A Road less travelled
My Path to Healing and The Passion Project
Growing up in Kiama Downs, NSW, my life was always intertwined with the natural world. The coast was my playground, surfing and camping were my pastimes, and family vacations were adventures that took us up and down the stunning Australian coast. One night in early high school, unable to sleep, I found myself lying on the beach under a full moon. The crisp autumn air mixed with the warmth of a gentle breeze and the rhythmic sound of the waves. In that moment, I felt a profound connection to everything around me.
My educational journey took me to Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Glenfield, Sydney, where I was first introduced to agriculture and farming. But the call of home was too strong, and I found myself back in Kiama Downs, enrolling in a Green Corp programme focused on land conservation. This was where my passion for environmental stewardship began to take root.
Work in parks and gardens in Port Macquarie and Newcastle followed, but after several years, I felt the need for a change. Seeking new experiences, I joined the Merchant Navy, embarking on an adventure that took me from the Queensland coast through the Great Barrier Reef to the Spirit of Tasmania. It was a time of learning and discovery, but also of reflection on what I truly wanted from life.
Driven by a desire to explore and connect, I spent the next eight years traveling the East and South coasts of Australia in my Ford Transit van. The road taught me the value of community and compassion, as I encountered incredible people who showed me different kinds of kindness and wisdom. I found a sense of family in Bellingen and forged friendships that would last a lifetime.
However, my journey was not without its challenges. A year of bad health, including meningitis and COVID, brought me to a standstill. Exhaustion took a toll on my physical and mental health, making it impossible to continue the nomadic life I had come to love. Seeking recovery and solace, I moved to the South Coast, but it was the offer of a place to live on the Pines Farm from my dear friend Mahlah that truly marked the beginning of my healing process.
Since arriving on this beautiful landscape last June, I've had the time and space to rest, heal, and rejuvenate. It has been a period of reflection and recovery, leading me to the conception of The Passion Project. This venture is more than just a new beginning for me; it's an opportunity to create something that benefits the wider community, offering a sanctuary for healing, learning, and connection through permaculture and sustainable living practices.
The journey to this point has been filled with adventure, challenges, and invaluable lessons. Now, as I embark on the path of creating The Passion Project, I look forward to adopting a new pace of life—one that balances action with rest, fostering a slow and wholesome approach to living. This project represents not just a recovery from the trials I've faced but a step towards a future where I can share the lessons of my journey with others, contributing to a more sustainable and connected world.
I'm here, and I'm ready for this challenge. The road has been long, but every step has led me to where I stand today. The Passion Project is not just a dream; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to heal and inspire. Join me as we grow this vision into reality, creating a space where we can all find a bit of peace, purpose, and connection.
