About Us
Built on lived experience, grounded in practice and committed to serve.
Kailash Foundation supports those who serve, their families, and people in need. We help individuals and families return to a life with meaning, vision and purpose.
Kailash Foundation is an Australian charity based in the Grampians in Western Victoria.
We deliver structured, place-based programs that support wellbeing, purpose, connection, and reconnection for those impacted by the unique demands of service.
Our work supports serving and former service personnel, veterans, emergency services workers, healthcare workers, caregivers, their families, and members of the broader community in need.
We exist to create places and programs where people can rest, reset, and reconnect with life with greater meaning, purpose and vision.
DREAM. VISION. MISSION. PURPOSE
Why We Exist
Selflessly serving others is a profound gesture, but it frequently leaves individuals and families buckling under the relentless pressure and unique demands of service life.
Kailash Foundation was created to offer a non-clinical space to rest, reset and reconnect. Eligible persons are able to join our subsidised programs that emphasise the learning of practical wellbeing tools.
Our programs lean on the thousands of years of wisdom available through Traditional Meditation and Yoga and are accessible and available to all, irrespective of faith, belief system or experience level.
DREAM
To help create a world where those who serve, suffer, seek, or struggle are given a true place of refuge, restoration, and inner transformation.
VISION
To establish Kailash Foundation as a trusted charitable retreat home in the Grampians, offering accessible programs of meditation, yoga, nature, community, and purposeful service.
MISSION
To operate Kailash Ashram and related charitable programs that support service givers, families, spiritual seekers, and people in hardship through retreat, practice, education, and community connection.
PURPOSE
To serve the wellbeing, dignity, and inner freedom of those in need by making the transformative power of retreat life accessible.
GET TO KNOW US THROUGH
Our Story
Kailash Foundation grew from the lived experience of its founders David and Rajni Wegman who were both deeply touched by the impact of David’s military service and the impact that their respective trauma had on their personal and family life.
In 2018 David and Rajni established Kailash Ashram, a place for spiritual seekers and members of the general public to reconnect to their deeper Self through learning traditional meditation and yoga.
Since 2018, Kailash Ashram has hosted 50+ life-changing retreats and served over 500 participants.
Over time, it became clear that Kailash Ashram was attracting people in deep need; often when individuals and families were facing crisis and challenges that made access onto a retreat difficult.
In 2024 Kailash Ashram moved to a donation based model where participants would attend a retreat free of charge and then ‘Pay-it-Forward’ via a donation if they wished to support another person joining a future retreat.
This model resonated deeply with our message and teachings and retreat participants wholeheartedly embraced it. In mid 2024 we felt ready to restructure our organisation as a registered charity with an expanded mission, vision and suite of programs.
WELCOME TO OUR RETREAT HOME
Kailash Ashram
Kailash Ashram is the home of Kailash Foundation.
An ashram is a peaceful place of practice, rest and learning. It is a space set aside for meditation, yoga, reflection, and the inner work of returning to one’s deeper Self.
Kailash Ashram provides the contemplative heart of our work. It is where our core public facing retreats, including Soul Retreat, Four Yogas, and Elements of Life are held.
These retreats are offered on a donation basis, with contributions helping to support scholarships, service programs, community programs, and subsidised family stays.
The Kailash Foundation manages and operates Kailash Ashram and as a registered charity, broadens the scope of our service to subsidise access to our programs for eligible participants.
LEARN ABOUT
Our Approach
Our Programs are centred on creating the conditions for individuals to rest, reset and reconnect.
We emphasise simple, accessible practices and activities rooted in ancient wisdom but made relevant for modern times.
We utilise evidence based wellbeing tools and practices that encourage program participants to address the deeper layers of their Self with compassion and clarity.
Kailash Ashram provides a safe, structured container free from external distractions. It enables participants to find existential comfort, physical rest and connection to a supportive community.
All of our programs are led by experienced facilitators with direct lived experience.
LEARN ABOUT
Our People
Kailash Foundation is supported by people committed to service, practice, family, and community.
Founders
DAVID WEGMAN
Founder / Director
David served with 1st Commando Regiment between 2004 and 2017 and deployed on multiple combat operations to Afghanistan with the Special Operations Task Group.
This service left David with physical and mental scars which led him to the path of traditional meditation and yoga. These practices helped David accept and overcome his struggles and have enabled him to facilitate programs based on his lived experience.
As a facilitator, David draws upon his diverse life experience, including his study and teaching of Architecture, work as a leadership and professional development consultant and as a father and husband.
David co-founded Kailash Ashram and since 2018 has facilitated over 50 retreats.
RAJNI WEGMAN
Co-Founder / Director
Rajni brings lived experience as a trauma survivor, a partner of a Veteran and as a meditation teacher with 20 years of experience guiding others beyond their suffering.
Having grown up in rural France to parents of Mauritian ancestry, Rajni is global citizen at home with people of all walks of life.
Rajni is a proud Mum and a devoted Wife and her passion is in empowering women to treat themselves with love, respect and kindness.
Rajni co-founded Kailash Ashram and since 2018 has facilitated over 50 retreats.
Board of Directors
Kailash Foundation is governed by a board of directors responsible for stewarding the charity’s mission, integrity, and long-term development.
The board supports the Foundation’s charitable purpose, program direction, governance responsibilities, and commitment to serving the communities for whom the Foundation exists.
In addition to the Founders above, the Kailash Foundation is supported by the following Directors.
JANE-MARIE KLUZEK
Director
As an experienced police officer, Jane understands first hand the service related challenges faced by emergency service personnel. Jane was first exposed to the healing power of meditation and yoga on a retreat at Kailash Ashram, where she continues to volunteer and support others on retreat.
Jane brings her lived experience and her skills in leadership and organisation management to the Kailash Foundation board.
SAMANTHA THERON
Director
Having been faced with health challenges that rocked her capacity to continue to teach high school students, Sam has utilised the programs at Kailash Ashram to find acceptance, peace and healing.
Sam fell in love with transformative nature of Kailash Ashram’s programs, and now occupies our Volunteer Co-ordinator position and brings a wealth of knowledge and pedagogical experience to Kailash Foundation’s board.
Are you aligned with Kailash Foundation’s mission?
Are you interested in using your skills, experience and judgment in the service of others?
Kailash Foundation Ltd welcomes expressions of interest from people who may be suitable to serve as volunteer directors and contribute to the governance, oversight and long-term development of the Foundation.
If you have relevant experience in areas such as governance, finance, law, risk, fundraising, community services, veteran wellbeing, healthcare, education, construction, land management or charitable program delivery, we invite you to consider submitting an expression of interest to join our Board.
WE ARE
Open To All
Kailash Foundation’s work is informed by traditional yoga, meditation, and contemplative practice.
At the same time, our programs are multi-faith friendly and open to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences.
No-one is required to adopt a belief system to participate.
We offer a grounded environment, practical support, and access to practices that have helped people across cultures and traditions find steadiness, clarity, and connection.
Governance & Transparency
Kailash Foundation is a registered Australian charity governed by a board of directors responsible for stewarding the Foundation’s mission, resources, and charitable purpose.
We are committed to responsible governance, careful use of funds, and clear decision-making in the best interests of the people and communities we serve.
Because our work is place-based and closely connected to Kailash Ashram, some services, facilities, and program infrastructure are provided through existing local relationships and resources. Where potential conflicts of interest arise, they are disclosed, considered, and managed by the board.
Our aim is simple; to ensure that donations, retreat contributions, grants, and partnerships are used to support genuine access, wellbeing, service programs, family support, and community benefit.
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR
Major Program Supporter
Support
Your donation helps provide access to retreats, family stays, and programs for people who may otherwise not be able to attend.
Partner
We welcome partnerships with service organisations, emergency services groups, veteran organisations, community groups, philanthropic supporters, and aligned professionals.
Participate
Explore our upcoming retreats, family stays, residential programs and community initiatives.
