Southern Cross
Permaculture Institute

WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) has grown to be a form of cultural exchange in which you live and work as family, whilst immersing yourself in the lifestyle of the people and the country you are visiting.

Working in exchange for your keep is the basis of ALL wwoofing. WWOOF suggest that 4-5 hours a day is fair exchange for a full days' board and lodging. For more information or to join WWOOF, visit their web site at www.wwoof.com.au.

Directions, Map and Bus Timetable

Liane from Germany, building a rock
wall in the greenhouse.

Rick and Naomi Coleman, (wwoof hosts VW 07) have been wwoof hosts since 1995. Our 10 acre property is a teaching and demonstration site, and is located between Philip Island and Wilsons Prom. Since 1994 we have been very busy transforming it into a permaculture paradise, integrating gardens, chooks, geese, orchards, yabbie dams, native bush foods and more.

Wwoofers are invited to come and share our knowledge, lifestyle, food and work. Jobs are varied and include: gardening, planting trees, construction and more. Learn more about permaculture, read our collection of books and visit the local beaches.

Accomodation for 6 people indoors in either caravans or strawbale dormitory with a mudbrick classroom for recreation. We eat a mixed diet and accept vegetarians but no other dietary restrictions. We have 4 children: Jarryd, Matilda, Riley and Sean, and Harry the dog, Minimum stay of 3 days includes a free tour of property.

We keep a journal of our WWOOFers, with photos and an entry from each person outlining the valuable contribution each has made to our property. We encourage wwoofers to utilise their skills and talents where possible... one of our German wwoofers liked building with wood and constructed a jetty and pontoon out of reused timber pallettes. Later that year an Austrian wwoofer said he too liked working with wood - he built a superb treehouse for the kids.

Franz from Austria building a treehouse with Jarryd.

Southern Cross Permaculture Institute was awarded an environmental grant by the WWOOF network in 2001 to plant a woodlot on 3 acres for conservation and wildlife. An outline of the processes used to plant the woodlot is given here as well as photos documenting the growth of the trees since planting in April 2002. Planting, staking and mulching these trees was completed in Autumn 2002.

We always have lots of work in the garden and on the property, so conatct us to come on down.

Email us if you are interested.

AND THE WWOOFERS SAY...
Extracts from the wwoof journal

"Thankyou to all of you for your kindness and welcoming hospitality during my two week stay at your beautiful property. I feel I have learnt a lot during my time here but more importantly I have also been inspired.... some highlights of my time here would have to include the mini tours that Rick took us on. These little walks here and there, that broke up the working day, together amount to the the best and most educative personal tour ever and I got heaps out of them...." KK 2011

Thanks for having me wwoof at your place. I really felt welcome and enjoyed spending 2 weeks in and around your fantastic property. It was inspiring to see how a well thought out permacylture design can withstand and thrive in the high rainfall heavy clays of Gippsland.... I have been interested to see how a family grows up within a permaculture lifestyle of developing, teaching and living permaculture. In my two weeks I have seen 4 well adjusted and vibrant and intelligent children who are clearly enjoying the ride. My journey in permaculture and life has been greatly enhanced by my time at SCPI ...  Alex 2011

"Thanks for everything, and showing your appreciation for all my wwoofing efforts in such a genuine way"
Tony, Victoria.

"This is my first time as a wwoofer and I have loved it.I came to learn and that has happened many times over.Thank you Coleman family for welcoming me into your lives. My memories are many and will travel with me always."
Lisa, Victoria

"Thankyou Coleman family for a most wonderful visit and introduction to Sth Gippsland and cool climate permaculture in action. It has been exciting to see your property as my first wwoof PC property in Vic. Thanks for being so open to share your experience, knowledge, home, property and humour with everyone"
Ry, USA

"Thanks for all your kindness and teaching me the knowledge of permaculture, chess, backgammon, cricket, delicious meals and BBQ's, going to the beach and so on.....I truly enjoyed staying here."
Lee Ju-Han, Korea.

"Thank you very much for everything!! We came here with the intention to stay for 5 days-two and a half weeks later we're still here! Unfortunately we're leaving tomorrow. We can look back upon a great time over here, a wonderful experience."
Leonie and Stephanie, The Netherlands

Contact us

INTERNSHIPS FOR PDC CERTIFICATE HOLDERS

Tom and Jerome constructing a demonstration swale.
Jerome came back to complete a PDC.

The only  internships in Permaculture that we currently offer are for people interested in being mentored as a teacher of permaculture. We have supported many intern teachers over the years. We ask that you complete a PDC with us for half price as a student, so you can experience our teaching and PDC community first hand. We will discuss our teaching methodology at this time. The next PDC we run you can choose topics you'd like to teach and we will support you to develop effective lesson planning and implementation. If all that goes well, you may be invited to join our vibrant teaching team and be paid for your contribution.

VOLUNTEERS

We encourage potential volunteers to join the wwoof network.