>
Back
The Abbey of St Barnabas at A達eckett Park
A Centre for Spirituality and the Environment
TO THE RESIDENTS OF RAYMOND ISLAND
I write to invite you to a meeting to brief you regarding the proposed development of A達eckett Park on Raymond Island on
                             
Sunday 8th July 2012 at 2.30 pm
                                     at The Abbey of St Barnabas A達eckett Park
                                     First Parade, Raymond Island
in the Illawarra Meeting Room (adjacent to the chapel). 

The Anglican Church has for many years operated a campsite, known as A達eckett Park, at its property on Raymond Island.

It became apparent some years ago that the outmoded facilities at A達eckett Park were not meeting the requirements of
schools and other bodies involved in camping activities.  After an extended period of reflection, the Diocese of Gippsland
resolved that it was now more appropriate to use the site for retreat and conference purposes. 

The following statements were adopted to guide further planning.

The Vision
A達eckett Park is an international Christian residential centre for spirituality and the environment and a place of pilgrimage,
reflection, healing, learning and recreation.

The Strategy
To develop A達eckett Park as an icon of the church痴 commitment to and rationale for the care of God痴 creation, both in its
built and natural environment, and in the facilities, services and programs it offers to visitors, and to develop A達eckett Park as
a centre that leads the way in sustainability for the future, with cutting edge design and technologies that minimise its
environmental impact.

Since then the project has been progressed with the site now called the Abbey, in keeping with the Vision statement, and
being developed as a Centre for Spirituality and the Environment, reflecting the increasing interest and concern for these
issues, both within the church and the wider community.

As a first step in this direction, the church has significantly upgraded an accommodation block to modern standards.  Recently
a priest, Edie Ashley, has been appointed to lead the project and she has been relocated to the site residence.  Over the past
year a range of new program initiatives have been undertaken.

However, from the outset it has been apparent that the facilities upgrade will need to be taken further. To that end, well-
known local Planning Consultants, Crowther & Sadler were engaged to prepare a Planning Application to the East Gippsland
Shire Council.  This provides for the demolition of the old bunk houses and ablution block and the construction of en-suite
units.  In addition, there is a proposed upgrade of the existing A-frame building which houses the kitchen and dining and
meeting facilities.  The overall impact of the changes will in fact reduce the number of beds on site.

The planning Application has now been lodged with the Shire and the church thought it appropriate to invite residents of
Raymond Island to a briefing on our proposals.  Plans depicting the proposed development will be available, and
presentations will be made by church representatives, together with Kate Young from Crowther & Sadler and Anthony Lake
from SLAP Architects.

At the meeting, comments and questions from residents will be welcome.

If you require further information please ring the Abbey on 51 566580.

Yours faithfully,


The Right Reverend John McIntyre
Bishop of Gippsland

St Barnabas links