About

Origins Centre
PO Box 161
Balingup WA 6253
Australia

phone: (08) 9764 1109

email: origins@iinet.net.au

153-157 Jayes Road, Balingup

http://origins.mysouthwest.com.au

We are a respite/retreat/activity centre governed by Origins Centrein Western Australia, a charitable not-for-profit NGO founded in 1983.

Situated on 10 acres the Centre is surrounded by beautiful gardens, trees and native bush and is on the Bibbulmun Track and Balingup Brook.

We welcome all for respite, retreat and personal or group activity: yoga groups, health groups, meditation, carers/caring organisations, bush walkers, activists, environmental or school/youth groups, art groups and individuals – all have used Origins. There is a resident Manager and Caretaker.

We try to maintain an ethos that’s friendly, helpful and cooperative.

Our amenities, accommodation and facilitiesare available on a donationbasis.

Origins Centre is a drug and alcohol free zone.

Origins Centre also governs Coorain, a special interest Buddhist residence located on the adjoining property.

Origins Centre

Origins Centre (OC) is governed and run by a local management group with the indispensable help of many friends. We are dedicated, like so many others, to furthering the common good.

All the costs and needs of Origins Centre have always been met by freely given support (dana),whether as labour, work-in-kind, financial donations or fundraisers. Although we used to have some income from accommodation, that is now on a donation basis as well.

In 1983 the Origins property was generously donated to a local WA group interested in Buddhistideas and practices. Although retreats and Buddhist study groups have always been held here, it has now evolved into a universal, inclusive and practical place open to the community. Many interests seek to contribute to the common good, and all are welcome.

Activities and training, retreats and respite are the major general themes at OC so far. Individuals, families and groups seeking time out; environmental art and regeneration groups; mental health and carers groups, youth, children’s play-groups, work for the dole, musical recitals, rehearsals and recordings; field days & walkers from the Bibbulmun track, mindfulness, yoga and meditation…are some of the varied things that go on. Over the years, since the founding of OC in 1983, kids have been very much a part of its cultural fabric.

Our amenities are built using the timbers from the old Bunbury wharf. Our meeting ‘rotunda’ was originally at Greylands Hospital in Perth. The beautiful World Peace Pagoda here was built with friends from the WA Myanmar (Burmese) community. In 2006, Origins was fortunate to gain a Lotterywest grant which, combined with the great effort and generosity of many friends and well-wishers, resulted in needed improvements which included a manager’s residence, separate office, composting toilets, upgrading our water collection capabilities and renovating the caretaker’s room.

For more than 25 years the Origins Centre has been settling and growing – with a bit of luck we should be around for a while more.

Facilities

We have facilities to accommodate up to 18 people in rooms. There are 8 rooms – 6 double with 2 single beds in each; 2 family rooms with 1 single bed and bunk beds. Accommodation includes space on site for two or three tents. The communal kitchen, dining and lounge areas are comfortable and homely. The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering.Guests are required to bring their own food, as well as sheets, pillowcases and blankets or sleeping bags. Remember it can be quite cool at night in the southwest.

The facility and grounds are actively maintained by a live-in Caretaker and Manager. Anyone who uses the Centre shares some responsibility for general domestic care and maintenance. People help in a way that best suits them.

Donation (Dana)

Origins Centre runs on a philosophy of mutual respect, support and goodwill, known as dana, which governs the way we operate.As a non-profit, private organisation we rely on the goodwill of the community and those staying here. Dana doesn’t only mean donation or money – it expresses both giving and receiving. The idea of course, has it’s roots deep in human culture, both freedom and responsibility are classically involved. Dana enables individuals and groups to support each other in a flexible, inclusive way.

At Origins dana has provided everything, both support for the Centre’s physical development and support for people and the environment.

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