Thursday night I gave a presentation on oil depletion and relocalisation at the Permaculture Noosa January meeting (see the attached PDF of the presentation). The main purpose of the presentation was to introduce them to their new local relocalisation group, Sunshine Coast Relocalisation - Noosa Eumundi and Districts (SCReNE). The group is being auspiced by Permaculture Noosa. While I didn't think to count, I would guess there were at least 100 people in attendance. In October I completed a two week course to receive my permaculture design certificate with instructor Janet Millington, who is a Permaculture Noosa member and is now the coordinator for SCReNE. It was exciting to see that several students from my course made the effort to come to the meeting - it was like a homecoming!

Permaculture Noosa seems to be a tight knit group of people that are already well into the relocalisation mindset: many of them grow their own food, they have regular "PET" (permaculture energy transfer) days, where members get together to help with another member's project, such as constructing a chicken tractor, mass plantings, etc., and many of their members are involved with local political issues, global warming projects and the like. I spoke to members who had researched the ancient art of weaving and had even built their own loom from scratch. Another member (male, mind you!) was crocheting what appeared to be an Afghan blanket, like the ones my grandmother has made all my life, as he listened to the speakers. Relocalisation fits neatly into the permaculture group's existing activities, so my hope is that SCReNE will become a vital and active relocalisation group. There were some intelligent questions asked during the presentation and afterwards a few different people came up and let me know that they were keen on the idea and would be joining SCReNE.

I'd like to welcome SCReNE to the Relocalization Network, and look forward to seeing how they proceed!

Please join SCReNE and post your blog entries, events, news and articles, and make the most of the forums to brainstorm with other SCReNE members and to communicate with other relocalisation groups around the world.

For more information please contact SCReNE's coordinator, Janet Millington.

If you need assistance with using the SCReNE website don't hesitate to contact me.

Cheers!