It was about this time last year that I wrote my first post on this humble web log. Little did I know back then when I penned my first post, of the events that would unfold, and the doors that would open. It has been a great ride, with many more interesting and topical posts to come. Oh, what fun it has been and I would like to thank every single visitor who has dropped by.
Here are some interesting stats;
There have been 18,878 visitors to this blog, with 30,474 page visits. That is an average of 113 visits per day. In the first month, I was lucky to get 10 visits a day and that was only because I kept emailing all my mates to keep reading it! This graph shows the monthly stats over the year. Not bad for an average Aussie who grew up on a dairy farm in Loxton North, and who settled down in Melton West, Victoria!
Now here is the average demographic by country since I started the blog. Click to enlarge. The bigger clusters represent large amounts of visits from those areas.
Enough stats, on with the exciting bit!
As long time readers may know, I started writing this blog for two reasons. Firstly, I had begun a wonderful journey towards a sustainable lifestyle after my green epiphany, and wanted to share it with the world. I was on a personal mission to help save the planet, but somewhere along my journey, I discovered that it wasn’t the planet that need saving, it was humanity that needed my help from their own actions.
Secondly, it was because I was laid up with a back injury and needed an outlet for my thoughts and opinions and I so desperately wanted to continue on the journey I started by any means possible.
So to celebrate the occasion, I am going to giveaway a small prize. In the spirit of this blog, I have some well read magazines and a small book to giveaway. The magazines are "G Magazine" which is touted as "your guide to green living". I have found it very helpful, with great tips and articles about all things sustainable.
The book is about change. Now if there ever was a skill that we all need right now, it is how to handle change effectively. The book is titled "Who Moved My Cheese? – An Amazing Way to Deal With Change In Your Work and In Your Life" by Dr Spencer Johnson. It is a fantastic book, and easy read, and it changed my outlook on life. I believe that if you can deal with change, you can deal with most things in life.
Now to win these fabulous prizes, you simply have to leave a comment (nothing rude please). I will randomly pick a winner using a random number generator (nerdy, I know, but fair), and I will post the prize to any location on the planet. The prize will be drawn on Friday 20th February at 1800 Australian Eastern Daylight Saving time, with the winner announced in a blog post. So stop lurking and start commenting. You have to be in it to win it!
Bon Chance Mon Ami!
Hiya Gavin and Kim,
Its great to think that I have been reading your journey and adventures for a year now !!! Keep up the good work !
Best wishes Babs
Long time lurker here! Id love to be in your draw. Lisa.
Another lurker here, trying to change her evil consuming ways. Please count me in. Thank you!
Congrats on your Blogaversary!
I too started my blog to be a garden journal of sorts, it’s been the longest record of what’s going on my garden that I’ve had.
I also try to include posts to encourage my readers to green up a bit particularly in their eating by growing their own food and eating locally.
Love the blog, interesting to see there are like minded people all around the world (I’m from Ohio, in the US).
Congratulations, Gavin. I’ve followed your blog from way back when you took your first steps into the blogosphere and it’s certainly gone from strength to strength. Well done! I’m sure there are a few more people doing their bit for the planet now, however small, than there would have been without you.
I think I may have missed my anniversary 🙁
Delurking to say – Happy Blogiversary.
Gavin- Happy Blogiversary from Milledgeville, Georgia, USA! Thanks for the imformative, inspiring and humorous posts. I’m looking forward to the next year’s worth.
Congratulations on this milestone Gavin. I think it’s terrific what you’ve achieved at your home and find especially interesting that it’s not happening on an acerage but in suburban West Melton.
Cheers
Anita
Congratulations Gavin! I find your blog very educational and inspiring!
Hey Gav,
Im not quite a lurker, a klingon or hangeronerer..
Ok Ok Im a big fan and I read your post every day I admit it.
Congrats on your blogiversary, you have come a long way, learnt so much and shared it with us
Wombat
Is it really a year? Doesn’t time fly by when your having so much fun. I have enjoyed following you on your journey Gavin and have learnt so much. I admire your sense of adventure and determination and will be following through to your second year. Margaret
Cheers Big Ears! You dont have to put me in the draw, Im just a piece of furniture around here like Wombat is.
Congrats on the Blogiversary!
xoxoxoxox
Happy blogaversary Gavin!
You’re doing a great job but you don’t need me to tell you that.
Just to let you know, we have solar power! The panels turned up and the clouds with them. Two for the price of one.
congrats !!! welldone I am very proud of the way you and your family are living your lives you have made me see the errors of my ways and I follow your day to day life thro the internet which is a big thing for me to be able to do as you know I live so far away and dont get to see you all I for one will continue into the next year too
Love ELLIE
xoxox
Hi, my name is Cate & I’m a blog-lurker.
There, confession over – have really enjoyed your blog & congrats on your blogiversary!
Cate
Hi Gavin, I just discovered your blog recently while researching solar and I’ve been inspired and impressed. Well done and thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
yes congratulations gav on your blogiversary. it doesnt seem like 12months since u started blogging. it shows that a boy bought up in the country can succeed in life congratulations again
Congrats on your blogiversary! Very impressive stats (she said nerdily!) I’m relatively new to blogging so still trying to build mine up….
anyway, please count me in!
🙂
Yes, delurking here as well, I’ve only just started reading your blog the last fortnight or so. Congratulations on your blogiversary Gavin
take care
Pip
What a fun idea! I’ve only just discovered your blog but I’ll be back for sure.
Hi I’m Kate and I’m a lurker…
thanks Gavin for everything you share
cheers Kate
Gavin, congratulations on your blogiversary, and for years to come.
Happy Blogiversary. I am reasonably new to your blog but have enjoyed what I have read so far.
Emma
Seems like blog lurcking could well be on the short list for the next, best national and international hobby awards.
I didnt realise lurcking was so popular,, must go and try it for myself..
Bye
LOL @ Wombat! Yeah my lurkers all came out of hiding too, well some of them.
xoxox
Another lurkers anonymous member here! I always mean to comment but somehow never get to that part! Anyway…love the blog Gavin, I discovered it mid last year and immediately read it from end to end! Loads of great info and fantastic to read about others with the same interests and directions. Look forward to hearing more about your journey! Cheers Kathie
Great stuff, Gav. Well done on reaching the 1-year anniversary. I’ve only been going since October, so I can appreciate how much effort it takes you to keep coming up with fresh and interesting content after a whole year!
I have only recently discovered your blog and it’s a favourite now. I have family in Melton so I am familiar with your domain. Well done – you are very inspiring!
Gavin, it’s always a pleasure to read about your adventures. Well done on your blog development – it’s such fun isn’t it! Would love to have dropped into federation square today but the district swimming carnival beckoned (oh…and the 1200km might have been problematic!!!!)
Lisa x
p.s. did chuckle at the loxton north revelation….my first job with the ABC was at 5MV – the sound of the riverland! Lived in a little cottage on the bend of the river at Renmark.
Lisa x
Penny here..just started recently reading your blog and loved the article (and all the pic’s) on your cheesemaking outing – inspiring stuff!! Thanks for sharing..
Hi Everyone. The winner of the giveaway is Holly. Lucky number 16. Have a look at this post for more info.
Gav
You too congratulations with this this enormous growth of your blog!
Cheers!
Love your giveaway idea, Gav. It’s consistent with everything you stand for!