, to catch up on maintenance and will open again on the 1st August 2025. This is a time for renewal and maintenance at the centre.
Origins Centre and Coorain have been hosting Yvonne and Reto, who have been working hard and finishing jobs and new projects during their month stay, including retreats. Go well on your travels home and your future events. Thank you for your dedication and generosity, we really appreciate it.
SEPTEMBER RETREAT: 24TH to OCTOBER 2ND 2025
We have had to make a change to dates for the September Retreat - it will now run from arrival on the afternoon of 24th September, to lunch time on Thursday 2nd October. Bookings are now open for this retreat with Chime Shore. Contact [email protected] for bookings and enquiries.
THANKS:
We would like to thank Tanya for purchasing the cloths and crafts from Sikkim for our shop. It is filled with colourful bags, wraps and other items. Our shop helps us to support both Origins Centre and the The Nuns of the Karmapa, a project we have supported since the 1990's. If you have any craft or items to donate to this project contact Anne x
KINDY:
Will be closed for July. The next Kindy begins again on Wednesday 6th August, see you then! Enjoy the school holidays, be safe, well and happy.
Coorain Shrine
Births, deaths, and other major life events touch all of us. Often, people wish to mark these moments in connection with the Dharma, and to include the shrine as a gesture of respect. In recent months, there have been a number of such requests. Coorain continues to offer prayers and guidance for these transitions, bringing a sense of presence to those who seek it.
Natural Perspectives
A big thank you to everyone who joined the Natural Perspectives hikes throughout autumn. It was a beautiful season on the Bibbulmun Track—full of connection, movement, and reflection. Next up: Natural Perspectives heads to the Larapinta Trail this July for an adventure of a lifetime. Kip will be walking with fellow caretaker Frieda and two others, journeying into the heart of the desert in deep companionship with country.
Volunteering
The centre will be closed for retreat in July, but there will still be work happening behind the scenes. If you’d like to volunteer your time, please get in touch with Chime at [email protected] or Kip at [email protected]. Many hands make light work, and we’re always looking for ways to broaden the sangha.
Thanks
- Anna - for her help and care with Origins, maintenance and kindy. Go well on your continuing journey.
- Melinda - A heartfelt thank you to Melinda for all the work she’s done over the years managing bookings. Her care and steady presence have supported many people in finding their way to the Centre. Melinda will now be stepping away from this role, and we’re deeply grateful for all she’s offered along the way.
- Frieda - for absorbing Anna’s work and maintaining her diligence for caring with Origins.
- Peter - for settling in to the pagoda care.
- Reto & Yvonne - for their endless generosity. They have made swinging doors for the mens showers, worked on Chime’s cabin, fixed plumbing leeks on tushita, as well as much path work.
- Jai - for offering to volunteer as well as doing work.
- Kai - for volunteering in July
- Andrew - for coming to care for the centre whilst Kip is away
- Candy and Anne - for renewing the shop. It’s looking very clean and organised.
- Marcel - for his work in supporting Reto, and other work he did around the centre.
- Nathan - for fixing the alcove doors
- Toby - for taking on the maintenance of the rotunda roof
Upcoming Events at Origins
Mindfulness Weekend with Chim - 9th & 10th August
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]
Poetry Weekend : Private booking - 16th & 17th Aug
Yoga and Walking Weekend with Frieda - 30th & 31st Aug
This weekend is fully booked.
September Retreat: 24th to 2nd October
This retreat is mainly for people who have some experience with meditation. If you have attended a weekend with Chime previously, that is very helpful. The retreat is quiet and more concentrated than the weekends. People are asked to bring other activities that interest them, such as art, craft or study. The "setting up of mindfulness" is compatible with other modalities such as physical movement, art and academic study.
For bookings and information, 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 - 9.40am with Chime, and Fridays - 7.30am to 8.30am with Anne
Daily Mindfulness in the Rotunda - returns in August
Mondays - Fridays, 7:30am - 8am, Josh and Kip do a mindfulness session in the Rotunda. You are welcome to join them, and stay for a cuppa afterwards.
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.
Present: Chim Shore, Anne Clark, Josh Wilson, Kip Cameron, Sondra Noonan
Apologies: Rosemary, Shavi, Melinda, Adam
Guests: Frieda
Minuted that $3000 was transferred to the Nuns on the 26th of June 2025.
Move to transfer $2000 from the CBA account to the Bendigo 'back of house' account. Moved: Sondra Seconded: Anne
Melinda would like someone else to take on the booking role, due to other commitments. Thanks to Melinda for her years of diligent work in this role.
Next meeting: 13th of August 2025 at Origins.
Thank you everyone,
Team Origins
It’s been a busy and fruitful six months. As July approaches, the Centre will take a pause—giving everyone a chance to rest, recoup, and enjoy a well-earned break.
In the background, Origins is steadily transitioning toward a more collective model of onsite governance, as Chime steps back with age. Kip is now taking on management of the hill, volunteering coordination, and elements of general oversight. Sonam has been offering much of the Dharma teaching and is now also guiding bush regeneration supervision. If we can bring this vision to fruition, it will lay a stronger foundation for the Centre’s future—offering greater stability and a more resilient approach to stewardship.
Coorain
Friends,
Winter is here and we close the centre for July, to catch up on maintenance and will open again on the 1st August 2025. This is a time for renewal and maintenance at the centre.
Origins Centre and Coorain have been hosting Yvonne and Reto, who have been working hard and finishing jobs and new projects during their month stay, including retreats. Go well on your travels home and your future events. Thank you for your dedication and generosity, we really appreciate it.
SEPTEMBER RETREAT: 24TH to OCTOBER 2ND 2025
We have had to make a change to dates for the September Retreat - it will now run from arrival on the afternoon of 24th September, to lunch time on Thursday 2nd October. Bookings are now open for this retreat with Chime Shore. Contact [email protected] for bookings and enquiries.
THANKS:
We would like to thank Tanya for purchasing the cloths and crafts from Sikkim for our shop. It is filled with colourful bags, wraps and other items. Our shop helps us to support both Origins Centre and the The Nuns of the Karmapa, a project we have supported since the 1990's. If you have any craft or items to donate to this project contact Anne x
KINDY:
Will be closed for July. The next Kindy begins again on Wednesday 6th August, see you then! Enjoy the school holidays, be safe, well and happy.
Coorain Shrine
Births, deaths, and other major life events touch all of us. Often, people wish to mark these moments in connection with the Dharma, and to include the shrine as a gesture of respect. In recent months, there have been a number of such requests. Coorain continues to offer prayers and guidance for these transitions, bringing a sense of presence to those who seek it.
Natural Perspectives
A big thank you to everyone who joined the Natural Perspectives hikes throughout autumn. It was a beautiful season on the Bibbulmun Track—full of connection, movement, and reflection. Next up: Natural Perspectives heads to the Larapinta Trail this July for an adventure of a lifetime. Kip will be walking with fellow caretaker Frieda and two others, journeying into the heart of the desert in deep companionship with country.
Volunteering
The centre will be closed for retreat in July, but there will still be work happening behind the scenes. If you’d like to volunteer your time, please get in touch with Chime at [email protected] or Kip at [email protected]. Many hands make light work, and we’re always looking for ways to broaden the sangha.
Thanks
- Anna - for her help and care with Origins, maintenance and kindy. Go well on your continuing journey.
- Melinda - A heartfelt thank you to Melinda for all the work she’s done over the years managing bookings. Her care and steady presence have supported many people in finding their way to the Centre. Melinda will now be stepping away from this role, and we’re deeply grateful for all she’s offered along the way.
- Frieda - for absorbing Anna’s work and maintaining her diligence for caring with Origins.
- Peter - for settling in to the pagoda care.
- Reto & Yvonne - for their endless generosity. They have made swinging doors for the mens showers, worked on Chime’s cabin, fixed plumbing leeks on tushita, as well as much path work.
- Jai - for offering to volunteer as well as doing work.
- Kai - for volunteering in July
- Andrew - for coming to care for the centre whilst Kip is away
- Candy and Anne - for renewing the shop. It’s looking very clean and organised.
- Marcel - for his work in supporting Reto, and other work he did around the centre.
- Nathan - for fixing the alcove doors
- Toby - for taking on the maintenance of the rotunda roof
Upcoming Events at Origins
Mindfulness Weekend with Chim - 9th & 10th August
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]
Poetry Weekend : Private booking - 16th & 17th Aug
Yoga and Walking Weekend with Frieda - 30th & 31st Aug
This weekend is fully booked.
September Retreat: 24th to 2nd October
This retreat is mainly for people who have some experience with meditation. If you have attended a weekend with Chime previously, that is very helpful. The retreat is quiet and more concentrated than the weekends. People are asked to bring other activities that interest them, such as art, craft or study. The "setting up of mindfulness" is compatible with other modalities such as physical movement, art and academic study.
For bookings and information, 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 - 9.40am with Chime, and Fridays - 7.30am to 8.30am with Anne
Daily Mindfulness in the Rotunda - returns in August
Mondays - Fridays, 7:30am - 8am, Josh and Kip do a mindfulness session in the Rotunda. You are welcome to join them, and stay for a cuppa afterwards.
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.
Present: Chim Shore, Anne Clark, Josh Wilson, Kip Cameron, Sondra Noonan
Apologies: Rosemary, Shavi, Melinda, Adam
Guests: Frieda
Minuted that $3000 was transferred to the Nuns on the 26th of June 2025.
Move to transfer $2000 from the CBA account to the Bendigo 'back of house' account. Moved: Sondra Seconded: Anne
Melinda would like someone else to take on the booking role, due to other commitments. Thanks to Melinda for her years of diligent work in this role.
Next meeting: 13th of August 2025 at Origins.
Thank you everyone,
Team Origins
