2015 PEZ AGM

The minutes for the 2015 AGM of Permaculture Education Zone (PEZ) are very brief. There was no quorum at the first date called for the AGM, so a subsequent meeting was called as described in the current Rules of the Association. The subsequent meeting still did not achieve quorum, but the Rules state that all those in attendance at this subsequent meeting, after having waited for at least 30 minutes, shall represent quorum. As such, the presiding Chairperson and Public Officer, Eric Nicholson, declared the revised Rules of the Association as accepted. There had been no correspondence from any members suggesting the new Rules were unacceptable or did not reflect the original vision and main objectives of PEZ. The new Rules will be submitted as required with Consumer and Business Services within one month of the AGM.

2013 PEZ AGM

A rather subdued affair at the Nicholson household in Wayville resulted in an interesting conversation about an Adelaide version of CERES. Hugh Kneebone of NRM Education spoke about things happening within the NRM Board that could see this long mooted subject finally get legs. Early days yet, but do watch this space!

While there was not a quorum to confirm the 2012 AGM Minutes, or make any big decisions about PEZ, the meeting was useful in terms of sharing information and staying apprised of things happening within government.

PEZ 2012 AGM

PEZ had its 2012 AGM last night at the Urrbrae TAFE campus. The evening’s highlight was a talk from Pam Gurner-Hall about some late-breaking news: a dedicated permaculture education space has been confirmed in the southwest corner of the campus. This represents a fantastic opportunity for PEZ to get formally involved in permaculture education activities via Urrbrae TAFE.

The minutes of the AGM are included below.

PEZ AGM minutes 2012

The Chikukwa Project

PEZ has just donated $100 to a film project showcasing permaculture at work helping people in Zimbabwe. PEZ will receive a DVD of the finished film as a reward for helping fund the final production costs of making this documentary. Once the film has been received, film nights will be organised. Watch this space…

http://www.pozible.com/index.php/embed_iframe/project/4946/29706/1

City Farm Project Progress

Dear PEZ Supporters,

I met this morning with the South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF). The discussion focussed on arranging a meeting at their South Tce office to discuss the City Farm project. The meeting date/time has not yet been confirmed (probably early April), but it will include a number of invitees who would be likely to provide the necessary political influence to see the project realised.

In the meantime, I would like to have a meeting with those of you who have had significant interest in this project for some time. We need to brainstorm a few ideas, such as what to call the site (it was suggested by Carol Vincent that ‘City Farm’ may cause unwanted misconceptions and ongoing difficulties in making it clear to the wider public what the project objectives are). The business plan itself should also be reviewed to ensure it is still relevant.

I propose that the meeting occur on Saturday, March 17th at the park near my house – Wayville Reserve – it’s on Le Hunte Street, Wayville, just off of Goodwood Road, behind the car wash and service station. If the weather is unkind, it’s an easy walk back to my house on Young Street. Go to this link for details about the Reserve: http://www.weekendnotes.com/wayville-reserve/.

Please meet at 12 pm at the picnic table in the Barbeque and Picnic Area, near the little bridge, and bring along some food/drink to share during the short discussion and brainstorm session. The meeting will not have to be long, but I am happy to facilitate the meeting for as long as people want to participate.

I look forward to hearing people’s views and ideas at that time.

Regards,
Eric Nicholson
PEZ Chairperson

2012 – Australian Year of the Farmer – and perhaps also the year for an Adelaide City Farm

2012 will officially be the Australian Year of the Farmer, so perhaps the Adelaide City Farm project will achieve success in the coming year. New hope for the project was obtained today after a very productive meeting with the South Australian Farmer’s Federation.

Early in 2012, a meeting will be held to establish a coalition of key partners who can drive the City Farm project to fruition. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of 2011 and think about how you, or your group, could be part of this revitalised effort to establish a City Farm at the Old Adelaide Gaol.

PEZ AGM – 20 October 2011

It’s that time of year again – PEZ is required to hold its Annual General Meeting for 2011 – so please come along if you have an interest in permaculture education.

The AGM will be held on 20 October 2011, from 6:30 pm. It will be an outdoor gathering around Kathy & Eric’s chiminea at 3/324 Young Street, Wayville (just off Goodwood Road, near the eastern entrance to the Wayville Showgrounds).

If you intend on coming, it would be greatly appreciated if you could bring some food/drink to share and at least one item for discussion (e.g. an idea you have for PEZ to focus on into 2012).

The main business for the night will be to elect a new committee. The positions that will be available are Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. If you are interested in shaping the future of PEZ, then please consider nominating yourself for a committee position. Nominations will be accepted right up until the commencement of the meeting.

I hope to see some old and new faces at the meeting.

Cheers,

Eric

PEZ hiatus

Dear PEZ Supporters,

You will have noticed there has been a distinct lack of activity in recent months. Please be assured, PEZ is not disappearing! As you know, the PEZ committee (and others) has been trying to secure a location in Adelaide’s Park Lands for a City Farm, but the disappointing obstinacy of the State Government in providing a lease agreement and access to some of the grounds around the Old Adelaide Gaol has left the group somewhat disenchanted and burnt out.

However, there will still be an AGM later in the year. It is hoped some fresh committee members, with new ideas, energy and enthusiasm will take PEZ forward into 2012. For now, your continued support of PEZ is greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas on what PEZ could/should be doing into the future, please contact the group with your suggestions at: pezadelaide@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, permablitzes are happening all around Adelaide. There appears to be a growing interest in suburban folk growing their own food and living more sustainably. If you are interested in organising a permablitz at your own place, helping out at other events, or becoming a designer for future permablitzes, then please contact PEZ at the email address above. Efforts are underway to construct a dedicated permablitz website for Adelaide. Until then, expressions of interest will be forwarded to a small group of people ‘in-the-know’ who should be able to respond to any questions you may have.

Regards,

Eric Nicholson

Meeting minutes February & March

Hi all,

Better late than never they say. Not much to report in these minutes from February & March, but here they are for officialness and all that.

There will be no April meeting due to Easter and the fact that there is not much that needs to be discussed right now.  Eric’s Permablitz is the next major event, and that has been scheduled for Sunday 22 May from 10am-4pm.  All spare hands appreciated (Eric’s buggered one of his up); please let him know if you can make it.

Future PEZ Meetings

G’day PEZ folk, and anyone else interested in what we’re up to!

There was a brief meeting held the other night (January 20th), where we unanimously decided to have a dedicated strategy session on Sunday, February 6th at 220 Seaview Road, Henley South. It will start from 10 am and go as long as people feel it needs to – although probably not much past lunch, which will be BYO.

Otherwise, regular PEZ meetings will return to being monthly and will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, from 6 pm, at the South West Community Centre (171 Sturt Street, Adelaide). These meetings will be followed by the monthly Permaculture Association of South Australia (PASA) committee meetings. For anyone interested in getting more involved in permaculture activities at a broader level, you are welcome to stay back and listen. The PASA meetings will begin at about 7:30 pm and go until about 9 pm.

Please note that the annual PASA gathering during WOMAD will occur on Sunday, March 13th from 10 am until 12 pm. Kim Hill will be speaking about ‘living on zero dollars per day and having great Permie adventures’. As usual, BYO food/drink to share. All are welcome!