Home / Observations / My first day at the Permaforest Trust
I’m here now.
The Zen house – a quiet space for residents to live, the reference library and the broadband internet connection. I’ve found my work zone.
The desk i’m at is at a large picture window overlooking…
It is an amazing place here. It works beautifully. Today is orientation – I’m meeting people. Most of who have lived here for a while and flow with the essential domestic routine effortlessly. Some are even newer than myself – another here who reminds me the most of myself flew in from Auckland yesterday.
The grounds here is where the real magic happens – aiming to be food neutral. Balancing what grows and selling surplus with what still needs to be bought. It is all happening in such an integrated way here with such awareness – I feel I am in the right place.
Ben is a fast friend and likes bikes.
Tim i’ve formed the quickest connection with – he is the founder of the trust. 40 years old and passionate about sustainable living. 10 years he has been here at the Permaforest and is a wealth of experience. Solidly connected in the Permaforest circles – working with the likes of Bill Molison, David Holmgren and others that really lead the world in the sustainable wholistic Permaforest movement.
It is the guys that have been forward with getting to know me. After the delicious organic vego lunch there was almost a speed dating vibe with people circling around – I kept to my seat as new people would come up, ask about me or something they wanted to know and then move around. The girls here have remained a bit aloof – interestingly in relationships the slower things start the longer they last. Hot and fiery tends to burn out quickly. Slowly and naturally tends to flourish and grow.
There is a lot of working going on all the time. And it is very well co-ordinated. Organised to a scale of 12 people all eating three meals a day + two tea times requires a complex system of understanding – I’m still learning it. Feedback is given freely and reading the subtle cues and comments is a valuable skill.
So much has opened up so quickly for me. I love all the new changes. This is definitely the place for me to be learning this year.
February 26th, 2007 at 2:48 am
Hello to my beautiful lover!
Your study area looks very nice, I’m looking forward to you showing me around to the finer details and workings of the place.
The herb garden at uni is my only comparison to your vege garden. I think that your garden produces a lot more edibles and can sustain you through.
Will you ever leave the lush surrounds if there is fast internet and a place to get your hands dirty??
I’m looking forward to some one-on-one experiential tutoring from you in our own garden so that we can work towards being self sufficient at ‘lovers paradise’…
See you Tomorrow night with some fresh foods…
Sweet dreams xx
February 26th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Hi!
I have discoverd this site by an accident.I am studying in Australia for 1 year and actually would like to learn more of the natural process of the wild land.I like your site and I would like to know where you are studying also it looks beautiful.I am residing in Brisbane now to study Iwould like to see more natural Australia .Can you say where you are in return email please.Thankyou.Anoushka.
February 27th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Dear Guy,
The permaforest centre looks wonderful, it sounds perfect for you. What a great environment to gain knowledge about all the things you are interested in already. I sounds like there will be many like-minded people to discuss ideas and experiences with. I’m sure you will have as much knowledge to add as you will gain too. I t will be good to hear all about it when we see you at Easter, we definitely need help with our compost is seems to have stagnated at the moment and the bin is always full instead of breaking down. But it is raining agin today, only the second time this month, so the garden is looking much better.
I emailed the Nimbin bushwalking group and we miss out on their monthly walks but I have the email address of some of the other members and they said to contact them to catchup while we are there and go and visit their community. I’m off to work now, love to Kirrah, I hope she is enjoying her new course too,
Love Ann, Ed, Jo and Robin
February 28th, 2007 at 12:52 am
Anoushka,
The trust has a website that is the best place to get information about courses.
http://www.permaforesttrust.org.au/
I live in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, an area a few hours south of Brisbane. The region extends from Byron Bay inland to Lismore. It is some of the most stunning natural areas i’ve ever had the privilege to live in. We are about 20 minutes from the township of Nimbin. On the edge of the boarder ranges that separate Queensland and New South Wales.