History of Permaculture Central Coast
- The Idea
- The Planning
- The Start
- 2007/08
- 2008/09
- 2009/10
- 2010/11
PCC was formed by a group of Central Coast residents with an interest in permaculture. The idea to form PCC originated in 2006, after Vicky Gear and Janet Millington had discussed the possibility of a permaculture organisation on the Central Coast. Pamela Moss again raised and discussed the notion with Jeanette Bunter, Tamara Fleet and Vicky during their regular train trips to Ryde TAFE to study permaculture. Each expressed an interest in establishing a permaculture organisation of some description.
Vicky brought the idea home and shared it with husband Keith Gear, who along with Vicky, got involved in setting up PCC. Vicky had extensive experience in the community as a volunteer, a community coordinator, a community educator, TAFE teacher, and in particular, as an environmental educator. To complement Vicky's capabilities, Keith had extensive experience as an adult educator, spent many years researching how to become self sufficient and to live a more sustainable life, and with his organisational skills, was well placed to help get PCC running.
Experience in previous volunteer roles provided Vicky and Keith with the knowledge that without a decent amount of community support, and without community members willing to get involved, any attempt to form an organisation would prove extremely difficult. The next step therefore was to try and gauge community interest in setting up a permaculture group. Vicky and Keith decided to hold an initial meeting to gauge community interest. Things came together quickly on the back of their efforts, and planning commenced for the meeting.
A lot of work went into planning the inaugural PCC meeting. The initial information session was held at Narara Community Centre as it was available and centrally located for Central Coast residents. The aim was to gauge community interest in forming a group. It was held on 26 August 2006. Keith and Vicky Gear prepared the session. and Vicky presented the information on the day, while Jeanette Bunter Fung and Pamela Moss helped out.
From this session, expressions of interest were called for and as a result, Kelly Macindoe, Alison Heathcote, Mick Joint and Harvey Baker-Dowdell joined Vicky, Keith and Jeanette to form the original planning team. Regular planning meetings commenced, and community input was sought to help set the direction of the organisation. Questionnaires which were distributed at the initial information session were reviewed, and areas of interest were identified. This information formed the basis for determining what direction PCC would take in the immediate future.
Early tasks undertaken by the planning team included establishing a committee of management, developing a monthly meetings calendar, networking with local environmental organisations, developing aims and a constitution, obtaining legal status as an incorporated organisation, establishing a financial position and creating a PCC identity on the Coast. Things started to happen very quickly and before long, PCC was well on the way to becoming an incorporated organisation. A lot of the planning took place simultaneously with the commencement of monthly public meetings.
Regular public meetings commenced in October 2006 at Narara Community Centre. The first committee was elected on 11 Dec 2006, elected appointments were: President Vicky Gear, Vice President Jeanette Bunter and Secretary Keith Gear. Jeanette soon after was also elected as Treasurer. Kelly Macindoe took on the appointment of Event's Coordinator and Harvey Baker-Dowdell was appointed Publicity Officer.
Mick Joint and Alison Heathcote volunteered their services as committee members. Harvey soon after resigned owing to work commitments so Alison took on the Publicity Officer role. In the meantime, PCC had become an incorporated organisation with Keith appointed as Public Officer to meet the legal requirements of the NSW Department of Fair Trading. During the initial public meetings, quite a few new members helped out as well in different ways. Keith also took on the role of Newsletter Editor and the first newsletter was published in October 2006. Soon after commencement of the public meetings, a meeting schedule was bedded down.
Some aspects of our meetings were modeled on that of Permaculture North (Northern Sydney). Thanks must go to Penny Pyett and the team at PN for allowing PCC to plagiarise their ideas in the early days. Thanks also to the new members who got stuck in and to help establish PCC. Raffle donations were received, food was prepared and brought in for after meeting supper, the hall was set up and refurbished each evening, and so on. In 2007, PCC moved to a new monthly meeting venue at Tuggerah Hall, Tuggerah.
PCC had a very successful first full year. As at the AGM in October, membership had grown to about eighty financial members. Regular attendances throughout the year averaged approximately forty members, and a variety of additional activities were planned, promoted or conducted by PCC. At the AGM, a new committee was elected. Vicky Gear remained as President, Cheryl Walker was voted in as Vice President, Pamela Moss was elected Secretary and Jeanette Bunter remained on as Treasurer.
Kelly Macindoe continued in her role as Display Coordinator, as did Alison Heathcote as Publicity Officer, and Keith Gear as Editor/Public Officer. Soon after, Pamela was unable to continue in her role, but thankfully, Kelly acted as Secretary for the remainder of the year. 2008 proved to be just as successful as, if not more successful than, 2007. A full calendar of meetings and additional activities provided something of interest for everyone. In fact, the additional activities, which were mainly conducted on weekends, were very well attended.
February saw Vicky Gear fill in for a session on Permaculture Principles, after our scheduled guest presenter, Jo Vaughan, pulled out on short notice. James Their, an executive director of Australian Ethical Investments presented a worthwhile session in March. Keith and Vicky Gear also hosted and facilitated an Introduction to Permaculture course which was well attended and received by members. And importantly, the annual Australian Permaculture Convergence was held. Sandra Norman from Hunter Biodynamic Group entertained us in April, followed by Gavin Scott, from Earth Building Technologies in May. May was also a huge success when PCC conducted its first ever full day of workshops and training sessions, with a Do It Yourself theme.
Community Environment Network (CEN) gave a talk on common frogs of the Central Coast in June, whilst in July, we viewed the DVD - The Future of Food. June also saw members attend a beekeeping workshop. August's guest presenter, Brian Woodward
from Earthways, discussed passive solar design, September we had Hunter Organic Growers Society (HOGS) make a presentation, and Karen McCarthy told us all about the Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) in October. November finished the year when we held a Hippy theme night for the AGM.
The 2008 AGM was moved to November (previously October) to allow time for the auditor to prepare the financial statement. At this meeting, Vicky stood down after two very successful years as President and Alison Heathcote was voted in as the new President. Cheryl Walker was re-elected Vice President. Maree Beveridge was elected as the new Secretary, a role Kelly Macindoe had been acting in for the previous year. The Public Officer role also went to Maree. Jeanette Bunter stayed on as Treasurer, as did Kelly Macindoe as Display Coordinator. Alison kindly agreed to remain on as the Publicity Officer, and Keith Gear continued on as Editor.
2009 started with a good show at the February and March Information Evenings where Kristjan Simmul presented a session on Guilds in Permaculture, the foundation for creating a food
forest; and in March, Mark and Kate from Purple Pear
Organics presented information on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The April meeting saw Kerrie Anderson introduce the Transition Initiative (Transition Towns) to PCC members, whist the main session of the night was Beekeeping, presented by Martin, the President of the Central Coast Beekeepers Association.
May saw the Community Environment Network (CEN) discuss Habitat for Wildlife, followed by the June information evening where Transition Sydney held an informative and interactive workshop to encourage PCC members to determine what the Central Coast can do to transition to a low energy future. Then the 'PDC by Correspondence' crew did a
great job in coordinating and running the Trivia Night
in July. Keith and Vicky Gear presented 'Permaculture Pathways Beyond Sustainability' in August (based on David Holmgrens book). September's Info Evening was the film 'Our Seeds Blong Yumi' and October was Solar Power For Your Home by Sun2Steam.
And significantly, on the back of a successful application for funding by Vicky Gear, with input from Kelly Macindoe and Keith Gear, PCC received almost $5,000.00 in early 2009 to purchase equipment. This grant was used to purchase a display trailer for use at any displays and events that PCC may attend. The trailer was purpose built and then fitted/kitted out so that whenever displays are attended, PCC members have everything readily available.
Jeanette Bunter decided she would stand for President, becoming the longest serving elected committee member for PCC (Vice President the first year and treasurer since inception until taking over as Pres this AGM). Other elected positions went to Elizabeth Heath - Vice President, Christine Smith - Secretary/Public Officer and Steve Smallbone - Treasurer.
Non elected volunteer appointments were: Information Evenings Coordinator - Kerrie Anderson, Activities Coordinator - Robyn Crosland, Membership Secretary - Helen Stubberfield, Newsletter Editor - Harvey Baker-Dowdell, Funds/Grants Coordinator - Elizabeth Heath, Publicity Officer - Alison Heathcote.
Other appointments were: Technical Support - Bob Stubberfield, Tuggerah Meet, Greet and General Duties Team - Barbara Nudd and Maree Beveridge, General Duties - Heinz Zinkel and Kelly Macindoe, Show and Display Group - Robyn Crosland with Helpers, Garden Team - Lloyd Fiord and Peta James, Knowledgeable Knome - Eileen Daly, Crafties Group - Pauline Clark and Herbies Group - Lynnette Rhodes and Eileen Daly.
The committee handover meeting was held at Jilliby on Tuesday 24 Nov where the direction and plans for the PCC year were discussed. New and interesting activities and 2010 happenings were planned, which is evident by the number of groups listed above, all of which were established by members to cater for the likes and interests of members. This demonstrates the flexible and supportive approach of PCC as it continues to grow and adapt to meet then needs of the members and by virtue of that, the local community - if it is permaculture related - it is relevant.
A big start to the year is what best describes the February Information Evening when Peter Andrews presented his inspiring session on Natural Sequence Farming. The March Information Evening saw Mia Hughes from Equilibrium Eco Service present an informative session on what she has been doing with gardens in schools. Also in March, Eileen Daly and others arranged to complete a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course by correspondence, delivered by Permaculture Visions, who also presented at the April Information Evening. Robyn Crosland had initiated this arrangement for a previous course in 2008/9. National Permaculture Day 2010 was on 1 May. PCC held a display at Gosford show, Eileen Daley had an open garden at her property, and Kariong Eco Garden held an open day. Candy Alexander discussed Aquaponics at the June Information Evening and July saw Michelle Norman from Theiss Waste Services discuss recycling. August's Information Evening presenter on Seed Saving and Seed Raising was Roberta Fassina, President of Permaculture Sydney West. PCC held a display at FloraFest in September while the Information Evening saw a number of members each present a session on a permaculture related topic. Ecological Thinking and Action, Healthy Living Soils = Healthy Living People was presented by Peter Rutherford in October, and as usual, we held the AGM in November.
Pam Moss was elected President at the 2010 AGM - read Pam's speech and learn about her background. Other elected positions went to Donna Arnall - Vice President, Christine Smith - Secretary/Public Officer and Steve Smallbone - Treasurer.
Non elected volunteer appointments were: Tuggerah Events Coordinator - Kerrie Anderson, Shows Coordinator - Robyn Crosland, Membership Secretary - Helen Stubberfield, and Publicity Officer - Jack Gallacher.
Garden Team - Lloyd Fiord and Peta James, Knowledgeable Knome - Eileen Daly, Crafties Group - Pauline Clark and Raffles - Lee Dunbar.
Technical Support - Bob Stubberfield, Tuggerah Meet, Greet and General Duties Team - Barbara Nudd and Maree Beveridge, Kitchen Team - Heinz Zinkel and Kelly Macindoe.
The PCC Year for 2011 saw a full calendar of Information Evenings at Tuggerah Hall and some addiitonal activities at other times. A small but dedicated team worked with Steve Smallbone (Treasurer) to continue to establish the no dig garden at the rear of Tuggerah Hall. February saw Jill Richardson, from a Taste of the Bush present a session. while in March Paul Marynissen, discused "Weeds and Pests" - How to Identify Them and Determine Whether They Are a Problem". In April, Peter Brecknock presented "My Permaculture Property, Allyn River Permaculture and this was followed by Community Gardens and Community Sustainability in Education with Michael Neville, a Project Officer in Waste and Sustainability. June session was 'Long Stem Planting' presented by Audrey Taggart of the Australian Plants Society and July saw Pat Collins cover Herbs and Weeds as Medicine ‐ A Winter Perspective - Pat followed up with a well attended 'Weeds into medicine' workshop at Jilliby. In August, a presentation by Leonie Shanahan on Edible School Gardens was well received, this was follwed by a session on Raw Foods and Eating Weeds for Health, by Shirley Hotchkiss. And finally, October and November was taken up by A 'Members Talk" session and the AGM respectively. And of course there were a few other activities throughout the year as usual, such as Flora Fest and the PCC end of year get together.