Tag Archives: Permaculture

There’s a magical and nourishing event that happens monthly in Maleny called the ‘Maleny Seed and Harvest Swap’. Robin was invited to be a guest speaker after the swap session during one gathering last year and has been going regularly since then to the swap. It’s the most awesome system. People bring anything they have surplus or to swap from their gardens, lay it out on the tables, then at 9am, everyone wanders around and takes what they want or need. More people come in later, place things down and the gathering continues. People bring produce, plants, cuttings, flowers, eggs, honey, dried herbs, seeds of course and you never know what else. Robin brings potted edible plants, bunches of greens from the garden, surplus produce, most recently chillies and passionfruit, dried herbs like Perilla, Horsetail, Peppermint and seeds that are in abuncance. Her presentation on the first occasion was about …

The last PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) Course at Crystal Waters in March was a hoot with 13 wonderful Participants, some of them with great senses of humour. We laughed a lot, learnt heaps and eat much delicious and nourishing food. The team that organizes the Co Op fundraiser did an awesome job and people were looked after really well. A highlight is always a field trip to ‘Green Harvest’ with Frances and Jeff Michaels. Also included was a site tour then Hands-on Hot Compost making, Fruit Tree Guild planting and Sheet Mulching at Regeneridge Permaculture Farm. The final design exercise, which was conducted in five stages over four afternoons and the final presentation morning. Each stage was a step in the process of designing for a real piece of land for one real and one hypothetical client. The results and effort put in by the Participants in their three groups …

Late April saw 350 Permaculture Folks converge on Mt Barker in South Australia for the 16th Australasian/Australian Convergence. The event had sold out quickly so live streaming of a few of the sessions was made possible. So much great information was offered and shared and the most luscious and locally sourced food was a delight for all. The most commented on element was that of connection and catching up with old friends and new. A Chai Tent supported the social design of the space and the Waldolf school buildings and environment enhanced the whole experience.   ‘The three Robin’s’ shared a cabin together for the event and were together again for the first time in many years. Quite amusing really – Robyn Francis, Robina McCurdy (who was a Robyn) and Robin Clayfield, all wise ‘old’ Permaculture Elders. Robyn Francis and Robin Clayfield are celebrating 40 years since doing their PDC …

Robin had a comment pop up on FaceBook attached to a post promoting her Dynamic Groups Course. It was from John Champaign, a highly respected Permaculture elder and teacher. “Can’t recommend this learning highly enough. Lucky to attend this training with Robin Clayfield back in 2004 at Robyn Frances’ place in Nimbin registering for APT. Taught my first PDC soon after and used many of the techniques learnt in it……….and still do. Thanks Robin xx John Champaign John’s September PDC at The Crossing on the South Coast of NSW will be his 50th PDC. Yay! Congratulations on achieving such a great milestone and wonderful that Robin’s course helped you on the way. 

The Crystal Waters Community Cooperative hosts PDC’s in the village, traditionally once a year, but now twice a year, in Spring and in Autumn. Robin has hosted, programmed and coordinated the presenter’s team and the catering for the last two courses as well as presenting the majority of sessions. Many other Crystal Waters and Local presenters join her to form a dynamic teaching and facilitation team, including Max Lindegger, Annaliese Hordern, Conor Cran, Jess Steele, Richard Mochelle, Nigel Paratt and several other guest presenters. The course features many practical examples of Permaculture, hands on sessions, Crystal Waters and local permaculture garden tours, theory sessions and a culminating hands-on design exercise that brings all the learning from the intensive two week program to an exciting climax. Dates for the Spring course are 28th August to 11th September All information is on the website here   and have a look at the …