Nicole Foss at the Daylesford Town Hall

Last Thursday about 90 people sat riveted for an hour and a half while Nicole talked about the bubble dynamics of the global  economy over the last 30 years and how we are in the throes of a deflationary collapse of our financial system that is likely to be far worse than that of the great depression.

She explained the implications for us all and suggested changes in how we manage our financial affairs and run our daily lives without credit. While her analysis was shocking, the conclusions drawn reinforced the HRN strategies of focussing on rebuilding our household economies, working more in the community and enjoying stronger self reliance.

Nicole acknowledged the long term threats of climate change and peak oil but emphasised the bursting of the financial bubble is a more immediate challenge. These three are all important but getting our finances in order immediately will help with the other two as well. Mayor Sebastian Klein and David Holmgren also had some excellent input at question time.

If you missed this event you can always go to the Automatic Earth where Nicole, amongst other things, has a list of things to do. Nicole is not just a theorist as you will see. See more here...

From L to R: Laurel Freeland, Nicole Foss, David Holmgren, Sebastian Klein

Shoe Making workshop

So, the first of the three workshops on making shoes will be held this Saturday. Here are some examples of the shoes that Duncan makes and some ideas. We will be learning the whole process from go to woah and these particular shoes are mainly glued. At the end of our series we will have a new pair of shoes to wear! There is one more place available due to a cancellation. Do you want it?

Duncan's son's school shoes

A new pair

Duncan's everyday short boots

Some shoe ideas that could be made

Nicole Foss in Daylesford, Shoe making workshop and Cob Earth Building at the Rocklyn Ashram

Hi folks, don't forget to book for next week's opportunity to see Nicole Foss in Central Victoria; actually here in Daylesford (she is coming to us instead of us having to go to her somewhere quite distant from home). You can get a preview at this week's film night at the Town Hall on Thursday and see her in person a week later. Click links or check blog site (and scroll down) for further info.

Secondly, there has been a cancellation for Duncan McHarg's shoe making workshop series, starting this Saturday. The three workshops cost $190 (subsidised by the Shire) and you will be supplied with the materials and assistance to make a pair of leather shoes for yourself.  So... who will be the lucky one to get the place?

Also, for the aspiring builders, the Rocklyn Ashram is conducting a week long cob building practicum starting on Friday 10th Feb. Great program and costs only $300 for the week.