The PDC course fulfilled a yearning to bring together these pieces of knowledge and a desire to live with the planet knowing that we needed to become more conscious of how our ways of living were affecting its well being. For some it provided an important role in helping us to move the disempowerment that some feel when overwhelmed by the picture of the world crises occurring right now.

Robyn Francis from PCA, Djanbung Gardens came down especially to share her knowledge with those in a sister Bioregion in the hope of reinvigorating a dream seeded many years past. Robyn, a dynamic presenter wove a story with songs, stories of the past, future for us to work with. She showed us how Permaculture is more than working with nature, it is a personal philosophy  working to include ourselves as individuals and community in the overall design.  

We all came out of the experience feeling empowered, enthusiastic, looking forward to a future filled with hope, knowing that when a community of individuals come together than we can all make a difference"and many are now able to take these studies further into our own lives to enhance our properties, professions and career opportunities to create more resilient incomes in the ever expanding eco - sustainable based horticulture and community fields" .

The gift of meeting each other was leaving us all feeling full, warm & fuzzy. The conversations are still carrying on beyond the classroom with plans to meet at the Promised Land on the 19th June, the Winter Solstice for an inaugural meeting to create the Nungali Permaculture Designers Guild.

The Bellingen PDG group would like to thank Robyn, Janelle, Toni, Aleasha Williams, Caroline Todd Djanbung (Platypus dreaming) staff for their contribution as well as Kombu Wholefoods and Amelia Franklin Fairtrade Organic Coffee Roastery who sponsored our endeavour.Thanks to John Hutchinson for accommodation for Robyn and Djanbung Gardens Support staff, and thanks to the Nambucca Heads Youthie for donating their venue and inspiring garden for the May session. Special thanks to Joe Walker who organised the PDC on our behalf. Robyn has gifted the profits from our course to local groups who are engaging in the providing of services in the community.    THANK YOU ROBYN.

Alie Marie Arjaans
Bellingen PDC Participant