Our cherished friend and community elder, David Holmgren (below left), best known for being the co-originator of the permaculture concept, turned 70 this year, and to celebrate, a small group gathered under the grandmother pear tree at his home, Melliodora, to share food and to honour this special man in our lives, and the lives of so many.
People offered various forms of praise and story in what became an open-mic-this-is-your-life-Dave-Holmgren kind of event. Patrick prepared this honouring, which we are sharing with you today. Here’s the audio and the text, if you wish to read along (10 mins).
And here is the man with Patrick’s praise, taller than the man himself.
How has David, and his work, affected your life, Dear Reader? Your anecdotes and stories are most welcome.
Thanks Ian Lillington for the first photo and Su for the second.
Simply superb, what a wonderful celebration to mark a wonderful man’s journey thus far!
Thanks Penny! ❤️
Many many more years of good friends, health, and abundance. David Holmgren, Sue and Artist as Family has enriched my life. I send you so much love and joy from across the planet (Texas). Thank you for being a light that shines brighter everyday. Cheers to many more years of life, David Holmgren
Thanks David!
What a lovely and fitting celebration!
My daughter has taken her first steps into the big wide world and has moved to the city to study. I gave her a copy of Retrosuburbia to take along, which she’s putting it into action already.
What a wonderful home-leaving gift! Thanks Kelly! We wish you and your daughter much richness in this next passage of your lives.
An unfortunate change in my life occurred at age 70 and that lead me onto a path of reconsidering what life was all about and what life really could be. Along the way (the Spanish Camino) I met a person who was also wondering/wandering. Alternative opportunities became obvious and have been realised. The world of permaculture and all that is associated with was revealed to me. I met David Holmgren via his books – his teachings have inspired people that I now know. David is an icon shining a light to reveal a better world and I am grateful for his wisdom. I am now 81 years wiser and happy for that.
Thanks for sharing a little of your grief-led pilgrimage and a little of how it altered your path to come into contact with Dave and permaculture more broadly. 🙏🏽
I first met David when visiting Melliodora about 7 years ago. I was a permaculture infant – having followed along while my wife Robyn was doing her PDC with Pete the Permie (another legend). We drove up to Melliodora and there was David directing traffic pointing to where to park. Robyn was awe struck, I was bemused as I’d heard so much about the great co-originator of the permaculture concept and here he was being a normal human being.
First impressions stick and David has always been a humble human being when our paths have crossed.
I am in awe of his down to earth demeanour, his friendliness, his wisdom, his knack for articulating ideas using common language and his sense of humour. I could go on and on but I must say that his contribution of permaculture has changed my life. I try to live a permaculture life every day by thinking about stuff through a permaculture lens.
I’m going to reach my 70th orbit of the great ball of fire in a few months but feel sad that I didn’t learn about permaculture years and years ago in order to get further along in my permaculture journey.
Happy Birthday David, may you have many more orbits. Peter
P.S. We have 6 big tubs of humanure ageing at the moment so I’ve also shat in the bucket:)
Oh, that is a wonderful tribute, Peter. Thank you for taking the time to express this. And a very happy 70th for when that comes along.
♥️
🙏🏽
28 years ago I did Davids live in, Permaculture course. I will admit I was a little out of my depth with the theory side!, but nevertheless, David and Su were very welcoming and there was plenty of practical aspects to jump into. I met some wonderful people including a Bio dynamic farmer from Colac and I was intrigued by how this ‘salt of the earth’ human was talking about the Cosmos and it’s influence on plants & animals. The seed was planted back then and has shaped my life, from implementing permaculture practises from then on in all aspects of gardening, design and in the kitchen, to Rudolf Steiner Education for my children and becoming a Bio dynamic farmer on the mid North Coast growing commerical crops of Garlic, ginger & turmeric.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday David, the world is a better place for the gifts that you have brought and continue to bring and share with us all, you shaped my beautiful, abundant life, and I’m forever grateful.
Thanks for sharing this, Kerrie! Your, ‘the world is a better place for the gifts that you have brought and continue to bring and share with us all, you shaped my beautiful, abundant life, and I’m forever grateful,’ is how we feel too.
So well done!
PS….Thank you so much for all of your teachings, David and Su! They are a gift to all who read, respect, and follow them. Many happy and healthy returns to you. Sending a hug from the Northeast, U.S.A., and once again, WELL DONE!
Thanks PG! ❤️❤️
Brilliant. Happy 70 years to a fabulous man. Really funny and great writing as always Patrick – loved that!
Thanks Belinda!
I too have had 70 years on this plan. I met Dave and Su in the UK /Wales, over 30 years ago on my good friend Chris & Lyn Dixon’s Permaculture site/home. New to permaculture I embraced it wholeheartedly and went on to set up many examples / sites and still teach permaculture and hold workshops today. I wish David another 70 as he strides into his elder years and a big thank you for all that he has put into this world ever grateful. X
Thanks for posting this, Lesley. That must have been in 1994 at Tir Penrhos Isaf. Wishing you many more years of teaching, happiness and health.
That was brilliant, very eloquent and really made me chuckle. Happy Birthday Dave!
Bless. Thanks Laura!
Enjoyed that piece of writin’. Once felt that dh…djh! saved my life by the life he’s lived… a cop threw away my car keys & a paramedic protected me. I felt it might’ve gone some other dreadful way had Dave not lived the life he has. Without being a fully-fledged permaculturalist appreciate the writing and David’s voice and all those things above like geo-politics & weeding combining.
Thanks for sharing this, Jac. Much fire in there sister, to get you to where you needed to be. Respect!