|
|
 |
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 SomerVille Business Directory which is currently online
and can be viewed at: 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 Dominic Carlino & Neil Robertson Rezoning The final rezoning Amendment documentation was received by the Western Australian Planning Commission in the second week of April this year. We understand that a report on this, currently being prepared, will be submitted to the Statutory Planning Committee before the end of June. We hope this will then be sent up to the minister for signing, which hopefully will be done in the month of July. And I thought that watching the grass grow was slow! LSIP As reported last month the LSIP (Local Subdivision and Infrastructure Plan) was submitted to the Shire on 19th May. The new planning officer is currently reviewing the LSIP and preparing a report for the Shire Councillors. We are informed this will be dealt with in the month of July, which means all things going to plan; the LSIP will be advertised in late July/early August, for a period of 4 weeks. We may once again invite you to comment on this document, which generally provides a higher level of detail of what we propose. Further information will be provided in the coming months. Ecovillage Design The physical design process continues to be refined. Last week our newly appointed geotechnical consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff visited site, carried out some observations, dug numerous pits and took some soil samples away for analysis. They will provide information to assist us with design of infrastructure and buildings, as well as satisfying statutory requirements. Our Water Management Team has been busy as well. We now have a draft flowchart providing a basis for the carrying out of our ‘water balance’ and we have a daily monitoring and testing regime currently being implemented to document rainfall, groundwater levels and surface water runoff amongst other things. The team members from Murdoch are excited about being involved with SomerVille , and see our project as a groundbreaking development. There aren’t any other projects they are aware of where there is a commitment to be totally water self-sufficient. As usual we top the list as far as leading edge! Koon Tin has been busy taking the solar design to the next level. Some broad brush concepts at the moment include the provision of solar panels to the rooftops of all Village Centre buildings with a ground based ‘tracking array’ located potentially to the east of Cluster 9. This may alleviate the need for solar panels on residential homes. We have had some interested suppliers and designers visit site, as things start to ‘heat up’ with solar!
Lot Selections The lot selections from the final group were confirmed on Friday 9th June. Some statistics from the lot selections as at 9th June are as follows: Number of lots selected: 47 Number of lots to be set aside as affordable housing: 10 Number of available lots remaining: 47 No of lots selected with 25*15m building envelopes: 31 No of lots selected with 20*15m building envelopes: 15 No of lots selected with 15*8m building envelopes: 1 No of lots selected with 1 storey: 22 No of lots selected with 2 storey: 25 No of lots selected with direct car access: 36 No of lots selected without direct car access: 11 There has been some sense of urgency shown by new potential residents since the current final lot selections were made. There have been at least 2 new deposits received with another 5 or so promised. Some affordable housing lots will be chosen before new selections begin in a short time. Building Guidelines An initial meeting with EcoSmart took place on 30th May with discussion focussed on what items to include and what items should be mandatory. EcoSmart are now drafting an assessment tool to assess residential building applications at SomerVille . EcoSmart will in due course also provide our Building Guidelines and educational material that will help explain the reason for the Building Guidelines. We hope to have something ready for SomerVille Sunday for the community to review and provide feedback into the process. By-Laws An initial meeting took place with Robert Kronberger of Atkinson's and Associates on Friday 9th June. Robert was until recently, the WA Strata Titles Referee. This makes Robert very qualified to help us write our By-laws which become the Management Statement under the Strata Titles Act. We hope to have something ready for SomerVille Sunday for the community to review and provide feedback into the process. Greenedge Projects Office The newly refurbished Greenedge Projects office in the main shops in Chidlow has been completed. The office provides a comfortable base for the office staff (Christophe and Halimah), other Greenedge team members, Enterprise Champions and anyone else who needs a cup of tea or coffee in Chidlow! Facilities include an enclosed meeting room, local area network with wireless Internet access, photocopying, file and print server, kitchen, toilets and a "hot desk" policy. The Office is an easy to find meeting place for people to be escorted out onto the SomerVille property and can also answer questions and provide information about SomerVille to members and non-members alike.
Enterprise & Economics Update provided by Paul Antonelli The month of June has been a month in which the existing Enterprise Champions move into the next phase of their enterprise development process. All of the Champions are in the feasibility stage of the project which requires market research and survey activity. In order to streamline this process we have developed a collaborative approach in for higher efficiency and convenience to the community. A Residence survey was launched which will provide further clarity as to what SomerVille residence are planning in relation to their home at SomerVille . Also the IT & T Survey, the first of many, was also launched this month. These crucial surveys of the intending SomerVille residence provide valuable indications to all enterprise champions of what the community requires and how best to unfold their business. The other focus this month as been on attracting additional champions. Advertisements have been run in papers as well as going out through email to cast a wider net and hopefully attract more potential eco entrepreneurs to SomerVille . An information evening is being held in Perth on the 28th June 2006 for both new, existing and potential entrepreneurs. This will provide an opportunity for the wider community to get a deeper understanding as to what Enterprise and Economics at SomerVille will look like. Information about this can be found online at www.greenedge.org/SomerVille enterprises. Those interested from the Information Evening will be able to come along to the next SomerVille Sunday on the 2nd July as a follow on. An update of where we are at with Enterprises and where we are heading will be provided as part of the afternoon session. Social / Cultural Update provided by Vida Carlino These are exciting times, there is a buzz in the air, and people are saying “This is where I live - This is my home - These are my neighbours.” I feel excited just thinking about it. On the last SomerVille Sunday we explored the possibilities of what our governance will look like when we are living at SomerVille . We investigated in our pre workshop brief the key findings in relation to governance and community from national and international ecovillages along with SomerVille ’s own key findings. The day was attended by about 40 adults and numerous children It was a full action packed day where we investigated “What it will be like when we are there.” In small groups members engaged in various conversations and recorded the findings. These findings along with results from previous workshops on governance will help design our future governance model. The deeply held beliefs within the community are demonstrated through the day to day behaviours of all members. Throughout our journey we have developed a culture based on principles and values of which many have been written and confirmed as givens. We are now compiling all of these givens to form our draft Values and Principles Statement. These are the foundation from which we will develop our processes and structures within the community. We are also launching a Self Awareness section on the Web. The idea is that we share our experiences of different self development/expansion works and how they have benefited ourselves and our lives. This may encourage others to explore for themselves, or even just to open dialogue about different modalities. Creating special spaces around the ecovillage is an important part of creating community. A tree planting ritual will take place on the 2nd July as the start of the creation of our own Labyrinth. At the same time some Somervillians are designing a sacred circle space which will accommodate about 40 people and can be used for events such as drumming, chanting, circle groups and many other events.
We were extremely fortunate to have Samantha
Graham and John Talbot (key players in the establishment of the
ecovillage at Findhorn) at SomerVille last week. They brought
with them a wealth of experience and knowledge which they
lovingly shared with us all. John will be in Perth for our next
SomerVille Sunday on the 2nd July and has offered to
do a presentation on Findhorn. This is an awesome opportunity to
hear in person the experience of the creation of another
“aspiring ecovillage’ so don’t miss out. Playing Scarecrow SomerVille Sunday 4 June Coming Events 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 http://www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/calendar.htm . Sunday 2nd July 2006
Sunday 6th August 2006
Sunday 10th September 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. Articles Unfortunately there are no articles this month.
Products and Services Available 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 My Story
Dreamtime Carol and Mike Fuller Dreaming of living in harmony with the land. Dreaming of belonging to a community built on organic principals. Clean air, clean water. Working together to enrich and nurture the soil, and to enrich and nurture each other. A place where health and wellbeing are natural, where fun, love and laughter are embodied in everyday life. Where magic and wisdom are woven into everything we do. This was our dream when our children were small. Many of our friends had similar dreams; it was part of the collective consciousness. Then we got caught in survival according to the group mind of our society. Our health and wellbeing gradually faded, as did the dream. But our dream didn’t fade completely. We would revisit it from time to time, becoming passionate and go in search, but the treasure remained hidden. There was never the opportune moment, always the obstruction that kept us from manifesting our dream. We endured hardship and disappointment, we embraced opportunity and joy, for life has a way of winding its way around the mountain so we can grow and learn. It stretched us in ways we didn’t think possible, showing us views that took our breath away, and jewels appeared in places that were completely unexpected. The beauty found in chronic illness, fulfilment borne of constant struggle. Our children grew into independent adults, each with their own dreams, each following their own path. We now know they have their own struggles to endure and will find their own special treasures and we rejoice each moment with them. The need was still great to find our special place. We resumed the search in earnest five years ago, looking around the Southwest, but nothing was quite right. Our dream still eluded us. Then, a chance meeting at a sweat lodge in our own area, with a charming man named Dominic. We had finished a lovely shared supper and just before he left Dominic handed out a flyer to anyone who might be interested. It was about an idea, a dream. It was our dream. So we went along to a meeting and listened to passionate people talking about our dream. It was wonderful and we both knew it was something we had to be involved in. At the time we were deep into poverty consciousness and didn’t have two cents to rub together. So we got an advance payment from Centrelink, bless them. Sold a few things and before long had enough to open the door to our dream. The dream weaving continued and the land appeared. The money was raised in a miraculously short time. Synchronicity stepped in and started to move to our beat. Or perhaps it was always dancing and we were just discovering its rhythm. The hard work and dedication of the core group had begun and we, along with many others, were swept along on a high tide of courage and passion. We have recently chosen the lot where we will build our home, the home we have always seen in our dream. There is a level of excitement and anticipation as the village approaches realization and we prepare the land for its transformation. As we prepare ourselves for our great change and progress towards a greater harmony and fulfilment. The last four years have been an inspirational journey, a journey of connection, a journey of expansion. We see the growth in others that matches our own and we all share similar dreams. But the collective dream is shaping to be much greater than our individual ones and now we are inspired to move far beyond our initial vision. We are changing our world.
| |
Water Ceremony New Years Eve 2005
Paul Antonelli & Family / Ecovillages
- A Global Overview - Murdoch University - July 2005
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
Carol and Mike Fuller
