Nearly $1000 was provided by D.T.E. to seed fund Gypsy Kitchen with much more food etc…gifted by Confest participants.
         The Gypsy Kitchen is still open, it's been packed up and moved to "kotema" , a community property in Narbethong .
         It is hoped that a community food and land project will evolve, networking "confest" type community resourses to develop a "confest" lifestyle for those who participate.     Further resourses are to be found by the community trading with the "outside world" through a community owned legal entity.”

Michael

Announcement of intention to form Legal Entity (06-05-05)

         Many people have attended one or more of the many gatherings which have been held at "Kotema", a much visited property, on the Acheron River, in Narbethong, Victoria. Many people have found the community that has been gathering at "Kotema" to be a supportive network of people and a safe space in which they may explore their potential as self-responsible human beings.

          For the last 12 months there has been talk of the community purchasing the land at "Kotema".
          It is visioned that a legal entity in the form of an "Association" will soon be formed to hold the Title on behalf of the community now centered there.
          It is further visioned that this entity will evolve into a network of similar places for the benefit of this growing community and a network of community owned business through which the community can support itself and the participating individuals.

          To this end a series of on going community "meetings" have been held to establish the Association (legal entity).
          It is visioned that the Association will raise the necessary finance through its activities and by borrowing finance from those who would choose to invest in such an arrangement.
Loan/loans would be secured by the properties Title (mortgage) and Interest would be paid.

          Kotema is currently on the market, so it is becoming urgent for the Association to reach the stage of incorporation to secure it's home base.

          The Crescent Moon community in Northern N.S.W. is also becoming available for the community to expand it's network.
          Both properties have been partially financed already.

Michael

Kotema Community News-letter 06-06-05

         I watch, as winter moves past my window, knowing that with the speed it travels, it won’t be long before we lay to rest, our woolen socks, the fingerless gloves, our beanies and all those favourite jumpers and shawls.     Yet for the moment we are still in the grip of this cold season, inventing new ways to keep out the frostiness wishing to engulf our toes and the warmth in our collective spirit.

         Hello to all those truly beautiful people who occupy a space in my heart and to all those other gorgeous ones, whose connection with Kotema is close to their hearts.

         The on ground crew and residents of Kotema have given me permission to sit and write, in the quiet of my own space.     I find myself watching winter through my window, wondering where to begin and who to begin with. There are so many of you whom I write to, all be it, with irregular spontaneity and so

      It may mean that you will have to read all the bits presented on the site, but the rewards may be worth it. The winner will receive a free weekend’s accommodation at the Kotema site, including food.

         It also means you will be allowed to play in the adult’s cubby, which means you can wear the currently available imaginary hats, either that of the fat controller, or the princess’s tiara. Neither position is given any serious attention here, so you can allow yourself freedom in either role.

    The winter program offers opportunities for brainstorming ideas on fun and fundraising, working books and budgets, writing, sketching and doodling by the fire.
         It embraces working creatively with children and matching the assertion levels of teenagers, whilst maintaining a good sense of humour.

You could join the Techno crew from the Ace Morning Bar, on Sydney Rd. Brunswick, to dance your feet off for the Kotema benefit gig.
     You are welcome to join us at the Violet town market on the second Saturday of each month, where we will be holding a presence with the flying Naturopath of Victoria, in support of the Benevolence.Org. Alternative healing in rural Victoria.

    There are working bees listed on the calendar of events, for various places and if you’re quick, you could join the next one at

west Footscray for the impending garage sale on July 16 & 17.     Of course before that, our local indigenous elder, Roy Patterson will be here speaking on the cultural heritage of the area and the indigenous activity of the past.     This will be on the 12th of June at 2.00pm and entry will be via something toward a lavish afternoon tea.     Because we love lavish afternoon teas! Naturally the winner gets in free!

         There are plans in the wind for a trip down to Walhalla to work in support of Tony and Amanda’s community garden project. We’d love to join Therese, Ian and the Peace Works crew in Geelong for their next peace meal event.
         Then there’s a proposed trip to Hatfield Homestead, for a working excursion to the healing site in desert country, a place my heart yearns to explore. There is a planned trip in July to visit the Wian Wian community in N.S.W, for a sister-city sharing of meals. We may yet make it to Stradbroke Island in time for the co-operative conference.

         So let it be said, that there are opportunities for self-involvement within a community experience, both within and outside the Kotema site. All, which is required, is that you simply write one sentence, encapsulating the essence of Kotema and you could win a golden opportunity, for free. I’m tired of having to sum up what it is that we do, whilst we’re busy being human.

Continual inspiration bobs up in a sea of uncertainty, knowing there is no limit in the expansiveness of dreaming and knowing that the potential is very real.
         And best of all, I’ve been given permission to write! Sometimes, throughout my life, I have looked at my situation and surmised that I must be either the luckiest, or the cleverest, person on the planet. And of an evening, when I sit with a canvas cave full of people, around a fire on a cold winter’s night, I find myself looking at such a situation.

         Like all people, we too are facing challenges, broadening our understandings of what self responsibility is and building bridges of trust, integrity and the art of resolution. The Kotema classroom is expansive and I am learning a lot.
There is an art to being human and I am still exploring it.

Good Spirit, Good Journey
Mon

And no Ron, just because there will be no added hand written missive beneath this note, does not imply that your importance in my life has diminished.

Excerpt from Kotema Community Newsletter – September ‘05

         “Well, the saying goes “May you live in interesting times” and I’m still unsure whether that is a good or bad thing, but we sure have been having them…

         It is with both sadness and excitement that we announce the sale of the property at Narbethong, unfortunately we were not able to raise the finances to buy the property ourselves so we must move on. As this is being written we are investigating rental properties in the Healesville and surrounding areas as a 12 month temporary base, during this 12 months, we will work towards a deposit for a loan to buy land. In the process of this, processes will be created which will ensure that the payments for the loan can be met. From experience, we know the difficulties that can occur when community land is owned by individual members of the community and it is our intent that there will be land owned by Kotema Community Association Inc. and that all members of the community will have sense of home and belonging there.”