Bo Wong on Commune

For me, a commune is an intentional community with shared values, resources, knowledge and responsibilities.

In each issue of our journal, we ask a handful of people to reflect on our chosen theme (and provide a selfie of themselves!). This is photographer, friend and Kieran’s sister, Bo Wong on commune:⁠

When I was 16, I left Fremantle to live on a commune near Walpole. I ate a lot of lentils and magic mushrooms, so despite being an idealist with the values of self-sufficiency, I couldn’t offer the other elements that a successful commune needs – the resources, knowledge or responsibility. ⁠ ⁠

My husband grew up on a commune in NSW and we met on a forest blockade in Tasmania in 2001. Blockades are essentially travelling communes that sprouted up all over Australia in the late 90’s and early 00’s. Living together without electricity or sanitation in every state of Australia, I got to know myself and others, really well. We navigated de-escalation strategies, rope tying, children, painting, politics and poo together. In hindsight, it set me up pretty darn well for my current commune, family life. ⁠

Copies of Commune are available for purchase via TheFulcrum.Press . Revenue generated through journal sales will be distributed to First Nations community projects through TheFulcrum.Fund .