(Photos courtesy of Alex)
**** A VISIT TO PIGFACE POINT – AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE EDUCATIONAL SITE ****
Run by Ted Trainer (Visiting Fellow, School of Social Work, UNSW)
When: Saturday, October 28 – tour starts at 9:30am (2-3 hrs in length)Where: Pigface Point (see directions below)
Description: Affluent, industrial consumer society is grossly unjust and unsustainable. It is only possible for one fifth of the world’s people to have that way of life because they are taking and rapidly using up most of the world’s resources. We must move to far less affluent lifestyles, highly self sufficient communities and local economies, more cooperative ways and an economy that is not driven by market forces or profit, and has no growth at all. Pigface point is being developed as an educational site that will introduce people to these themes, especially the existence of workable and attractive alternatives, ie: “the Simpler Way’.
Pigface Point is not a community. Council zonings only permit 2 houses on the property. The main purpose of the site is not to provide an example of how we should all live, but to have displays, models etc, which point towards the sorts of change that will have to be made in our settlements, economy and technologies in order for our society top become sustainable.
We do not charge for our tours. Please bring lunch if you wish. Morning Tea is provided.
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If you want to come along or need directions drop me your email in the comments and I'll send them to you. Rachelxxx
11 comments:
I thoroughly recommend a tour, having had one myself. It was really worth the effort!
yes indeed! oh, tis all so beautiful!
Hope it went well today.
Along a similar theme, I've been following the links from one of your recommended websites /blogs.
Eatthesuburbs.org has a great link to a 'Permablitz', which is like a 'Backyard Blitz'(it's a TV show Rach!) to turn lawn into food. Great concept, and really practical. What a practical way to solve problems and build exceptional community. Check out some photo's too. Eg
http://www.codemo.org.au/gallery/2-7-06/2-7-06.html
Can't you see community building just leaping off the screen?
It also reminds me somewhat of 'Habitat for Humanity' which was started by missionaries in Africa to build basic housing for the masses. The participants are people who would otherwise have no way of building a house, and agree to help build other peoples homes for a set number of hours. Then when their turn comes everyone comes along and helps them build their house. Fantastic. And we got to see a Habitat house going up just 2 doors up from us last year.
There's also lot's of mp3's to download if interested on topics like peak oil, permaculture, energy solutions, etc etc from this site: http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/
Something to listen to on my (cough) lengthy oil using drives around NSW.
Hey Jason I can't find your email address and I was talking to Ted about your garden and he was wondering if you could keep a little documentation for him for a book he is writing. Do you think you could documnet how much time you (and Kaz) are spending in your garden each day as well as any other financial costs involved? As well as how much fruit and veg etc you are actually producing...? Maybe I should get him to email you with a better description of what he is after...
Basically he is hoping to show that having your own garden is cheaper than actually buying the fruit and veg in finacial and labour terms.
also you should make your blog public . It is GOOD!
Hi Rach,
My email is jdurden@*delete-this-cos-I-don't-want-more-spam*mail.com
Our goal is to produce 50% of our food, but I'd reckon we are only at about 5% so far. We're probably not the sort of people who could help Ted much. We're just starting. But here's the basics for you and Ted.
We've hardly put any time into it at all. Really! More talk than action. Lot's of reading though. Books, websites, permaculture forums (permaculture.org.au)
We water the garden daily by hose. I plan to set up an automated drip irrigation system later, but for now enjoy wandering around, watering and looking at all these lovely plants. It takes about 10-15 mins/day.
Because we used mostly 'no-dig' garden beds there's hardly any weeding. Maybe 15 minutes a week! Literally.
We've spent a bit on manure and mulch ($4 /bag and lots of bags), the dozen or so fruit trees at an average of $20 each, some seedlings (mostly $1/punnet wholesale) and seeds, some hoses and pipes for watering and grey water. Not much overall, but we could have done it cheaper still.
No expense on pesticides of course.
So far it hasn't been cheaper but there will be more of a long term financial pay off. However, so many other benefits. Organic, fresh, tastier, not transported by oil, fun and relaxing.
I started the garden just to practise for when the 'peak oil' crunch hits. If you are reading this and have no idea about 'peak oil', start googling - fast.
But another very crucial pay off is that growing your own food actually saves water. If commercial irrigation is compared to home food production for water usage, the home gardener wins easily. David Holmgren (permaculture co-originator) mentioned this in his recent talks around Australia and I'll chase this figure up.
I don't know how to delete comments - I think that only the author can delete... anyone else know?
Beeston! you've missed the tour but we would love to have you over for lunch one day and we will give you our not so extensive tour...
give me some sat/sun dates you are free and we will arrange something!
Hi Rach,
This is random but through Emma, Reya and Gary (who you don't actually know)I have discovered your blog....
Anyway, I have been looking at your blog and my friends were looking over my shoulder and have got excited cause you are all into community and sustainable farming and living and tea and pancakes.
Well, we are living here in community in Newtown and well, we sure do get excited about those things too. And well, they want me to write and see if we can come for a Commy House excursion to your farm?
Love Jo French, and my friends who are now suffering from friend crush on you guys.
My e-mail is sonrisa@ahill.com
Jo, Jo,Jo! Oh such lovely and funny words. anyway I have written you an email. it is so funny to find out the people reading this blog. deary me I better start making it interesting... but yes pancakes and tea and tours shall be had at our place soon.
Hello Rachel,
I am interested in going to the next tour that Ted Trainer runs and would like to obtain directions to Pigface Point. Thankyou.
Hi there,
I'm really interested in the Pigface Point project and was wondering if you could reply with some advice on how best to go about arranging a visit? Thanks in advance!! My email is continuity.tom@ gmail.com
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