Members of the Wellspring Community seek to discover and promote new ways of sustainable living as an expression of our caring for God's creation.

Lisa Wriley is the contact person for the area of concern we call Sustainability.

Lisa said “I teach children and adults about compost, worms and avoiding waste. I am trained as a primary school teacher and Earthworks trainer. Earth works is a community course in 'living with less waste'. I have been involved since 2003 in the development of a community garden in Kariong www.kariongecogarden.org.au Rev. Penny Jones blessed the garden when it first began.

We are connected to the earth - in a physical and a spiritual way. We can't live without what the earth provides. Yet, in our modern affluent lives we are so unconnected with the earth - climate control, microwaves, electronic stuff, mobile phones, plastic products, fashion, clothes, food that travels miles and miles to get to us. We have invented the concept of “disposable”. We use things we don't know how to make or fix. We bury our waste in the ground. We poison the air and the water - what we do to the earth we are doing to ourselves.”

“My passion is treading lightly on this sacred earth. .... I want to leave the planet in a better way than when I arrived.”

— Lisa Wriley

Sustainability - caring for the sacred natural order in 2026

On November 28th 2025 Seven Environment Protection Reform Bills were passed by the Federal Government. This was followed by the publication of the first group of regulations and standards which will determine how the reforms work in practise. These were open for public response.

In January 2026 Members and friends of Wellspring sent in responses. They are below.

The amended standards and regulations will published for comment in March/April 2026. If you would like to be involved in this process contact wellspringcommunity2022@gmail.com

Submission 1

Submission 2

Submission 3

Compost Theology

All the dead unwanted things are put together and transformed by micro-organisms and earth worms, earwigs and slaters to become something beautiful and life giving. There is no death in nature - eternal cycles of elements. Water we drink today has been going around since life began on our planet. When it all seems too much I sometimes think of this.

Maybe earthworms are like God. Transforming all our mess and chaos into something beautiful, this kind of compost theology gives me hope to keep going with my work. God will work for good through the things we do.

Reflections

"How necessary it is for monks to work in the fields, in the rain in the sun, in the mud, in the clay 'in the wind. These are our spiritual directors and our novice masters. They form our contemplation. They instil us with virtue. They make us as stable as the land we live in."
Thomas Merton - " When the Trees say Nothing"

"Australians are looking to ways of bringing the Australian landscape into their spirituality: to come home to this land's spiritually and so to complete the sea crossing they or their ancestors have made form other homelands. It is only to be accepted that they look to Aboriginal spirituality in their quest. This was a spirituality (the Law, the Dreaming) which evolved in the landscape, over thousands of years, and which was expressed in practice, in story, in art and in ceremony by those who were part of the landscape. There is no question of appropriating the Dreaming but rather of taking up the cue from Aborigines themselves that the Law can be read from the landscape."
Eugene Stockton - "Mysticism in the Australian Environment" p. 13-14

A Few Great Books

The Lorax by Dr Seuss,” Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot..”
The Sknuks by Colin Thiele
Uno's Garden by Graeme Base - one day the people realized thee were no trees left
'You are the Earth' by David Suzuki and 'The Sacred Balance' for grown ups.

Buy or borrow these books and read them with children - talk about them - be inspired and change your lives to tread lightly on the earth.

The Earthcare Game

Created by Lisa Wriley from Wellspring Community, the EARTHCARE/CONSERVATION game is a fun way to explore the many ways we can care for the earth, connect with nature and help conserve the planet's resources.

Take small steps to save the planet and earn points. Make a mess, waste energy or water and lose points. I CARE cards help you do good things. Suitable for 6 - 106 year olds.

Australian made, the BOX game pieces are made of recycled cardboard, clay, and smooth upcycled glass and aluminium. The CLOTH game pieces are made of recycled cardboard, clay, smooth upcycled glass and aluminium and sustainably sourced wood.

The EARTHCARE/ CONSERVATION game is a re-invention of a beautiful 1976 NZ board game called CONSERVATION.

SHOP HERE