Alone in Nature: Surviving a Cyclone

This tropical cyclone brought destruction of our fruit orchards, flooding and devastation. Life off grid can be challenging and this week we were honestly really scared. After a long week, we are all okay and the goats, ducks, chickens and sheep are safe and happy.

We are sisters, Julia and Anastasia Vanderbyl. A few years ago, we began a journey to live a life in perfect harmony with nature. A life of caring for animals, growing fruit, planting trees, gardening, cooking, creating, building and learning to live with the land.
In this time, nature has taught us more than we could have ever imagined.

Our environmental films document the landscape, the lessons we’ve learnt and our work as regenerative farmers here on Bundjalung Country.

We live on the land of the Arakwal and Minjungbal People of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Country we live on and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters. We thank them for protecting this rainforest and its ecosystems since time immemorial.

Chapters:
0:00 Surviving a cyclone
2:34 Helicopters, destruction and the days after the storm
7:45 A tour of the fallen fruit trees and devastation
10:52 Banana farming and massive spiders

[barrybence]

I'm 81 years old, and I think all of us need to remember the value of resiliency. Storms may come in many forms, but those who focus on recovery are wise indeed. Glad to see your family is safe.

[luberdoo]

I have been watching your family for a few years now and for me, this is the most beautiful video that you have shared. The sequence involving Craig had a transformative quality. I found myself holding a great deal of adoration and respect for him. Your camera work and photography skills have really flourished. Much of this appears as if an award-winning cinematographer was involved. I feel that it has been such an honor to not only watch the natural unfolding and evolution of both your internal and external landscapes. In some respects, it feels as if you stand on the threshold of the visible and invisible and you are bringing clarity to both. I am a 75 year-old man sitting here in northern Vermont within eyesight of the Canadian border praying that your family is able to sustain the personal connection you have with your environment, continuing to understand the sacred belonging we have as a part of, as opposed to a part from, nature. Most indigenous people have always had that kind of relationship with our planet. Sadly, we have mostly evolved into a species who believes the goal is to conquer nature as opposed to having a familial relationship with nature. May you always be protected by the natural order in our existence.

[Flamamacue]

Craig seems like an absolute gem of a bloke. Glad to see you all made it through OK!

[Deyan_B_Travels]

I'm glad you're all ok and there's not a lot of damage.

[jodlen]

Glad to hear you are safe, I am sure that there were many of us who were concerned for your safety.

[michaelwilliams]

First of all I am glad to see everybody seems ok! So many trees have fallen, luckily not too many of your fruit trees. It is sad if any of your dads tree plantings has got damaged. You still find time to check on your neighbour to see if they were ok.
Stay safe, love from Mike. ❤❤❤

[KieranPerez-ip]

I simply love your video style, truly refreshing and creative.

[kennethsmith]

Julia and Anastasia. About the saffola tree. if the tree just fell over, it will live and produce fruit just the way that it is. But you might wait until the tree is finished fruiting, and then cut it back, because cutting it back now might put it in shock, which could kill it. Also, it is so good to see all of you, and everything OK, and that the storm didn't create much damage like your magor storm in times past.

[victorppt]

The Mother nature have two sides...the beauty and the beast. Respect.

[justinchin]

So glad to see you all made it through ok!

[markwesolowski]

I'm so glad that you 3 ladies are safe.

[Oorangee-jtgt]

Very brave to resist the adversities of nature, I hope everything will resume peacefully

[danielledegeorge]

Nature replenishes itself but human lives are so much more precious! Thank God you are all ok and the animals too! Love from the US! ❤

[cslinsky]

It's so inspiring to hear you find positivity in a scary weather event with a lot of unknowns. Glad you all are ok!

[as..]

May God protect you from all calamities and dangers. I could live here I would love it, it's my dream country, I love it.

[lyndalmartin]

Loved seeing Craig’s organic farm & farming practices…. If only we could duplicate him like he can a banana tree ❤🎉😅

[richardsonfamily]

So glad you are all safe. Maybe Mother Nature was showing some respect for how much you are giving back.

[JamesHardiman]

So relieved that you're all ok with no injuries. ❤

[michaeldemar]

Weathering the Storm, so happy to see your family safe amidst the devastating storm, I know you and your family will recover fully and thrive in your beautiful farm.

[Lucidity__]

I’m so glad the storm didn’t cause as much damage as it could have! And Craig is such a cool guy! So passionate and excited about sharing his wisdom 😊