At the top of the top paddock, we are near the peak of this little hill. From here, we have panoramic views of about 270°. To the east, we overlook Mount Baw Baw, and to the west, we look across the Latrobe River valley on its way to Yarra Junction.
This position would make an ideal retreat space location, and we intend to build a small building that can take in these views and provide an inspirational space for working with communities, businesses and government organisations on how to create more sustainable and regenerative future strategies.
We propose to call this the Centre for Regenerative Futures.
This area will also be fenced off from the main paddock, with some wind breaks over some good outdoor facilitation spaces.
We will replace the very old and blackberry-infested dry dam here and install a large header tank, to which we will pump water from the lower dam for irrigation.
Proposed gathering spaces
We imagine that Mistwood can be a place where people can gather together in some form of community. This could be as a group or a team or as strangers who are meeting together having a shared experience.
Part of our intention is to run and hold regenerative design strategy workshops in an event space at the top of the hill on the edge of the property. We would like to explore what's possible in this location as the 270° panoramic views from Mount Baw Baw to the Latrobe River Valley is inspirational to behold.
Our background of running a design consultancy specialising in Design Strategy for 15 years gives us the necessary background and experience to make this aspect of Mistwood a success.
A bit more information about the Centre for Regenerative Futures can be found here.
Example locations
There are some areas of the farm that would be potentially suitable for some of the gathering and event spaces.
Visual Concepts
We don't have any definitive plans drawn up for these as we would like to explore what's possible with council. The event space will be a moderate size able to host a small group of no more than 40 people seated in rows, or 20 people around tables. Think of a self contained mid-sized conference room at the top of a hill.
Relevant Permaculture Principles
All permaculture principles inform all aspect of the permaculture design and operations—these more so than others.
Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behaviour and dependence on non-renewable resources.
By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between them and they support each other.
We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time.
The wellbeing of ourselves, our kin, and community is the best indicator of how we are going.
Caring for all life, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and minimal resource consumption for well-being and beyond sustainability.