Sydney ConFesters grew out of the Down to Earth (DTE) ConFests which were initiated by Jim Cairns, Junie Morosi and others in the 1970’s as part of the alternative lifestyle revolution. The aim was to transform society from within – to show more natural and sustainable ways for mankind to live together and with the planet.
Sydney ConFesters gatherings had its beginnings at a meeting helid in Paddington in early 2003, followed by a workshop at the DTE ConDest at Deniliquin in December 2003. The idea for a Sydney-based ConFest gathering had been tossed around by a number of people for some time.
The first inaugural meeiting in 2003 was attended by about 20 people in the Paddington Community Centre with lots of enthusiasm. The next one was organised at Berry with just one marquee provided as infrastructure.
Successive Sydney ConFesters gatherings have been held at Berry, Ilford, Glenworth Valley, Iron Bark, Canyonleigh, Popran and Glenworth Valley. We have held two to three gatherings a year. Numbers have increased from a few at the first gathering to more than 300 in 2005.
Then, as now, these gatherings have been organized by a loose committee with no hierarchy based on collaborative decision-making. We have weathered challenges of fire and flood. We continue to build our community and invite others to join in the adventure.