Since 1983 when she and her husband Edwin left their Sydney life and set up the Elm Grove Sanctuary, a retreat centre near Tumut, on the beautiful Goobarragandra River, she has worked to serve other people.  Laurel and Edwin have offered all who passed through their home or retreat centre - hospitality, refuge, counselling, workshops, fun and laughter. 

They especially supported indigenous people wherever they have lived and in return they formed a large and supportive network of people who have benefitted from their wisdom, knowledge and deep spiritual beliefs. 

In 1987 while resident at Elm Grove Sanctuary, Laurel and Edwin gifted the buildings and property in establishing the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust (EGST), which is a not-for-profit charity working as a centre for hope in an endeavour to improve the quality of life for people of all religions or none.

The Trust seeks to encourage a responsible attitude to the environment, support for all who are discriminated against, to work for social justice, the spiritual renewal of humanity and an holistic view of human health.

In 1991 Laurel and Edwin founded the first ecumenical Franciscan community in Australia the Little Followers of St Francis which has both single and married professed members and is a member of the Franciscan Federation of Australia. 

They were called to their Life Professions, along with Sister Mona Jeshua Tyler on April 9, 1994 by Sister Joanne Fitzsimons osc, Abbess General of the Order of Saint Clare and received by Archbishop Francis P. Carroll Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Archdiocese and Bishop George V. Browning Canberra and Goulburn Anglican Diocese.

It was a wonderful day of celebration as the lovely granite and mudbrick chapel of Saint Clare built by Edwin and Laurel and many willing helpers was also blessed on that day. Regular services are still held in this little chapel which welcomes all people. 

After 19 years of service at Elm Grove, Laurel and Edwin left the mountains in July, 2001 for ‘retirement’ in Bermagui.

Instead of retiring, they continued to offer Respite Care Programs for Carers and ran a bed and breakfast to provide funds so that the work of the  Sanctuary EGS Trust could continue.

Laurel, concerned at the plight of refugees set up the Bega Valley Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) and was on the National Executive of RAR. This resulted in Bega Valley Shire becoming the first ‘Welcome Town for Refugees’ in Australia and her invitation to speak at an international conference in San Francisco in 2004.

Laurel and Edwin, on behalf of the EGS Trust, also set up the Save our Bermagui Action Group (SOBAG), dedicated to preserving some of the beautiful environment of the area from development.

With a supportive group of local people SOBAG was successful in protecting the Meads Bay area of Wallaga Lake from destruction by developers.

As they were becoming exhausted by the demands of B&B life, Laurel's continuing social and counselling work in support of people facing challenge in their lives, along with Edwin's health needs they again decided to ‘retire’ moving to Dalmeny in 2008.

Edwin was then diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer, which required major surgery and a long recovery with Laurel's care and support.

Reopening of the Wallaga Lake Study Centre became a project of the EGS Trust in 2015. Although this was not meant to be a big commitment for Laurel it became so as she researched and successfully submitted applications for grants and ensured all the legal requirements for duty of care and child protection were in place.

This project continues as does the work of the trust supported by the board of directors who offer their time on a voluntary basis. 

The advancing years, constant demands placed on her time, and Edwin’s serious illness, have now suggested the time is really ripe to retire - on her third attempt.  Laurel will now devote her time to the need to care for Edwin, and herself.

However, the vision goes on, and Laurel and Edwin are working together to complete the inspiring Elm Grove Story, the story of their establishment of Elm Grove Sanctuary and the EGS Trust, and their subsequent lives of service.

Anyone interested to know more of the work of the trust or to become an associate member should contact: Stuart Absalom at shabsalom47@gmail.com or Sean Burke at burkesean53@gmail.com