Robin adapted a quote she wrote some years previously to present at the Deep Ecology Weekend recently. Here’s the latest version… “The Great Remembering It is the time of the Great Remembering… Remembering as humans that we are part of the Earth. Remembering our nature intelligence as many indigenous cultures still do. Remembering we are part of a symbiotic and amazing ecosystem that bubbles and pulses with life. Yes, we can remember our hunter-gatherer roots, yet we can still purposefully gather all the tools, resources, courage and companions to connect together for a healthy world. We are powerful, creative and co-creative beyond measure and we are a tiny speck in the web of life, finding our way back home. May each speck be a spark of illumination and remembering of our ancient roots and deeply intimate relationship with Earth and all beings… for a better world.” – Robin Clayfield Sept. …

What a delight it was for John Seed to come all this way up to Crystal Waters to offer his weekend Deep Ecology workshop. Robin Co-facilitated with him and it was a full house with 35 people booked in. 25% of the facilitation fee went to the Rainforest Information Centre to support their work on the Ecuador rainforests campaign.   Here’s a link to John’s Work. https://www.facebook.com/johnseed.deepecology    

Here’s a lovely unsolicited email received last week with great things to say about attending Robin’s Creative Facilitators course from back in the mid 90’s. “Hi Robin,It was great to see you again and to be at Crystal Waters.It’s amazing how many years ago it was since we did the courses with you.After I saw you it occurred to me to say how much influence the ‘Dynamic Groups’ course had on the way I came to eventually facilitate groups myself. In 1994 I had no expectation of ever doing that but since 2007 I guess I have been facilitating groups!!! Always therapy or spiritually based, including for a while I taught at the counselling college where I myself trained, Sophia College and I taught Bush Flower essences for Ian White for a while too.On reflection my surprising ability to do this was certainly inspired by what we did with you …

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 and Rob were invited to be on an organizing committee for this inaugural gathering with the theme of ‘The Art of Being Human’.     Six months in the planning of the event and a significant amount of time and preparation for Robin to lead six facilitations over the two days, including one all in session and co-creating the Opening and Closing Ceremony and the Heart Circle. Great feedback was received and some good suggestions for improvements will support the gathering to power on. Nine wonderful humans stepped up to hold the energy and facilitate the next Gathering, scheduled for 1st to 3rd of March 2024.