Miss Mandie

A global movement has been building over the past couple of years, where once a year people all over the planet have the chance to show their commitment to support our precious environment.

Started in Sydney in 2007 (go Aussies!), Earth Hour involves the simple act of switching off your lights for one hour. Proclaimed this year as the global vote between “earth” and “global warming”, we’re all being urged to make our choice and take action by flicking a simple switch.

No matter where you are in the world, just turn your lights off on your Saturday night, 28 March at 8.30pm and cast your vote! 

Want to get an idea of how far reaching this campagin has become? Watch the video below:

Here is an example of beautiful artistry in motion. The graphics, the music, the message – hope you enjoy being swept away with it all as much as I did:

If video doesn’t load above, click here to watch it.

After spending an extremely chilled time with my surrogate Zimbabwian family in Broulee, NSW, I am back on the road today. Destination? Mum’s!

I’m looking forward to home cooked meals with fresh veges from the garden, washing my clothes (they are starting to make the car a little stinky to be perfectly honest) and of course, spending some good quality hang out time with the family. In actual fact, it’s unusual for me to be returning home so shortly after my last visit. For the past 11 years, mum and I have lived at least a 13 hour drive from one another, more so when I’ve been overseas, which means visits have been pretty much reserved for special occasions. It was only three months ago that I was last at “the farm” and I can’t recall a time when its been so close between visits. Way to go Mandie on making time for family!

Visiting also gives me a great excuse to fill my car up with some more of my belongings, which have been stowed away on the farm for safe keeping these past couple of years, to help make my new home in Mullumbimby feel like a real home.

Here’s a view of the trek I am making today:

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I am intrigued though how google maps has calculated 5.5 hours for only 400kms? I guess if I find myself driving along a dirt track for a long stretch of the journey I will have my answer!

I spent some time the other day exploring the area of Jervis Bay set in Booderee National Park, approximately three hours south of Sydney. I recalled my parents taking me to Green Patch Beach in the area as a child and after a quick phone call to mum asking for directions, I was all set!

The park is owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and was under their direct care for thousands of years. There is much debate on exactly how long the Aborigines have inhabited Australia, but it’s estimated it could be as long 125,000 years.

Wandering through this pristine section of earth, I was struck with wonder and awe as to the Aborigines’ ability to live on this land and preserve it so well. I was overcome with an enormous amount of gratitude to this group of people for their astounding knowledge of sustainable living. Because each tribe only took from the land what they needed and moved on at the appropriate time to allow regeneration, I am able to be enchanted by sections of untouched nature that haven’t yet met a fate with a bulldozer.

Perhaps as we are faced with ever-increasing pressure on solving the issues that modern living has placed on the planet, we might look to the Indigenous ancestors of our planet for some sound advice and guidance.