A movement born from Australian landscapes
When Bill Mollison and David Holmgren first articulated permaculture principles, they drew directly from their observations of Australian ecosystems and Aboriginal land management practices. Their revolutionary framework combined ecological understanding with practical design to create systems
that work with nature rather than against it.
The term ‘permaculture’ – originally a contraction of ‘permanent agriculture’ – has since expanded to encompass ‘permanent culture’, acknowledging that sustainable systems must address not only how we grow food but how we organise our communities and societies.
From local innovation to global movement
What began as a response to industrial agriculture’s shortcomings has evolved into a worldwide movement spanning diverse climates and cultures. Yet permaculture’s core ethics remain consistent:
• Care for the Earth.
• Care for People.
• Fair Share (setting limits to
consumption and redistributing
surplus).
Australia continues to nurture influential permaculture practitioners who have adapted and expanded the movement’s reach:
• Rosemary Morrow has brought permaculture’s practical solutions to communities recovering from conflict and natural disasters across Asia and Africa.
• Geoff Lawton has demonstrated how permaculture principles can regenerate even the most degraded
landscapes through innovative water harvesting techniques.
• Morag Gamble has democratised permaculture education through her Permaculture Education Institute and online platforms, making these ideas accessible worldwide.
• Robin Clayfield has integrated social permaculture practices that strengthen communities through
creative facilitation and group process.
• Meanwhile, at Melliodora in Victoria, David Holmgren and Su Dennett continue to demonstrate how
permaculture principles apply to everyday living.
Beyond gardening: A design science for resilience
While often associated with organic gardening, permaculture’s scope extends far beyond food production. It offers a design methodology applicable to energy systems, building design, economic structures and social organisations. This comprehensive approach makes the upcoming Convergence particularly relevant. As communities worldwide face mounting ecological challenges, permaculture offers tested strategies for building resilience at local scales.
A gathering with purpose
The Kangaroo Valley Convergence will feature the usual workshops and presentations, but perhaps its most powerful aspect will be the connections formed between practitioners from different regions and backgrounds. Permaculture has always emphasised context-specific solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches, making this exchange of ideas across bioregions especially valuable. The event’s ‘Power Down’ day specifically highlights permaculture’s pragmatic response to energy constraints – demonstrating low-technology approaches that enhance rather than diminish quality of life.
The significance of place
Hosting this gathering in Kangaroo Valley – a landscape that exemplifies the beauty and complexity of Australian ecosystems – offers participants a chance to directly experience the environment that inspired
permaculture’s origins. The Valley’s own community-led sustainability initiatives provide living examples of permaculture principles in action. As October 2025 approaches, this Convergence represents an opportunity to reflect on how far permaculture has come since its Australian beginnings,
and to consider how these ideas might continue to evolve to address our most pressing challenges.
For those interested in resilient living systems, regenerative agriculture or community-scale solutions to
environmental challenges, the Australian Permaculture Convergence offers a window into a movement that continues to demonstrate that another way is possible – one thoughtfully designed garden, community and watershed at a time.
Compiled by Julie Ward
