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Archives for October 2011

Suburban Skills – My Skills

October 31, 2011 @ 12:00 By Gavin Webber 11 Comments

This is the last post in the Suburban Series that I have been writing over the last few weeks.  The previous suburban skills post was about homemaking, so lets go outdoors and see what skills that may be needed to make the suburbs a little more sustainable, and ready for energy descent. Handyman skills come in many forms. From simple DIY projects, to full blown home maintenance. But let me take you on my skill building journey, because most of them fit into this post quite well. Nostalgic? Yes, but hopefully informative!

Long time readers will know that I grew up on a dairy farm in the ’70’s. It was a simple life, and full of hard work, even as a kid, but fun in so many ways. My parents taught me many skills that were required of farm life;

  • How to drive a tractor
  • How to shovel cow poo
  • How to kill a chicken or two and dress them for dinner
  • How to gut and skin a rabbit,
  • How to weld,
  • How to milk a cow by hand and by machine,
  • How to feed farm animals,
  • How to pick fruit,
  • How to build a haystack,
  • How to use a CB radio,
  • How to build a bicycle from parts,
  • How to entertain myself,
  • How to ride a motorbike,

and many other farm like skills.

 

Then at 16 years of age, I joined the Royal Australian Navy, and put all of those skills to the back of my mind. I learnt a hole new set of skills that were required to be a sailor;

  • Ships husbandry, which consisted of sanding, sandblasting, painting, and polishing,
  • How to use common sense,
  • How to clean toilets
  • How to wash and iron clothes,
  • How to polish boots,
  • How to march and take orders,
  • Experienced strict discipline,
  • How to shoot a rifle, pistol, and sub machine gun,
  • How to send and receive Morse code,
  • How to use wireless telegraphy,
  • How to berth a ship,
  • How to use portable radios,
  • How to be a member of a boarding party,
  • How to lead,
  • How to evaluate performance,
  • How to deliver vocational training,
  • How to be tactful, and
  • How to stand still on parade for over an hour.

About the only skill I learnt whilst not on duty was to how raise children (dad skills) and how to home brew beer!

 

When I left the defence force, my skills largely wained, although I learnt how to cook great meals for my family, however computing became my biggest skill set. I let most of the navy skills drop, except those that were required for corporate life. Then in 2006, after my personal awakening I began to learn and re-learn the skills from my youth. So far on my sustainable living journey, I have learnt;

  • Basic carpentry,
  • Basic bricklaying,
  • Home repair,
  • Basic construction,
  • How to build a chook house,
  • How to build a shed and greenhouse,
  • How to build garden beds,
  • How to grow fruit and vegetables and many sub skills that go with it,
  • How to care for chickens,
  • Basic irrigation design,
  • Basic plumbing,
  • Energy efficiency,
  • How to preserve fruit and vegetables,
  • How to make beer (again),
  • How to run a community group,
  • How to write effectively,
  • How to perform an energy and resource audit,
  • How to shovel chicken poo,
  • How to make many types of cheese,
  • How to teach cheese making,
  • How to make soap, and
  • How to build a cob oven.

I probably have missed a few, and there are probably so many more to learn.

One skill that Ben and I have started to learn is Archery, and we had our introductory course on Sunday morning. It was great fun, more of a sport than a skill, but I want new skills that will put food on the table, and in the future this may be one that is required. At least we will be able to keep the zombies at bay 😉

What other skills do you think will complement energy descent in the suburbs?

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Filed Under: Suburbs, Sustainable Living

Suburban Resilience

October 26, 2011 @ 22:44 By Gavin Webber 5 Comments

 I have been thinking a lot lately about this series of posts.  You know the type of thinking, really deep and meaningful sort of stuff.  I have been imagining possible futures, researching case studies, and thinking about the present events around the globe.

Then I came across this quote by Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement.

“If we wait for the governments, it’ll be too little, too late; if we act as individuals, it’ll be too little; but if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”

The quote really rang loud and true in my mind, except that I personally believe that individual action also has its place in leading by example.  I have been following Rob’s work in the Transition Town movement with interest, and believe that it is a great model that has merit simply by bringing the community together and building resilience.  But what is resilience and what does it mean in this context?  Let me show you a very good video on the subject to help you understand.  It has a good message that is easy to fathom.

So individual and community resilience is the key to riding through the approaching shit-storm, making changes for the better, doing something useful with what we have, and in our case the suburbs. By learning new skills, building community bonds that strengthen our sense of belonging and common purpose, we will be able to retrofit our vast suburban wasteland, and re-purpose it into a liveable and thriving landscape that will provide for everyone who lives in it.

The suburbs will remain in physical form, but not in the way we are used to.  By being creative, adopting permaculture practices to transform the landscape into an edible one, and by building community resilience via similar Transition Town/Village/City type actions, we will go a long way towards making them better places to live.  No more sterile wastelands, but places with a beating heart full of local resources, and filled with happy, productive people getting on with their role in their very own community!

“The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.” – Unknown

Well that is the way I see it going down, even if many others don’t.  Penny for your thoughts?

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Filed Under: community, Suburbs

Mousse and Carrots

October 25, 2011 @ 21:59 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

Kim and Ben have been having a ball over the last two days.

Yesterday, Ben got out a cookbook and decided to cook Chocolate Mousse!  Here he is in action.

Beating the egg whites (all home laid by our lovely chooks of course).  The dogs got scrambled yoke for dinner!

Getting fluffier.

Strike the pose.  Nice skills Ben.

Here is Ben and I about to scoff down our chocolate mousse!  It was light and fluffy, tasted delicious, and he was very proud of himself.  Organic dark chocolate as well.  Well done Son!

Today, Kim and Ben harvested all of our winter carrots at my request, as I have been so busy of late that I just have not gotten around to it.

All harvested, topped and washed.  I love the funny ones.  You always get a few, which is part of the fun.

The scales topped out at 1.594 kg, which is not a lot for 6 months growth, however they are the sweetest carrots that we have eaten all year.  They won’t last very long, as they will be in our belly’s over the next few days.  These are a good size, but if you want to see a whopper, check out the carrot that Darren grew over at Green Change!  Now that is a harvest.  I love carrots, no fuss if you plant them in between rows of onions and just leave them be.  Just make sure the soil is friable before you plant, and keep the soil moist.  Easy peasy.

-37.6777778144.5686375

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Filed Under: Cooking, Organic, vegetables

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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