All Events

Earth skills workshop with Claire Dunn 1st October 2017, Castlemaine

Claire Dunn is coming to Castlemaine! Come and learn some amazing bush skills such as fire by friction, shelter building, bird language, deep nature connection and much more. After her much acclaimed book “My year without matches”, Claire has been travelling to many amazing places, inspiring others to deepen their connection with nature and self. This should be an amazing opportunity to experience her passion in this field.  Click on link below to book event through evenbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/earth-skills-workshop-with-claire-dunn-tickets-36805664734

Tracking

Michael Smith gave us an excellent introduction to tracking in today's pilot workshop. Grey and cold as it was on Mount Alexander we glimpsed a whole new way of perceiving and being in the bush, (or anywhere). We even tracked a kangaroo who bounded past, see if you can spot the imprint in the photos.

Michael Smith workshop this weekend

Saturday the 5th of August 10am to 1pm, meet at the Dog Rock car park Mount Alexander. Let us know if you’re coming or need directions. Bring rain gear and a pen and notebook.

Michael Smith has always worked outdoors and has over 30 years experience in training in a wide variety of fields including: survival, tracking, climbing, leadership and program development. Much of this has been in a military context including work with the Special Forces Group.

Michael has been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh award, and now is contracting to Outback Initiatives as a facilitator with an upcoming trip in the Kimberly’s.

Michael’s work has led him to understand people and the environment and Mirawara is lucky to host workshops that will range through his extensive knowledge and experience.

This first workshop on Mount Alexander is a pilot for the upcoming series: dates to be confirmed around Michael’s other commitments. Keep an eye on our programs as we get rolling in spring or subscribe to our email list.  As a pilot there is no charge for this workshop but gold coin donations gratefully accepted.

Workshop 1: The lost art of tracking  Or Making meaning

 It was part of everyday life thousands of years ago: we needed to know what was happening in our environment, where our next meal was coming from — from day-to-day, season to season and environment to environment. 

Why the lost art? We are focused on the wrong thing, what is important is the awareness and interpretation of the moment and place. When we understand this, it is then that we can perceive where the tracks are leading to or where they are coming from. We become more fluid and in-tune with our environment.

A sense of wonder, a sense of humour, liking for hard work and most of all, a love of nature.

Campfire night

Campfire night last night on Mt Alexander / Leanganook with the great crew from Mondo Lounge. We were very lucky to have Ron Murray share stories about his culture and life.
This is the first part of The Nature Link: Mirawara’s project with Mondo Lounge our local council youth program. The Nature Link is funded by Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Community Grant and the aim is to get young people outdoors. Check here again for information about the climbing trip in spring that is part of The Nature Link.
A great night: stories, didge, hot soup, marshmallows on the fire… why would you be indoors?

Join our mailing list

A few people have said it’s hard to keep up with our events and programs on this blog and our Facebook page so we’ve created a mailing list and will email you news about upcoming trips and events.

We won’t be flooding your inbox, probably less than one a month but it is a handy way to get our news direct — hit this link:

Mirawara mailing list

 

Campfire night with Mondo Lounge

Mondo Lounge and Mirawara campfire nightCampfire Poster-2
Our Campfire night is the first of The Nature Link projects with Mondo Lounge enabled by the Mount Alexander Community Gant 2017.

Mondo lounge is our local youth space: Mount Alexander Shire Council’s place to chill Friday afternoons offering free activities, workshops and training opportunities for people aged 12–25 years. At Mondo Lounge you can hang out with friends after school in a supportive environment.
Mirawara is a new local initiative to help people experience the “great outdoors” and we have some great places around Castlemaine to walk, climb, canoe, mountain bike, camp or just hang out.
Mondo Lounge and Mirawara have teamed up for Friday afternoon walking and climbing on Mount Alexander / Leanganook this year. More is planned for the future so keep an eye on our programs.
The campfire night on Mt Alexander includes stories and music from Ron Murray, a very talented local. The campfire night is on the 26th of May from 4 to 6:30 pm, details below for booking and places are limited for this free event. Anyone who has heard Ron tell stories knows they are in the hands of a master story teller from a very long tradition. This is a great outdoor experience: some yarns by the fire with warming soup at the beautiful granite outcrops on Mount Alexander / Leanganook at sunset.

“Mondo Lounge’s Youth Committee is made up of young people from across the shire, and they have come up with a really diverse and interesting program,” said Jodie Hearn, Youth Activities Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council. You can see the upcoming programs on their website: http://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Whats_On  Mondo Lounge is located at Continuing Education on Templeton Street, Castlemaine, and is open from 4.00pm to 6.00pm every Friday afternoon during the school term.

Bookings for the campfire night on 5471 1743 or drop in at Mondo Lounge and see Jodie.

 

MASC Community Grant approved!

We’ve just heard that Mirawara’s project The Nature Link has been funded in the Mount Alexander Shire Council 2017 Community Grant program!

The Nature Link is another Mirawara project with Mondo Lounge and enables us to offer local young people two great outdoor experiences — stay tuned for details.

We are very excited to receive this grant as it enables us to make outdoor experiences accessible to anyone for free. A huge thanks to the Mount Alexander Shire Council!

Rained out on Mt Macedon

From a perfect morning to rain in an hour. Still got some climbing done. Beautiful up there in the mist anyway. Great to have some climbers up from Melbourne – one first time on rock (after starting climbing in a gym) and another returning to climbing wanting to learn trad. 

Australian Bush Adventure Therapy Conference

Tonnes of inspirational elders and outdoor enthusiasts at the Australian Bush Adventure Therapy Conference at Candlebark, helping us fuel the passion Mirawara has to share our love of Nature! Emma had the great opportunity to do workshop with Claire Dunn who wrote “My year without matches” and listen to Jody Atkinson, an amazing Indigenous women from Lismore. We hope to get the whole crew up at the International Conference in Sydney next year!