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Permafest
Info on Permafest September/October 2005.
The idea of Permafest is to hold an annual celebration of Permaculture for the people of South Australia.
Coordinated by the Permaculture Association of South Australia Inc. the event draws on skills old and new that are often unnoticed or ignored in a community driven by commerce and the popular media.
The event showcases live Permaculture, and brings together seasoned Permies, newcomers, and interested members of the general public, in a joyful and creative environment. It provides an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and skills in a festive and relaxed setting.
It doesn't matter if you are new to Permaculture or an experienced practitioner. There is much to be gained in terms of knowledge, networking, support and a sense of community rolled in with lots of fun, fantastic food and entertainment.
The first Permafest was held in 1998, followed in 1999, & 2000 by two more using the same very successful format. All were hosted by Grace and Al MacDonald on their 75 acre Permaculture property, 'Rockwood Hill' at Wistow, South Australia, and held over the May long weekend
These Permafests offered a packed program in a village atmosphere with the opportunity to stay overnight in delightful stone cottages on the property or in one's own tent or swag.
The 'Rock Solid Café', on site, catered for the whole weekend, providing delicious, fresh, and healthy food.
Children were welcomed and a child minding group was available with organised activities through out the weekend.
Practical information for people seeking to design homes and lives that particularly respect the environment was offered, through:
Interesting angles on health in your home and community were also be presented through sessions on:
Permafest 2001
was held at the beginning of December, to follow on from the World Solar Congress which was held in Adelaide.
After widespread consultation with local Permaculture groups, this year's theme was 'Backyard Permaculture'. Based in the Metropolitan area at the Urrbrae Agricultural High School, it included a wide range of field trips to see Permaculture in action in households and gardens not usually opened to the public. It was just brilliant to see creatively sustainable lifestyles being lived by committed and vibrant Permies in urban and suburban areas.
These inspiring visits were in addition to a diversity of workshops and discussion groups, and the Saturday Night Celebration, with Totally Gourdgeous.
Innovative catering arrangements by FOOD NOT BOMBS, and Jeremy's enthusiastic and highly creative facilitation made this an energising and re-creational experience for all. It was easy for those who were unable to give up an entire weekend still to take part.
Bioregional ties were renewed, and at least one new group is forming as a result.
And Permies, always generous, opened their purses and their hearts, to assist a woman from the Solomon Islands to attend the PLANET organic Permaculture course in New Zealand, and to purchase books for Fabio Manzini to take back to Mexico, where Permaculture books are practically unobtainable.
Permafest 2003
EARTH CARE, PEOPLE CARE. PERMACULTURE IN PRACTICE AND IN COMMUNITY.
April 4, 5, 6, St Peters, SA
Friday 4th April, Community Forum
Some of SA¹s best permaculture practitioners set the scene for the
weekend as they shared stories of practicing permaculture in the community.
Reflection on everyday practices and projects for change that we
can live today.
Saturday 5th April, St Peters Community Fair
A celebration of peace, community, learning and
fun. The Permaculture community added to the already broad range of
displays, food, stalls and entertainment, as well as offering permaculture
based tours.
Tours included a school garden
project and an on-site demonstration of design processes to retrofit a house
for energy efficiency.
Bring your bicycle! Prizes for decorated bikes with themes of
peace, future or the world.
Saturday 5th April,
Folk Celebration
The all-gourd playing singers and songwriters Totally Gourdgeous
performed at the Folk Centre with special Guests and Permaculture Surprises.
Sunday 6th April,
Community Education
Knee High Puppeteers¹ old Scout hall was the site of the
Permaculture Learning Centre, featuring a wide range of subjects and many
modes of learning.
Sharing your experiences, learning from
others, refreshisng your perspective and honing your practical skills.
REVIEWS OF PERMAFEST 2003
Permaculture in Practice and in Community
Jeremy Urquhart
Wow! Dreamt up over three dinner parties with a group of permies from each bioregional group - and weaved together with not much more than a month’s lead-in time - this was a very different and exciting Permafest. It had all the essential elements: creative collaborative partnerships with other organisations (a Local Council, Totally Gourdgeous, the Folk Federation, Knee High Puppeteers, Agnes Goode Kindy, the Rare Fruit society, 3d radio, Soil Association, and all the bioregional permie groups). Real life examples. Encouraging public speaking in those whose voices we don't usually get to hear (Jo O'Callaghan, Chris Bryant and claire fulton were great and genuinely inspired people). There was organic soup, tea and fruit juices (Chris Bryant was an inspired juice maker - incorporating Eden Park cucumbers for delicious results). A fair, music, song and dance, sunshine, chook talk (Kristy Arbon the 'Chook Madonna'), solar cookers, a visiting Melbourne Permie, gold coins, familiar faces and other interested people engaged in meaningful, connected interactions. All the new 'non-permie' collaborations were excellent, with meaningful connection and positive outcomes -- they loved our involvement. Learning by doing, learning by involving myself in conversation, action, collaborative design -- across generations, across all 'kinds' of people. Leaving a legacy of learning, a legacy that the potential positive social change lay right here and around the corner.
Jeremy Urquhart is a permie living in Forestville. Amongst many other things he is chair of PaSA. jsalad@senet.com.au
Fair Day
Ian Lillington
Saturday was bright and sunny and after only a little mix up around organic fruit deliveries, we were off to St Peter’s Fair. Permaculture stalls probably doubled the size of the fair, with Soil Association and Rare Fruit folks, as well as PaSA’s bookstall, information, secondhand clothes and fruit juices. Organic fruit juice, made-to-order, must surely be the best refresher on a warm autumn day; and the stall hummed as the hub of permie networking.
Highlight of the day was Totally Gourdgeous -- bringing joy and surprise to the ranks of jam-sellers, cake-sellers and volunteer ambulance corps. Their regular fans were there too, warming up for the Gourd’s evening performance. Jeremy won a CD for being the only person to bring a piece of jacaranda for the delightful Penelope Swales, before she finished singing her song called --of course -- "Jacaranda".
What a lovely piece of synergy: the regular fair goers got more than they bargained for, and all the green and permie folk who wouldn’t otherwise go to St Peter’s Fair had a lovely time too!
Ian is a permaculture designer, educator and organic farm inspector living in WIllunga. kookaburra@internode.on.net
Energy Efficiency Workshop
Jack Metcalf
Agnes Goode kindergarten at St Peters had a need to improve its accommodation for the benefit of approximately 30 children and staff. The crowded kindy was very uncomfortable in hot/cold weather.
The old building had been altered many times in an ad-hoc manner without much consideration to its comfort or energy efficiency.
It was an interesting exercise, albeit slightly different to the normal house due to its number of occupants and type/times of use. Jeremy Urquhart, PaSA’s Chairperson, suggested the kindy option for the Energy Efficiency workshop during Permafest due to its ease of access and special needs. The Energy Efficiency workshop was well attended on the day and many questions were asked of the presenters, building consultant Jack Metcalf and energy auditor Ashley Campbell. Fortunately we had done our homework and were able to respond with the proper advice, handouts and overheads in our presentation.
Part of our brief from the kindergarten was to improve the space and usage of the building. So an innovative play area was designed as an Energy Efficiency extension and link to the yard area. The kindy staff were later presented with a written report and sketches of our proposed suggestions. Hopefully the children at the kindy will benefit from playing and learning in a better environment.
Jack Metcalf is a building consultant. Ph. 8261 9049
Energy and Water Audit Workshop
Ashley Campbell
A basic energy and water audit of a building (plus its appliances, hot water system, etc) involves checking and discussing about 40 items. Some of these steps are straightforward, like measuring temperature settings, while others, such as greywater treatment and use, could be discussed for hours.
The Agnes Goode Kindergarten was a good venue for an audit workshop. It was right next to the Fair and quite a few people came and joined in. The staff were interested and seem keen to follow up on recommendations. The building is typical for Adelaide in that it is poorly designed for energy efficiency and lacks basic conservation measures like ceiling insulation and rainwater tanks.
I enjoyed doing the joint workshop with Jack and it was great to see locals as well as permies participating. For me the interaction between locals and permies was a highlight of the Permafest.
Ashley Campbell enjoys doing water and energy audits, People are welcome to phone him on 8297 6249. Discounts for low income people.
Permafest 2005
Friday 30th September- Monday 3rd October.
Although the event has been and gone, we have left this information on the website as it gives an idea of what can happen at a Permafest. Soon we hope to be able to add some personal reviews of the event.
Celebrating 21 years of Permaculture Association South Australia.
Permaculture Southern Flinders are hosting Permafest 2005 on the October long weekend. Fri Sept 30 to Mon Oct 3rd, in Murray Town (close to Mt Remarkable).
It will be a long weekend celebrating & showcasing Permaculture in South Australia with local produce, products, entertainment, information & inspiration.
Accommodation: We have a comprehensive list of accommodation researched by our Permie team & can pass on information. Please contact us for more details.
Kidszone: Our site will include time & space for young people. We will provide great activities & care for kids in the program. Carers & parents will be asked to contribute some time.
Workshops, demonstrations & discussions: (Saturday Oct 1st) We have identified a few people who can provide us with some great input & facilitate discussion.
Here are some of the workshops/demonstrations/discussions we would like to see at the Permafest:
water harvesting, reading landscape, wholistic animal care, humanure (toilets), "green" plumbing, earth building and earthworks, energy audits, gizmos & gadgets, caboodle, reuse, reduce, recycle, ethical business and investments, appropriate agriculture, bush food, dry gardening, fruit growing, bee keeping, genetic engineering, seed savers, winnowing, old varieties fruit/veg, community living, and school/community permaculture works
Call for workshops: We are still looking for more people to offer to lead sessions, so please, if you have knowledge, skills, experience, contact us as soon as possible & offer.
Other events:
- Birthday Celebration: Saturday evening We will be having a birthday feast to mark the coming of age of Permaculture Association of South Australia, a light hearted look at
where we've come in 21 years, great local live entertainment.
- A memorabilia table & pin up board for all permies to display photos of people participating in permaculture activities.
- Open forum soap box: Permies are invited to 'stir the possum' with 3 minute speaking events about "The Future".
- Network zone: In the foyer of the Institute building, we will post networking information for people to use for collecting contacts, leaving business cards, brochures, etc.
- Marketplace: On Sunday Oct 2nd, the Murray Town Village Green will open up to the public & become the Marketplace with a showcase of produce, products, service & information.
Some of the stalls & workshops we envisage will be taking part include: Alternative energy systems, Composting toilet, Organic & biodynamic produce, Bushfoods, Biodynamics, Open pollinated & heritage seed, Gizmos & gadgets, Greening groups, Useful plant sales, Conscious style, Health & healing, Community groups, and a trading stall.
-Monday tours available. Visit some wonderful places in the region on your return journey.
For General Information about Permafest 2005:
Ulrike 08 8633 4772 (ah) or
email ulrikema@sp.tafe.sa.edu.au
Kate Parkin 08 8663 2662
Susan Lloyd-Ratcliffe (Marketplace) 08 8662 4101 or
email info@earthspiritorganics.com
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c/- Conservation Council of SA, Level 1, 157 Franklin Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Tel/Fax: Graham or Annemarie Brookman (08)8522 6450
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Webmistress - Anne-Marie Brookman
Last Updated 2nd November 2005
URL - http://www.users.bigpond.com/brookman/permafest.html