Before I left the Trust I had work lined up in Victoria working on an agro forestry property 25mins south west of Geelong which I was very excited about. The property was designed by Darren Doherty www.permaculture.biz and my role would be to help maintain the plantings and to design new infrastructure of farm buildings. Accommodation was supplied on site and I was working with another Permaforest ex-student Ringo the star. It was a fantastic opportunity and I enjoyed the work and the people I was working with. However one major thing that was eating away at me was I had to get into my car and drive at least 25mins to do my shopping or social activity. It wasn’t sitting well with me in a sustainable way with all that driving after the study on peak oil at the Permaforest Trust. 

I was at the property for 6 months before a friend on the Mornington Peninsula was looking for someone to look after his house while he worked overseas. I hadn’t been to the Peninsula since I was 10 and hadn’t seen my friend for a couple of years so I decided to cross the bay for a visit. 

Two days into the visit I had a gut feeling that this was the place I wanted to settle. I could walk to the local shops that had everything that one needs, butcher, baker and candle stick maker, well green grocer. I could ride my bike to the beach and I was surrounded by friendly neighbors in an urban environment yet I could still hear cows mooing from nearby farms and I was surrounded by vineyards that could keep me well supplied with red wine. 

So I made the moved as soon as I could without a job just an idea for a business designing houses and landscapes. I looked into the NEIS program (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) www.nna.asn.au/NEIS.htm#who which helps unemployed people get their own business off the ground and running. The only criteria was I had to be registered with Centrelink, and have a business idea that didn’t conflict with other businesses in my area. I filled out a NEIS application and waited to hear. My business idea was to set up a design service in energy efficient homes, renovations, edible food and water wise gardens. While I was waiting I told family, friends and friends of friends about my business idea and was lucky enough to pick up a couple of design and drafting jobs.  

Six weeks later I was accepted into the NEIS program and did the 8 week course in small business management at my local TAFE and produced a business plan. On the completion of the course I handed my plan over and 3 weeks later it was approved with the full NEIS program and I have funding for the next year, for which I will receive $220 per week for six months then $180 for the last six months. I strongly recommend it to all the Permaforest students to go for it if they are going to start their own business.  
 
To help with the cost of living and starting my own business I do part time work with Merrywood Plants www.merrywoodplants.com.au a local nursery that specialize in espaliered fruit trees and ornamentals. With work in the nursery, delivering stock to other nurseries and maintaining gardens of a number of clients.  

I have become involved with the Crib Point Community Garden helping them out with design and drafting of their garden for planning application. I'm also in discussion with some locals on getting the Balnarring Community Garden going. We have access to land and we are in the paper process of setting up the structure of the garden. For people interested in becoming involved they can contact me on 0405 476 359.  

I have recently completed another course put on by the local government to become a registered Green Gardener through Sustainable Gardens Australia network www.greengardeners.com.au which is a good source of free advertising. 
 
My business now is involved with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au which is a program that has been setup to work with local primary schools in creating kitchen gardens in schools and educating the children to grow, harvest and cook the produce in classes.  

I left the Trust nearly a year ago and it took some time to find my place but now I am into my third month of my business operating and I’m slowly becoming very busy with five design projects on the go from a small rammed earth cottage in Queensland to a 300m² environmental home.  

I’m enjoying the work and people I’m involved with and I’m surrounded by red wine so live is good 

To be continued!