Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning Dynamic Courses, Books, Resources and Tours for Healthy Groups, People and Culture with Robin Clayfield

Australasian Permaculture Convergence 2021
Celebrating Nature’s Abundance
Monday 12 April to Thursday 15 April 2021
at Camp Kindilan, Redland Bay, Queensland.

The 2020 Australasian Permaculture Convergence (APC) was postponed to April 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic. The program will be kept as close as possible to the one planned for last year but with necessary changes.

The APC is a biennial gathering of permaculture people from around the country and the Asia Pacific region. All people with an interest in permaculture and regenerative development are invited to join for four days of workshops, hands-on activities and discussions on how we can both celebrate and support nature’s abundance.

The Quandamooka First Nations people are the traditional custodians of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and the Southern Moreton Bay region including Redland Bay. The organisers pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. For more information on their activities visit their website Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation.

The Convergence is being organised by Northey Street City Farm on behalf of Permaculture Australia. There will also be a Community Gardens and Permaculture Festival at Northey Street City Farm on the Sunday 11th April, then people  will bus to  Redlands Bay for the Convergence. 

The APC program will include talks and workshops covering topics relevant to the three ethics of Permaculture, which are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. The organisers feel it is important to explore the bigger picture of what true sustainability entails. Earth Care is obviously essential, however without People Care and nurturing healthy, sustainable relating, the task of coming together and working as a community can be greatly hindered. Finally, if attention and conscious intention isn’t given to the economic sustainability of communities, and the distribution of resources isn’t managed equitably, then communities may struggle to be truly sustainable in the long term.

As well as thought-provoking keynote speakers, the daytime workshops will each be 90 minutes long to allow for more participation and hands-on activities. There will also be opportunities for some 10 minute presentations or project reports one evening, and a project poster display area to share projects with everyone at the Convergence. Keynote speakers confirmed so far include Starhawk, Stuart Andrews and Robyn Francis. Robin Clayfield and Erin Young will be facilitating the Wrap Up sessions each afternoon and Robin will lead the Opening Ceremony to complete the proceedings.

“With the creation of the Savour Soil YouTube channel it has allowed us to reach a greater audience and create more content. It allows us to use creative Dynamic facilitation in a different way, pushing the edge outside the comfort zone with what we hope will be a Closer Personal Connection. Helping to make it real!”

Michael Wardle – Savour Soil Permaculture

Highly recommended by Robin Clayfield as a very clear explanation of these concepts using technology and dynamic group facilitation with great results.

The Permaculture Framework

Zones & Sectors – Part 1

Zones & Sectors – Part 2

Trees in Permaculture – Fertility

‘Kuttamullamee’, the 1acre Lot that Robin cares for at Crystal Waters Permaculture EcoVillage, is becoming a Permaculture and creative Social Permaculture wonderland after she, Rob and several volunteers and WWOOFers have put in many hours since COVID began to plan for and work towards creating a biodiverse garden system, water security, fire safety, food security, gully regeneration, earthworks consolidation plus social and recreational spaces.

It’s a building site, a deconstruction zone (having pulled down four structures), earthworks mitigation site, roadwork project as well as a once again lush and productive vegie, herb, flower, orchard and fibre garden.

When the COVID lockdowns began Robin felt that the most important thing she could be doing is gardening, after a few years away and a time of coming ‘home’ again and building… Clearing the bamboo, weeds, dead trees, weed trees was a huge job.

Now the new and retrofitted gardens are at a stage where groups can come visit and learn from the systems and people on the land.

Recently ‘Maleny Permaculture Group’ visited for 3 hours and much networking, learning, sharing and plants were experienced and swapped.

Express interest if you’re interested to come for a tour.

I am back in France, back in school as a primary teacher.

I try to implement some facilitation techniques you taught during the course.

Your wild cards inspire me when preparing my class.

As a kinaesthetic, remembering the feeling of your course supports me in going to work and doing my best to share a “dynamic” energy with my pupils despite the stressful conditions.

Thank you Robin for the experience and the tools.

The second Social Permaculture Weekend hosted by Robin and I at Crystal Waters Ecovillage in November 2020 was an absolute delight!

A rich group came together to explore and understand the application of permaculture principles for the design of social dynamics. Particularly in the context of ‘times of change’, for which 2020 was a great demonstration.

The engaging content was met with an equally potent delivery – where the sessions were dynamic, interactive, visual, kinaesthetic and engaging.

We sat in circle. Everyone on the same level, with similar access to the information and experience… including us as instructors.

Accessible and impactful tools were shared to implement for one’s self, for one’s kin, and for one’s community. We completed with a gentle ritual of acknowledgement and onward visioning to seal the goodness.

After a weekend of exploring regenerative social design, combined with the delicious fare served at mealtimes, the group were beaming with smiles and warm hearts.

The next Social Permaculture Weekend is on 13 & 14 November 2021 at Crystal Waters Ecovillage, South East Queensland. Click here to let Robin know you’re interested!
By Erin Young

Woodford Folk Festival didn’t happen over the Christmas/New Year period and so the annual Ceremonies at the Sacred Union Labyrinth led by Robin and friends didn’t happen either.

To keep the energy of the site and the staff and patrons alive and flourishing the idea of holding ‘Bushtime’ at Woodfordia was born. 

Robin was invited to offer a 3 hour ‘Ritual and Ceremony’ workshop at these laid back, lightly programmed bush camping experiences. Surrounded by other diverse and creative workshops, nature and science talks and walks, kids activities, the Lake for swimming, delicious food, fantastic music and relaxed and happy people, it was easy to have a good time. This was able to happen in a COVID safe environment and was designed to cater for up to 1000 people. Robin’s favourite workshop was a ‘Personal Shrine Painting’ two hour workshop with Gavin Ryan, the long standing Artist in Residence who does all the great posters for Woodford Folk Festival, The Planting and now, Bushtime. Robin loved it so much she will support Gavin to offer a similar experience at Crystal Waters on Saturday 27th February. 

Unfortunately, Camp 4 was cancelled due to a 3 day lock down of Greater Brisbane, called the day before the camp was scheduled to start.

Woodfordia intends to offer ‘Bushtime’ in the next school holidays and I’ve heard on the grapevine that ‘The Planting’ is being planned. Stay Tuned.