Ritual and Celebration

The first weekend in March saw the second ‘Gathering of WellBeing’ which Robin and partner Rob were on the inaugural organising committee the year prior. This year was a wonderful success with nearly 100 people in attendance. Workshops, Ceremony, Affinity Groups, Dance, Song, Cabaret and immersion in a wild nature place all contributed to a wonderful deep and enriching weekend. Robin was an Affinity group leader for the weekend and also ran a workshop entitled ‘Journey to the Heart of Community’. In her workshop, for the finale, participants walked a Spiral Labyrinth to transform anything getting in the way of being in one’s heart to live and be more fully in the heart of community.

The annual build of The Sacred Union Labyrinth by 14 people over the week prior to Woodford Folk festival, coordinated by Robin and organized by a core group of four – Christine, Stephane, Rob and Robin, went very well despite extreme heat and then some rain. The front entrance to the Labyrinth received a new mural art paint job, the guiding pennants got a solidifying make over and a quarter of the stone Labyrinth had some major drainage work done by hand!!! This drainage work turned out to be much needed due to rains during the Festival with thousands of people walking through the pathways then heavy, consistent rain on our pack down day. Huge thank you to our Build Crew team and for Woodford Folk Festival for supporting us as a mini Department and Volunteers. Also big gratitude to Woodford Programming Department for supporting us as a Ceremony team …

Exciting news. For the first time ever at Crystal Waters, the world travelled Permaculture Band ‘Formidable Vegetable’ will be rocking the Village Green and Deck area on the last Saturday evening of July. Fresh from a sold-out national tour, Formidable Vegetable are back with some all new permaculture-boosted electro-funk and positive climate action that the whole neighbourhood can get down to as they launch their brand new album ‘Micro Biome’. With accolades from the UN and having toured to over 20 countries, Formidable Vegetable inspire folks from 5 to 95 to grow their own food, restore their own ecosystems and live a better life with irresistibly funky home-scale solutions to the many problems of the world. From the local farmers market to massive festivals such as Glastonbury, Formidable Vegetable are as at home on stage alongside the likes of Radiohead, Dolly Parton and The Rolling Stones as they are in …

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. …

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.