Beginnings

The Living Valley Health Retreat Queensland program was created by Master Herbalist Al Wolfsen in the USA in the 1940’s. Dr Al operated successful cleansing clinics in Hawaii, California and Texas. In 1986, he conducted training courses in Australia for selected therapists who had demonstrated an interest in establishing genuine health retreats in this country. As a result, two families joined forces to create Australia’s leading genuine health retreat.

Les Shaw and his wife, Kay, completed the Wolfsen training in late 1986, then established a small health retreat in Mullumbimby, NSW.

Gary Martin, Accountant, and his wife Debbie lived in Sydney until late 1986. Gary and Debbie had adopted a number of health reforms and had been studying lifestyle and its relationship to disease for several years. In 1984 they purchased a property in Northern NSW to establish a lifestyle education and treatment centre.

In 1987 the Shaws and the Martins met at a health camp near Kempsey. In 1988 they jointly established the Border Ranges Centre for Health and Lifestyle, while all members of the families continued to study natural medicine.

For two years they tried and tested the principles behind the Wolfsen cleanse and detox protocols, achieving nothing less than remarkable results. As patients continued to report amazing recoveries, the reputation of the centre spread far and wide. They were invited to conduct lifestyle seminars in many parts of Australia, New Zealand, the USA and South Africa, as they encouraged others to join in the new health revolution.

The Move to the Noosa Hinterland, Queensland

Through miraculous answers to prayer, the two families discovered the Kin Kin property in the Sunshine Coast Noosa Hinterland, in mid 1990. It was an overrun, grounsel infested jungle, having one dilapidated house and five small cabins. They purchased the title and moved into the cabins on the 8th October 1990.

Within a few weeks, patients were requesting admission. Some rooms were cleaned and the first program was conducted in November of the same year.

After an enormous contribution of energy and resources, the Shaw family retired in late 1993. Being 20+ years younger than Les, Gary continued to develop the property and the program.

Today

Since that time Living Valley Health Retreat Queensland has employed an average of 40-50 workers, most of whom have been qualified in various modalities of natural therapy.

In addition to his duties as Director, Lecturer and Naturopath, Gary Martin ND has conducted public health programs throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA, India and Europe.

Since 1990, the Living Valley Health Retreat Queensland program has constantly developed and blossomed. Many of the staff have been on the team for over a decade, receiving constant education in an “out-in-the-field” situation. The entire team has gained invaluable experience in treating disease and restoring health. From simple problems such as headaches, blood pressure, stress, back pain, poor digestion, obesity, tiredness, etc., to more serious conditions such as asthma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, tumours and even cancer, the Living Valley Health Retreat Queensland program is effective.