History of PSW

1990s

  • Permaculture Hills to Hawkesbury Inc. Set up by John Bourke.

2001

  • A Sydney-wide Permaculture Meeting decided to divide Sydney into 4 divisions: Permaculture Sydney East, West, North and South. Permaculture North already existed and was renamed Permaculture Sydney North.
  • Robyn Williamson was running a Seed Bank at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at Baulkham Hills.
  • Using the database for the members of the original Permaculture Hills – Hawkesbury group, Robyn started up the Permaculture Sydney West group by advertising in the Baulkham Hills Council Newsletter. https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Services/Environmental-Management/Bidjiwong-Community-Nursery

5th November 2006

  • A meeting was held at the Bidjiwong Community Nursery. Twenty people attended that meeting. A new group was formed, with 20 very active members.

May 2007

  • The group was incorporated and became Permaculture Sydney West Inc (PSW).
  • PSW became a legal entity.
  • People instrumental in the formation of PSW included: Robyn Williamson, Sue Mossman, Jono Cook, Sue Cook, Clarissa Davis and Roberta Fassina.
  • PSW Presidents over the years included: Roberta Fassina, Sue Mossman, Greg Meyer, Vera Meyer, Nevin Sweeney and Jo Tonitto.
  • Over the years, Meeting venues have included: –
    • Bidjiwong Community Nursery
    • Cassia Community Centre, Wentworthville
    • Members’ homes
    • Toongabbie West Public School Staff Room.
    • Toongabbie West Public School Hall
    • 2015 – present day: Wabbie Community Centre, Wentworthville Community Centre

Presenter at front of the community centre, with projector. Audience sitting in orange chairs, mix of genders interested in what is being taught.

Permaculture garden using bricks to make raised garden beds, plants growing in the garden full of fruit and vegetables, mulched with straw.