Rosemary and Rafaele are referred to in the village as R and R, not for Rest and Recreation but for Recycling and Retrofitting.
They met a few years ago at a stage where they were looking for a lifestyle that would support their wellbeing in retirement, while offering avenues for helping the community and environment. Coming from backgrounds in academia and business, they were keen to engage in many activities at the village. They were seeking a community that combined ecological, social and personal wellbeing.
“I’m still pinching myself” says Rafaele, “to have found such a great community, with such a high level of engagement and well managed self-governance.”
“We have a program called ‘Plotting Our Progress’, or ‘POP’, where we interview those responsible for all the great projects at the village – including the successes and the lessons learnt, so that all that knowledge does not get lost,” says Rosemary.
Rafaele has worked as a community developer and health educator, running her own online business. She stepped into Narara Ecovillage Education, which offers a regular program of Open Days, workshops and courses. This helps to fulfil one of the ecovillage’s important aims of being a demonstration of more sustainable living.
Together they are also part of the community garden, where a group of active volunteers supplies bags of subscription organic vegetables each week to village families, as well as selling items at the Village Pantry.
“Supporting local food and circular economy are very important to us, so we feel our energy is well spent- plus being in the garden is great for the body and the spirit!” says Rafaele.
Rosemary and Rafaele also host Wwoofers and World Packers- travelling volunteers who come to work in the garden and learn about the ecovillage. Many people in their twenties (and older) are attracted from around the world, bringing a wealth of energy and cultural diversity to the village.
As they both had a preference for old houses and antique furniture, they had a vision to relocate and retrofit an old house rather than build new. They then proceeded to arrange transportation of a lovely old Queenslander, which they retrofitted to the required seven star eco rating. This journey was documented on Restoration Australia. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/restoration-australia/series/5/video/DO1911H006S00
Rosemary and Rafaele joke that they think their house should get more than seven stars, since they recycled an entire house!
In their free time they enjoy bushwalking in the local wilderness and coastal areas, and are also keen sailors, having their own yacht on nearby Brisbane water and racing with the Gosford Sailing Club.
There is so much to do in the village and the local area that it’s hard to get them to leave the village! However, they are glad it is close enough to Sydney to easily visit family or go to the theatre.