Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here's one of the finished systems.... I'll leave Faye to put up more of the progress shots..

Shirley from the National lifestyle Village will be interviewed by Curtin FM radios gardening presenter Jenny Seaton later this week. 100.1 fm on Friday 27th January 2012 at 12.40pm
Shirley has been in the limelight a bit recently with an article in the latest Seniors magazine as pictured below

Friendly reminder for those interested

Ooops now that I know you are all ready the interview is on at 1.40pm lol.

Well yesterday was the "Official Aquaponics Opening" and there were many residents from other villages present. I was asked if I would like to speak on behalf of Backyard Aquaponics, to wish I eagerly said yes. I kept it brief and thanked Lotterywest for making it possible with the generous grant funding and NLV for their support and to Colin and Shirley who drove the idea, which I learned was sparked over a glass of wine. I spoke of our pleasure in being involved with this wonderful group.
Before the proceedings started I listened to Colin (NLV) explain to Mark (Lotteries Commission) how the fish poop and feed the plants and how the nitrogen is converted and I smiled to myslef realising just what these people are getting out of their new hobby. I have witnessed the learning of year 4 students describe the nitrogen cycly to year 7s and it made me realise exactly how, no matter the age, there are people of all ages enjoying this aquaponics addiction. I also heard stories of Barry getting out of bed at 3am to check on the fish, I know a few of us have done that before. This project has just started and many are sharing with interest the progress. There is always someone in their garden at the end of the day and it is obvious that it is about community involvement and interest. Saturday mornings residents are able to purchase the produce and I think I heard they get about $50-00 per week which goes back to purchase supplies for the gardens.
Barry expianing how the systems work and feeding the fish at the same time. Residents of the villages gather around to get a glimpse of the barramundi feeding like piranhas.

The temperature was around 35 degrees at 5 oclock but that didn't stop them all turning out for a walk from the clubhouse to get at look at this system that they had all heard so much about. The fish have only been in a few weeks and growth is just starting, despite last weeks temperatures above 40 degress, the barramundi system is powering along and the silver perch are a little slower, but steady all the same.

The dirt gardens are adjacent to the aquaponic system which is fenced off from the main road with market gardens on the other side. I am sure that we wil be hearing a lot more from National Lifestyle Villages in the future.

National Lifestyle Villages received another writeup in the paper, this time the Sound Telegraph for those living around the Rockingham area. these photos were also taken at the launch and forward to us by Berlinda.

gotta be happy with that!

Well they made the news again, for those following the National lfestyle Village aquaponic system they made it in to todays West australian newspaper Real Estate section page 12. Gooo Shirley, we will need some updated photos on the progress of the system pretty soon.