The Don – Godfather of the Garden.

For many years yogis have commented how lovingly the gardens have been tended at BMIMC, and it’s not uncommon during retreats to see a familiar figure, usually clad in his favourite shades of pink and purple, carrying a rake and often surrounded by a cloud of colourful parrots, currawongs, magpies and butcher-birds.

Don Elliot has been volunteering at BMIMC since 1983, when one time during a visit he noted that the grass needed cutting and came back with his trusty two-stroke victor mower, and mowed the entire site. After that he continued to offer service for many decades, mostly in the garden and as a handyman but also stepping up to cook from time to time and the invaluable service of washing machine-loads after retreat. Don became a staff member in 2019 and continued his volunteering hours on top of his paid hours. If you look carefully, there are special ‘Don’ flourishes all over the Centre signaling his artistic soul, like the colourful purple manager’s cabin, the wooden ‘stupa’ statues near the teacher’s rooms (below), and pretty much anything with a curlique or a bell.

As Don has recently retired from staff, we wish him a huge thank you for his careful attention, and his ongoing kindnesses to animals, plants, and humans, including the many yogis, teachers, managers and staff who count him as a friend. Don will remain connected to the Centre as a volunteer, so if you are lucky on your next retreat, and if you follow the clouds of bird-friends, you’ll find him pottering about.

Saddhu Saddhu Saddhu.