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General News

11 October, 2024

Exploring off-grid living

Off-grid living is proving to generate a great deal of interest across the shire with a recent well attended Goldfields Sustainability Group (GSG) visit to a Moonambel home.

By Maryborough Advertiser

Visitors explored the lush landscape around Bernard Abadie’s home.
Visitors explored the lush landscape around Bernard Abadie’s home.

The home is described as a passive solar, post and beam open plan living building.

The walls are constructed from either local slate or mud pour.

Built by its owner, Bernard Abadie, the house is nestled into the side of a hill, affording a majestic view across green fields and bush land.

The living area looks over an expansive garden of colourful native flowering plants, providing an inviting environment for birds, insects and other wildlife.

Mr Abadie’s fruit trees meet most of his fruit consumption needs and he grows garlic, artichokes, medicinal plants and perennials.

GSG secretary Barry Parsons said the home was ahead of its time, having been built 19 years ago and still extremely energy efficient — mainly through the use solar panels.

“The amazing thing is that the solar set-up and battery system are still working very well after all these years,” he said.

“Hot water is produced via a combination of solar energy and ‘piggy-backing’ off the wood heater in winter.”

The home’s design and aspect makes good use of natural light and shade, maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the year.

Mr Abadie and his artist wife have lovingly adorned the interior of the home with a striking display of mosaic tiles and leadlight windows in the kitchen and bathroom areas.

While leaving behind a very small carbon footprint and living a low cost lifestyle, Mr Abadie loves his home.

“It makes me feel like the wealthiest and happiest man alive,” he said.

A number of residents visited Bernard Abadie’s Moonambel house to understand what off-grid living looks like.
A number of residents visited Bernard Abadie’s Moonambel house to understand what off-grid living looks like.
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