Blogger Don Arthur has coined a new term for a rising segment of society - the “Post-Materialist Consumer” or POMER for short. These folks have bought into the notion that unfettered consumerism and constant demands for “stuff” do not bring happiness and are damaging to the environment. The paradox is that they are earning and spending as much if not more than many of the consumerist souls they so earnestly criticise. How can this be?

They are concerned, even anxious, about doing all the right things for the right reasons, but find their expenditures ratcheting up as a result. How does it happen? The three main areas that contribute are:

1. Choosing a home location to minimise commuting and buy time for themselves
2. Buying services (e.g., organic foods, farmers market produce, fair-trade products, etc)
3. Buying “moral necessities” that make them feel they are making the family safe and sheltered (e.g., heavier car with multiple airbags)

Listen to Don Arthur in an interview clip on Radio National’s Counterpoint program of Monday 22 June: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/counterpoint/default.htm

[Thanks to Malcolm and Judy Dispain for the link.]

For an awe-inspiring look at our beautiful blue planet, this online movie by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is tops! a combination of satellite and aerial photography shows us in incredible beauty just what it is we have to lose if we do not learn fast to respect our only “Home”. Be sure to watch it if you have broadband download capability on your computer:
http://www.home-2009.com/us/index.html
OR http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Hi everyone,

Following the newsfeed item about Mike Reynolds speaking in Adelaide about Earthships, into my email also came a news item from Scotland on an earthship being built by community labour as a visitor centre at a nature reserve. See the links below:
www.greenheadmoss.org.uk/id14.html
www.scotlandistheplace.co.uk/stitp/2204.1.1885.html

Deb H.

“The Great Disruption” by Paul Gilding is a 'must listen / must read'. Best exposition I've heard. See links below:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/ [Sunday 14 June 2009]
http://paulgilding.com/writing/scream-crash-boom-2

Paul Gilding has been an activist for sustainability for 35 years, working for NGOs, business and government. He explains why physics and biology have determined that our current model for economic growth is finished, and how the human race will face its biggest challenge ever.

Cheers??? - Vanda R

Co-operative bulk buying is a great way to access good deals on all the new sustainable technologies we want for our homes. Why not join a buyers group - in fact, why not join a local buyers group coordinated by Villagers.

For more information, see the ATTACHED flyer for the Onkaparinga and Willunga Buyers Groups.
Buying Groups

Here’s a really good book - of special interest if you are just joining the Village and want to get into growing your own food one step at a time:

One Magic Square: Grow your own food on one square metre

By Lolo Houbein (2008) published by Wakefield Press

One Magic Square shows how, with a ten-minute effort, you can start your own productive food garden on a single square metre. By following these plot designs you can keep your labour pleasurable as your self-sufficiency increases. Take control of your own fresh food supply! Food gardening is the most intelligent adult endeavour on earth – Lolo Houbein, a resident of the Adelaide Hills, gives lots of relevant information for our region, shows you how to do it, and why you should. See: http://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/books/onemagicsquare.html

It’s on our Library interest list for purchase but, in the meantime, you might like to get a copy. It is almost sure to become an ongoing valuable reference.

[Thanks to Sue E for the alert.]

One of the best things about living in our Village is the wonderful range of ages we enjoy and meet almost every day, and the great feeling of freedom that our lack of fences gives to our daily outlook on everything we see.
 
This seems to be well worth fostering and nurturing, and it needs some attention not required elsewhere, because our open spaces are made up from both common land and private land, and there needs to be a clear understanding of which is what, and what is which.
 
A number of lot owners recently have “mentioned” to me that some of the younger people (in particular) apparently have difficulty with this concept of what is public and what is private.
 
Instances have included youngsters, and others, examining (private) articles on a back veranda, using private lots as if they were established pathways, running and riding bikes over newly planted gardens (and Village mounds) - with damage to the plants - and leaving “stuff” on private blocks.
 
May I therefore ask everybody, especially parents, to ensure as far as possible that there is distinction recognised very definitely between
 
* common land available to the community generally,  and
 
* private property and space where it is necessary to appreciate what is reasonable, and what is not acceptable.
 
*********
Not related directly, but relevant to note and be aware of, is that materials continue to be stolen from Village building sites, and this includes using boltcutters to break into a storage shed recently.
 
It would be in Village interests for any unusual or suspicious activities to be noticed and noted (whenever it is possible to do so safely and inconspicuously - to avoid potentially argumentative or difficult situations).
 
Richard Clampett - Presiding Officer

Hi all - here's an opportunity for one and all to experience housebuilding with totally natural materials. 
 
I have just returned from yet another course. This was as inspiring as the last ..... or maybe more so. It was an intensive 5 day strawbale house building course here in Wales run by 'Amazonails', the leading strawbale builders in Europe. Through hands-on building and theory, I (and 20 others) learned about loadbearing and non-loadbearing walls, low embodied energy/high thermal mass solid foundations (lime or rammed earth) and post and pad foundations. We worked (and played) with 'breathing wall' systems/thermal mass involving clay (see image) and lime plasters onto the strawbale, inside and out, as well as decorative sculpting. We also learned about appropriate roofing systems.
 
Evenings included slide presentations of international strawbale houses and buildings, many built by Amazonails themselves or their 'ambassadors'.. Bee Rowan, the co-director of Amazonails, who led the course, was very interested one communal mealtime to hear from me about the development of the AAEV community, having recently spent time herself in NSW. She suggested, if people at the village would like her to, she would be pleased to run workshops in the village re strawbale building and or clay and lime finishes/foundations, etc during her next visit to Australia. 
 
Amazonails has been promoting cement free building over the last 10 years and has pioneered low impact (lime) foundation systems through the UK Building Regulations, which means anyone here is now able to build these foundations. 
 
This company is providing leading edge buildings and knowledge! For further information see www.amazonails.org.uk . or email me that you are interested. [And no, I'm not on commission!! they just came across as a thoroughly genuine human Eco Building Company trying to research and promote really good sustainable building practices worldwide :-)  ]
 
Deb H

If you are looking for a plumber we just used Neil from I & N Plumbing & Gasfitting and, as well as being a very nice chap, he arrived when he said he would and took his boots off without being asked!  His number is 0412 825806 and he is based at Seaford.  I am not sure if he fits out new houses but this would be worth an ask.
 
Jenni McGlennon

It is a myth that native plants do not need maintenance and now is a great time to prune.  Pruning encourages plants to grow into a more dense form that is both more attractive and provides a greater windbreak.  If the plants are small, pinch out the new growing tips much as a kangaroo would - this encourages side shoots to develop.  In an older plant – cut out any dead stems, and cut back new growth by around a 1/3, and if it is a flowering plant - wait until flowering has ended. The ATTACHED photos show the difference between village plants that have been pruned lightly since planting and those that have grown leggy.

Jenni McGlennon
Pruning Natives

Hearty congratulations to Aarod O Vawser (son of Bridget and Michael) whose book “The Eye of The Creator” has been selected for listing by Amazon.com

Check it out! Go to: http://www.amazon.com and enter the book title in the Search facility.

Well done Aarod. We hope there are good royalties to follow!

Dear all,
 
This is another $0 solar plan with Diamond Energy this time. Check out the links – I have found out since I sent you all the Nu Energy stuff that they may not cover the electrical wiring costs – which could be an extra $200 or so. Whereas it appears that Diamond Energy even throw in the import/export electricity meter as part of the deal, normally $450!! Check it out for yourselves.
 
http://www.solaroffer.com.au/default.asp
 
Michael Vawser