What's On Tablelands May 2016 | Page 4

Organic Remedy – Living is an art when you live in a bus !

Hi my name is Vicki , my dog Simba and I live in a bus where I am learning to live with less stress in my life . We drove across from Perth where I left my striving organic health shop business to fulfil a dream of living a healthy lifestyle in tune with nature and helping others make great choices for themselves . I have spent 35 years in a love affair with finding true health , physically , emotionally and spiritually . I understand that our food system is designed to be cheap and easy which creates sick and tired folk who lose their health to get their wealth and then they have to spend their wealth to get their health back , unfortunately there is so much misinformation about health it can all get too hard to bother . I want to work with anyone who would like to get their health back on track , with suggestions for the right foods that suits them as well as supplements they might need if they are deficient in essential nutrients and herbal medicine for healing and repair . I am free to chat , find my group on Facebook , ’ Living is an art when you live in a bus ’, or check out my website to find out which markets I will be selling my especially selected products from and take a look at my shopping cart incase there is anything you want to order , you will find lots of information there about the products I sell . I am free to chat on the phone and even meet up if that suits : 0419 033 113 www . organicremedy . com email vicki @ organicremedy . com . au

Just for Josh

Joshua Jackson is from Yungaburra . He is 33 years old . Josh was diagnosed with an unidentified form of Muscular Dystrophy in 2010 , after several years of intrusive testing and health decline . Since the diagnosis his muscle and general health have deteriorated rapidly . Josh always worked in physically demanding trades and was operating a successful rendering business at the time of his diagnosis . Josh now struggles to stay mobile and perform daily tasks . We are raising money to assist Josh in accessing ongoing treatment , physiotherapy , medical aids / equipment and travel / accommodation expenses , directly related to his condition to improve his everyday living . 100 % of proceeds will go directly to Joshua Jackson . Any remaining funds will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation . Josh lives his life with love and gratitude and is an inspiration to all that know him . Donate Online at - www . gofundme . com / JustForJoshFund Website - www . justforjosh . com

Back to the Bone Botanical Garden

Back to the Bone will again be open for its annual field days on the first three weekends in May . Owners , Steve and Marijke Hancock have spent nineteen years creating an oasis aimed at self-sufficiency , using land-management techniques they picked up in diverse regions of the world . Marijke is a descendant of one of the founders of the Bogor Botanical Gardens in Indonesia . She was born on a rubber plantation managed by her father , a graduate of the University of Tropical Agriculture in Holland . Migrating to Holland after growing up in a POW camp , Marijke released her passion into the garden , filling the void with colourful flowers and nutritious vegetables . Years later in Costa Rica , she employed a vaquero , Steve on her finca . Steve had been prompted by the effects of meteorological extremes in outback Queensland to embark on a study of land use in the Americas . Subsequently marrying , the couple worked on ranches and farms , leaving in their wake a variety of gardens from the Caribbean to Canada , and the east coast to the outback . “ One of our gardens was conceived aboard a topsail schooner en route from Gibraltar ,” said Steve , “ and ended up gracing a hillside in Barbados .”
Once again it is time to move on . . . The garden is now for sale . Steve & Marijke consider that after 19 years of intensive work , the garden is now in a satisfactory state to hand over to new management with the resources to develop the infrastructure . Interested buyers may attend the field days or make an appointment for a private inspection .
Besides being a collection of plants for preservation , education and study , the main purpose of the garden is to demonstrate to the immediate and wider community , the horticultural potential of this so-called marginal country . Started in 1997 to address survival in the face of environmental , climatic , social and economic change , it has drawn on natural ecosystems , the principles of Masanobu Fukuoka and permaculture in its development .
Self-sufficiency – Selection criteria for plants include : food , decoys , timber , fast-growing construction materials , rapid bio-mass producers , pharmaceuticals , fuel , cash crops , and fire-retardants . The focus is on building robust plants before encouraging them to fruit . The naturally-selected , subsequent generations , self-seeding into constantly improving biotic conditions , will be more resilient than their parents .
Water : With clean water becoming an increasingly rare commodity , Back to the Bone is fortunate in having a reliable bore , a seasonal creek and sufficient rainwater ( all clean ). Wildlife : Nine years after the commencement of planting its food species , a young male tree kangaroo was successfully attracted to the garden , and remained for some months . Other mammals and rainforest birds have become frequent or permanent residents .
Research : For a better understanding of the interaction between plants and local environmental factors , a data base comprised of meteorological records , horticultural observations , growth statistics , periodic groundwater analyses , irrigation and fertilization records , etc . is continuously being compiled . Experimentation with green firebreaks , soil-building , improved soil-moisture retention , and more efficient irrigation techniques is also being undertaken . Entertainment : Although so far used to host art and music events , there is potential for catering to functions such as weddings , or film-shoots . A garden party is next on the agenda ( date to be announced ). Awards : 2012 Judges Prize , Tablelands Regional Council Garden Awards , 2013 Sustainable Garden , Tablelands Regional Council Garden Awards , 2015 Runner-up , Rural Residential Garden , Mareeba Rodeo Garden Awards .
Open : April 30 , May 1 & 2 , May 7 & 8 and May 14 & 15 , from 10.00am till 4.00pm . Entry is free . Smoko is provided . The garden is at 42 Bischoff Mill Road , Watsonville .
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch if they wish . Enquiries : steveandmarijke @ gmail . com . Phone : 4096 2089 .