We have been in touch with MP Janelle Saffin and she hand delivered a letter to the PM’s office regarding a garden at the lodge. We had the same kind of reply as on the site – the more updated one where they are looking into water options.

We had hoped to have an opening for dirtgirlworld – a new tv show on ABC Kids for 4-7years olds in Kev’s organic patch years. This is a show centred around an garden ……it is entertainment that might just change the world.
Please let me know where I can forward a press release and the letter reply to you as it as it wouldn’t upload into this lovely little box.
kind regards
Judy Hackett
dirtgirlworld
mememe productions

Here’s what I wrote to the PM…

Dear Sir,

I am delighted by the mounting campaign to have an organic food producing garden as part of the gardens at The Lodge: it is a wonderful idea, with many long-term benefits for Australians. Having a large scale organic garden, where the Australian public is invited to participate on many levels, is a fantastic educational tool, and a superb step in the right direction. It would be a great opportunity to interact with school children, the press, growers groups: a small, yet real way to let Australians and the world know you are taking food-security and carbon-reduction seriously.

For future food security, Australia will need knowledgeable gardeners in ever-increasing numbers. With oil producers meeting together to stop the sale of oil in US dollars, and with oil reserves declining in every single oil-producing nation, teaching the nation to become gardeners is crucial to both health and the economy.

More immediately, it would be great PR to have a large scale Permaculture-based system started in the grounds, to encourage Aussies to reduce their carbon footprints by saving food-miles/fuel in farm production/oil-based chemicals & fertilisers and packaging. Imagine the impact of being able to boast that a large percentage of all the food eaten in The Lodge (whether that be day-to-day, or for official functions) is grown organically and prepared on the premises!

Furthermore, leading by example on rain-catchment and the re-use of grey water within The Lodge would also address growing water-security problems faced all over the country: billions of litres of water fall from the sky and can be used. Water is more valuable than gold.

My wife is Australian, and we plan to move back to Oz within the next three years: we hope to do this, as we believe Australia has the knowledge, wisdom and guts to address its myriad ecological problems. Innovations abound in Australia, but need the funding and the vision of its political leaders to take the world by storm on every ecological front.

One incredibly important example of this is re-hydrating Australia’s abused agricultural/pastoral land, by enabling pioneers like Peter Andrews to pursue their water-systems restoration; while capturing billions of tonnes of carbon, and stopping soil erosion. To do this, fast-track alterations must happen to laws that are hindering a system that has produced astonishing, reliable results, many of which have been independently scientifically proven. People all over the world are watching Peter Andrews and are incredulous that leaders in Australia are not reacting swiftly and decisively to enable his wisdom and experience to be used, taught, spread and fostered. The man is a national treasure and should be celebrated as the quintessential ballsy Aussie, willing to take risks and win.

Removing legal barriers to the rehydration of the land is the only way Australia can have food security: anything less is criminal. Not to act on this issue is to take the food out of the mouths of future Australian children. Why lose key agricultural land to salination, when a workable and cheap solution is glaringly available: a system that of course needs additions and honing, but one that is a working miracle reality.

Mr Prime Minister, the world is watching and Australia can lead. Australia to me is a place where innovation, boldness, and a pioneering spirit should be allowed to thrive. With the diminishing levels of fossil fuels, energy-descent is an unavoidable reality – Australians need bold, immediate action. The world needs leaders who are brave enough to stand up and take a host of courageous and drastic actions. The current crisis is an opportunity for such leaders to create a legacy for future generations.

Please let me know what you, personally, can and will do on these two issues: first, of an organic, permaculture food-garden at The Lodge and second, of removing the laws that stop the rehydration of local river systems across Australia, pioneered by Peter Andrews.

Thank you, Sir, for your future action and courage to do the right thing.

Yours sincerely
Chloe Wolsey

For someone relativly new to gardening it is wonderful to find blogs that cater to Australian gardening conditions.. Most every site I come across is for American gardeners. It would be great to get information about growing other vegetables similar to the information you have given about growing herbs.

Come on Mr Rudd. Australia shouldn’t be left behind in this simple step towards sustainability!

Warm regards,

Gav

P.S. the link to send the PM a letter is broken. The site has changed. Not being too flash with wordpress, could you please fix it up julie?