Originally from sugar cane farming in North Queensland, one of six kids with parents who always grew their own food. During my years at the bank in Sydney as Sustainability Work Stream Leader I was charged with researching sustainability issues and helping the staff in our department learn how to reduce their impact on the world; at the office, in the home, and garden. I gathered knowledge on consumption, waste and procurement dependance and implemented learnings for our staff that was a real eye opener for everyone.
Our reliance on natural resources and vast international systems to entertain, feed, and clothe us makes us vulnerable, and though our collective attitude in decades' past to consumption and waste is slowly changing, more needs to be done to increase our grass roots resilience and self-reliance, both personally and in our communities.
We're igniting a local movement towards greater self-reliance, food security, good health, collaboration, sharing of skills, ideas, hard work and laughs.
I love growing organic heirloom vegetables and living as chemically free as possible. When we garden we truly find ourselves and each other. Join 'The Blitz List' Email Signup to subscribe to the Blog and get all the info and happenings. http://alpinepermablitz.com.au/join-the-blitz-list/
Food is Free garden sharing on again this Saturday from 10am. Bring food from your garden to share and take what you need. Janet will be bringing lemons, rosemary, raspberry seedlings, lemon balm seedings, and permaculture magazines to borrow. Bring what you can to share, or message/call Janet if you have fruit trees you’d like to donate fruit from. She’s happy to come and pick on your behalf.
#LoveLocal #SharingIsCaring #CommunityFreshFood
Wow a big write up this week in the Alpine Observer. So thankful to Samantha at Nourish Whole Foods for her progressive thinking and heartfelt support providing an all-weather home for the Food is Free – Food Share table.
Everyone is welcome to visit to drop off or collect local fresh produce any time 24/7 or join us at our 2nd Saturday of the month gatherings.
Please get in touch if you’d like to support the FIF initiative with fruit from trees that would otherwise go to waste on the ground, seeds or seedlings, or if you have a shop in Mt Beauty or Tawonga we could provide another share table outside of for those who can’t travel to Tawonga Sth.
janet(at)alpinepermablitz.com.au
What a great day at the Pallet Furniture Building Workshop. Everyone was keen, positive and really excited to gain new knowledge and complete their coffee table project by day’s end.
The results are mini masterpieces each with its own beautiful, unique characteristics they can be proud of.
Thanks so much to everyone who came along, Ralph and I had a terrific day with you all. Your passion for up-cycling, changing consumption patterns, and thirst for knowledge inspires us to keep bringing these knowledge-sharing days to our community.
Thanks again to Dick Puttyfoot and Paul L’Huillier from the Men’s Shed for your wonderful support and venue. It’s a terrific community hub and your desire to bring the ladies in for skill-building is so welcomed! Local men, if you’re interested in joining the Men’s Shed please reach out to Paul L’Huillier for info. They’d love to hear from you. Thanks to Ralph Nottingham from Creative Collectives in Eldorado for making the trip over to our valley to facilitate. Everyone loved it!
On my quest for greater self-reliance I met Ralph out at Eldorado last year on the Wolf Pack program. For those interested in joining he & Kate on their 20 acres, 20 days, 30 people rewilding program starting 24th April check out the details here and chat with the very lovely Kate. It’s truly an empowering experience that develops greater self-reliance and confidence in what you can achieve.
Our apologies to those who missed out on this workshop due to the long weekend. If you’re interested in coming to a second instalment please join the list below. Date TBA: we will contact those who have registered their interest.
NEW SKILL-BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR LADIES
On our goal of increasing self-reliance (both personal and community), a fab opportunity came from today with Dick offering Mondays or Fridays to a ladies’ skill-building group with The Men’s Shed facilitating. Can any local ladies who are interested in expanding their knowledge in anything from woodwork, to changing a tap, to replacing fly screens and beyond; please join the list below to receive more info. We’ll survey your ideas on learning topics you’d like to see offered and develop a program.
WHAT’S NEXT? COB OVEN WORKSHOP
Meantime, for the next Alpine Permablitz Workshop can I see a show of hands of those interested in cob oven building? I’ll need to make contact with the right facilitators but just need an indication of numbers. If you’re interested in a Cob Oven Building Workshop before winter please join the list below.
Till then, have a great time in the garden and the shed!
Janet
MISSED WHAT WE’RE DOING?
Alpine Permablitz aim is to help increase community self-reliance through fun, affordable, knowledge-sharing workshops and garden events.
Ralph kicking off
Learning how to identify pallets by country and whether they have chemicals or are heat treated
Inspecting the pallet's features and usable components is essential
Looking out for features that really pop! Like sap in the wood.
Sorry folks this one's going home with Ralph!
Hugh trying out Ralph's handmade pallet splitter
Meredith having a crack and seeing how easy it makes the job of disassembly. One observation was "Oh that's like going through butter!"
Cath, Jenny and Meredith scouting materials
Liz and Shane are on the same page
Jenny's found hers!
Ralph's display chair
Even prettier from behind
Ralph explaining the approach to the coffee table top
Hey pretty ladies! Cath & Jenny are a great team
Liz having a little rest. Great you could make it along Liz!
Not letting a few cheap stubborn nails hamper the goal. The grinder comes out 🙂
Darren and Julie both having a crack
Julie drilling screws
Preparing the table structure
Cath and Jenny drilling screws
Little visitor. Our one-day Mascot 🙂
Meredith and Hugh bringing it all together
Ralph planing the edges
Jenny getting stuck in! So great to watch these ladies in action
Very big thanks to Dick Puttyfoot and Paul L'Huillier for their support and use of the Men's Shed.
Darren putting the final sanding touches on
Almost there Liz!
So inspired by the passion in this group! More workshops to come.
Brilliant bunch of folks. Thanks for your company today 😀
What a great day at the Pallet Furniture Building Workshop. Everyone was keen, positive and really excited to gain new knowledge and complete their coffee table project by day’s end.
