Holistic Pastoral

Autumn Farmgate News It's Waring or Wombat season here in Taungurung country, and we are waiting and hoping for some Autumn rains.   We are amongst cool nights, shorter days, and have seen our first frosts and many fogs.  It's a time of year for some things to slow down, but for others to begin. Take a read below to see what we have been up to. In this quarter’s newsletter you’ll find Community Supported Agriculture Memberships What’s New - Butcher Shop On the land - summer fires Mob Update  Agroecology Course Learnings Our 2026 CSA Memberships are still open for new members! If you’ve been considering joining our Community Supported Agriculture program, now’s a great time. It’s a simple way to enjoy regeneratively raised meat while supporting the launch of our on‑farm butcher shop. 📦 What’s included:   Bi‑monthly boxes of beef, lamb, chicken, and pork in 6 or 12‑month memberships, with a seasonal mix of cuts at great value. ✨ Why it matters:   Your membership helps us plan sustainably — from stocking rates to feed — and strengthens our local, regenerative food system.  Learn more and sign up here -  Become a Community Supported Agriculture Member | Holistic Pastoral Don't forget, all of our produce is reared without any additional inputs on regeneratively grazed, local and diverse pastures around Mansfield in the High Country. 🎉 Order Now What’s new at Holistic Pastoral Butchers shop update The butchers shop is moving along slowly but surely.  We have drawn up plans, and have started scrounging and buying the processing machines for our new on-farm-butchers shop.  We trialed our new mincer a few weeks ago and have  brought all our recycled stainless steel benches.  The next big job is to build the overhead meat rails, followed by the floor.  It’s slowly taking shape, and we can’t wait to be able to start using it.  Take a look at some of the pics of the puzzle pieces as they are are fitting together. On the land Fires and Summer What a tough season it has been for the district, little rain, extreme heat and devastating bushfires. We were fortunate not to be directly impacted by the fire, as we had already moved our cattle mob to the mountains of Merrijig and later Tolmie for the summer. many of our friends, however, were not so lucky. Many of our previous lease blocks in Merton and around Alexandra were burnt out, and many friends are still working hard to repair and rebuild lost property and fences. The day the main fire swept towards Alexandra was scary. High winds and temperatures in the 40’s degrees celsius meant that the fires were unstoppable.  We had spent a few days helping friends prepare for the fires, and we bunkered down safely in our house near Mansfield as we kept in touch with friends in the fires path, to share information and relay messages for them if needed.   It was a tense day, but nothing compared to what it must have been like for those who faced the walls of flames approaching their homes and farms. It is interesting to note the randomness of the fire, and what it claimed.  Some friends stayed and successfully defended their properties, while others left early, with some escaping destruction and others not.   The days that followed were the toughest. We spent them helping friends search for lost and injured animals, setting up temporary yards and fences, and checking in on one another.  Seeing the emotional support for each other was a beautiful thing, amidst the destruction of the charred and dead landscapes.   Our current mob Cattle Our small mob is doing well up in the mountains of Tolmie.  It has been so good to be able to graze them there over summer, and they seem to be loving the later growing season.  They’re all in great condition and have already put on their winter coats.  We’ll be moving them down to the lease block at Barjarg sometime in May.  Barjarg was the first property we leased when we moved to Mansfield Shire, and we’re now starting to see some great improvements to the soil and plants diversity, something we look forward to sharing more about with you over winter.   Pigs and Chickens have arrived! We raise out meat chickens in autumn and spring, as those are the seasons they do best in. Winters are too cold, and hot summers can be challenging for fast growing chickens that live outside on pasture.  This time of year is always busy, setting up feed, fences and brooding chickens, but pigs and chickens are very fun to have around, and our family love farming them. Because our supply of chicken and pork is limited, we prioritise our CSA members for sales, though we occasionally have some left over produce for general sales. You can always join our CSA program so you don’t miss out or keep an eye on our website for when thes eproducts pop up.   Agroecology course learnings The graduation for the Nicole Masters and Integrity Soils CREATE study course was last week. What an amazing learning opportunity to have been part of.  The content was challenging but amazing, the connections with farmers, soil specialists and agroecologists from around the world will be life lasting and the course work and design have been the best put together study experience of my life.  I’m so grateful to the Integrity Soils teaching team and to the awesome students I have shared the past years’ learning with. This knowledge will help our own farming and production systems and help me launch a farm coaching/consult business, to be able to assist other farmers on their regenerative journey.   My Top 5 take homes from the course are; To meet people where they are at, on their regenerative journey To place greater value on the contribution that we can give to the world through land management and decision making, while growing food and fibre Look to the strengths of people and farm systems first when bringing about change Nothing in nature works in isolation, including humans All life on earth shares common elements which are the foundation for microbiology.  Paying attention to these so called “small things” has the greatest potential on earth for change.

NECCHi

We’re excited to announce a range of new programs starting next week! Waring season, also known as Waring Wombat Season, occurs from April to July and marks the coldest and wettest period in the Wurundjeri and Kulin Nation caleandar. For the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, Waring is the season when wombats forage and rain moths emerge after rain. These large moths spend years underground before living only 24 hours as adults without mouths. Fungi also appears along the creek, while shorter days, longer nights, misty mornings, and cold, wet conditions mark the later part of the season. This Waring Season (NEXT WEEK!), the following new programs are starting: Shapes and Vessels Ceramics Course (4 week course on Thursdays) Baby Massage (3 week course on Wednesdays) Paper Sculpture in the Garden (6 week course, Thursdays) Edgar’s Creek Nature Therapy Walk (One day event, 21st of May) BOOK BY SUNDAY 17TH OF MAY (MIDNIGHT) USING THIS CODE FOR A 10% DISCOUNT:  WARING10

Paper Sculpture in the garden with Lizette Vieyra - Thursday mornings This Waring season, join local artist Lizette Vieyra for a six-week creative workshop exploring the art of handmade paper and sculptural forms using natural and repurposed materials.  Discover how seasonal grasses, leaf matter, weeds, and everyday materials can be transformed into beautiful, meaningful pieces in a relaxed, hands-on environment. No experience needed, just curiosity, creativity, and a love of making. Over six weeks, connect with a warm creative community and leave with your own handcrafted works plus the skills to keep creating beyond the studio. Book now Edgar's Creek Nature Therapy Walk with Carolyn Shurey - Thursday 21st of May Join Carolyn, a trained Forest Therapy Guide, for a gentle 1.5-hour exploration along Edgars Creek on Wurundjeri Country. Together we’ll walk, pause, sit and move through the landscape, taking in the beauty, sounds and wildlife of the creek. This guided group session involves less than 1km of walking along gentle gravel trails. You’ll be invited to participate in a series of slow, sensory and creative activities designed to encourage mindfulness, presence and a deeper connection with the natural world. 📍 Where: Edgars Creek, Coburg North 🗓 Thursday 21 May 2026 ⏰ 1pm–2:30pm (please arrive early for a prompt start) Suitable for ages 16+ Book now

Shapes and Vessels: Ceramic Course with Chris Ellis - Thursday mornings Shapes and vessels is a 4 week course in hand building with clay. We will use a variety of hand building techniques to assemble a vase, a vessel, or a sculpture by stacking and joining spheres, cubes, triangles and cylinders we make. The class is a playful approach to hand building. Each week, we will meet for 2.5 hours and will cover: Hand building, assembling/joining, the firing process, and decorating and glazing. Materials and tools will be provided, just bring yourself! Book now Baby Massage with Bibha Sharma - Wednesday mornings Join Nurse and Infant Massage Specialist Bibha Sharma for this three-week workshop on full body baby massage, held at the Newlands Neighbourhood House. In each one-hour session, parents will be guided through a number of specific strokes for baby massage, with the aim of practicing the methods at home. Sessions two and three will begin by addressing any questions or concerns parents had in their home practice, before introducing new techniques and strokes. The three-week course is designed to allow for an intuitive approach to baby massage, and one that prioritises confidence and comfort, where both parents and babies can gain the full benefits of this practice. Book now

Come help to build up our community seed library!   We’ll be collecting seed, sorting seeds, making the seed library welcoming for community to borrow and contribute and harvesting for community. Come for an hour of power or stay for a bit longer.   Seeds, Harvest Monthly Group When: 10-11.30am, Last Friday of the month Where: Newlands Neighbourhood House Garden, 20 Murray Rd, Coburg What: Drop in anytime between 10-11.30am for a calming session of seed collection, winnowing, sorting, harvesting and more.   All abilities welcome. Please get in touch with garden@necchi.org if you have any questions.

IDAHOBIT - the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 🌈 Join us for morning tea at NECCHi Newlands Friday, 15 May, as we come together to celebrate IDAHOBIT - the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 🌈 📍 20 Murray Rd, Coburg North 🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm Wear your brightest rainbow colours and be part of a vibrant community gathering that honours inclusion, respect, and equality. Let’s stand together, celebrate diversity, and show our support for a more accepting world. Everyone is welcome - we hope to see you there for a cuppa!

The MOMA Gallery Project, Not a Cupboard, is heading off on a new adventure. The MOMA Gallery Project, Not a Cupboard, is heading off on a new adventure. It was always designed to move, evolve, and find new spaces to grow — and now it has found a new home at Balam Balam Place in Brunswick! A huge thank you to everyone in the community who worked alongside Rose and NECCHi to bring this project to life. Your creativity, care, and collective energy made this possible. The project continues online — you can stay involved through the wiki website, link here. We’d love you to contribute to the catalogue by taking a photo of your artwork and uploading it to the wiki, instructions here.  The big move happens on the new moon, Monday 17th May, if you have some spare time, we’d love some volunteers to help with the transition. Please add comments to the poster pictured and share the love for Rose and the project! 💌 Rose would also love for you to add colour and pezazz to the poster — make your mark, leave a message, doodle, decorate, celebrate. 🌈✨ Come be part of the next chapter. ✨

Gellung Warl, the new body created through Australia’s first Treaty, has been established The First Peoples’ Assembly is now part of Gellung Warl, a new statutory body, as agreed in the first Statewide Treaty. Gellung Warl means tip of the spear in Gunaikurnai and includes three arms: The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will continue as the democratically-elected group of Traditional Owners representing and making decisions on behalf of First Peoples across the state.   The accountability arm Nginga Ngainga Wara (meaning you will do in Wadi Wadi) will provide independent oversight and accountability for Government on behalf of First Peoples. The truth-telling arm of Gellung Warl, Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna (meaning to sit, to listen, to hear, to remember in Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba), will continue the Truth-telling and healing process. More information about Gellung Warl can be found here Newly-elected First Peoples’ Assembly Members voted in new Co-Chairs at the Assembly’s first Chamber meeting at DJAARA: Meriki Onus (they/them) from the Gunai and Gunditjmara mobs  and Dja Dja Wurrung, Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa, Waywurru, Barapa Barapa, Wergaia, Wiradjuri man Djaran Murray-Jackson (he/him) were elected to serve as Assembly Co-chairs.

Get Your NECCHi Membership for 2026! NECCHi is a member-based not-for-profit organisation, which means that as a member, you can play an active role in shaping the organisation.  As a NECCHi Neighbour, you get:  10% discount on full-priced tickets 4 free brews from Brewlands (that includes coffee, tea, chai, and hot chocs!) 1 pkt seeds from the NECCHi garden (subject to seasonal availability) Attend any $5 per session programmed activities for free  Free hotdesking at East Coburg Invitation and voting rights at our AGM Become a NECCHi Neighbour!

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CLAIRE MOSLEY Newlands Neighbourhood House 20 Murray Rd Coburg North VIC 3058 Ph 03 8528 2332 enquiries@necchi.org www.necchi.org East Coburg Neighbourhood House 32 Nicholson St Coburg VIC 3058 Ph 03 9913 5472