Meet Co-op Member Sylvina Hardisty

Sylvina's journey began from her home near Southampton, UK .  “At 18, my husband hitch-hiked to Australia – I wanted  to, but my dad wouldn’t let me. So I took the sea route to Sydney on the Fairstar instead.

Living on the Central Coast, NSW  I was a teacher of Aboriginal Studies in Darkinjung Country around Terrigal. I loved the opportunity to learn directly from local First Nations people, who shared their rich culture through stories, plants, and animals. Being English, a ‘newcomer’ I stepped aside so that the local First Nations folk taught the students directly. One of my fondest memories is participating in the Five Lands Walk, a 10km hike near Avoca, designed to connect

 people with Country, with each of five bayside communities hosting its own vibrant festival.” 

“I moved to Maleny to live closer to Lee and Shaye and joined our Co-op soon after. Lee is a great fan, and I love it too. So friendly and great fresh food. I became vegetarian quite early on and tried to go vegan but it was very hard until recently. The Co-op stocks lovely vegan food, I love the range of vegan yogurts. The older I get, I wonder how on earth did I eat animals. If I was lost in the bush I wouldn’t know what to do without knowing the plants and I couldn’t kill anything.” I love my food. My favourites are the passionfruit, kiwi fruit and that the bananas and avocados that are always in stock. I love the vegan ready curry and I add a tin of chickpeas and rice for even more protein. Oh, and the nuts, especially the almonds. They’re nice and fresh.”

It was great chatting with Sylvina. Some of you may remember our newsletter profile of her son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Shye Hardisty - talented local artists and musicians! 

July 2024

Photo courtesy of Ketakii Jewson-Brown