2019 AGM - WRAP UP
Permaculture West 2019 AGM was held at the Victoria Park Community Centre on Saturday 12 October 2019.
As a result of the AGM and the election the appointed committee for PermacultureWest is as follows for 2019-2020:
PermacultureWest welcomes our new committee members Hayley Green and Leanne Bird and we look forward to introducing them to you in the next couple of eNews issues.
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Nyoongar country spans from Leeman in the northwest to beyond Cape Arid in the southeast, in the southwest of Australia. The Nyoongar calendar includes six seasons.
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KAMBARANG - Season of Birth
Transformational time of the year. Flowers abound.
Second Spring ~ October - November
The lifestyle for the Nyoongar communities during Kambarang
During the Kambarang season, we see an abundance of colours and flowers exploding all around us. The yellows of many of the Acacias continue to abound, along with some of the Banksias and many other smaller delicate flowering plants including the Kangaroo Paw and Orchids. Also during this time the Balgas will also start to flower, especially if they've been burnt in the past year or closely shaved.
One of the most striking displays of flowers to be seen during this season will be the "Mooja", or Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia). The bright orange/yellow flowers serve to signal the heat is on its way.
For the animals, October is also the most likely time of the year that you'll encounter a snake as the reptiles start to awaken from their hibernation and look to make the most of the warm to assist them in getting enough energy to look for food. It's also a time that many young families of birds will be singing out for their parents to feed them. Koolbardies (Magpies) will also be out protecting their nests and their babies.
Many things are undergoing transformation with the warm change in the weather.
Longer dry periods accompany a definite warming trend.
Read more here
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Images above: "Mooja" or Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia)
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Principle #5
Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services
“Let nature take its course”
Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behaviour and dependence on non-renewable resources.
The horse icon represents both a renewable service and renewable resource. It can be used to pull a cart, plough or log and it can even be eaten – a non consuming use is preferred over a consuming one. The proverb “let nature take it’s course” reminds us that control over nature through excessive resource use and high technology is not only expensive, but can have a negative effect on our environment.
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This month's Permaculture Principle is brought to you by the Formidable Vegetable Sound System's tune......
OIL <--Listen free here while you read this November issue of the PermacultureWest eNews!!!
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Principle 5: Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services
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Working with the sun at Murrnong
Grace is putting the evening meal out to slow cook in the solar oven using the midday heat, and removing the cans of melted beeswax. Getting the meal prepared early frees up the milder evening hours for outdoor tasks. The solar dryer beside it generates a convection current to draw moisture out of food. The eave on the building behind excludes the sun during the hottest time of the year, supplemented by a deciduous grape vine during the late summer and autumn.
(Sourced Information & Photograph): Website: Permaculture Principles. --> link Photo taken at Murrnong Farm – Violet Town, Victoria, Australia by Oliver Holmgren.
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Getting in touch with the earth
People can be resilient, flexible and incredibly adaptable. Working by hand can give a sense of achievement that leaves a lasting impact. This workshop run for the Makerere Climate Change Association in Uganda focused on planting for biodiversity rather than for a single purpose. The students realised they could create a niche for their one acre nursery, promoting indigenous planting strategies with a vision for how they are going to shape the country’s forestry efforts.
(Sourced Information & Photograph): Website: Permaculture Principles. --> link Photo contributed by Barbara Pavie
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A see-saw from the sea shore
Takuya, Nonni and Verti are playing with a see-saw made with driftwood that was collected nearby. The harsh edges from the native hardwood have been weathered away by the sea, so it’s now ideal for use with children. Tactile, interesting and tough it’s likely to last well beyond the used-by-date of a manufactured see-saw, with the added benefit of a future transformation into something else. Dani is keeping an eye out for the kids, and also for the pot on the solar cooker.
(Sourced Information & Photograph): Website: Permaculture Principles. --> link Photo taken in New Zealand and contributed by Nelson Lebo
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There’s more to cows than milk
Milk, cheese and yogurt are just the start of the story: the cows are also turning pasture and perennial crops into high value organic meat and manure that gets used in our compost, worm farm and compost teas for the garden and orchard. The joy of sitting under a cow and milking her, listening to the pail fill, is hard to beat. The wonder of children seeing where milk comes from is unforgettable and the delivery of a new calf is always a cause for celebration.
(Sourced Information & Photograph): Website: Permaculture Principles. --> link Photo taken at Fair Harvest in Western Australia and was contributed by Jodie Lane
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Soil sheik
Soil is the basis of every culture. We cannot survive without it. We must grow our soil, compost our organic waste and value it more than gold or oil so we can grow and eat healthy, local food. Our soil does not need expensive poisonous chemicals; it needs to be allowed to nurture living diversity. Let’s make compost from local resources and enjoy true wealth.
(Sourced Information & Photograph): Website: Permaculture Principles. --> link Text by Michele Margolis, photo of Costa Georgiadis contributed by Sunshine Poschinger
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Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 10 AM – 4 PM
Memorial Park, Pemberton, WA
Hosted by Southern Forest Events
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Australian Permaculture Convergence 2020
(Organised by Northey Street City Farm on behalf of Permaculture Australia)
Australian Permaculture Convergences (APCs) happen every 2 years, usually in the Autumn. all permaculture practitioners and those interested in regenerative development are welcome to attend.
Attendees typically come from all over Australia, New Zealand and south-east Asia. They are an opportunity for everyone to share their permaculture journey, their research into resilient and productive systems, and have fruitful discussions about the future directions of permaculture in the world.
They are a chance to showcase best practice in sustainable living and demonstrate how permaculture can bring about positive changes in people’s lives, the environment and offer solutions to the inevitable changes that are taking place in the world right now.
Celebrating Nature’s Abundance
Monday 20 April to Thursday 23 April 2020 at Camp Kindilan, Redland Bay, Queensland.
The Convergence is being organised by Northey Street City Farm on behalf of Permaculture Australia.
Visit the APC 2020 website or Purchase tickets
The program will include talks and workshops covering topics relevant to the three ethics of Permaculture, which are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. We feel it is important to explore the bigger picture of what true sustainability entails. Earth Care is obviously essential, however without People Care and nurturing healthy, sustainable relating, the task of coming together and working as a community can be greatly hindered. Finally, if attention and conscious intention isn’t given to the economic sustainability of communities, and the distribution of resources isn’t managed equitably, then communities may struggle to be truly sustainable in the long term.
Keynote speakers confirmed so far include Starhawk and Robyn Francis.
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23 November 2019 ~ Top Bar Bee-Keeping
(Hosted by Fremantle Permaculture)
Freo Permies are excited to have Adrian Iodice flying all the way over from NSW to deliver a workshop on the wonderful system of top bar bee keeping. Adrian is a passionate advocate of natural, sustainable bee care, and a pioneer of the Natural Beekeeping movement in Australia.
Very Important: We are looking for people who can trade their ticket for time rather than money. For this we are willing to trade tickets in return for a commitment to coordinate and organise fund raising prior to the workshop. We have set aside several tickets for those willing to take this role on - message us to find out more!
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17 November 2019 ~ Raising Quails in the Suburbs
(Hosted by Urban Farm Living)
This is a 1 hour class and comes with the option to stay afterwards for a wonder around the garden, including viewing our chicken enclosures and our quail enclosures.
Cost: $35 plus Eventbrite fees.
This short workshop is on keeping Japanese Quail in the suburbs and will covering the following topics:
* Quail Basics
* Egg Laying
* Housing
* Feeding
* Common Health Issues
* Identifying Male and Female birds
There will be handling of live birds during this workshop.
(Max 10 participants) - Children are welcome to attend but must come accompanied by an adult in under the age of 16. Both child and adult must have a ticket each.
Please wear enclosed shoes.
Please bring note pad and pen, however notes will be provided.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Workshop will go ahead as long as there is a minimum of 4 paid tickets sold. If the minimum isn't reach 7 days prior to the event, than the event will be cancelled and monies will be refunded. For more information visit their Facebook event page
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Are you running a course or training program related to Permaculture in the coming months ahead? Email Tamara at news@permaculturewest.org.au by the 15th day of the month to be included in our next issue.
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Essential Bushfire Safety Tips
By the author of the acclaimed The Complete Bushfire Safety Book, the latest edition of Joan Webster OAM’s ready reference Essential Bushfire Safety Tips has been revised and updated. The book defines the benefits and hazards of home defence, sheltering, and evacuating, and how to make the decision on which course is best for you.
About the Author
Joan Webster OAM is an award winning journalist who since 1965 has written extensively on bushfire safety for the public. In 1990 she received the Australian Fire Protection Association’s Community Service Award. In 2010 she received the Order of Australia 'For service to the community in raising awareness of bushfire safety'.
You can grab a copy here! Also available as an eBook
Melliodora Wholesale can assist anyone interested in bulk book orders here
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Issue 15 has articles on growing food; PIP look at garden planning techniques that will give you a productive garden all year round, plus the ins and outs of growing asparagus, as well as their usual features on permaculture plants, seed saving, foraging and seasonal garden guides.
PIP also look at how to make dairy staples such as butter, feta, yogurt and cream cheese and they put wheat under the microscope and look at how we can make wheat our friend.
PIP share our tips for visible mending and how to make your own plastic free bathroom products. They have inspiring stories of eco-builds, an eco-neighbourhood and how to make a wheelie bin composting toilet.
And PIP explore the ideas and practices behind natural beekeeping, slow flowers and more.
Subscribe and have issue 15 delivered to your door.
Subscribe now
You can get a cheeky 10% discount on all new PIP Magazine subscriptions, just use the voucher PCWEST10 at check out!
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How to make Dandelion Tea...
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are in abundance in springtime, with their pretty yellow flowers and fluffy seedheads inviting children to make a wish. Want to make the most of your dandelion weeds? Learn how to make dandelion tea with this simple recipe!
Dandelions have been used in times of hardship as a coffee substitute. But they’re not just a “poor” cousin of caffeinated beverages. Dandelion tea is delicious, and if you have a lot of weeding to do you can make use of these weeds by making your own tea. It’s best to harvest dandelions from your own garden, so you know that they have not been sprayed with any pesticides and that the soil they are growing in is not contaminated.
The main health benefits of dandelion tea are in the fact it contains no caffeine, though traditionally dandelion has been used as a digestive aid in herbal medicine. Their long taproots mine minerals from deep in the soil, making them available to us and other plants via their edible roots, leaves and flowers.
For the full stage by stage process and recipe visit the PIP website here
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This short film is part of a bigger film being produced Permaculture The Documentary, produced by Dogs Go Woof Productions.
They need out support to get this project to completion! Every little bit helps!
Donate here!
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Know of a great workshop coming up? Or a permablitz near your place? Is your garden looking fabulous or are you’re just bursting to share photos of your community or school garden? Would you like to introduce your Permaculture business? Would you like to connect with local community gardens in your area? Let us know about it!
And! Your input is what really makes this monthly eNews special and relevant to local readers here in Western Australia. Plus! It helps us showcase all the great stuff we’ve got going on to readers from other parts of the world too.
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