The Avoca Project

The Swiss House, a poetic image of adaptabilty

A day of discussions, demonstrations and presentations by experts in the field including special guest Peter Andrews, Natural Sequence farmer and author of “Back from the Brink”, as seen on ABC TV’s Australian Story. Using this site as a practical example, invited experts will address issues of water such as usage and methods of saving and recuperation, like storage, irrigation for gardens, use of grey water, wetlands development and the relationship with the river. Other issues of sustainability will also be addressed, including reductions in domestic power use. Discussions will focus on the future of this heritage house and grounds as an artwork – a poetic image of adaptability to climate change.

Cost of entry

The carbon footprint of each visitor’s journey to Avoca will be neutralised by the purchase of seedling trees to be immediately planted in the garden (maximum cost $20)

Address

16 Dundas Street, Avoca Victoria 3467.

The Avoca Project is proudly supported by Federal Community Grants, Arts Victoria. RMIT University.

Download Field Day flyer [PDF 89KB]

Schedule

From 9.30am

On arrival – participant tree plantings and sign up for tours, Stories, registration of interest in Avoca Landcare group, dinner bookings

From 10.00

Guided tours of the house and grounds (from the front gate) every hour Collecting of stories about the house

Rose Mann will be inviting people who have stories about the house to have them recorded in the dining room over a cup of tea.

Morning program:

Adapting to climate change: A more sustainable future. All presentations to start in the studio.

10.00- 10.30 Simon Pockley (the water solutions, the federal Water Fund grant and the innovative underground water tank now in place).
10.30- 11.00 Mel Ogden ( the landscaping solutions underway)
11.00- 11.30 Lorraine Huddle (the house’s observable heritage)
11.30 – 1.00 A discussion on sustainable renovation in the studio, with Ralph Horne, Tony Dalton, Ron Wakefield, Lorraine Huddle. Chair: Lisette Ashford
or
11.30 – 1.00 Water and the vegetable garden – a demonstration of the best use of drip irrigation.

Afternoon program:

1.30 – 2.00 Lyndal Jones (So what makes this art? The role of art and the future of this project) in the studio. Chair: Jeanette Horsley
2.00 – 4.00 Peter Andrews (water, soil and the river) with introduction by the Mayor). This presentation will start in the studio but may move to the river or other parts of the property. Chair: John Kirkpatrick
4.00- 5.00 Pamela Manning – indigenous plantings and the wetland. At the small red tent in the garden.
5.00- 6.00 300 naked ladies; a small garden performance
6.30 dinner at the wine bar (dinner $40.00)
Morning and afternoon tea will be available and a glass of wine at the end of the day. Lunch is available in the main street or you can bring a picnic.