Permaculture Practical Certificate Course
On-ground Training Camp
SISTERS CREEK TASMANIA AUSTRALIA
12th April through to the 26th April 2008
(Please organise to arrive day prior)
Please down load this flier
practical_course_12-26april_08.pdf
Please download this registration form
course-registration_form.pdf
Pre-requisites: Permaculture Design Certificate
The property consists of 7.5 Hectares in the settlement of Sisters Creek in the North West of Tasmania, just off the Bass Highway, between Burnie and Rock Cape National Park. The climate is Cool-Temperate with temperatures rarely exceeding 25ºC in summer barring the odd hot one and day temperatures hover around the 12ºC mark in winter. It is a pastoral environment, rich in agricultural pursuits, albeit generally of the industrial type, just 8kms from the legendary Bass Strait, beaches and 40 or so kms from ancient forests and National Parks.
There are four dams on the site, three of which are spring fed and three are dams we installed. The property was grazed bare save the few Macrocarpa, Blackwood, Blue Gum and Stringy Bark Eucalypt in residence. All efforts since acquisition have, in true Bill Mollison fashion, gone into earth works and tree planting. Long periods out of the country (for extended travel and health matters) has meant that few visitors have experienced the Institute’s temperate home.
The Institute has been fortunate, though, in that friends, like PRI www.permaculture.org.au and others, who have from time to time recommended good people to come and join in the development of this site. This is one of those occasions, only to a much larger degree and far more exciting, because we are continuing to set-up for more open times to the public and to take on students in intern positions.
Bill will be on-site, roaming from place to place and is keen to conduct evening or mid day lectures on meaningful and worthwhile design strategies. He’ll answer your questions, share meals, cups of tea and a lot of laughs with you all.
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Items 1 through 4 is where we will be focusing our time but the other activities listed – should time and interest permit will also be covered.
1. Wood fired Oven, Smoke House and Fire Cooking House: The slab has been poured and construction of a “Bake-House” North-West TAS style will begin on the first day of the camp. Bill has been hankering for one of these since we moved here. We’ll be making fresh bread and cakes every day as soon as the oven is ready.
2. Swales, Swales and More Swales: Just where is that OB (obligatory point)? You’ll learn how to spot that, where to start the swale and how to use different tools, like, a Wild level, an A-frame and a water level. We’ll construct the swales by hand as well as using an excavator and tractor with grader blade.
3. Dam Sealing: Some dams just leak. Some times the clay just runs out before you expected and, oops, you’ve got to make repairs. This year we will fix a leaking dam.
4. Compost Making: On-site is several tones of wheat and pea straw. Following methods taught at the Soil Food Web Institute, www.soilfoodweb.com.au we will make a beautiful and quick 21 day biologically active compost. An army of free fertility enhancers at your foot step. If there is time, we can build a compost water heater using wood from fallen eucalyptus trees on our property and put through our PTO driven wood chipper. Every PDC since I took my first course in 1995, Bill has diagramed this remarkable source of hot water created by Jean Pain. We’ll use compost on-site to make a compost tea brew and view the live bacteria and fungal hyphae under the microscope – before and after the brewing process.
5. Tool Repairs and Maintenance: You’ve got them – they break down. We’ll be showing you strategies and methods to keep those tools working season to season.
6. Tree Care: Just how do you mulch and prune, earth shape and fertilise or not fertilise, fruit, native and timber trees? Stay tuned, get involved and you will find out.
7. Nursery and Propagation: You can grow most of what your site needs yourself. Learn seed collection, seed planting, cutting taking, potting up and transplanting.
8. The Home Veggie Garden.
And there is more: Also living on the property are horses, pigs, geese, ducks, chooks and guinea fowl to learn about. Food will be prepared fresh daily, in a camp kitchen. Every day we’ll be cooking up something different and those who are interested in learning the cooking methods used during the two weeks are most welcome to be involved. We can cater for vegetarians and meat eaters. Any dietary restrictions on the part of a participant will be the responsibility of that participant in both preparation and cost.
Camping on-site is included in the fee. The camping is uncovered, rough and rain may arrive, anytime, come prepared. Off site accommodation is plentiful and varied, however this accommodation is not included in the fee and is up to the participant to organise.
The Institute address is 31 Rulla Road, SISTERS CREEK, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA 7325
To arrive by plane, Burnie airport is the closest – it is $25+ taxi ride to Sisters Creek. To arrive by bus, take the “Tasmanian RedLine” bus to Smithton Ph: 1300 360 000 or www.tasredline.com.au and ask to be let off at Sisters Creek Hall. We can pick you up from there. To arrive by car, drive along Bass Highway, past Wynyard on the way to Rocky Cape National Park. Near Sisters Creek, an Impact Fertiliser Depot is prominent on the south side of the road. Watch your odometer, Rulla Road is 2kms and a bit past the depot on the left at the bottom of the dip. Turn left onto Rulla Road and # 31 is on the left side of Rulla Road, about 300m from the highway.
The cost is $1,500 AUD
The participant number is limited to 20 people. We reserve the right to refuse service. Any behavior, on the part of any participant, which is deemed inappropriate by the organisers of this event, shall result in an immediate removal of that individual with no refund of fees. We do not allow any contraband on this property.
Pre-requisites for attending the camp.
Completion of a Permaculture Design Course
What to bring:
The weather can change significantly during a week or during a day.
a) Changes of clothes: You may need gear for cold and wet weather as well as sunny and dry weather.
b) Boots or shoes. Sturdy footwear is a must, we’ll be using sharp metal tools, NO open sandals allowed doing this sort of work, please.
c) All camping gear (including pillows, sleeping bags, tent etc)
d) Toiletries (including towels)
e) Sunscreen – these southern skies are very intense
f) Wide Brim Hat – great at keeping sun out and rain off – we don’t stop work in Tasmania when it rains
g) Work gloves. We won’t be supplying these and you’ll need them.
h) Water bottle
i) Foods for particular needs or desires
