top of page
History
Nearly a decade ago, the wind gently whispered a glimmer of the future into the minds and hearts of Dawn and John when they first purchased a tiny stone cottage with a crumbling studio, crying out for love and reinvention. The time had come to answer the call of the heart and embrace a new way of living. After decades in the high-pressure corporate arena, Dawn and John took a brave leap into the unknown, committed to embracing the winds of change with open arms.
​
Thus began a deep and soulful dialogue with this incredible piece of land. Ancient wisdom seeped through to them with every step they took, bold and barefoot, among the tall gums and karri trees. Babies were born and raised, and soon after, a whole new enterprise was born.
​
The design of the Sound Temple, the main feature at Sawyers Valley Retreat, draws inspiration from the Native American tipi, which symbolizes the belief that the world and life itself are circular: a never-ending cycle of energy. Known since ancient Egyptian times as a shape of great strength and power, the pyramid shape has been modified and intensified here. Lined with natural wood and emitting a harmonious resonance, the acoustics in The Sound Temple possess their own beautiful characteristics.
Dr. Noel Nannup, a well-respected Noongar Elder, storyteller, cultural guide, instructor, and mentor, gifted The Sound Temple with a Noongar name for the property: Yunga Karak Boodja, meaning “Thank you or in appreciation of your interaction with the Red Tail Black Cockatoo Country.”
In honor of the traditions and custodians of the land, The Sound Temple's logo and branding reflect and celebrate the six Noongar seasons: Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang.
Expansive energy continues to pulsate from this place, marked by the opening of a brand-new space in February 2018, The Mandala Room. From little things, big things continue to grow on this land, once named by a Maori Elder as “A place where the People of the Rainbow gather.”
bottom of page