Erle Levey
The power of permaculture will be on show at the official opening of the Bendigo Bank Community Pavilion at Cooroy this Saturday 2 September.
Permaculture Noosa and Cooroy Community Gardens believe in making a positive impact on our beautiful community, and what better way to do it than by celebrating and embracing sustainable permaculture practices with a free-entry event.
Emerald Street, Cooroy, is the location – outside Cooroy Community Gardens. The event will run from 2-8pm.
Permaculture consultants Danial Lawton and Morag Gamble will be special guests for the opening.
It will also be time for the community-based Bendigo Bank to celebrate 21 years of financial services to the people of Cooroy.
A visitor to Permaculture Noosa last week was actress, film-maker and farmer Rachel Ward, who showed great interest in the facility and the potential as a community gathering site.
In the region with Slow Food Noosa for the screening of her regenerative farming movie, Rachel’s Farm, the former star of Thorn Birds was interested in the different plants grown in Noosa, even though her farm in the Nambucca Valley is in a sub-tropical environment also.
Permaculture Pavilion manager Sandra Guy said a lot of effort and fund-raising had gone into the building and it was exciting to see it come to fruition.
In 2020 plans were announced to construct a shelter at the Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens.
Stage one saw the construction of the shelter – concrete slab, timber posts and roof – which has been used for meetings, gatherings and workshops.
Stage two incorporates the cob building at one end, that provides a storeroom, a small office for Permaculture Noosa records, and a kitchenette.
“The pavilion is designed to create a hub – a community asset,’’ Sandra Guy said.
“We are going to encourage music, workshops, guest speakers, community groups.’’
The design is by Brett Grimley of EcoLibrium with passive solar design elements, architectural technician and interior designer Georgia Starkey said.
“The open part of the pavilion uses recycled hardwood and is designed to integrate with the garden.
“The cob walls have been built by the community. We’ve all put our hearts and souls into this.
“It’s already brought the community together.’’
Elena Moctezuma, who has worked on the cob walls and render, said the pavilion opening would be very exciting as the whole community could come to share.
“There will be heaps of activities for all ages.
“Instead of being an empty building, it will be full of life.’’
Noosa Council, the Queensland Government Community Benefit Fund and Bendigo Bank have all been major financial contributors. Yet so have all the volunteers and supporters who helped run very successful fundraising events.
The ethics of permaculture are: Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.
The pavilion and gardens are a way of bringing hope back into society for a better world, Sandra Guy said.
“It’s a place to meet and have workshops – for our children and our grandchildren.
“On the day there will be presentations, activities for kids, and delicious food as another step is taken toward a greener, healthier future together.’’
The pavilion opening is to celebrate the synergy between two pillars of our community – the Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy and the Permaculture Noosa and Cooroy Community Gardens.
The occasion exemplifies the power of collaboration and shared values, nurturing not only the environment but also the bonds that strengthen the community.
At 6pm there will be the Cooroy branch turning 21, followed by the Community Hero Awards which recognise those who have selflessly given back to the community and made a lasting impact on the lives of others.
The road will be closed for the celebrations and Noosa musicians Sandflies will be playing on the day.
There will be free children’s activities, workshops including how to make bee hotels, the firing-up of the cob pizza oven oven and plenty of healthy-food vans.
The pizzas will be made from hand-ground wheat and there will even be a gluten-free sausage sizzle.
WHAT: Permaculture Noosa and Bendigo Bank Cooroy open day
WHERE: 26 Emerald St, Cooroy
WHEN: Saturday 2 September, from 2-8pm
Further details: permaculturenoosa.com.au/
