Mangana Mission News - October 2010

Dear Friends and Family,
where has the year gone ! They are now selling Xmas Cards at the local supermarket!

Digging for Mangana Potatoes

 The apparently endless projects continue here at Mangana Mission however the end is getting near. Our 3 year plan is now almost complete and we are pleased to advise that things are looking pretty darn good.

Flora Rotary Hoeing the Garden Beds

This month has seen us blessed with the arrival of 2 wonderful members of the HelpX program from France- Flora and Adrien They spent just over 2 weeks here at Mangana and were actively involved in a number of projects. They helped to harvest the potatoes, rotary hoe the garden beds in preparation for this summers crops, make the trails around the orchard, help create  a pond , collected fire wood ,detailed the 2 vehicles, mowed the lawns and pulled up thistles and spent one day helping Mountain Mike on his property. They also cooked wonderful crepes and Flora was a great dish washer and window cleaner!!

Steve "Mayor" Parker and Jason playing music at the party !

This was over and above their help in setting up the Mangana Muster Party as well as being the signature International Act playing 3 French tunes to rapturous applause!

Andre' & Jason singing at the Mangana Mission Music Night

October has also seen the arrival at Mangana Mission of "Mountain Mike" from New South Wales. Jason made the initial introductions however Mike has now become an integrall part of Mangana Mission. He has proved to be extremely skilled and a font of much knowledge that has been gratefully lapped up by us.We are most thankful for his efforts in repairing the dune buggy as well as supplying over 80 gum posts for the vineyard and spars for the soon to be constructed stage cover.

Mike and Andre- The Mangana Nights!

As another year draws to its inevitable close it is a time to reflect on the past as well as plan for the future. We have managed to survive the challenges that "Cosmos" has dealt us over the past 10 months as well as keep our vision firmly planted upon our "Mission"- to try and create an almost self sufficient livestyle on a small holding.. The farm is now almost complete with vegetables, orchard, berries and vineyard. The only planned additions that we currently have room for are a number of feathered friends  including chickens, ducks, geese and more. They will provide an organic pest eradication crew as well as eggs for the kitchen table. Plans are also afoot for a small flock of black sheep to keep the grass under control and to be friends to Jeromie, Vanessa and Marie (our cats!). There is a chance that we may be able to look at purchasing an adjoining block in the New Year which will allow us to expand the vineyard and run some Clydesdales. Time will reviel all!
Take Care, Keep Happy, Safe and Carpe Diem (Sieze the Moment!!)
Love and Light,
Andre' & Kate