Tag Archives: Teaching Permaculture Creatively

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 …

Spontaneous, unsolicited testimonials are always the best kind. This one from Charlie appeared on FaceBook this week and Kate picked up on that and posted on LinkedIn. Thanks to you both for your support of this important work. “If there’s one thing we need more than ever, it’s the ability to organise in harmonious ways. Robin Clayfield is a master of bringing people together and creating dynamic, transformative and… dare I say, FUN groups with the ability to make meaningful change in the world.” – Charlie McGee “I can’t put it better than Charlie, but what I can say is that Robin Clayfield’s Dynamic Groups work has been formative in my own facilitation and practice. I can’t recommend this course highly enough. The annual Dynamic Groups residential training is coming up next month at Crystal Waters Eco Village. Email Robin for more information”. Kate Williams

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 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.