|
|
 |
Requests Meeting Facilitators We invite members to contact Grace on grace.minton@sev.net.au should you like to volunteer as facilitator for the meetings. Childcare Roster We invite members to contact Robyn on robyn@greenedge.org should you like to volunteer for the childcare roster. SomerVille Library We invite people to get in touch with Christophe at christophe@greenedge.org should you have any thoughts/ideas on the SomerVille Library. Soft Skills Training Please send any ideas on what soft skills training you would like to Vida or Karen at vida@greenedge.org or karen@greenedge.org . 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 . Project Updates Environment / Place Update provided by Dave Moore We’ve been told that the Minister has authorised our rezoning application on the basis of 80 lots rather than the 104 that had been applied for and endorsed by Mundaring Shire council. We have had discussions with the Minister and her policy advisor and are hopeful that we will secure approval, substantially as we had wanted, within the coming weeks.
The revised SomerVille LSIP (Local
Subdivision and Infrastructure Plan) was lodged with Shire
officers on 11 August. Its progress through to advertising has
been deferred pending resolution of the rezoning. Building firm Econstruct has been selected to build our community house. They will be formally commissioned for this task during October. The draft Building Guidelines were discussed in detail at a meeting with the community on 19 August. They should be finalised by early October. Water testing during the month involved pumping tests from two existing wells and a newly constructed infiltration gallery. Water samples were also taken, and analyses of these should be available before the end of the month. Installation of the biolytix waste treatment system is expected to happen in early October. During the month we have applied for a SEDO grant to assist with our plan to use solar panels (photovoltaic’s) for our electricity generation (fingers-crossed!).
Enterprise & Economics Update provided by Paul Antonelli The Enterprise and Economics Strategic Plan has been updated to include the latest status and information. An action summary has been compiled as part of this process to identify all required actions for execution. It is crucial that this document is continually reviewed and remains a live document as part of our process. It will be finalised over the next month then it will be made available for comments and feedback. KT Lim has completed the feasibility on the village wide Solar Power enterprise. It has been determined that this enterprise is viable and we will now move with KT into the design phase. The 100 kilowatt system will be the largest of its kind within Australia and will in itself set a new benchmark for Solar Power Integrated systems. We can all look forward to renewable power supply for all our needs at SomerVille . We have carried the first pass analysis of the latest residents survey which will provide a valuable basis for further economic and enterprise development. Once the final analysis has been completed this will be fed back and made available to all. This forms an important aspect of the way forward and assists in key planning for business development. We are currently reviewing the overall project budget for SomerVille . As part of this process we will include budgets and expenditures relating to enterprises over the next six month period. It is anticipated that we will move into detailed planning and implementation for a range of enterprises during this period. It will be essential from a timing point of view for this take place for the core SomerVille enterprises. We are currently looking closely at the resources which are working on this area. Indications are that we require additional expertise and input over the next 12 months. We will aim to quantify this over the next month. There still exists a range of opportunities which have not been picked up by anyone and hence are not moving forward. Over the next month we will look closely at these opportunities and develop customised strategies as to how to move these forward. These both relate to the significant construction phase opportunities and beyond. Discussions and ideas are still ongoing relating to the potential purchase of the 42 acre property to the north of SomerVille . It is quite likely that going ahead with this purchase will be closely linked to the potential enterprise and business opportunities linked to it. Further work and research is required before a decision can be made as to how it may work for us. Most of what we are attempting to do in this area is cutting edge and has not been done before anywhere in the world. So it remains uncharted territory and requires us to remain flexible and continually check in to ensure we are on track and heading towards our stated outcomes. If you require further information in relation to the work that we are doing please do not hesitate to contact us. So please contact the Enterprise Action Group by email to either Paul Antonelli paul@greenedge.org or Helmut Hilz helmut@greenedge.org. Social / Cultural
SomerVille
Saturday 2 September The focus of the day was on celebrating our achievements and strengthening the community glue with authentic feel-good activities. The yellow shed became an appreciation space for a little while. We watched a video of the SomerVille journey that Mike Fuller made a while ago and that set the scene for a day of praise and gratitude. A collage of photos was up on the wall with nicknames embodying the essence of current Somervillians. We each then had a chance to share with the group an achievement that has touched us in the SomerVille journey so far. It was an emotional experience as we expressed some hearty laughter and heart-felt tears for our wins. Growth of friendships and personalities came through as common themes. We made our way down to the new labyrinth after an introduction from Mike Fuller and a nice acknowledgement of those who helped to build it. Carol Fuller led us into the labyrinth hand-in-hand, singing all the way, to activate our first SomerVille sacred space. The kids were a grounding influence and peace abounded as we walked back and forth past each other on our way to the centre point. I felt a mix of excitement, love and appreciation towards my fellow Somervillians embarking on this already special journey. Some champagne, nibbles and uplifting conversation completed the initiation of the SomerVille labyrinth down near the dam. Dinner preparations started when we returned to the Yellow Shed. Asia was the theme of the night and a colourful blend of Indian, Oriental and south-east Asian dishes were shared by everyone. The capacity of the mighty Yellow Shed was once again tested and he came through with flying colours, mostly yellow. The whole dinner experience flowed with the ease and fun of an already well knitted community. After dinner we sat around a roaring bon-fire that Paul Moes had laid and we shared music, laughter and banter well into the night. A few visitors were present who stamped their mark on the day. I for one left SomerVille that night with a sense of joy and peace.
Education Forum
The first Education Forum was held before our celebration on Saturday September 2nd. As education is such a broad topic, it was decided to focus on one area at a time. The purpose on this day was to open the discussion on education for children/teenagers. Fourteen people attended and two written submissions were sent by people unable to attend. After an overview of where we are at now and the possible process ahead, participants were asked to consider three questions:
In true SomerVille fashion the relatively small group represented most sections of our community – those with children who were home-schooled, at private schools, and state schools, community members whose children were no longer at home, those who were possibly interested in working in this area, and those who were simply interested and wanted to have some valuable input. Although philosophies and individual opinions on this topic were quite diverse, the group had strong unity on what felt right for SomerVille . The following summary indicates some of the ideas that had strong support:
There was some discussion about the possibility of building an education centre on the adjoining land to the north of the village. Chris Doonan and Angela Williamson also talked about their plans to develop a business focussing on adult education but with definite links in to these other areas.
Following on from this forum, Robyn Antonelli
has now engaged in the enterprise process to work on moving
these ideas forward. You can find out more information at: The first Education Forum provided an excellent starting point. Thank you to all participants for your valuable input. There will be many more opportunities for feedback and input in the coming months so watch this space!
Postponement of
Open Day It has been decided to postpone the Open Day until sometime in November given we have two big events in October – SomerVille Sunday on the 1st and the Ecocom AGM on the 15th If you have any ideas for stalls, speakers, children’s events or would like to volunteer your services for the open day please contact Jean at jean@greenedge.org .
Young Adults
Group With the Postponement of the Open Day the camp over / party the night before has also been postponed, however details of this will be provided in coming weeks, once a date is finalised. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Young Adults Group, or would like to help set up for the camp over for the open day please contact Christophe on christophe@greenedge.org .
Earthdance Responding to an invite from the organisers we decided to have a stall promoting SomerVille at the Earthdance festival. Overall the turnout was good and I found that there were a number of people who showed interest. Hopefully they will come along to a SomerVille Sunday or the open day and we will see them again. I would like to thank Dominic Carlino for doing a presentation and also Paul Moes, Andrew Hemsley, Vida Carlino, and Debbi Target for their assistance on the day. The festival itself was fantastic with a very diverse range of people. The entertainment was amazing with lots of good music, good food and great workshops, and the peace prayer on Sunday morning was magical. Overall we had a great time and met some fantastic people.
Close Encounters of the SomerVille Kind Recently as you may be aware a couple of brightly coloured alien intruders landed out on the land (the playground). This has caused much speculation and discussion and after lying around in disarray for a few weeks, it has been decided that for safety reasons they are to be put together. So even though these alien intruders have not been entirely welcome they are now out on the land. If you have any suggestions on how we can integrate them into SomerVille please let us know. Coming Events
Thursday 19 October 2006 – 10am to
3pm In May 2006, the City of Swan co-hosted forums with Eric Bottomley from CERES (Melbourne). Eric talked about community projects like CERES which combine a range of programs - including community gardens, education & training, environmental demonstration areas, markets, community art projects, café, community interest groups, walks, trails, etc. A number of individuals and organisations expressed interest in exploring the concept of environment parks /community gardens in the Swan area. It was decided to organise a BUS TRIP to visit other community gardens in Perth. There are limited spaces on the bus! To reserve your space, or for more info please contact Chris Byrne - Community Development Team at the City of Swan… (ph) 9267-9286 (email) cbyrne@swan.wa.gov.au
Thursday 26 October 2006 11am to
2pm Music, food, art, fun with various Indigenous organisations on display. Hosted by Kurongkurl Katitjin, School of Indigenous Australian Studies, ECU, 2 Bradford St, Mt Lawley. Enter from Central Ave into car park no. 9. Phone 9370 6378 for more details.
Saturday 21 October 2006 for 7
weeks TAFE WA is running a short course in Noongar commencing 21 October 2006 for 7 weeks. It costs $140 and enrolments need to be made before 13 October, phone 9427 1699.
Thursday 9, Saturday 11, and Sunday
12 November. The festival will show Indigenous films from around the country. At Cinema Paradiso. Entry is free!
Monday 13 to Thursday 23 November
2006 Students will work with Indigenous artists from the Papulankutja to make paper from spinifex grass and create original art works. The workshops run 13-23 November. For more info phone 9427 2792 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 1st October 2006
Sunday 15th 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
Flower Essence
Consults Consults can go for up to an hour and a half and I am available most days Friday to Sunday and some evenings. West Australian Flower Essence consults for a donation price.
Debbi Tagart 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 4053 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 Unfortunately there are no articles this month. My Story Unfortunately due to time constraints I was unable to find someone who could write up their story for this month’s edition.
| |
The
Labyrinth at the SomerVille Ecovillage™ 
Walking
the Labyrinth – SomerVille Saturday 2nd September
Singing
by the fire – SomerVille Saturday 2nd September
West
Australian Flower Essence consults for a donation price. Flower
essences has a powerful healing effect on our body and mind. It
helps with things such as stress, pain and emotional blockages,
bringing attention to the connection between our happiness and
our health.
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
