Eco Village

While driving home Laura and I had a lot of time to talk and think, and the usual issues came up; Women, Kids, Socialization etc. And we came up with an idea. The idea is basically bits borrowed from other intentional communities that move in a direction similar toTuljun and based on some experiences I have had and some of the things I wish I had had.

The gist of it is trying to install a "starter culture", by a few of us getting together and builing several small dwellings etc. and also, importantly, building a decent sized communal permaculture garden, and then making the dwellings etc. avaliable for rent.

Some of the benefits of this could be;

Bringing people in who aren't "pioneer" types, as my brother put it, but have an interest in the final idea of the co operative, and may have a valuable role in a functioning co operative, but aren't the types that would adapt well to the more daunting task of starting off.

Bringing in new ideas and diversity

Providing a great space for some who for whatever reasons aren't prepared to commit to membership

Providing an example for some who may in the future become members

Bring cashflow into the co operative

Bring more women and kids (families)

Help provide food security and provide a model of what systems can work on the mountain

It would be a fantastic place for people who are musicians, artists etc. to bug out for a while and follow their muse without nasty interferrence from parts of society that cause a lot of worry (both Laura and I would have loved an opportunity like that).

It could also be a seed that starts off an attraction to international visitors and perhaps could lead into some kind of eco tourism?

If gobar gas and some sort of microgrid were incorporated, it could help provide the infrastructure for festival.

I personally know of a few different demographics to which this idea could be attractive.

There are also a few networks out there that could supply volunteers to help build a project like this, and share skills.

The rent could be fairly cheap couldn't it?

BBQ's, Meetings, Information Days.

From time to time there are BBQ's so that interested parties and existing members can rub shoulders and offer the opportunity to get to know each other in a social atmosphere. Essentially this is where initial exchange of views and information begins as part of the process of gaining membership to Tuljun Boolaroo.

Next BBQ;

Our AGM

If visiting Tuljun Boolaroo it would be an advantage for you to have a 40channel CB.  It can be a one day affair or if you have the gear and want to camp over that'd be excellent. . If you wish to come along let me know via the email bob@tuljun.com.

Employment, Self Sufficiency and Lifestyle (click link)

The Issue of income earning capacity while still being on the property has been raised more than once and needs addressing. Truth to tell it may not be practical for everyone. Tuljun is a long way from the centers of commerce. Working in the Mining industry might be an option for some. Shifts operate on a 10 days on 4 days off system and quarters are provided on the mine site for their workers. Another option is to work and reside in the Whitsundays or Mackay and commute on weekends. Having our own Internal Trading System also acts as an adjunct to normal financial arrangements

Home industry and agricultural enterprises are also a possibility and are focal points of the cooperatives aspirations anyway.The real question is why be on a semi-remote property in the first place? Lifestyle and social benefits should come first place in ones considerations. Spacial separation from population centers has its advantages as does the serenity of living in a pristine setting.

Contemporary world events such as employment, financial, political and environmental issues have highlighted the need for self resilience. Genuine self reliance(resilience) is not an intellectual exercise in an on and off, hot and cold series of non-commitments or talk fests; nor should it be based in a state of fear and negative attitude.

Tuljun is for positivists moving towards connection with a more organic way of life. It is contingent that families occupying Tuljun be able to provide for their own material welfare, for what may be an extended period without outside support. Simply put we have the option (if prepared) of living comfortably for weeks or months if necessary in the wake of some event that robs us of the means to obtain external material support. A home garden and chicken run are easy adjuncts. We would not be here today if not for our forebears prudence. A survivalist is simply someone who recognizes that we should take personal responsibility for some of these systems.

Our positive view is that an Intentional Community living cooperatively, in both the material and social context, can enjoy an energized, more secure lifestyle and able to ride out any bumps that life deals out. So much for the material aspects. Finally a Socially, physically and psychologically engaged lifestyle is not such a bad option. Oh yes and  it feels like freedom.

Rock Pools

Top of Yumba Thulgra Falls in "Dry"

Rock Pool above Yumba Thulgra Falls

koala Gully

Home Schooling on Tuljun (click link)

Several families have indicated that 'home schooling' for their children is their education preference. The systems mooted vary from using their own curriculum to taking advantage of 'School Of The Air'. School of the Air conducts classes from Charters Towers via the phone and Internet and provide the computers etc on a hire basis. Students have their own teachers and can communicate in Internet-group classes.

There are 2 or 3 school camps per year where students meet their cyber class mates and teachers in person. There are widely differing opinions on the possible outcomes. These centre around educational competitiveness in the greater community to socialisation issues. It is unclear as to what extent TBC should actively provide material and social support for these systems; Therefore some dialogue needs to be entered into.

Sites worth visiting are Queensland's Distance Education   or  Unschooling

Open Forum

This page is for matters of day to day interest if you have a question or a comment on some subject not handled elsewhere in the blog. You may wish to refer to another string in the blog and attach your comments there. All comments are moderated so a little delay between commenting and seeing it on the site will be experienced.

Hi Tuljun Friends,
Over recent months there have been inquiries concerning household pets. I know this is going to be the rough end of the pineapple for some. Your long-time friend and companions are a loved members of the family BUT...the rules are clear  **No household may keep more than 2 adult dogs.  If dogs are kept they must be properly managed otherwise they must be removed from the property.  Cats and exotic aquarium fish are prohibited outright. The reasoning for this may be clarified in the article below. We love our bush animals and unfortunately so do cats and dogs! I have in fact a large menagerie consisting of quoll, possum, koala, bandicoot, monitors and more than few birds and not a cage in sight. 

Bob.



-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Feral cats are killing 75 million animals every day!
Date:	Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:55:42 +1000
From:	Wildlife Queensland
Reply-To:	news@wildlife.org.au
To:	bob@tuljun.com

WHERE HAVE ALL THE CRITTERS GONE? Dear Friend of Wildlife, Can you remember the last time you saw a small or medium-sized native mammal of any species? You might have seen a possum but bandicoots, bilbies and small wallabies are getting harder and harder to find. Where have all the animals gone? Habitat loss has played a huge part in the massive decline of our wildlife but it continues overwhelmingly through predation, especially by feral cats and wild dogs. Feral cats are not fussy eaters and they can overpower and consume just about any living creature: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects! The impact of feral cats is truly astronomical. We know there are at least 15 million feral cats in Australia and some estimates suggest there are as many as 23 million. That's one for every person in the country! Researchers have found that feral cats eat on average five animals a day. So 15 million feral cats are eating around 75 million animals each and every day, mostly at night. That potentially works out to be 20 billion animals, mainly native species, killed and eaten by feral cats every year. The sheer numbers of animals removed from the landscape by feral cats boggles the mind and many native species have been brought to the edge of extinction. As the new president of Wildlife Queensland, I have launched a special campaign to help one of the great, but tenuous, survivors - the bridled nailtail wallaby. The bridled nailtail wallaby can grow to one metre in length, half of which is tail, and males weigh between four and eight kilos. Females are even smaller than males. It sounds too large to become prey for a feral cat, but feral cats grow to between four and six kilos themselves and some have been known to reach 15 kilos. A feral cat can easily take a juvenile wallaby. Adults aren’t entirely off the menu either. Where once they were numbered in the millions, the total population of bridled nailtail wallabies in the wild today is estimated to be less than 400 mature individuals. They only live for six to eight years in the wild so if we don’t increase our efforts now, predators will eventually wipe out the remaining bridled nailtail wallabies and drive them to extinction. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has been undertaking feral cat and wild dog control measures at Taunton National Park for years, yet such are the numbers of predators that if there are any interruptions to control programs wallaby numbers plummet. Feral cat numbers are so overwhelming and the problem is so large that the wallabies need extra help and a lot of it. Wildlife Queensland is now partnering with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at Taunton National Park. Our Friends of Taunton group is supporting the conservation of the bridled nailtail wallaby and its habitat. This involves controlling feral cats, foxes and wild dogs that right now are killing bridled nailtail wallabies. The control of feral cats at the Taunton National Park is being done through trapping and euthanasing, shooting and laying baits. To some this may seem inhumane, yet to do nothing will lead to the extinction of the bridled nailtail wallaby and the ongoing deaths of thousands of other mammals, reptiles and birds each year. Can you help rescue the bridled nailtail wallaby from extinction with a special gift? Please, will you make a tax-deductible donation now, to bring them back from the brink? We’ve considered the problem and the solution carefully and know that in 2015 we’ll need $50,000 to secure the population of wallabies at Taunton National Park. There are around 200 endangered bridled nailtail wallabies in the park so we’re protecting one wallaby for each $250 raised. By supporting Wildlife Queensland with a donation to this special appeal you will be ensuring that Taunton National Park’s bridled nailtail wallaby population will bounce back. It’s known that the bridled nailtail wallaby will breed continuously when conditions are suitable and they can raise up to three young in a year. Numbers can grow rapidly once predators are controlled. To determine what can or can’t be achieved in 2015 I must confirm by 24 December the total of the funds we’ve raised and that’s why I need you to add your support to this special appeal today. I can imagine a future with an abundance of bridled nailtail wallabies at Taunton National Park. If you can too, please support this special appeal and help save a threatened species on the brink. Yours sincerely Peter Ogilvie President, Wildlife Queensland P.S. You can help prevent extinction in just two minutes by visiting the new webpage we’ve set up to help you save the bridled nailtail wallaby. You have received this email as a member or supporter of Wildlife Queensland, or as someone with an interest in wildlife conservation in Australia. If you do not wish to receive emails about our appeals, please unsubscribe. (07) 3221 0194 wpsq@wildlife.org.au www.wildlife.org.au

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Power, Phone & Water (click link)

Phone is available via the satellite link as is TV and internet connection. Some areas are eligible for subsidized phone and broadband internet .The Federal Government's initiative for rural solar power assistance has been suspended.  Because of the unsustainablity and cost of fossil-fuel-generated power viable alternatives are being encouraged. Any suggestions? Storage for drinking-water  is the responsibility of the share-holder and a minimum of 60k litres is recommended per household.