Karl and Annie lived in western Sydney for 30 years before recognising a need for more community, especially as they got older. We moved to the ecovillage in 2020.
“We rarely saw our Sydney friends because, like us, they are busy. At Narara, we spend time with local friends and neighbours every day at working bees, over a coffee, lunch or a glass of wine at the end of the day”
Semi-retired health professionals, they run an education business for health professionals to provide evidence-based interventions for stroke survivors. They still travel nationally and internationally for work, as well as delivering online workshops from home. When at home in the village Karl enjoys growing plants, landcare, cooking and making bread for sale at Neville, the coffee cart. Annie likes to cook, coordinates helpers in the Village Pantry (our bulk foodstore) and oversees village cleaning.
Pantry store with containers of dried grains and fruits and jars on shelves 
Annie enjoys morning yoga at our 45 megalitre dam 
Enjoying a break whilst trekking.
“We are learning so many new skills, and stepping up for new skills that are not part of our professional or ‘other’ life”.
Both became involved in working groups and village life soon after arriving and have recently joined the village Community Fire Unit.
“We are privileged to eat organic vegetables from the garden. Long and short walks are close at hand in Strickland Forest.”
The intergenerational nature of Narara was another drawcard for us:
“We didn’t want to only live with older people. It’s nice to see kids playing feely, involved in decision-making, cooking and clearing up after community meals, helping at Open Day and much, much more”