2012 Sustainable Living Workshops – Round One

For next year’s first block of Saturday workshops, we have decided to offer smorgasboard of delicious potential offerings.  When the minimum number of people have registered their interest, the workshop will go ahead.

To officially register your interest, please email info@nscf.org.au or phone (07) 3857 8775.

February – April 2012 Workshops

.

February 4

Energy Efficiency at Home

9am – 1pm (with Angus Wallace)

This workshop offers you a basic introduction to the physics of electricity, power and thermodynamics

• electrical efficiency and heat loss
• why increasing energy efficiency is important and worthwhile
• how to perform a basic audit of one’s house and establish where power is being used
• how to judge the best places to invest in retrofits for energy efficiency
• heat load for the house, and how this can be reduced (keep the house cool)

Depending on the interest of the group some of these topics may also be covered

• cooking to save power
• considering the garden when planning for energy efficiency
• understanding power bills
• the importance of embodied energy
• solar PV and hot water

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

February 11

Natural and Recycled Fibre Weaving

9am – 4pm (with WevaDeva Annaheke Metua)

This series of workshops is designed to teach simple techniques in Natural Fibre Weaving that may include the making of Coconut Hats, Dilly Bags, Random Weave Baskets and Coiled Stitch Mats. We will focus on weaving with fibre plants such as Banana, Coconut, Bamboo, Palms, Pandanus, Grasses, Sedges, Mat Rushes and a wide range of recycled materials.Come and join in this ancient tradition of gathering in a circle of craft, stories and traditions and learn to weave with your own hands a vessel to take home.

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)

February 18

Nonviolent Communication Skills

9am – 12pm (with Rachel Hannam)

In our increasingly stressful and complex world, it is vital to continually deepen our understanding of violence and its antidote, compassion.

As the name implies, nonviolent communication (or NVC) emphasises compassion as the motivation for our words and actions rather than fear, guilt, shame, blame, coercion, threat or justification for punishment. In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later. The techniques of NVC allow you to make conscious choices about

how you will respond, whether you get what you want, or not. NVC guides us to reflect on our own daily reactions and behaviour, and to reframe how we express ourselves and how we receive others by focusing awareness on observations, feelings, need, and requests.

This half-day workshop will provide an overview of the NVC model, an introduction to the skills involved and include some personal practice. The workshop presenter is a qualified psychologist who uses NVC in her work with executives and employees, which includes training, coaching and dispute resolution.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

FEB 25

Bamboo Construction

9am – 4pm (with Jamie Parkin)

Learn how to build with bamboo. Participants will gain the skills to build with, harvest and preserve bamboo.

Theory – introduction to bamboo – strengths and weaknesses of the various species, best time to harvest, storage, ways of preserving and examples of contemporary bamboo structures.
Practical – bamboo joinery

Participants will take home an exemplar model of many different joinery techniques

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)   plus $10 materials fee to be paid to the facilitator on the day

MAR 3

Biochar in your Garden

9am – 4pm (with Simon Ross)

9am – 12pm - What is biochar and how can you use it in your garden to improve your soil?

Biochar is a type of charcoal that is produced by cooking organic matter with limited oxygen. It is a stable soil amendment that can sequester carbon and improve your soil. It can be produced and used in your back yard. This session will introduce how to make and use biochar and practically use it.

1pm – 4pm - How to make a microgasification stove

In the afternoon session participants will make a small TLUD (Top Lit Updraft Gasifier) Stove to take home that can be used to cook food with a gas flame and produce biochar

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)    $10 materials fee paid to facilitator on the day.

MAR 10   – MAR 31
Organic Herbs & Vegies Permaculture Basics

8am – 12 noon (with Carmel Harris and Adrian Holbeck)

Series of 4 mornings Cost: $200 ($170 conc.)

This practical course focusing on autumn/winter subtropical plants will help you to understand and to enrich your soil with compost, worms and tonics: and grow healthy and delicious herbs and vegies suited to the seasons of subtropical south east Queensland.

The details of each workshop series will differ depending on the season, but a general outline of each series is:

Week 1: Introductions, soil life, make hot compost, plant families, legumes as soil food, seed propagation

Week 2: Turn compost, soil structure, testing, pH and trace elements, build and plant a no-dig garden.

Week 3: Turn compost, liquid fertilisers, seasonal plantings, cuttings, propagation, crop rotation.

Week 4: Plant ailments, cures, good bugs, bad bugs, seed saving, annuals and perennials

MAR 10
Growing Roots Food and Fibre Forest

9am – 4pm (with Anaheke Metua, Bunya Halasz and Will Bulmer)

This is the first in a series of full day introductory workshops exploring the unified philosophies and practices of Permaculture , Yoga and Weaving with natural fibres.

9am – 10am Energising morning practise of Chi Gung/Yoga exploring elements of nature – Earth, Air, Water, Fire – within and without.

10am – 12pm   Introducing Permaculture Design Principles of the subtropical Food and Fibre Forest incorporating the hands-on creation of an Autumn Compost planting mound.

Lunch

1pm – 3pm Learn to weave with the incredibly versatile banana fibre using meditative weaving techniques to create a functional vessel to take home.

3pm – 4pm Restorative afternoon practice of yoga and guided shiatsu in the gardens.

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)

MAR 17

Nonviolent Communication Skills

9am – 12pm (with Rachel Hannam)

In our increasingly stressful and complex world, it is vital to continually deepen our understanding of violence and its antidote, compassion.

As the name implies, nonviolent communication (or NVC) emphasises compassion as the motivation for our words and actions rather than fear, guilt, shame, blame, coercion, threat or justification for punishment. In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later. The techniques of NVC allow you to make conscious choices about

how you will respond, whether you get what you want, or not. NVC guides us to reflect on our own daily reactions and behaviour, and to reframe how we express ourselves and how we receive others by focusing awareness on observations, feelings, need, and requests.

This half-day workshop will provide an overview of the NVC model, an introduction to the skills involved and include some personal practice. The workshop presenter is a qualified psychologist who uses NVC in her work with executives and employees, which includes training, coaching and dispute resolution.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

Organic Herbs & Vegies Permaculture Basics

8am – 12 noon (with Carmel Harris and Adrian Holbeck)

Session 2: Turn compost, soil structure, testing, pH and trace elements, build and plant a no-dig garden.

MAR 24

Organic Herbs & Vegies Permaculture Basics

8am – 12 noon (with Carmel Harris and Adrian Holbeck)

Session 3: Turn compost, liquid fertilisers, seasonal plantings, cuttings, propagation, crop rotation.

MAR 24

Natural Fibre Baskets

9am – 4pm (with with Anaheke Metua)

Weaving within the natural world allows us to reconnect to the earth, the seasons and time and feel empowered with skills to create something practical, aesthetic and creative. This workshop is designed to introduce you to artful and woven forms using sustainable arts practises. It offers participants the opportunity to weave and take home their own Natural Fibre Basket.

During the workshop we will learn the technique called RANDOM WEAVE working with the textured, flexible and sinewy branches of the commonpalm tree. We will also discuss and explore topics such as art, craft, environment and culture as we weave our stories and baskets together. Places are limited – don’t miss out!

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)

MAR 24

Bamboo Construction

9am – 4pm (with Jamie Parkin)

Learn how to build with bamboo. Participants will gain the skills to build with, harvest and preserve bamboo.

Theory – introduction to bamboo – strengths and weaknesses of the various species, best time to harvest, storage, ways of preserving and examples of contemporary bamboo structures.
Practical – bamboo joinery

Participants will take home an exemplar model of many different joinery techniques

Cost: $85 full fee, $65 (conc.)   plus $10 materials fee to be paid to the facilitator on the day

MAR 31
Organic Herbs & Vegies Permaculture Basics

8am – 12 noon (with Carmel Harris and Adrian Holbeck)

Session 4: Plant ailments, cures, good bugs, bad bugs, seed saving, annuals and perennials

Solar Cooking

9am – 12pm (with Simon Ross)

Learn how to cook with free power from the sun.  See different designs
and materials for solar cookers. Make your own cooker and take it home
with you.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

APRIL 7

(Easter)

APRIL 14
Introduction to Permaculture

9am – 4pm (with Tom Campbell and Emma Maltby)

2 days  Cost:  $200 full fee $170 conc.

This two day workshop will introduce you to the basics of permaculture principles and practices and how you can apply them to your daily life. It is also a great way to decide whether you’d like to go further with your studies in Permaculture by completing the Permaculture Design Course scheduled for 28th April – 4th August.

You will receive a $100 full fee and $70 conc. discount off your PDC on completion of an Intro to Permaculture.

APRIL 21
Nonviolent Communication Skills

9am – 12pm (with Rachel Hannam)

In our increasingly stressful and complex world, it is vital to continually deepen our understanding of violence and its antidote, compassion.

As the name implies, nonviolent communication (or NVC) emphasises compassion as the motivation for our words and actions rather than fear, guilt, shame, blame, coercion, threat or justification for punishment. In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later. The techniques of NVC allow you to make conscious choices about

how you will respond, whether you get what you want, or not. NVC guides us to reflect on our own daily reactions and behaviour, and to reframe how we express ourselves and how we receive others by focusing awareness on observations, feelings, need, and requests.

This half-day workshop will provide an overview of the NVC model, an introduction to the skills involved and include some personal practice. The workshop presenter is a qualified psychologist who uses NVC in her work with executives and employees, which includes training, coaching and dispute resolution.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

Introduction to Permaculture

9am – 4pm (with Tom Campbell and Emma Maltby)

2 days  – $200 full fee $170 conc.

This two day workshop will introduce you to the basics of permaculture principles and practices and how you can apply them to your daily life. It is also a great way to decide whether you’d like to go further with your studies in Permaculture by completing the Permaculture Design Course scheduled for 28th April – 4th August. You will receive a $100 full fee and $70 conc. discount off your PDC on completion of an Intro to Permaculture.

APRIL 28

Establishing and Maintaining a Vegetable Garden

9am  – 12pm (with Simon Ross)

Learn how to build no dig and other vegetable gardens,
plant them out and maintain them. Full day fee if booked together with Growing Healthy Vegetables workshop on the same day.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

Growing Healthy Vegetables

1pm – 4pm (with Simon Ross)

Seasonal selection, crop rotation, companion planting and other ways to get the best out of
your edible garden.  Full day fee if booked together with Establishing
and Maintaining a Vegetable Garden workshop on the same day.

Cost: $50, $35 (conc)

To register for any of the above courses, simply phone (07) 3857 8775 or email info@nscf.org.au.