Experiential Education Programme January Permaculture Design Certificate Course Crystal Waters Permaculture Village, Australia .

Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia Inc. (GENOA)

To the PLU students participating in the next Permaculture Course at Crystal Waters, Australia...

...WELCOME!

We are very much looking forward to meeting you all and showing you Crystal Waters. A few points to make your stay even more comfortable.

What to bring

The nearest town is half an hour’s drive away and it won't always be easy to get supplies for personal needs.

• bring your own toiletries, sufficient for the duration

• bring plenty of your favourite pens and drafting materials for design projects and note taking

• clothing - raincoat and broad brimmed hat - this is a sunny country but January is a rainy season month. Rain (while quite warm) can be heavy and outdoor work continues under most weather conditions. Bring some warm clothes for the evenings, which are often cool. While tevas (or sandals) are okay most of the time, for walking in the bush and outdoor activities in general good shoes/boots are essential (two pairs recommended)

• other - SUNSCREEN! A tan may be fashionable but sunburn is painful, and a recipe for sun cancers. Insect repellent - January is a summer month and insects are part of the deal. Bring a big floppy hat, a water bottle, magnetic compass, camera/film. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight.

Crystal Waters

You’ve seen the movie, now you will experience the real thing! Expect clean air, open spaces, real darkness (no street lights here!), water without chemicals, a chance to walk in safety at night, lots of birds and wildlife, meeting many new people talking with a funny accent, new food/taste experiences - a different culture. You will be swimming in the river and under a waterfall, maybe you’ll ride a horse. You won’t find dogs or cats here (they would chase the birds away) .

But don't just take our word for it. PLU Faculty staff and volunteers from previous courses can be contacted from here for more information.

Communications

Have mail addressed to yourself:

URGENT phone messages can be left at +61 7 5494 4741.

Faxes should be sent to +61 7 5494 4578, (your name should be clearly stated).

E-mail: lindegger@gen-oceania.org (again, your name should be clearly stated).

We have facilities for you to send and receive e-mail using hotmail or similar web-based e-mail services from two computers located in the EcoCentre, and have a digital camera for pics to be uploaded to our website during the course!

You may use our fax at cost.

There is an international coin operated phone available, which can also be used with prepaid cards available from course administrators.

We are happy to post your photos on our website at regular intervals during the course so family and friends back home can see what you are up to!

Accommodation

About half the course participants will be accommodated in a bunkhouse (4 beds per room) in our Visitors Camping Area which is nestled among tall trees and is a short walk from the Kitchen and EcoCentre. All rooms are fitted with screens (to keep insects out). There is a modern amenities block with toilets and showers (solar). Coin operated washing machines and dryer are available. The other half of the group will be accommodated in private cabins, in small groups.

The Course

The course is a mix of intensive theory and varied hands-on learning. We follow a curriculum which has evolved over the last 17 years. We believe that most people learn best through experience after the facts are understood. We encourage students to work in teams.

Students wishing to research special topics in addition to the course curriculum should please inform us as soon as possible (before you come!) to allow us to prepare materials (if appropriate) to give maximum support.

Experienced resource people, an extensive subject library and unique surrounds combine to make this course a valuable academic as well as a life experience.

Visits to a number of projects create a balance between study and observation, and allows students to see a little of the general bioregion.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Please email or fax us if you have special dietary requirements, any special concerns or health problems, or special topics you want to research while here - as soon as possible!

We would really be pleased if you could let us know what your expectations are of the course before you come - we’ll try to meet them.

Please use this special pro-forma.

Co-ordinated by the Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia Inc. (GENOA) Crystal Waters, MS 16, Maleny, Queensland, Australia 4552 E-mail GENOA