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Requests Products and Services Listing Hello all, after some feedback, the newsletter team has decided to add a new section to SomerVille Scoop called “Products and Services Available” this is basically an extension of the Chidlow Business Directory which is currently online and can be viewed at http://www.chidlow.com.au/ The idea of this section is to promote products or services provided by SomerVille Residents. So if you have a product or service that you would like to promote in SomerVille Scoop then please email the details through to newsletter@sev.net.au. Please Note this is strictly for SomerVille Residents only (well future SomerVille Residents) and for products or services you provide directly or for which you a distributor for. Newsletter Team The Newsletter team is putting out a request for articles, points of interest etc, have your say, share your knowledge. If you are interested in making a contribution, or have any queries about the structure or content please visit www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/newsletters and read the Newsletter Structure, Content and Submission Guidelines, then send any newsletter contributions to newsletter@sev.net.au If you are interested in sending in an article but not sure what to write about you may like to write a short article for the section My Story, that is an article explaining who you are and how you become involved in SomerVille . Trade Accounts for Discounts We are looking into setting up some trade account with a number of business in order to obtain discounts, these trade accounts will not only be used for purchasing items for the SomerVille Ecovillage™ , but could also be used by yourself to purchase items that you require at a discount. So to begin with we are requesting as much information that you can give us in relation to contacts you may have or suppliers you can recommend that offer trade accounts and discounts. They can be for construction materials, office supplies, car maintenance, computers, furniture etc... Anything So please email any information, contact details, recommended suppliers etc... to info@sev.net.au. Project Updates Environment / Place Update provided by Dave Moore This month’s report will be less detailed than usual due to my lateness in starting the b……r! The rezoning process is still with the WA Planning Commission. We hope to have a response on this from the Minister by mid August. The SomerVille LSIP (Local Subdivision and Infrastructure Plan) was officially lodged with the Shire on 19th May. The Shire has recently, and unexpectedly, requested considerable additional information to support the LSIP. We are currently immersed in the process of preparing a suitably documented reply. Lot selection has been buzzing along with 47 lots having been selected by members of our community. Additionally, the lots for community owned (affordable/rental) housing were decided by the Steering Team this week, and will be shown on the lots picked/available plans on our website soon. Four companies have been short listed and asked to tender their interest in a design and build contract for the community house. The Building Guidelines group have received a draft of the building guidelines and building evaluation procedures from consultants EcoSmart. These will be reviewed by the end of July. Our water management group continues to develop a comprehensive and coordinated water management strategy, and water levels and flows are being monitored on a regular basis. Enterprise & Economics Update provided by Paul Antonelli Enterprise Champions continue to work through feasibility activity. This is being supported by online surveys which will provide crucial input into this process. The survey activity has been led off with an up to date resident’s survey to provide valuable overview information as to what is likely to happen at SomerVille as building begins. The next step involves updating the Economic and Enterprise Strategic plan and identifying actions required as part of this overall strategy. This update will include information from the latest surveys and findings from the Enterprise Champions session held in May. This will provide a clear outline of where we are currently at and the areas of focus for future activity. There stills exists gaps in relation to enterprises and what has been identified as critical in the strategic plan. Many of these gaps relate to the construction and building phase of SomerVille . We are currently considering alternative approaches as to how these gaps can be addressed. If you are interested in any potential enterprises at SomerVille or would like to better understand the process for gearing up an enterprise at SomerVille please contact the Enterprise Action Group by email to either Paul Antonelli paul@greenedge.org or Helmut Hilz helmut@greenedge.org. Social / Cultural Update provided by Vida Carlino & Christophe Bouyac Creative Conflict workshop This workshop on the 26th June was facilitated by Brendan McKeague, a staff member of the international Pace E Bene Nonviolence Service and was an expansive experience for all. We:
I feel we all expanded our capacity for participating in creative conflict. For all those that missed out on the opportunity of sharing creative conflict with Brendan, don’t worry we will engage Brendan later in the year.
June’s SomerVille Sunday Once again this was a fantastic and inspiring day. We started off the day with a presentation by John Talbot on Findhorn Ecovillage. John had played a key role in the development and implementation of the Field of Dreams and he shared with us his experiences and key learning’s. After Johns presentation we had a tree planting ceremony in the centre of our labyrinth. We then broke for an excellent lunch after which we moved out under the trees and received a project update. SomerVille Library We have been investigating the possibility of compiling a Library for SomerVille Residents. With so many residents choosing lots and investigating housing designs, wouldn’t it be awesome if we all shared our reference material. If you have any thoughts on this matter or you would like to be involved please contact Christophe on christophe@greenedge.org . The Young Adults Recently we had a ‘young ones’ brainstorming night and it was a great opportunity for a small group of us (younger somervillians) to discuss our concerns/issues about moving to SomerVille . A lot of issues were raised along with some possible solutions. Overall the night was a success. At this point I should mention that when I say young ones, I am actually referring to Young Adults (age 18 to about 35). The next step is for all of us Young Adults to get together again to define what we are about and what we want to do. An email will be sent out shortly with more details. Self Awareness section on the Web We had significant interest from the community to establish this facility. Christophe is in the process of making this information available on the web and now it is up to you guys to complete the templates so we can all benefit from each others learning’s. If you are interested in contributing please visit http://www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/surveys/ Sacred Space The heart of the labyrinth is grounded and pumping. We need rocks, lots of rocks to form the edges of the labyrinth. It would be very helpful if each member could fill their boot up with rocks and drop them off at the site near the dam. There are many of rocks as you come in from Ash Road. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. “From Little Things Big Things Come”. Coming Events Saturday 5 August 2006 Beer and Stew evening
Sunday 10th September 2006 Sustainable House Day
SomerVille Calendar of events
Please note that events in this calendar are
tentative. We will try to adhere to advertised dates but they
may change depending upon circumstances. We will email you in
advance of events if we have your email address, alternatively
please check the calendar located at: Sunday 6th August 2006
Sunday 1st October 2006
Sunday 5th November 2006
Sunday 31st December 2006
Note: Chidlow Markets occur on the last Saturday of every month For the latest list of all the coming events please visit http://www.greenedge.org/calendar_of_events.htm. Products and Services Available Avon Fibretech Anything in Fibreglass. Fibreglass materials, products (tanks, children's slides etc) and repairs - Peter and Kathie Weatherly trading as Avon Fibretech – Northam Peter Weatherly Phone: 08 9622 1453 email1: fibretec@bigpond.net.au
Miracle Wash Distributor for MIRACLE WASH® Laundry Balls: Environmentally Safe – cheaper than commercial detergents. Turn off your rinse cycle, save water and electricity. Excellent for Eczema sufferers and babies. Please contact me for more information about this excellent product (developed and distributed by a West Australian Mum).
Phone: 08 9299 6524 Mobile: 0412 412 098 email1: hilz@iinet.net.au
MYOB Accounting MYOB Accounting for starting businesses. Using MYOB in our own manufacturing business. “Let me mind your business – LMMYB”
Phone: 08 9299 6524 Mobile: 0412 412 098 email1: hilz@iinet.net.au
SomerVille School Farm
Enrol now to secure a place for your child! Jörg Unseld Phone: 08 9295 5581 email1: unseld@westnet.com.au web: www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/ssf
Thermomix
Healthy food fast. A must for busy and health conscious households. Call me for a demonstration Gabi Hilz Phone: 08 9299 6524 Mobile: 0412 412 098 Email: hilz@iinet.net.au Tread Gently Hemp Clothing, Stained Glass and IT Services Goddess cushions now available! We have reconditioned Dell desktops and notebooks in stock at unbelievably low prices!
Phone: 08 9572 3172 Mobile: 0414 491 459 email1: sarah.robertson@treadgently.com.au email2: neil.robertson@treadgently.com.au
Wormgirl
Catch me at the Chidlow Markets on the last Saturday of the month 9-1pm Stacey August Phone: 08 9572 3368 email1: wormgirl@sev.net.au
Xooma Worldwide Xtreme X2O is the premium fuel for the body's daily needs Take advantage of the low cost starter pack!
Phone: 08 9572 4550 Mobile: 0432 362 255 email1: mechtild@xooming-health.com Articles Deep Drains on Wheat belt Farms Peter Weatherly The Avon/Swan river catchments cover an area greater than Tasmania and are split in three sub-catchments. Over the last hundred years these areas have been massively cleared of native vegetation - which is largely deep rooted and perennial, and replaced by shallow rooted annual crops and pastures. Unfortunately, this has caused rising groundwater which has brought salinity with it. This is threatening not only farms but various nature reserves. One possible solution to this problem is to put in a series of deep drains - but there's a catch! The effluent coming from these drains is frequently toxic and highly acidic. It therefore has the ability to destroy the aquatic ecosystems of the Avon and Swan rivers - which are naturally slightly alkaline and will not survive a large drop in pH. In practice, this has happened with one deep drainage system (Narembeen), where the effluent has been disposed of in a nature reserve and has destroyed any form of life that it touches. Not even the ants survive! Many farmers, and all involved environmentalists are opposed to these deep drains as there are other possible solutions, and also other means of disposing of the effluent. There remains however a core of 'deep drainers' who wish to dispose of the effluent to the rivers and who believe that they have a silver bullet to solve the salinity problem in the wheat belt. They have the ear of some key politicians such as Ian Campbell - the federal Minister for the Environment. The end result therefore could be that the environmental health of the Avon and Swan Rivers are sacrificed for the possible benefit (there are no guarantees that deep drainage will work) of a small number of farms. This is surely not on - but don't count on it! The chances are that the final decision will be made on political considerations, not on the basis of environmental and other sciences. Please be aware of the impending problem. We may need your help. My Story
The Story of Aaron, Debbie and Juniper Debbie Tagart Aaron was keen about sustainability and permaculture before finding out about the SomerVille . He had often talked with friends over a few beers about starting a community but it was all a bit of a chin wag, hard to see how it would all happen. I on the other hand was heading down a path of natural therapies and it wasn’t until I met Aaron that I started to learn about “Thermal Mass”. I was always more and more fascinated when I listened to Aaron talk about these sustainable and environmentally friendly ideas. And no, it wasn’t just the way he said it or the twinkle in his eye, I was really interested. It took many a talking to convince me that concrete floors would be warm (deep down I am still not sure). We have been together for four and a half beautiful years and it was over a year and a half ago that we heard about some fair in a community, out in Chidlow (wherever that was) that was all sustainable. It seemed like our cup of tea so we pottered off in our Kombi to meet up with a group of our friends who were performing there that day. Aaron was missing for half the day, I could never find him. Meanwhile, I was chatting to people at the natural therapies stalls. Upon finding Aaron he said he was off on a tour around the place. “OK, but I’ll stay here” I said. So I found Faye Read and talked about Birth, my new interest. What seemed like hours later, a wide eyed Aaron returned saying “We should really look into this. You’ve gotta come for a walk!” I rolled my eyes thinking ‘How amazing is a yellow shed, a rundown cottage and an orchard?’. I didn’t get it. Another one of Aaron’s crazy ideas I thought. But because I love him I went along for the ride and here I am, inspired and excited along side him with our beautiful daughter Juniper, who joined us five and a half months ago. She laughs and squeals when out at SomerVille in the fresh air, she loves the trees. Recently I have adopted Aarons trait of coming up with crazy ideas. We tear through business ideas week after week in preparation for living in the community. House plans and ideas (did I mention the sea containers?) come in one door and out the other. We are a bag of worms when you get us together on a hot new idea. We love it! We cant wait to be up there and living our dreams. We are really enjoying the journey and making new life long friends along the way. We are looking forward to our dreams growing into a beautiful forest. Thank you all! We love being apart of SomerVille , you make it all worthwhile.
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Aerial
photo of the SomerVille Ecovillage™ Land
Tree
Planting Ceremony / SomerVille Sunday 2nd July 2006
Gabi Hilz
Gabi Hilz
School Farm for 9 to 12 year old
children
Thermomix consultant: smallest and smartest
kitchen in the world.
Sarah and Neil Robertson
Serving
in many realms: Worms &Castings, Water Saving Plants, Sign
Writing, Massage, Patterning 
Mechtild Moes
Aaron,
Debbie and Juniper (inset)
