Peace Valley - Australian Bush Retreat

Living in Community - Experience Week

Joy — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 02:15:42 +0000

Living in Community - Experience Week

Joy Fri, 08/30/2019 - 12:15

3rd to 10th November 2019

Start date/time

Sun, 11/03/2019 - 14:00

End date/time

Sun, 11/10/2019 - 11:00

Following our first extremely successful event recently we are repeating it for you in the spring. This will be from November 3rd 2019 to November 10th. Over the course of 7 days you'll get a real taste of what it's like living in an ecovillage, it'll include theory and some hands on activities like working in the community gardens and walking along the river. Check out the Event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/421869331880488/ or write directly for more information via peacevalleyau@gmail.com or the contact form on this website.

Indigenous Tree and Plant Propagation

admin — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 05:36:24 +0000

Indigenous Tree and Plant Propagation

Hoop Pine, Silky Oak and Acacia seed was collected from Arborlee and successfully germinated. The baby trees are growing happily in pots waiting for a future home.

February 2018 The Acacia are now in larger pots being hardened off in half shade. They will be used as a pioneer tree crop to protect the rainforest trees which will be planted in the TreeSisters grove later this Autumn. The Hoop Pine and Silky Oak are also in larger pots but remain in the shade house for protection from the intense summer heat and light.

Update August 2019

Many of the trees have now been planted, some around the TreeSisters spiral, some in the Cambanoora Gorge and others have been given to friends and acquaintances. A new lot of Hoop Pine and She Oak are now growing in the small nursery and have been potted on. Some She Oak and native Frangipani sadly didn't make it through the winter, but we've recently gathered more seed from trees at Bindarrabi.

admin Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:36

Killarney Bushcare

admin — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 05:29:47 +0000

Killarney Bushcare

In collaboration with Killarney Bushcare once a month we help plant and maintain trees at several sites in the Cambanoora Gorge region. The Bushcare group meets on the first Saturday of the month. Some months there are extra events of interest to attend.

Harry holding a rare bat at Adjinbilly

November 2017 Harry Hines, a well known local ecologist, gave a talk and demonstration of local wildlife at Adjinbilly Rainforest Retreat.

December 2017 We met at Peter and Virginia's for a general discussion around Bushcare over the past year and going into next year.

January 2018 The Condamine Alliance hosted a joint event with Bushcare, the Cambanoora Gorge Management Group and local farmers to look at local needs and observations around the local flora and fauna. It was held at Bellbird, just outside Killarney. It was noted that there had been a downward trend in numbers of pollinating insects observed over time.

admin Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:29

Camp

admin — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 05:27:42 +0000

Camp

The story of our base camp began with signing a contract with Bindarrabi Community for permission to place the camp on their communal ground for a period of 3 years.

Stage one was mowing grass and then erecting a large family tent on the chosen site. Shortly afterwards Cyclone Debbie made her presence felt nearly washing the tent away in the flood.

Stage two was obtaining a large tarpaulin, round pipe and downey fittings to give shelter to the tent and create a covered living area. This was erected with much help and excitement as it was a tricky task to get it in place and not collapse. Tent pegs were created out of construction metal rod which was cut to size and then shaped in the hot coals of the campfire. Solar power items and water tanks were sourced and put in place. A compost toilet was made out of a recycled blue barrel and the wood from pallets.

Stage three, over the course of several weeks a Rayburn stove was found through Warwick Buy, Sell and Exchange bought, transported to Bindarrabi in Doone's combi, and placed on a tile base at the edge the camp. A roof was built to make a fire and water proof cover for the Rayburn and washing up area.

Stage four saw the construction of raised pallet flooring under the lounge and tent areas to lift everything above the ground making it more pleasant during times of flood. Used pallets were sourced from Warwick Farmers Market over the course of several weeks/months. To make a usable surface ply flooring was bought and screwed to the pallets. To finish a mix of linseed oil, turps and beeswax was painted on to give water resistant protection. Under the floor several surface drains were dug to allow free drainage of surface water.

Stage five included obtaining a container and a yurt to create an office, storage area and the yurt will be a living area for Joy. A second tent for volunteers was bought, now increasing the sleeping area to comfortable sleep up to 6 people.

Update August 2019

In the last year a lot has happened. The first camp was tipped on it's head during a strong wind in the spring and has since been replaced with a mark two version, bigger and set at a better angle. There's still work to do e.g. finishing levelling and raising the floor for both the event/yoga/meditation area and the living dining area. Current plans are to build a partial earth bag wall at one end and a woven matting wall at the other as part of upcoming events. The Yurt has also been a challenge to maintain; holding it steady in the wind, keeping it waterproof and keeping the door angle such that it opens easily. The roof canvas has weakened due to the strong UV here so will soon be replaced.

As part of the process to become one of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps the facilities will be extended and improved in the near future to cater for 15 people living on site. Until now for longer term visiting we've been able to cater for up to 5 guests.

admin Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:27

Boonah Automatics & Mechanical repairs

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 03:44:34 +0000

Boonah Automatics & Mechanical repairs

admin Tue, 06/13/2017 - 13:44

Ken, Tania and the team at Boonah Automatics, after much frustration and head scratching, found and repaired the Jimney! It had had the 'Jimney Shimmy' which is a dramatic steering wobble. But now no more shake. They have been wonderful and did a lot of the work as a donation towards the Peace Valley Project!

Killarney Bushcare Workday

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 02:22:42 +0000

Killarney Bushcare Workday

Killarney Bushcare people at work last weekend. Enjoying working together before the AGM.

admin Fri, 12/09/2016 - 12:22

Peace Valley Project Begins

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 03:50:32 +0000

Peace Valley Project Begins

Lots of consultation both face to face and via email helped redefine and consolidate the idea for Peace Valley and Joy arrived in Australia at the beginning of November. Many Thanks to the following who were very supportive during this time: Ivan Davison ‘Freshtrack Systems’ Susan Savage ‘Killarney Bushcare’ Kieth Murray ‘Cambanoora Gorge Management Group’ Alan Davison ‘Greenacorn’ Alan Watson Featherstone ‘Trees for Life’ Andy Egan ‘International Tree Fund’ and Joey Walters ‘Awakening Feminine Leaders’

admin Tue, 11/15/2016 - 13:50