By DR BOB RICH
WHILE Healesville was celebrating its 150th birthday in November, there was another significant gathering on Mt Toolebewong. The Moora Moora Co-operative has been there for 40 years.
In 1974, it was an incredibly risky experiment. Twelve people put their money where their dreams were, and invested in land they couldn’t afford. They set up an intentional community, designed to show the way to a better life.
Now, the co-operative has become an organically grown, thriving village. It is blessed with continuing interest from people of varying ages, including young families with kids.
This is good, because the people who grew up there have turned out to be wonderful. Childhood at Moora Moora trained them to be self-reliant, adaptable, good at relating to people of all ages, assertive, responsible and ethical.
Many of these young people took part in the birthday celebration. As an oldie, I had trouble recognising some of them, since I’d last seen them as teenagers, but common stories soon dissolved the gap.
About 140 people took part in the celebrations.
The day involved great food including a ginormous 40th birthday cake, slide and DVD displays of history, games, a bonfire, and professional-level music at night provided by members.
Tours of the interesting houses and other features were of particular interest to returning ex-members, and to the now-adult once-kids who could show the community off to their partners and children.
Moora Moora is in the early stages of establishing a “sanctuary area,” which is to be a memorial for members and their loved ones who have died, and a place for quiet contemplation.
There is a strong initiative to change Victorian law to allow burial on private land, as is the case in other states. Cremated ashes have already been used to commemorate those who have passed, but cremation is not an environmentally responsible solution, so the co-operative hopes to extend the practice to burials.
This sanctuary area was launched with a touching ceremony during the 40th birthday celebrations.
Many of the visitors stayed overnight and shared breakfast, ending a perfect gathering.
