For many years the Abbey Community has dreamt of creating a centre where individuals or focused groups could retreat from the world for a short while and take time to explore their inner spiritual journey, and nurture body and soul. Initially the constructing of a purpose–built venue was considered, however, this was beyond the Community’s capacity. However, it was in early 2025 that the first steps to transform the Abbey House into the retreat centre commenced. At that stage the Abbey house was 51 years old and was in great need of some judicious TLC. With any renovations, as you can imagine, the first step is sorting through many bits and pieces that have been accumulated through the years and assessing whether to keep or throw out. This experience provides a wonderful lesson in “letting go”. This job was allocated to Sr Veronica, Fr George and Sr Maria.
With the sorting and decluttering complete, the first steps to renovate the bedrooms commenced. Nine rooms were repainted, new flooring installed and furniture and furnishings purchased. The Abbey House is based on an ancient Roman villa design, rectangular with a central courtyard. An interior verandah was also repainted, and the original wooden floor was sanded back, polished and sealed.
The Retreat centre features a common dining room (called the Refectory) and a modern kitchen, shower and toilet facilities, a reading room and library, as well as a lounge and a chapel. It also has a delightful outdoor verandah area for dining, meetings or discussion groups.
Bit by bit the house has been renovated in preparation of this new chapter in our Community’s story. But the transformation of the Community house has not yet been completed. The central courtyard, which has gone through several modifications over its history, is in desperate need of a facelift. With the help of volunteers, the area has been cleared in preparation for the installation of a gazebo over a raised meditation/meeting deck. There will be a raised walk from the verandah to the gazebo area for easy of access with steps into the garden space. The garden will feature the four elements with a water feature, a fire pit, an area where windchimes will be hung and a rock garden. This garden space in being designed to be a place of peace, inspiration and contemplation.
In September 2025, the Community hosted its first retreat, with attendees participating in a Rayid Spring Equinox program with participants coming from across the country and the facilitators from the USA. When starting a new venture there is always a concern about how things would work, and how the event would impact on the lives of our community members. But we are very pleased to share that the event was a success on all levels, and we look forward to hosting the Rayid group again this coming September.
With the completion of the centre garden courtyard, as the final phase of the Abbey house transformation, the Community Retreat centre is open for business. We look forward to running retreats and workshop and hosting groups who wish to use our venue to further the work of increasing love and light in the world, assisting individuals on their personal journey of wellbeing and spiritual awakening.