Main Centre

• Ethos
• Rhythm of Day and Week
• Property plan and photos
• What you can Do
• Costs of stay (incl. low cost option)
• Conditions of Stay

Ethos

Silver Wattle is a living community with an atmosphere of prayer, simplicity and gratitude before God, and that embodies Quaker practice in all its aspects and activities

We assume everyone is becoming more deeply part of a spiritual community, whether as a family, a faith community or a country

We are willing to encounter inwardly the Indigenous spirituality and care of this land and its peoples.

We are working to model a way of life that is spiritually, physically, environmentally, and economically sustainable in Australia

The aim is to create a transforming community not just a school.

Community life

We are a spiritual and practical community. We hold daily worship and evening epilogue for everyone staying with us. Meals need to be booked in advance. We welcome everyone to share in the life of this faith community and to use the Centre’s facilities including the library and wireless internet. When leaving, we ask guests to clean their room and bathroom, so it is ready for the next guest.

Rhythm of the day and week

We value a regular rhythm of prayer, work, study and reflection.

Each day has a regular rhythm

Most weeks include a silent time from Wednesday lunch to Meeting for Worship on Thursday. This means that Wednesday evening meal and Thursday breakfast are in silence.

The Resident Elder or Course leader will help guide you in and out of this period of quiet community.

What You Can Do

• Come and stay for your own reflective time
• Spend time for healing or restoration
• A time for writing, research or creativity
• Attend courses :
  • Quaker Heritage : History, Faith and Practice, Theology
  • Spiritual Life, prayer and study, including directed silent retreats
  • Creativity, including arts, music and writing
  • Preparation for active ministry and witness
  • Practical skills for sustainable living

Prayer and Contemplation

You use the form of prayer or meditation which is most helpful for you. We also prefer everyone join us the community’s daily morning Meeting for Worship and evening Epilogue, though will understand that there are times when people need to be alone.

Study & Reflection

Whether you bring your own study material or allow yourself time in the Library, we encourage participants, visitors and staff to spend time in personal reflection. The Resident Elder is available if you would like some spiritual companionship.

Work

We invite participants to help with food preparation, gardening, cleaning, administration and general maintenance, according to each person’s capabilities.

Walks

The property has scope for extensive walks – onto the dry lake bed, along the shoreline or up the hills. It is a spacious and natural environment with abundant birds and other wildlife.

Please be careful. Silver Wattle is in a rural environment and there is uneven ground, and possibly snakes in the warm months. Wear stout footware and long pants. Take a hat and sunscreen. Take care. Enjoy yourself.

Costs of Stay & Low Cost Option

Course costs are given in the Registration form

The normal rate for full Board and Accommodation is $77/ night single room, $66/night double or twin share room

Low cost stays and Contributary work

We also offer a specially-low residential rate with full-board, in return for 2-3 hours ‘contributary work’ per day. Residents are asked to work in the gardens, clean public areas or do general maintenance of the property. The base rate of $22 per night has been calculated to cover basic costs over the year, including rates and utilities.

*As we are a spiritual community, everyone (including campers) is offered use of in-house facilities, and invited to participate in worship and community life.

Meals at midday and early evening may be booked in advance $16.50 / $8.25

Conditions of Stay

Booking conditions

1. We cannot accommodate pets other than certified guide dogs.
2. All buildings are non-smoking areas and no alcohol or recreational drugs are allowed on site.
3. Our refunds policy is given in the registration form. No refund is available if you cancel less than 48 hours before the course or retreat begins, if you do not come, or if your leave early for any reason. You may like to consider taking out your own cancellation insurance.
4. The SWQC reserves the right to cancel any course or retreat at any time. This would normally be because the course leader has become unable to lead the course, or because the course has too few registrants. As a general rule, 5 registrants is the minimum viable number. If a course is cancelled, the participant will receive a full refund, or may transfer a registration to another course which has a vacancy.
5. Those with special needs are given special consideration in the allocation of rooms. The number of single rooms is limited and they are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who ask for a single room but cannot be given one, may cancel and receive a full refund, or may transfer their registration to another course which has a vacancy and a single room is available.
6. Participants may arrive anytime during the first day, and are encouraged to come early to enjoy the site and to settle in. Rooms will be available from noon. A light lunch will be available and needs to be booked. Welcome and orientation to the site will be offered during the afternoon. The first group session of a course will normally take place after dinner (6-7pm) and before epilogue (9pm). The last session will normally take place after morning worship on the last day (9-10am) and departure will normally be after lunch (12.30pm).
7. Participants are asked to notify travel arrangements to the SWQC Administrator at least 1 week before arrival. Those arriving in Bungendore by train or bus, will be picked up and brought to the SWQC. Those arriving at Canberra airport will need to make their own arrangements or we can organize a transfer for $25/person each way. We will endeavour to put those arriving on the same day in touch with each other so together they may arrange to share a taxi or travel together on the train.
8. We ask each resident to help in the community work program, according to their capabilities.