Solar panels, positioned on two of the buildings, power all nine buildings on the site.
Story and photos by Linda Moon
Brahma Kumaris are embracing green living and solar energy at their North Leura Retreat Centre in the Blue Mountains. We can all learn from their journey.
In January, the Brahma Kumaris Retreat Centre in Leura celebrated their new solar system. They explain how it works.
In Indian tradition, three coconuts are smashed symbolically on the ground. In a gentler, more official gesture, Sarah Redshaw, Greens Councillor for Blue Mountains City Council, cuts a ribbon to the applause of those present. We are asked to devote 30 seconds of silence to send good wishes to the green initiative.
The new solar system at Brahma Kumarisis worth the fanfare. Energy costs are booming and the environment issue of carbon emissions remains critical.
Greens Councillor, Sarah Redshaw (middle) with Jessica Yuille, Retreat Centre Coordinator, and Charlie Hogg, the National Co-ordinator.
Community power
Speaking at the onsite celebratory event at Leura, Charlie Hogg, the National Coordinator, said Brahma Kumaris holds a philosophy of treading lightly on the planet.
It is a not-for-profit organisation and the switch to renewable energy was fully funded by donations.
The Leura Brahma Kumaris Retreat centre is one of four in Australia. Worldwide Brahma Kumaris has over 4,500 centres across 110 countries. It’s also the largest female-led spiritual organisation in the world. Their goal is spiritual education and helping people take responsibility for their own emotional happiness through meditation, explained Retreat Centre Coordinator, Jessica Yuille.
As they host many large meditation retreats, keeping the power on is vital.
Solar panels also can perform well in the east and west.
Panels in the East and West
The new 75 kW solar and 50kW battery storage system services nine buildings. According to Greg Wellham (who looks after the solar project, grounds and maintenance), it’s currently producing more energy than they use.
The solar panels (182 in total) are located on two buildings. Due to limitations of the site, they were unable to position panels in the north. The Hall, for example, has panels covering the east and west roof angles.
Greg said the East / West configuration has meant they only lose six per cent of energy production compared to having panels in the north. The east-facing panels start generating as soon as the sun is up. The western ones capture the late afternoon sun.
How to power at night
As the Centre staff rise around 2 or 3 AM, they start drawing on power before the sun comes up. Battery storage has been crucial.
The 50kW battery storage system is comprised of 10 x 5kW lithium batteries, Greg said. These and the switchboard are located in a storage room. Greg uses an App on his phone to monitor power use and production.
Greg Wellham in the storage room that houses the hefty 50kW battery system (behind him).
Power in the mist
What about those trademark misty mountain days?
Even then, the system still creates 7kW of power, Greg said. As a comparison, a hot summer day typically produces 35kW.
When it’s raining, the system can still power up about 3kW, Greg said.
In winter, the underfloor heating is the main suck on the power. Fortunately, now it runs off the new solar electricity.
The cottage is the focus of meditation retreats
More green practices
Jessica described several other green initiatives at the Centre. These include recycling everything they can, composting and converting all the lighting to LED.
They’ve also changed gas appliances, including air-conditioning, to electric ones. The hot water is powered by solar and heat pumps. This means all appliances are now electrified and running off the new solar system.
Caring for the land means the endangered Giant Dragonfly, Blue Mountains Skink and Mountain Pygmy Possum have been spotted at the site.
Guardians of the universe
Outside there’s also a lot going on.
The property is located on 50 hectares of mostly natural bushland in Mount Hay Road. It includes a hanging swamp, natural spring and one kilometre of Govetts Creek.
Initiatives to protect the land include removing noxious weeds and planting natives, such as ferns.
A Landcare groupsupported by Blue Mountains City Council also tends the land monthly. (They’re always looking for volunteers, by the way!)
Visitors can attend regular meditative gardening retreats at the 90-year-old ironstone Cottage, and contribute to weeding and land care while they meditate.
According to principal gardener, Chris McDonald, the site has a huge population of Antechinus(a native mouse).
Principal gardener (Chris McDonald) and Jessica Yuille (Retreat Centre Coordinator) with visitors: Venerable Korvida and Venerable Mudhita.
A kind, sustainable food garden
Living with so much native wildlife around creates challenges for growing food.
Two years ago, Chris and his helper, Russ, established a permaculture food garden. Choosing a sunny, north-facing site near the kitchen has made it accessible to those preparing food. It’s also closer for watering and chores. “You’ve got to think about these practicalities,” Chris said.
The kitchen garden supplies food to those who live onsite. Their January crops include turmeric, corn, rocket, tomatoes, pumpkin, greens, beans, herbs and berries. There’s also 11 varieties of fruit trees and comfrey, which is used for composting.
Chris and Russ. Building the enclosure took four months worth of weekends, but has been worth it.
No chemicals or pesticides are used in the garden. To minimise pest attacks the plants are protected within a huge covered structure and the beds are raised.
Flowers, like allysum, are grown to attract beneficial insects. Variety supports the garden, Chris said.
When they’re gardening, they sometimes do silent moving meditations, Russ reveals. “Nature’s really sensitive to vibration.”
Giant rhubarb in the kitchen garden: a healthy product of positive vibrations and permaculture principles.
Take Action:
Come to the upcoming Planetary Health Day at the Katoomba Planetary Health Precinct & Parklands.
Get free advice from local solar company representatives on the day.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Are you ready for the next bushfire, heatwave or flood? Why not take steps to prepare at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Award-winning Hempcrete designer Kirstie Wulf from @shelter.building.design will share 10 steps to build or renovate for sustainability and resilience; engineer Mark Liebman will share how you can build a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and cool your building; Dr Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause will share research results on the most appropriate actions to lower heat in summer and help you use a thermal imaging camera to identify which surfaces retain the most heat; Frank Inzitari will introduce you to the @firehalo.au which can help reduce ember attack; and a team from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will work with you to use the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit to design your own personal bushfire plan. We`ll also be launching Firecoat`s new Bushfire Home Protection Kit. Learn more and register to attend here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many extraordinary volunteers keeping us and wildlife safe all year round! Come along and meet them at the Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22nd Nov. Learn what you can do to be ready for emergencies, and how you can volunteer or help in some other way. Together we can be more prepared and reduce the risk of disaster. There`ll be a free sausage sizzle so help give us an idea of numbers by registering here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Thank you Blue Mountains community for the generous donation of 11 sewing machines which we`ll be using for our free sewing workshop with Boomerang Bags at the Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. It`s an opportunity for the whole family to make free Christmas presents that `don`t cost the earth`! Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (and you`ll get a free fire retardant plant from Santa while you`re there!)
Did you know that Australia has the world`s highest incidence of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world, killing more than 4,000 Australians every year - three times more than the annual road toll; and that asbestos-related deaths are predicted to rise! Asbestos isn’t just in fibro homes and sheds - it was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 asbestos containing products with many of these products remaining in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home or apartment built or renovated before 1990. Asbestos was used everywhere in homes - lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even in dog kennels. Exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations has been linked to 51% of mesothelioma deaths. There is no cure for mesothelioma. The average survival time following diagnosis is just 10-12 months. Homeowners, renovators and tradies are most at risk of exposure if they disturb asbestos containing materials. On Saturday 22 November, “Betty – The Asbestos Education House” will be a prominent feature of the Blue Mountains City Council’s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo to help educate local homeowners and tradies about the dangers of asbestos that remains lurking in 1-in-3 Aussie homes including many throughout the Blue Mountains region as part of National Asbestos Awareness Month (November). There will also be workshops and stalls on asbestos and a range of other hazardous materials and how you can manage them to protect youreself, your family and your community. Find out more and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Emily from @handsheartfeet will be leading a free drumming workshop at the Planetary Health Centre Expo and Family Day in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. It`s suitable for all ages and so much fun! Places are limited so reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (link in profile)
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4o1FflK (link in profile)
It includes: • Expo and Family Day on Nov 22 • A Story of Purpose & Mental Health with Rotarian Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute on Nov 29 • How to Use a Sewing Machine Workshop on Nov 29 • Qigong, Upper Mountains Seed Saving & Gardening Group and Planetary Health Bushcare on Dec 6 • Legalising human composting as a sustainable death care option in NSW • The Climate Risk and Adaptation Plan for the Blue Mountains
We are so excited to be launching revolutionary new fire protection coatings that can stop your home burning down and slow the spread of fire. Learn more and pick up a sample pot at the Planetary Health Expo on Sat 22 Nov at 10am. FIRECOAT interior and exterior undercoat has been developed by scientists at UNSW and is already available for this fire season but new products will also be shared at the Expo, including a flexible fire-protective covering designed for temporary use on windows, doors, poles, fences, vehicles, equipment and other small assets. There is even a product that can create a fire-protective barrier around your home and these assets. FIRECOAT is waterproof, non toxic and game changing. Register here to attend the launch (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J and PLEASE SHARE. This breakthrough technology can help make our communities safer.
We’re thrilled that engineer Mark Liebman, who built a green roof in Blackheath, will be giving a free talk at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 November. Green roofs cool buildings, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get tips on how to do it yourself. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are there native bees and insects in your garden? Today is the first day of Australian Pollinator Week and native bee ecologist and musician @amelie_ecology has just released a new single with Costa Georgiadis @costasworld called ‘Not all Pests’. We’re thrilled that Amelie will be performing her songs and running a free interactive workshop on what we can do to support our native pollinators at the Planetary Health Expo and Family Day on Saturday 22nd November. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
and you can stream ’Not all Pests’ here (link in profile): https://amelieecology.bandcamp.com/track/not-all-pests
There are so many ways to have a greener healthier Christmas! Ever thought of giving a voucher for Tai Chi and Qigong classes? You can try out one of our Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre this Saturday at 9am. Tutor Virginia Field is currently introducing Qigong`s 5-Animals Play, an ancient practice which developed from observing animals and mimicking their behaviour. Reserve a spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3JlOAXh Find other ideas for a greener Christmas on Council`s website here: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/greenchristmas
Or come along to our Expo and Family Day on 22 November and try out some other great options like drumming classes, sewing and fashion upcycling! Register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025
We’ve had some great news! Santa is coming to the free Community BBQ at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Saturday 22 November. He’s arriving early to help us celebrate Christmas in a way that’s safer and healthier for us and the planet, and he’s let us know that he’ll be giving everyone who comes a free fire-retardant plant for their garden. We’re so thrilled we’re putting on fun family events for the day: from a fabulous free drumming workshop with Emily from Hands, Heart and Feet, to live music and a pollinator hunt with Amelie Ecology, and workshops to create plastic-free Christmas presents. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet the RFS, NSW Fire & Rescue, Red Cross and other emergency services. Come and learn ways to keep the family safe while also having fun, enjoying a coffee, sampling some plant-based sweets and a free BBQ lunch, and taking home lots of useful information about hazardous materials and preparing for extreme weather events! Register here to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025?
Do you feel overwhelmed about preparing your home for bushfire? Come along to the free Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit Workshop at the Disaster Risk Awareness Expo (and pre-Christmas Family Day) at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22 Nov. Meet the team who developed the Toolkit and learn to use it in a free, 2-hour interactive workshop. You will have the opportunity to work on case study properties in small groups and ask the team questions about your own property. Free afternoon tea provided. Bookings essential here (Disaster Risk Awareness Expo link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025/tickets #beprepared #bushfire #retrofit #disasterriskawareness #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains #bushfireretrofittoolkit...
Linda Moon has lived in the upper Blue Mountains since childhood and is a freelance writer for Australian media. A qualified naturopath, permaculture designer, mother and former student of social work, her passion is building local community, gardening, mental, emotional, social, housing and environmental health – all of which are linked!
There is a little bit of magic happening on Wednesdays at the Planetary Health Centre as young volunteers from Kindlehill School, and Council staff, work together to create a demonstration site for the wider community. This hands-on program is inspiring all involved, including teacher Sarah Daniel.
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