Permaculture Noosa Hatches Permaculture Caloundra

The call came to Permaculture Noosa Inc in March 1996 that the wonderful CADET project of the Caloundra Cit !arm was under threat from lac" of fundin# and related resources$ The Permaculture Gardens, designed by Geoff Lawton and supervised by Alan Atkinson had fallen into disrepair and the garden had done exactly what it had been designed to do it was rampant! All the efforts of the previous crews were in risk of being bulldo ed! All the funding put in by "##T and the efforts of $A"#T may be ploughed under, and the site returned to its former state a car park! %ark Pace, a permaculture designer and $A"#T& Landcare %anager, sounded the alarm at the %arch meeting of Permaculture 'oosa (nc and within a week )* members of the group were hard at it chopping+and+dropping the rampant )* month growth into rich mulch! The worm farms were kick+started, banana circles tidied and filled with clippings and compost heaps piled up! ,eed was saved and cuttings potted to extend the plantings! Pathways were redefined and a plan was formulated! The group was back on the return -.km trip home by /!..pm leaving the 0arm in some sort of shape THE PLAN Permaculture 'oosa wanted to establish a Permaculture $aloundra group as the 'oosa meetings were outgrowing the meeting venue with regular attendances of 1. 2)..! %any of those members were closer to $aloundra than $ooroy! The $ity 0arm was the perfect place to start! $A"#T kindly allowed a potential group the use of their excellent facility! The first meeting was held in %ay! Gain Local Community Involvement 3and get as much help from as many people in Permaculture as possible!4 Leaflets had been delivered to 1.. local homes! (nterested community members attended a meeting! 5e got nine! %orag and Gavin came up from 'orthey ,treet $ity 0arm, 6risbane and gave an ama ing slide show to explain the ideals behind $ity 0arms and $ommunity Gardens! The images were motivational and showed 7ust what is achievable! Alan Atkinson explained the colourful history of the 0arm and where machinery has been buried! "ave $lark then outlined the principles and #thics of Permaculture and 8anet %illington facilitated the formulation of a vision for the 0arm on the dreaded butchers9 paper 3and kept it:4 Formulate a Common Vision The 0arm should be An accessible space for community use A place that has a sense of community A place where different generations can meet and work together An education centre to be used by schools that demonstrates many elements and functions Provision of permanent education courses 3daytime certificate courses4 The creation of a wildlife habitat; a frog pond, extension of a shelter belt into neighbouring football field To provide a space to grow clean food and to learn to do the same at home To provide demonstrations of food preparation To develop a seed+saving centre To involve the unemployed and create community service opportunities The group realised that those goals would re<uire many small steps! See a Local Co!or"inator Although the ideas were clear on the direction the farm should take! 'o one volunteered for the co+ordinator9s 7ob that night, but we decided a day in the 0arm was necessary to view the potential of the site and to grasp the si e of the task anyway! 'ine turned up! Fin" a Local Co!or"inator "uring that first morning, ,usan 6aker, offered to be the co+ordinator! 5hat a treasure she has turned out to be: ,usan is energetic and positive and in her words, =was ready to grasp Permaculture with both handsit is 7ust so right!> #e Consistent wit$ %eetin& Ni&$ts an" 'or in& #ee (ays The first 5ednesday in the month was set as meeting night! A ?!@.pm start was designed so those attending from 'oosa would not have a really late night! The meetings were designed to be fun with a $offee 6reak in the middle! Ather 'oosa members came and brought surplus from their gardens and&or presented talks on their area of expertise! Planning and reports took up the first half and information dissemination usually went until closing! Peter "unn covered worms, %ark 0ry discussed the theory behind laying down a mandala garden, then followed it up with a practical workshop! Geoff Lawton returned from ,outh America, 'orth "akota and $osta Bica with a slide show that extended the $aloundra view of Permaculture! "ave $lark and Alan Atkinson were regular speakers and 8anet %illington structured the evening and led the planning sessions! 3There was the ever+present threat of the butchers9 paper4! Protect all Participants All the $aloundra $ity 0arm volunteers were encouraged to 7oin Permaculture 'oosa!, so that they were covered by the public liability of that organisation! As a member of the Australian Garden $lub,

'oosa Permaculture (nc! has access to excellent cover at an exceptionally reasonable rate! (t had to be made clear that the $aloundra group was, until their own incorporation, a sub+group of the parent club! (ele&ate Important )esponsi*ilities As Soon As Possi*le Pu*licity is an essential early 7ob! 5e are lucky to have Allan %cCay, who makes me"ia releases on working bees and the specialist workshops to be held! Allan also drafted letters to businesses, asking for help! 8udy $oles took on the responsibility of eepin& t$e arc$ives 2 any photos, newspaper articles or important documents are filed awaiting autonomy! At that time, they will provide a valuable source of information for displays and for the records to be held by the ,ecretary! T$e minutes o+ t$e meetin& need to be kept! 5e kept them in an informal manner as a type of newsletter! That proved the hardest task to pass on! Co!or"ination is a huge 7ob and involves ensuring materials and tools are available for the tasks ahead! ,usan often prowls the streets during clean+ups, searching for resources! Beliability is an essential <uality, workers won9t make the effort to get to the farm if there is a possibility the gates will be locked or their time will be wasted because of lack of materials or tools! ,usan hasn9t let us down once, in fact she is there 7ust about every day and spent a weekend in a dumpster retrieving treasures for the farm! Transport of materials is essential if the group doesn9t want to spend money on cartage! 5e are lucky to have %ax 6ice who has a ute and trailer and is a willing worker! Parent Clu* Contact is also an essential role 2 that person or persons reliably available to give advice and to give moral support and to negotiate with the parent club on behalf of the new group!

Supporters are essential! (dentify them and keep them involved! Try to find as many win+wins as you can! 5e are lucky to have the support of $A"#T who helps in as many ways as possible! (f you can find a local councilor who shares your vision, then seek that help but always acknowledge it too 3in print is always appreciated4! 6e careful not to overlook any support when it comes to thanking! Source Some Start!,p Fun"s $A"#T donated D-.. to our ,tart+up! Permaculture 'oosa set up an account with D/.. and $aloundra $ity $ouncil gave us D@.. to show their support! There are other funding bodies such as the 'atural Eeritage Trust or the Gaming %achine $ommunity 6enefit 0und, and for capital works there is the 8upiters9 $asino $ommunity 6enefit 0und, perhaps some of these may pose an ethical problem to some 3but that9s a whole other article4! -eep t$e #i& Picture in t$e %in"s o+ Group %em*ers The overview of $ity 0arms and $ommunity Gardens by %orag and #van started the big picture for us! 6ut it was the night in August, when Geoff Lawton showed us Permaculture Pro7ects from other parts of the world, that truly got us =Thinking Globally and Acting Locally>! Eis presentation prompted this <uote from the $aloundra $ity 0arm 'ewsletter! %&e finished the slide show with a sense that what we were doin# in our !arm had connections to other e'citin# projects all o(er the world and I )elie(e at that point we #ained our true #lo)al perspecti(e$ &e are not onl doin# somethin# for oursel(es* our families and our communit + we are lin"ed to a #lo)al mo(ement that see"s a )etter world$ And we are not helpless* )ecause there are so man of us now the tas" is not so arduous$ All we need to do is to tap into the networ"* and we ha(e,Ac$ieve as %any o+ t$e Goals In t$e Vision as .ou Can as /uic ly as .ou Can 5ithin our first six months we had achieved at least part+way each of the goals we had set at the first meeting! The goal to involve the unemployed brought about the most dramatic action and change to the 0arm! After reading =#arth and ,oul 2 8obs> P(8 issue no!?@ pF! 5e decided that we would try for 5ork 0or the "ole! Permaculture 'oosa was not prepared to do the administration of the

pro7ect as $A"#T had expertise in handling such administration! The Permaculture group was anxious to revitalise the Permaculture "esign by Geoff Lawton already established at the site! 5e were prepared to send volunteers to lead workshops and to provide a wide skills9 base and further, to train The 0riends of the 0arm, allowing them to teach the scheme participants! And so was born a perfect symbiotic relationship! 5e were allocated )- workers, each one a volunteer 3to be known as the 'ew 0riends4! ,usan 6aker was nominated as their supervisor by Pc 'oosa and $A"#T! 5hile waiting for the set+up of the program, seven of the $aloundra $ity 0arm Golunteers 3known as 0riends of the 0arm4, and including ,usan, did the Permaculture "esign $ourse! Added to the seven other $aloundra members who have recently completed courses with 6ill %ollison or Geoff Lawton, this gives the $aloundra group a very high percentage of membership holding "esign $ertificates! 'e are now loo in& incorporation *y %ay 01123 towar"s

The Noosa #roup is thrilled with the enthusiastic em)race of Permaculture ) the Caloundra communit $ 8anet is working on a rather novel method of working the 'ew 0riends towards a "esign $ertificate! (n brief the pro7ect will attempt to use the pro7ect for Permaculture Teaching apprenticeship for some of the certificated volunteers! These already certificated 0riends of the 0arm will prepare and present lessons on aspects of Permaculture to the ='ew 0riends>, supervised by 8anet! ,everal teachers from Pc 'oosa will give workshops at the 0arm to enrich even further the diversity of approaches to Permaculture sub7ects offered! #ach aspect treated in class and as practical work in the garden will be recorded! At the end of the six month Program! These aspects of a "esign $ertificate will be taken into account, and areas not covered or those which need further treatment, will be presented to the group by experienced teachers from the 'oosa parent group! (n this way the pro7ect has the ability to train teachers as well as the new students! The $ertificate is presented over a long period, by a variety of practicing Permaculturists, with lots of opportunity for reinforcement and for connections to be made between the theory and the practice!

5e hope to train some very capable and broad+thinking people in this way! -eep t$e %omentum Goin& 6y having a few people in the parent group committed to the pro7ect rather than 7ust one individual, the natural ebb and flow of energy can be maintained as a steady stream from the parent group! This means that the pro7ect has to be discussed at committee level and all decision+making 3apart from day to day running4 must be shared and ownership of the pro7ect must belong to the group! The successes and trials of the pro7ect should also be shared at the full group meetings! (t is at these times that members may see a role they can play

in the new group that perhaps is already well filled in the parent group! This gives more members the ability to take on an active Permaculture role that is interesting and fulfilling! ,o far the pro7ect appears to be going extremely well! The garden is being put into productive shape, busloads of visitors are en7oying the community resource, teaching and learning situations are constantly available and many visitors comment on the wonderful =energy> of the farm! 5e hope to report at the end of the 5ork for the "ole program! 6y then we should

have some indication of whether the scheme fulfils the high expectations that we hold at this time, what worked!, or didn9t work and what keeps on working! Thanks to all involved and if you feel you would like to start a new group, go for it! (t 7ust may be the most rewarding thing you9ve done for a good while and you are bound to make some great new friends! 0or more info call ,usan 6aker at the 0arm on .H-*F)FH// or Permaculture 'oosa .H-**/-./F!

/Fth 8anuary, )FF1

"ear %r 5ise, The $ommunity Arganisations of Permaculture 'oosa (nc and the newly formed Permaculture $aloundra would like to offer you a brief, preliminary submission for your kind consideration! Aur aim is to establish a $ommunity $ity 0arm in the %aroochydore area, much like the small city farm in $aloundra but larger, so as to demonstrate a more complete system, incorporating animals and areas of wilderness! There is a word wide network of city farms which aims to help maintain farm environments to provide a blend of social, rural and environmental experiences! The %aroochydore $ity 0arm would be known always as =5ise 0arm>! The farm environment would allow the ever increasing urban population the opportunity to

discover and interact with a variety of farm animals, explore vegetable, fruit and flower gardens, develop relationships with others, 7oin in activities and chores or simply picnic in the preserved wilderness areas! The facility would offer an extensive range of programs for families, schools, community groups, work crews, training schemes, local young people and community gardeners! 5e would like see preserved many of the wonderful old practices of farming before large+scale mechani ation! Australia has a long tradition of family farms that were cared for and handed on from generation to generation! 5ise 0arm could be carried on by interested community members to show, for generations to come, the Australian farmer9s aims to provide good healthy produce for the family and the community! 0unding for capital works would be sought from 0ederal, ,tate and Local Government programs as well as the very generous 8upiters $asino $ommunity 6enefit and the Gaming %achine $ommunity 6enefit 0unds! As the pro7ect develops it would become self+funding, as have many of the other $ity 0arms in Australia! The site would have a community meeting room with commercial kitchen for meetings and cooking classes using ingredients straight from the farm! This building would also house an office and a library! There would be a machinery shed and storage area for recycled materials for constructions on the property! A bunkhouse is also planned so that visitors from inter+state and overseas could stay and participate in #ducation programs! #arthworks would include dams and ponds as well as a system to move water through the property! The facility would re<uire no more than H 2 ). acres but could cover a larger area if pieces of wilderness were to be included! These areas would receive some management and enhancement of existing stands but would not re<uire intensive work after the initial restoration and so it would be possible for the groups to look after many more acres if that was your wish! The 5ise 0arm could also become the ,outh+#ast Iueensland Permaculture (nstitute, offering courses in Permaculture and linking with the Permaculture Besearch (nstitute in 'orthern ',5 and local universities and TA0# colleges! (f you are interested in any aspects of this proposal, please phone our $aloundra $ity 0arm $o+ordinator, ,usan 6aker, on -*F@ ).H-, or 8anet %illington, Treasurer Permaculture 'oosa on -**/ H/..! Jours sincerely

8! %illington
0or the Permaculture 'oosa and $aloundra $ommittees

*th 0ebruary )FF1 $hief #xecutive Afficer $aloundra $ity $ouncil PA 6ox ))H $aloundra IL" *--) "ear ,ir or %adam Permaculture 'oosa (nc! wishes to acknowledge receipt of your grant for D@.. for our $ommunity Pro7ect at the $aloundra $ity 0arm! 5e were greatly encouraged by your acknowledgement of the contribution we make towards the community! Jou are probably aware that there is a 5ork+for+ the +"ole scheme running at the moment on the $ity 0arm! At this time we believe the scheme is successful and the participants are very keen, turning up early and attending on extra days! Aur community working bee day each 5ednesday continues to have a good group of workers attending each week! Aur monthly meetings are also gaining numbers and at our last meeting we began procedures to become an incorporated body! As yet we have not decided on which item&items to spend the grant money! (t will be spent on one or more of the items listed in our ,pecial Grant Application! At this time we are still seeking donations or sponsorship from local businesses and will inform you as soon as a decision has been reached and the 0unding #valuation 0orm will be completed and sent to you! Thank you again for your valued support and we will mention your generosity in all media releases! (f you have any media connections and would like the $ity 0arm mentioned, we would be delighted to show them the 0arm facility and to acknowledge your support! Jours sincerely 8! %illington Treasurer Permaculture 'oosa (nc!

$aloundra $ommunity $entre H1 6uderim ,t $urrimundi *--) "ear ,ir or %adam The $aloundra $ity 0arm is seeking your support in our efforts to gain more extensive involvement with the community for our $ommunity Garden Pro7ect! Aur aims are; + To promote food production in urban areas! To provide a resource centre for the local community, offering information and assistance in sustainable living, based on Permaculture principles! #stablishing examples of Permaculture in schools, factories, streetscapes and estate developments! To organi e activities to fund the operation of the group, publishing a newsletter, providing access to the community to enable participation of activities at the $aloundra $ity 0arm! To provide a practical education facility with hands on workshops and field days! The $aloundra Permaculture Group is soon to be incorporated and at that time we would be most grateful for access to a photocopying facility! 5e will have newsletters to prepare flyers to advertise workshops, and other community events at The 0arm to promote! A photocopier would facilitate our record keeping and enable us to create handouts about plants and growing tips for our many visitors! ( hope you can see your way clear, as a fellow community organi ation, to help us with our re<uest! Please contact us on this matter or about any other way that we could work together, by phoning me, ,usan 6aker at the $aloundra $ity 0arm 3$!A!"!#!T!4 site on -* F)F H// or at home on -* F@) .H-! (n anticipation of your kind consideration, Jours sincerely

,usan 6aker Permaculture $aloundra $o+ordinator

To ,usan 6aker $&+ $A"#T 0ax no! -* F)@ ))0rom 8! %illington 0ax 3for today4 -* */H/.. "ear ,usan Eere is letter and old ones ! Perhaps a cross of both could be a solution! Good Luck:! Talk to you tonight! Pages including this one KK -!