Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Practical Get Together at Pennant Hills

  • When
    10 Jun 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Pennant Hills
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    6 registrants

  Register

  

  Come to Stephanie's for a practical Get Together! The first 2 hours will be devoted to the rehabilitation of a worm farrm (sadly neglected for quite awhile), construction of a gabion mat, and weeding and maintenance for areas also sadly neglected for some time.

  After that we will sit around and have lunch consisting of two different kinds of soup (yet to be decided!) and crusty bread rolls, plus anything else people would like to bring along!

  New members particularly welcome.

  Fingers crossed for a clear crisp winter's day!!

  Bring gloves, winter woollies and anything to share or give away.

  Covid protection is up to you :)

  
  

  Address supplied on registration.

  Show details
• Soil and nutrients

  • When
    11 Jun 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  Workshop on Soil - (bring your own soil)

  Lindfield 

  Sunday 11th June 2023 at 2.00pm 

  We will start with a brief presentation and discussion on what is  good soil -  structure, composition, micro-organisms etc.,then talk about:

   Nutrients and micronutrients that are in your soil -or should be.

  pH testing for acidity and alkalinity which may affect the availability of nutrients to your plants.

  Bring a sample of your soil to test.

  Nutrient deficiencies often show up in patterns of yellowing leaves of plants – bring any such leaves you may have.

  Dynamic accumulators are certain plants (often classified as weeds) which are rich in nutrients and can be made into fertalisers.

  Please bring what knowledge you have about any of this to help discussion.

  Also bring something nice to nibble with tea and coffee while we talk.

  Please register

  Warning : Some people may have heard all this before. 

  Contact Di Evans,  devans91eton@gmail.com  or 94161896 or  0408253490

  
  

  Show details
• Making rugs from scrap textiles

  • When
    18 Jun 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Naremburn
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  

  With expert guidance from Sarah Millar, we will be using a simple crochet method to make rugs using old clothes and textiles. This is a great way to make colourful and useful items instead of the materials going into the rubbish bin.

  If time allows, Sarah will also demonstrate another rag rug method.

  The $5 registration fee includes a large crochet hook which Sarah will provide on the day.

  Registrants are asked to bring along:

  • Any old fabric you want to use, this can be old clothes, bedding, etc.. stretchy fabric works really well but it doesn’t have to be stretchy
  • Scissors
  • Afternoon tea to share

  If it is warm enough, the workshop will be held on a covered deck.

  
  

  Show details
• Monthly gathering: Koalas in our midst!

  • When
    19 Jun 2023
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Lindfield Seniors Community Hall, 259 Pacific Hwy

  Register

  
  

  (Photo: Holgi Detje, pixabay.com)
  

  Monthly gathering: Koalas in our midst!

  7pm Monday 19th May
  

  Lindfield Seniors Community Hall, 259 Pacific Hwy

  
  

  Many of us in Sydney's northern suburbs live very close to our amazing bushland, with our gardens getting regular visits from the local wildlife, but few of us are aware that endangered koalas could be close by!
  

  This month we will hear from Lilly Schwartz from the Hills-Hornsby Koala Project, a citizen science project based in north west Sydney. The koala project has been working with local communities to map koala sightings in recent years, and is now using this map along with habitat knowledge to search for koalas in key areas.

  This project is self-funded and entirely run by volunteers, so equipment is very limited, and searching thousands of hectares of dense bushland will be slow, but they’re recording all species they see, not just koalas, so the work is worthwhile for contributing to biodiversity records as well. The ultimate goal is to gain knowledge on the distribution, health and population density of koalas in the Hills-Hornsby areas, as this information will be useful for conservation purposes.

  Come along and find out about recent sightings, koala poo, and the frankly bizarre noises koalas make at night!

  Doors open at 6.30pm. Join us for supper and socialising afterwards. Don't forget to visit the library and bring along any unwanted treasures for the swap table.

  Show details
• Kimchi

  • When
    24 Jun 2023
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Hunters Hill
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    8 registrants

  Join waitlist

  KIMCHI

  Saturday 24th June 11.00am -2.00pm

  Hunters Hill

  
  

  Join the Living Skills team and take the opportunity to expand your knowledge of fermenting.

  Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables.  It is full of healthy probiotics that support the gut, boosts immunity, energizes the body and aids digestion.  And, of course, it tastes delicious.

  Sue will be giving you the opportunity for a hands-on experience in preparing Kimchi. She will be sharing her knowledge of kimchi and giving you tips as well.

  After making Kimchi, we will relax and enjoy a light lunch prepared for us by Sue. This is a lovely occasion to enjoy the company of fellow permies and share stories and experiences.

  All ingredients and jars are provided. You will be able to take a jar of yummy kimchi home with you..

  Show details
• Beading / Jewellery Making

  • When
    15 Jul 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    North Wahroonga
  • Spaces left
    6
  • Registered
    4 registrants

  Register

  

  BEADING / JEWELLERY MAKING
  

  15th July - 2.00pm to 4.00pm

  North Wahroonga

  
  

  Come and join the Living Skills team and learn beading/jewellery making with Maryanne. It is creative, fun and you can actually wear the things you make and they make wonderful gifts. 

  For those who have the basic skills, you can use the beads on hand (or bring your own) and make something special for yourself while absorbing the creative energy flowing around you.
  

  You can make your own earings, pendants, necklace, bracelet or key ring. You can make one or all. The choice is yours.

  You will learn -

     * How to use basic hand tools such as straight and round nose pliers

     * Open and close jump rings and create simple wire loops - vital skills needed in jewellery projects

     * Use tiger tail to make necklaces and crimping

     * What is the difference between a head pin and an eye pin?

     * What are findings?

  
  

  All materials, including beads, are supplied.

  If you have any special beads at home that you don't know what to do with, you are welcome to bring them with you and we can put our creative caps on and help you create a special necklace, bracelet or earings.

  Show details
• Pat Collins - Soaps, Shampoos & Washing Gel

  • When
    19 Aug 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Roseville
  • Spaces left
    2
  • Registered
    18 registrants

  Register

  
  

  SOAPS, SHAMPOOS & WASHING GEL

  WORKSHOP with PAT COLLINS

  Saturday 19th August  10am - 4pm

  Join the Living Skills Team for another amazing workshop

  Pat Collins is running this workshop on soaps, shampoos and washing gell. Pat has been teaching for over 23 years and has more than 20 years of practice as a herbalist. She has written a number of books, including some on weeds and their uses.

  In this workshop you will learn how to make your own soaps from a basic recipe.  You will learn how to create a large variety of soaps using various herbs, clays, natural colours, base oils, honey, essential oils and milk.

  We will look at the ingredients in commercial bath products and learn how they affect our health.  We will create our own shampoo, hair conditioner and lots more.  You will make:
  

         *   Six soaps

         *   Nettle hair conditioner

         *   Shampoo

         *   Washing Gel

         *   Soap balls

         *   Liquid soap

         *  Castille soap

  This is an all day workshop running from 10am till 4pm. You will take home a sample of all the products made.

  The cost is being subsidised by Permaculture Sydney North and is for members only. Only members who have registered and paid will be allowed in to attend the workshop as numbers are strictly limited to 20.
  

  Show details
• Sustainable Living Course

  • Start
    26 Aug 2023
  •  
  • End
    16 Sep 2023
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Various Gardens in the Sydney North area
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  This course is designed to help participants identify how to live a more sustainable life using permaculture principles. It will cover things you can do in the home, garden, and community to reduce your footprint and increase your wellbeing.

  
  

  Dates:	6 – 27 May 2023 Saturday afternoons 1:00pm to 4:00pm
  Cost:	Members: $50 Non-members: $75 (includes 1-year individual membership of PSN)* *If you’d like to join with a different membership (e.g. family or 5-year), then you can join via our website and then register as a member.
  Objectives:	By the end of the course you will have: developed an awareness of how the permaculture principles and ethics can be applied gained a greater understanding of how to get more involved in PSN or other sustainable community activities. identified adjustments to your current lifestyle
  Curriculum:	The course is loosely based on David Holmgren’s Retrosuburbia: The downshifter’s guide to a resilient future
  You will:	visit 4 different working permaculture gardens and hear from the owners of the garden about their set up identify practical ways you can live more sustainably participate in hands on activities such as preserving and seed saving
  Contact:	For enquiries, please contact Matthew or Katerina Elphick at  education@permaculturenorth.org.au

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Limestone Permaculture Farm Tour

  • When
    22 Sep 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Stroud Road
  • Spaces left
    25

  Limestone Permaculture Farm is a highly productive one acre demonstration property, created using Permaculture Design Processes & Principles, located in the beautiful Karuah Valley NSW. It is on the edge of a little town called Stroud Road, a couple hours north of Sydney. If you'd like a sneak peek, their website is pretty cool: https://www.limestonepermaculture.com/

  Registration will open a few months prior to the event, when an invitation email will be sent to members. 

  Tickets will open to PSN members only due to the popularity of the event each year. Tickets are half price (normally $60) - PSN subsidises the other half for PSN members.

  Please let me know if you have a non-member guest that you want to bring and I will keep them on a waitlist. Tickets for non-members, if a spot becomes available for them, will cost $60.

  For those people who don't want to get up at the crack of dawn to get there, there are some accommodation options in the area - see the accommodation section of the Limestone website. Stroud Showground has simple camping and very close by, so if you just want the cheapest place to lay your head, that would probably be the best option. Phil and I are going to first check out the state forest to the east of Stroud Road - there's sure to be a spot there where we can chuck a tent for free...

  Jess
  Hornsby Group Co-ordinator
  Email: hornsby_coord@permaculturenorth.org.au

  
  

  Show details
• Design for Suburban Permaculture Course: Module 1

  • Start
    11 Nov 2023
  •  
  • End
    25 Nov 2023
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Various gardens in the Sydney North area
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  Learn to design your own food oasis through this 6-month program. Our PSN volunteers will open up their gardens and work closely with you to help you put together a design for your own suburban property – regardless how big or small.

  

  Module 1: During the first module you’ll learn how to analyse a suburban property using a permaculture approach to identify and map not just the space but the various elements and influences that need to be considered. You will finish these two workshops with a detailed map of your own property as a basis for your permaculture design.

  Between modules: After completing module 1, we encourage you to get involved in other PSN workshops and complete some self-study to learn more about plants, soil, water, animals & structures. Suggested resources will be provided in module 1.

  Module 2: In the final two workshops we’ll help you consolidate your learning and apply it to your own garden design. We’ll look at how to map out your ideas, incorporating permaculture features, overcoming design challenges and how to plan and implement the changes. Note: you will need to register separately for this module.

  
  

  Show details
• Basket Weaving

  • When
    19 Nov 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Mt Colah
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    9 registrants

  Join waitlist

  
  

  
  

  BASLET WEAVING
  

  Sunday 19th November 10am - 4.00pm

  Mt Colah

  Join us for another one of Sally's amazing workshops.
  

  We will be creating 2 masterpieces. 

  In the morning Sally will show you how to create a  Christmas table centrepiece using Bangalow Palm inflorescence placing a tea light in a glass inside, 

  In the afternoon we will explore available materials that you can use to create baskets -materials that most people just throw away creating so much landfill.  We will use power cords and other e-waste to create a unique basket. These can then be planted out with herbs, flowers or succulents for giving as a sustainable Christmas present or keeping for yourself.

  All materials are supplied. No experience is necessary
  

  Slow down and take a breath, relax and create.  An added bonus is that you will take home your own beautifully created basket and centrepiece,  You can see Sally's work on her website.

  This is an all day workshop so please bring your own lunch, cutlery and cup and a plate of snacks to share with the group for afternoon tea.  Tea and coffee is supplied.

  This workshop is subsidised by PSN and members are only paying half the cost.

  Show details