Stringybark Sanctuary 2015

House Notes – Stringybark Sanctuary

Pam and Matthew May live on a rural bush block without mains power between Keppoch and Padthaway in South Australia, challenging normal concepts of the bare essentials, living simply with a small PV system to power an energy efficient refrigerator, and occasional electric appliances. Their original small retrofitted cabin is warmed by a tiny pot belly stove which is used for cooking in winter, has a few LED lights powered directly from a solar panel, and is well insulated for all seasons.

They have designed and almost completed building an earth covered stone home, which utilises solar passive heating and cooling, recycled and renewable materials where possible, and reuse of greywater combined with a composting toilet. The external building is finished and the interior nearing completion. They welcome inspection by those interested in an alternative approach to architecture for our changing climate.

Our solar passive home, made from local limestone (cut stone and paddock rock) with a green roof for accentuated insulation properties is still under final fittings but nearing completion.

We are using the living spaces, warmed by a high efficiency combustion heater and wood stove, enjoying the benefits of large double-glazed windows to view the local birdlife and permaculture garden.

The north floor is stone with an array of embedded decorative items to create a sea floor effect, naturally cool in summer and retaining sun’s warmth in winter. South floors are timber, and internal walls feature recycled timber cladding.

Kitchen has been constructed from a recycled timber kitchen, housing front loading washer. Large pantry retains a huge supply of home preserved foods. Composting toilet connects to Ritreat wastewater system.

A retrofitted cabin is used as art studio featuring local Australian wildlife paintings. House design and initial construction featured in The Owner Builder June/July 2014 issue 183 and August/ September 2014 issue 184, with many subsequent features of small aspects.

The home is nestled amid a large productive permaculture designed garden, with greenhouse and orchard watered by a solar pumped bore.

Their extensive organic garden planned on permaculture principals, greenhouse for sub tropical plants and temperate orchard are newly established and Pam has a wealth of experience in growing, tending, harvesting and storing foods. Her self sufficiency articles are published in Grass Roots magazine, and an occasional Earth Garden publication and she is well known for her beautiful wildlife paintings of SE native animals.

Those who have visited in past years will enjoy the many developments of the past year, including garden walls, a covered rear pergola, huge new solar array, goat stable and garden improvements.

You are welcome to visit their 500acre heritage listed property Stringybark Sanctuary at McElroys Road Keppoch, between 10am and 4pm on Sunday September 13th. Pam will have a number of displays on self sufficiency essentials like basic cheese making, food dehydration and bottling, and plant propagation. Matthew and Pam will offer tours of their garden and home, with an opportunity for visitors to view their plans and home, while asking any relevant questions for their own implementation of sustainable ideas.

The tours, a bush walking trail and a display of Pam’s magnificent artwork will be available for a gold coin donation throughout the day. For more information contact 08 8765 6116 or 0457 120834.