By Lorraine Hawdon
Did you know that the first iteration of Permaculture Central Coast began in 1992? I have recently come across most of our newsletters from September 1992 – July 1999. Chatting with Sandi Eyles, she suggested an article about this history may be of interest to the current members of Permaculture Central Coast. Most of us are still involved in Permaculture, and in true Permaculture style, some of us have come full circle, returning to Permaculture after a break.
The first edition of the newsletter states, “On 23rd August 1992, Permaculture Central Coast became a reality. A group of 30 people met at a property at Macmasters Beach and decided to formalise the group.” Initially, we consisted of a diverse group that had completed the ‘Introduction to Permaculture Course’ run by James Adams. James was a Gosford City Councillor at the time and a committed Permaculture Designer.
Our group consisted of Agriculture graduates, Horticulturists and nursery owners, Teachers, stay-at-home parents, Electricians, established Permaculture Designers and Architects and of course, everyone’s children were included right from the beginning. We met bimonthly, and our meetings were casual and fairly informal, although during that first meeting, we did decide that we needed to establish a few guidelines:
- Group aims and purpose
- Organisational structure
- Group projects
- Resource sharing
- Affiliations and publicity
- Funding for Newsletter and other activities
- Logo
- Seed saving
By January 1993, we had established a small committee of Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, with a rotating Chairperson and newsletter editorial team. We usually met at members’ properties and undertook some basic Permie Blitzes. The newsletter was compiled, printed and posted every second month. Another member printed T-shirts for us, which included our new logo (see photo). The newsletter began as an 8-page mini-magazine. Over the years, the newsletter and the meetings evolved and developed. At times, the newsletter was just an A4 double-sided handout.
Gradually, other Permaculture Designers joined our group, including Terri Southwell. Terri and another designer, Tania Strebl, began working on the formation of LETS Central Coast. LETS was active on the Central Coast until COVID, when it ceased to operate.
The first Permaculture Design Course was held on the Central Coast in 1993 and subsequent courses were run by members. Also during 1993, Tanya Strebl and another member, Salli Ramsden, completed the ‘Children in Permaculture.’ Following this, Tania and Salli ran the course for some of us in April 1995. We then used our knowledge and skills to practice and teach permaculture in local schools and with our children.
September 1993 saw the first public display from Permaculture Central Coast at the Flora Festival. This festival was a huge affair held at Mt Penang and a precursor of the now much smaller Plant Lovers Fair. Our displays included wonderful plant and landscape materials, and beautiful posters and graphics were created by one of our members. I’d love to know what happened to them! As you can see by the photos, they were stunning! We also created a display at the Mangrove Mountain Country Fair for a few years.
We began a seed-saving collection. Again, I’d love to know what happened to that! In addition to meeting at each other’s properties, we also visited and were inspired by Permaculture properties in Sydney, such as Calmsley Hill City Farm and Ted Trainer’s property at Voyager Point.
The last newsletter I have is from November 1999. By then, we were holding evening meetings at Narara Research Station (in what is now the Narara Ecovillage Hall). I am not sure what happened after that, but I believe that was the end of my family’s involvement with Permaculture Central Coast. However, many of us went on to develop careers and involvement in permaculture, and some of us drifted away from Permaculture. As is the circular nature of Permaculture, my friend Terri and I have come full circle. I now live at Narara Ecovillage, and Terri has moved around the corner to Narara and is a friend of the village. We both continue in our quest to lead a more sustainable lifestyle through Permaculture and are gradually developing our own properties.
This year, I opened my garden for the Edible Garden Trail, and Terri was my very able assistant. Everything just fell into place, we both felt it was just like all those years ago working together on and manning displays at the Flora Festival and Country Fair (see photos). Such a joy for both of us! It is wonderful for us to see Permaculture Central Coast now strong and increasing membership, events and activities every year.