Meet the Founders

Marion and Richard both spent their childhoods in farming communities, immersed in the awe and wonder of nature. Richard grew up in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, while Marion spent her early years east of Launceston in regional Tasmania. in her early twenties Marion travelled around Australia, spending time in the outback and in remote first nations communities in Northern W.A and N.T. Both Marion and Richard share a deep love and respect for nature and concerns about the current trajectory of our culture.

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Their work with The Eco Retreat is driven by humanities need for climate resilience, regenerative systems, community mindedness and collective, localised action. To make sense of what it means to be alive at this pivotal moment in history, to create meaningful stories to connect us to hope and to working together with wise action is more important than ever before.

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Marion has been working as a holistic leadership and life coach, counsellor and MBSR mindfulness teacher for over 20 years across community, educational, private practice, and organisational settings. Marion specialises in an integrative, evidence-based and creative and systems thinking approach. Marion is an environmental leaders graduate from Port Phillip Eco Centre, a certified Ecotherapist and a climate aware practitioner and member with Psychology for a safe climate. She is also a practicing studio artist and currently undertaking a four-year Dharma teacher training program under the guidance of senior Insight Meditation Teachers in Australia. She is involved in developing Eco Dharma and Leadership training programs.

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Richard, Marion's husband, is a leading technologist at a SaaS climate technology company, helping the international built environment transition toward decarbonisation. He is passionate about humanity’s shift to a more sustainable world and advocates for mindfulness and compassion in all aspects of his work. Richard is keen to establish green investments for future resilience and regenerative living and leadership development, as well as focusing on Landcare, trail making, permaculture, wood crafting and local community building.

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Our Approach and Vision

The Eco Retreat is designed to empower human potential and nurture a regenerative community by providing restorative support, training, and connection through a land-based retreat, projects and workshops.

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The World Health Organisation states, "Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity." In June 2022, the World Health Organisation launched a policy brief urging countries to integrate mental health support into their climate change initiatives. Around the world, people are increasingly concerned about the existential threats we face. Despite the urgency of these complex "polycrisis" events, many individuals are either in denial, overwhelmed with grief, anger and anxiety, or actively working to adapt our systems and communities for change.

 

Society is experiencing a growing mental health epidemic among young people, but the pathology lies with climate change and government inaction. The dominant system is breaking down, and war, injustice, rising costs of living, pervasive technology, injustice, war and greed are increasing at an alarming rate. At The Eco Retreat, we deeply understand that human mental health and wellbeing are not individual conditions separate from the context of culture and environment. Rather, what we are currently witnessing is an interconnected web of social and natural dynamics.

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Inspiringly, more than ever before in the history of our planet, people are engaging in creative, regenerative nature and social projects, making a positive impact, reducing harm, and sowing the seeds of hope for a socially and environmental conscious culture to emerge. Small oasis are emerging, demonstrating new regenerative systems and ways of thinking that transcend traditional, linear models. We are witnessing a powerful shift from a purely extractive mindset to one that prioritises reciprocity with the Earth and with each other. This involves a fundamental re-evaluation of our values, economic structures, governance, and lifestyles, embracing holistic, interconnected approaches that recognise the intricate web of life. The awareness of what has been lost in the wild world, once so vibrant and diverse, can no longer be ignored. It is vital that we connect locally with our communities and support one another in building deep, reciprocal, and caring relationships with both the land and each other. This collective re-orientation of "ego centric to eco-centric" is essential for us to navigate the unprecedented challenges of climate change ahead and to create a life-sustaining society.

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The Eco Retreat is working toward our shared vision of establishing a project in regional Victoria on a wilderness property dedicated to land care, creative resilience, regenerative farming, and helping our extended family and local community adapt. This place will allow for slowing down and dedicating time and energy towards nature-based living, culture making, arts and eco-leadership initiatives guided by skilled, experienced and diverse practitioners. The Eco Retreat will eventually become a sacred place for training, learning, creating, and healing our relationship with self, nature, and community. We currently split our time between the city, where we are raising our four children and working, and coastal Victoria, where we are currently searching for the perfect location.

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