“The first endearing feature for me at Narara Ecovillage was hearing the delicate sound of bellbirds, as we walked down Research Road (now Gugandi) for our first visit in 2015, and the intoxicating smell of jasmine”.
Elly discovered at that visit that the village was up and running with amazingly friendly people, opportunities to find like-minded neighbours and escape the horrors of the out-of-control Sydney rental market. There were hopes for more affordable land and building costs. Initial experiences were rather double-edged, providing a learning curve in co-operative living which, while distinctively beneficial, were sometimes a little uncomfortable. Elly realised that while not alone in her views, members’ perspectives were just like the community outside the village with wildly varying political viewpoints and social values. The village as an entity strives to remain neutral in areas of politics, religion and food choices but individuals of course may have their own views.
“My first job for the Ecovillage Co-operative was organising the agenda and taking minutes for the board meetings. I spent four years taking minutes, a fabulous experience in learning how the ecovillage was run. Later I moved on to helping to edit the weekly Members’ News, which I have been doing up till now.”
Elly maintains a small practice in dance, and in particular, improvisation, participating in weekly performance groups in Sydney – experimental music, improvised dance/theatre, as well as the very non-experimental UNSW Collegium Choir. All are immensely satisfying, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Elly is looking forward to establishing some classes at the village or finding a nearby studio in which to practise.
“It’s taken me a little while to find my feet at Narara – knowing I would need to share costs of land and building (as a professional dancer, super has never been wonderful!). But finally, the stars aligned themselves beautifully, and it’s been fantastic to meet Lara and Kate; these two women and I seem well suited, along with Casper (the friendly 8-year-old) and his snake called Custard. We’re planning two dwellings – a main house and a granny flat for me.”
Elly and her adorable companion animal, Pikelet, look forward to living in the community. The village has guidelines around pet ownership particularly to protect wildlife. Cats must remain indoors or in enclosures and dogs must be on leads in shared spaces. A spacious secure Pikelet-proof ‘catio’ will be constructed so that the much-loved Pikelet can still enjoy the outdoors.
“I do adore him, and after 8 years, I would be bereft without his gentle gaze and abiding loyalty”.