Page 23 - C.A.L.L. #22 - Fall 2003
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Utopia rising
Back in the 1970s, as budding sociologist Peter Cock protested against the Vietnam War, marching in an
environment of discontent beside the anti-capitalists, feminists and environmentalists, he decided to create
something positive.
Out of the seeds of social revolution came Moora "Moora Moora has had its crises, as all communities
Moora, on Mount Toole-Be-Wong near Healesville (an do, particularly in the early stages," says Cock.
hour from Melbourne – ed.), one of Australia’s most "We’ve had conflict mediation sessions over many
progressive utopian communities. The aim was to years, sometimes bringing in an outside facilitator. In
build a satisfying, alternative lifestyle — a thriving addition to that, we have set up the Moora Moora
group with a connection across families while living circle group, a place for eight trained facilitators —
in harmony with nature, using only solar and wind- the cooperative paid to have them trained — which
generated power. provides a safe space for people to share their
stories about what’s happening."
Thirty-one years on, Moora Moora has
about 50 adults, from their late 20s to It was modelled on a similar set-up in a
50s, and 17 children living in six German community (ZEGG – ed.) and
hamlets of cluster housing — three Cock says that the more turbulent the
clusters each flanking the community world, the more interest there is in
centre. alternative communities.
Cock, a sociologist and environmental He believes that as society evolves into
scientist who works part-time at smaller households, the capacity for
Monash University, has also done strong community is diminished.
significant research into utopian "You might not have a sister or brother
communities. He believes that about any more, so you don’t learn to fight
one in 10 is successful. Why has Moora and negotiate with each other, for
Moora beaten the odds?
example, but the need for it
"We’ve done well to survive 30-plus (community) is no less."
years," he says. "We’re now into the
issue of generational change. In the As Cock says, we’ve gone too far with
’80s we were ageing but in the ’90s we individualism, and it’s time to pull back.
started to get younger, with new generations coming
in and babies, the place is buzzing again with "There are many forms of communities, I wouldn’t
pregnancies. want to prescribe that for all the world … but spaces
of community and co-operation are more realistic
"We addressed it (the ageing issue) a few years ago than the communal dream because individualism is
by providing loans for people to come in, making it too much rooted in our psyche," Cock says. "The
easier for them … It’s another sign of success, while balance between community, privacy, autonomy and
a lot of communities established in the ’70s haven’t accountability is what we have to struggle with for
been able to get over that hurdle." our sanity and survival, and it’s an ecological issue,
too, because the more we share, the less footprint
According to Cock, an important aspect of Moora we have.
Moora was its location. "It was a conservative design
in that it was close to the city, so people could "We’re social beings and communicating on the email
maintain their connections with the wider world, and phone isn’t going to do it, nor is investing in one
which made that change or transition easier." other partner as the saviour of our lives … But we’re
socialising people who can’t cope with waiting five
At Moora Moora, each house is an autonomous unit minutes. We’re living in cuckoo-land and the ground
for a single person, couple or a family sharing some stone of our times is very superficial and potentially,
facilities such as a laundry or garden and power. A very explosive."
federated cooperative owns the land in common and
the facilities, such as tractors. Moora Moora welcomes visitors on the first Sunday of
every month between 1pm and 4pm. For more
Each housing cluster has a work day once a month, as information its website is at
does the cooperative, and there are committee http://mooramoora.org/index.htm or email
meetings to attend, but the Moora Moora people also mooramoora@hotmail.com
work outside their haven. And, like all close Printed July 3 2003, The Age, Australia
communities, they have had to deal with friction.
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