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Archives for June 2013

Entropia: Life Beyond Industrial Civilisation – Book Review

June 24, 2013 @ 13:00 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

During the last week, I had the pleasure to read an inspiring book written by Samuel Alexander.  Sam also writes a very good blog at  simplicitycollective.com and is one of the co-directors of the Simplicity Institute.  Sam and I met at this year’s Sustainable Living Festival, but we didn’t get to talk nearly enough.

Anyway, what can I say about this book?  Let me tell you that I have read many utopian and dystopian novels in my time, so believe me when I tell you that this book is the best in its genre.  Truly.  It is that good.  I felt so many emotions during reading it, and it took me back to the early years when I took various sustainable living actions around my own suburban block.  Very believable.

Here is my official book review.

Entropia: Life Beyond Industrial Civilisation, review by Gavin Webber

Entropia defines sustainable living as it should be.  Not some Utopian fantasy world, but crafted with hard work, community participation, love, compassion, and most of all team work.  It is the best in class of this genre.

Set on an island somewhere near New Zealand during a period near the end of this century, the book tells the tale of the rise and development of a voluntary community practicing and living via material sufficiency after the collapse of industrial civilization.  The story draws you in whereby you feel like part of the community as the narrator describes the various societal systems that have been put in place over many generations.  It feels realistic and believable.

Samuel Alexander has written an inspiring vision of the post-industrial era, giving me hope that we can all build a better society from the ashes of today’s consumer culture.

Read more about the book at this site;  http://www.bookofentropia.com

If you are looking for a realistic vision of what may or that you hope could happen, you could do no worse than grabbing a copy of this book.


Note: Links to the book title are Amazon affiliate links, where I will be paid a very small fee for referral.

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Filed Under: Review, Sustainable Living

Building Community Via Blogging

June 23, 2013 @ 16:54 By Gavin Webber 13 Comments

Blogging is a great tool with which to reach out to others, especially when you cannot find like minded people in your area.

It is one of the many reasons that I started writing this blog, besides the fact that I had my story to tell.

This connection with others in the simple/sustainable living community is also a great way to meet fellow bloggers.

Now, as case in point, let me tell you about a lovely visit that Kim and I had from Lynda (Living in the Land of OZ), and Jessie (Rabid Little Hippy).  Both live withing 30 minutes drive of Melton, so we invited them over for morning tea.

They both arrive around the same time, however we got a big surprise when Lynda arrived with a chicken coop strapped to the back of her ute tray, and a couple of small Pekin Bantams in a cardboard box in the cab.  The chooks were delightful, and she has written a post titled “I am about to burst with happiness!”  I bet she is too the way she was doting over the two little girls ;-).

Kim made some cinnamon buns and I served up a quarter wheel of home made Caerphilly cheese.  Jessie also brought a freshly baked tea cake, and a loaf of sourdough bread.  Delicious.

Anyway, after a cuppa, great food, and a great conversation about all things sustainable, not to mention a good dig at the consumerism that surrounds us, it was off for a tour of the yard.

We all enjoyed the tour, exchanging ideas along the way about gardening, DIY and fruit trees.

Then, as we were saying our goodbyes, both ladies mentioned something remarkable.  They told me that it was my blog (as well as one other each) that set them on their own sustainable/simple living journey, and that it was our own transformation that had encouraged them to both to begin their own blogs with which to document their own adventures.  I was kind of taken aback, but in a nice way of course.  Amazing stuff.

So after hugs and goodbyes, we waved au revoir.  Kim and I really enjoyed the morning. Thanks Ladies for dropping by.

During the afternoon we did a bit of yard work, wrote a cheese press post, and tinkered around until dinner.

Later on during the evening, Jessie and Lynda’s parting words hit me like a tonne of bricks.  If I had influenced them in a way that they changed how they perceived their world and then took steps to change their lifestyles, how many others around the world had my journey and writing touched in the same way?

Tens? Hundreds? Thousands?

I guess I will never know.  But I do know this.  I came to realise that if you want to connect with like-minded people, I can think of no better method than to write your very own blog.

Not only will you make many on-line friends but you will make some great physical ones to boot.  Additionally, the opportunities that blogging opens up should not be underestimated.  I certainly never thought that I would feature on telly, or in local and national newspapers, and have the chance to write the odd article for a national sustainable living magazine.

But best of all, I have met so many wonderful, caring, and genuine people since I began writing this blog.  It is so very refreshing.

So my advice to all of you who are thinking of staring a blog in this community, don’t forget that as you tell your adventure to the world, amazing things will happen to you and to your many readers as you write about your very own small steps towards a more sustainable and simpler lifestyle.

Something for you all to reflect upon as you next press the publish button!

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Filed Under: Blog, Philosophy

DIY Cheese Presses

June 22, 2013 @ 16:20 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Curd nerds rejoice!  Today I have written a comprehensive article over on Little Green Cheese about “Pressing Cheese at Home“.

Not only does it feature my own methods of pressing cheese, but three other presses made by clever home cheese makers.  There certainly is some DIY talent out there!

Anyway, join me over at Little Green Cheese for this informative article.

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Filed Under: Cheese, Little Green Cheese

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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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