Books and resources

Robin’s annual and much appreciated creative teachers, facilitators and group leaders six day residential intensive course will be held from 19th to 24th May and will be a little warmer than the mid-winter course last year. The fire will still be going when needed and the food will be delicious and nutritious as always, when Donna is in the kitchen. Robin often gets asked the question “Is this an appropriate course for me as I haven’t done any teaching or facilitation and I’m just starting out. Will I be out of my depth?” In response, the 6 days builds skills and experience slowly so everyone is on the same with the foundations, methodology and culture of group work and learning. There’s enough new or cutting edge information to keep experienced teachers and facilitators engaged and adding to their notes and tool boxes. In fact, all contribute to the shared learning …

Robin’s ‘The Vision Tree Planning and Design Framework’ which will be a whole chapter in her upcoming book ‘Dynamic Teaching and Facilitation’ will most likely be featured as an article in the UK ‘Permaculture Magazine’ sometime through the middle of this year. Delvin Solkinson from Canada and ‘Visionary Permaculture’ encouraged the article and drafted the first version and after slight edits from Robin and a Yes from the magazine editors and publishers, it’s ready to go. A wonderful tree illustration for the book chapter has been created by the very talented Permaculture artist and illustrator Brenna Quinlan and this will be used in conjunction with the article. ‘The Vision Tree Planning and Design Framework’ gives a map to journey through to plan and design anything, be it a land based design, a project or event, a business plan, a life design or the creation of a new group, organization or …

1’st in the series entitled – Make your own Rules By Karl Fitzgerald of ‘Grounded’ – Community Land Trust Advocacy. With Robin Clayfield (Crystal Waters Ecovillage, Qld), Megan James (Tuntable Falls, NSW) and Peter Cook (Moora Moora Ecovillage, Vic) Here’s a link to the website where there is the 1 1/2 hour recording to watch and also a written transcript. If you’re interested in Community design and living, particularly the design of governance and decision making, how to live and work together, intentional communities and villages, this is a great resource. Great initiative by Karl, and he will be doing more…  

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. …

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 …

Feel like an adventure to South East Queensland? The next ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ creative teachers, facilitators and group leaders course is happening at Crystal Waters EcoVillage from 17th to 22nd July. This started as an Advanced Permaculture Teachers Facilitation Course in 1992 and has now become a valuable and leading edge training for all professions, though at least half the participants are Permaculture People. Let Robin know if you’re interested 🙂 She’d love to welcome you to her home community and this great learning adventure 🙂 Here’s the poster at larger size for more details Here’s the link to the FaceBook event