The chicken tractor I built with my father a couple of years ago is still going strong. Since moving to Jamberoo we’ve been using it to build garden beds – we place it where we want the bed, leave it there for a few weeks until the grass has been cleared, then move it along [...]

A few weeks ago I attended another Sustainable Illawarra workshop – “Starting a Backyard Veggie Patch” at Jamberoo Primary School. Megan then attended the repeat of the workshop a week later. It was great that we were both able to do effectively the same workshop without need to organise child care!

The workshop was delivered by [...]

What a great turnout we had at yesterday’s Jamberoo Community Growers meeting!

Don Cairns, former resident of Kiama and Kangaroo Valley and now living in Nowra, gave an excellent talk about growing food through the season.

Don has been gardening for many years, and understands our climate and weather patterns very well. His tips and local knowledge [...]

There was a very good segment on ABC TV’s Landline show last Sunday, How Green Was My Valley, on the challenges faced by dairy farmers as our climate slowly changes. You can watch it online.

The first 10 minutes or so focuses on a Victorian dairy famer, and the problems he faces when water allocations are [...]

Earlier this year, Megan and I worked with some other local families to start a gardening club called the Jamberoo Family Growers. Unlike traditional garden clubs, this group will have a focus on helping people to grow fruit and vegetables at home, using healthy natural methods and tapping into local knowledge and experience. It will [...]

Settlement on our new house purchase won’t be until October 30, so we still have about 5 weeks to go before we pick up the keys. I can’t wait!

Meanwhile, we have a ton of work to do on our current house to get it ready for sale. The big red dust storm didn’t help – [...]

Yesterday’s launch of the Jamberoo Community Growers was very successful. The guest speakers were great – both very knowledgeable, and both very interesting as well.

The kids had a great time too. We had planned some organised activities for the kids, but our kids leader was called away at the last minute and wasn’t able to [...]

Megan just got back tonight from the final planning meeting for the launch of the Jamberoo Community Growers gardening club. Everything is ready!

Here’s our handout:

Jamberoo Community Growers Launch Sunday September 20, 2009 2 pm at the Jamberoo Youth Hall Everyone welcome! Free entry Guest speakers [...]

Yesterday I met up with Tim Denshire-Key at Wollongong University, and he interviewed me about our participation in the Sustainable Illawarra Super Challenge and our efforts to become more sustainable in an ordinary suburban house. He’ll use the audio in an upcoming podcast.

Tim is studying Industrial Design at RMIT in Melbourne, and is currently undertaking [...]

Are you interested in learning more about getting grid-connected solar power for your home?

You may be able to take advantage of the $8000 means-tested Government rebate which ends 30th June 2009, or the new non-means-tested solar credit scheme starting from 1st July 2009!

Jamberoo FutureCare will be hosting two information sessions, in association with Solar Shop [...]