Posts Tagged ‘local action’
Environment Victoria’s Flemington Green: Project Update
Posted in Movements, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on January 19th, 2012
Photos from Flemington Green
From “Flemington women showing the way” from Environment Victoria:
Recruited by our Community Consultant, Iman Barabiaa, another group of Flemington residents have just completed their Flemington Green sustainable living training. The 16 women are from East African countries (Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Sudan), Turkey and Yemen and all reside on the Flemington public housing estate. The women have attended workshops on saving energy and saving water (with a guest presentation from City West Water), held by Environment Victoria at the Flemington Community Centre in November 2011. The group also visited SKM Recycling in Coolaroo to learn about waste and recycling – and we enjoyed a lunch of Turkish kebabs together in Broadmeadows.
They’ve told us they’ve learn a lot. Many participants, being new to Australia and having lived in countries where water and sanitation conditions are quite different, were very impressed to learn that Melbourne’s tap water does not have to be boiled before drinking, and said they’d keep that energy saving tip in mind. The visit to SKM showed the sheer scale of recycling that happens every day in Melbourne and the vast amounts of energy these processes require. Many participants said they’ll be talking to their friends about the need to recycle carefully and to reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away. Not all Flemington residents have the luxury of being able to recycle at home, but with the new recycling pilot program on the estate continuing to progress well, more and more will gain the opportunity.
After the energy saving workshop, each participant told us she went home and started taking action, such as switching off appliances at the wall; unplugging the mobile phone charger when it’s not being used (it still draws power even when it’s not charging); talking to her sister in her home about energy-guzzling down-lights and giving a presentation about ways to save energy in her English class.
New knowledge and motivation, and new environmental action – these Flemington women are showing the way for their community to take green action.
>> Find out more about Environment Victoria’s Flemington Green project.
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Maker Faire Melbourne: Inspire, inform, connect, entertain.
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on January 9th, 2012
A Maker Faire is about celebrating learning and doing – not the finished and perfect end product. It’s a place to share what we’re learning with others, and celebrate the fun and freedom of being an amateur. Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the Melbourne Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration coming to Australasia for the first time on Saturday, January 14th, 2012. It will feature rockets and robots, DIY science and technology, urban farming and sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, and educational workshops and installations. Access to the Faire is limited so get in touch before you show up to make sure you can get in!
Want to get involved? Apply to be a Maker on Saturday through the website.
Mini Maker Faires such as this have started to sprout up around the United States, Canada, Europe and now Australia. Maker Faire started back in 2005 as a spin-off of Make Magazine. The Melbourne Mini Maker Faire will follow the big Maker Faire model of celebrating do-it-yourself creativity and tinkering, but will be smaller in scale and – although predominantly showcasing the wonders of the local Melbourne Maker community – will include exhibitors from around Australia and beyond.
Saturday, January 14th, 2012, 10 am to 4pm, Hawthorn
See the Maker Faire Melbourne website for additional information and to register your interest in attending.
Photo from Robots and Dinosaurs (Makers).
Insight: How the Dutch got their cycling infrastructure
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on December 28th, 2011
From “How the Dutch got their cycle paths” by Sarah Goodyear for Project for Public Spaces:
Given the reputation of the Netherlands as a cyclist’s paradise, you might think that its extensive cycling infrastructure came down from heaven itself, or was perhaps created by the wave of a magic wand. Not so. It was the result of a lot of hard work, including massive street protests and very deliberate political decision-making.
The video [click through below] offers vital historical perspective on the way the Netherlands ended up turning away from the autocentric development that arose with postwar prosperity, and chose to go down the cycle path. It lists several key factors, including public outrage over the amount of space given to automobiles; huge protests over traffic deaths, especially those of children, which were referred to by protesters as “child murder”; and governmental response to the oil crisis of the 1970s, which prompted efforts to reduce oil dependence without diminishing quality of life.
The Netherlands is often perceived as an exceptional nation in terms of its transportation policies and infrastructure. And yet there is nothing inherently exceptional about the country’s situation. As the narrator says at the end of the film, “The Netherlands’ problems were and are not unique. Their solutions shouldn’t be that either.”
Watch the video. It’s inspiring (“…it seems so simple”) and frustrating (“aaargh…it seems so simple!”) at the same time.
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Walking Maps for the Holidays
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on December 23rd, 2011
From the Victoria Walks December Newsletter:
How about letting your own two feet take you on a few adventures these holidays? There’s no better way to get the wind in your hair while taking a sticky beak at what’s going on around you.
If you’re heading out of town:
- Kilcunda wildflower walk (East Gippsland near Wonthaggi)
- Fairhaven to Aireys Inlet beach walk (Great Ocean Road)
- Kings Billabong Nature Trail (Mildura)
- Emerald Lake Park Nobelius Track (Emerald)
Or, if you’re wandering closer to Melbourne:
- Fitzroy street art tour & Melbourne city street art tour
- Delights of Albert Park
- Bayside architectural trail
Better still, show off your own walks to by creating a walk on www.walkingmaps.com.au!
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Check out the Victoria Walks site.
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South Melbourne Commons: Official Opening
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on December 7th, 2011
| 10 December , 2011 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
http://commons.org.au/
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Bag It: Appetite for Insight film screening
Posted in Events by TransitionTownPortPhillip on December 5th, 2011
| 12 December , 2011 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
The final Appetite for Insight screening for 2011 & a special event not to be missed!
Special guest speakers:
Tim Silverwood, Co-founder of Take 3 will introduce the film and talk about his trip to the Great Pacific Rubbish Dump, the global perspective and his Clean Beach Initiative.
Neil Blake,“Baykeeper” & Port Phillip EcoCentre Director will share his knowledge on local impacts and how you can take action, such as joining a Coast Walk or Butt Safari.
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=16918
Join us for a nourishing evening out and share some festive cheer!
Port Phillip Local Artisan Tour
Posted in Events by TransitionTownPortPhillip on November 23rd, 2011
| 3 December , 2011 | ||
| 11:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
“SECOND-HAND-MADE Port Phillip” Local Artisan Tour St Kilda – Middle Park – Albert Park – South Melbourne
Sat 3 Dec, 11am–4pm
Be inspired, support local artisans & enjoy ethical Christmas shopping whilst exploring the diverse handmade delights of bayside Melbourne handmade toys – crafts – curios – home-wares – vintage threads – reclaimed treasures
Starting from South Melbourne, join us for a leisurely tour on foot and public transport, stopping for tea & treats along the way!
$10 – BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – transitiontownportphillip@gmail.com/ 0439 677 811
Hosted by Transition Port Phillip – inspiring connectedness, creativity & community resilience - & The Sharehood – meet your neighbours, share with them
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Carrotmob Dinner to Fund a Restaurant Veggie Patch
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 15th, 2011
| 17 November , 2011 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
Do you want to go out for dinner this Thursday, maybe a drink too? An Evening Mob with Pizza, Peroni, Music & more….
Il Pomodoro at Fed Square & Carrotmob call on Melbourne to support sustainable food! Il Pomodoro Italian Restaurant located at Federation Square, Melbourne is committing 100% of its profit from 5.30pm-7.30pm Thursday 17th November to the expansion of a Vegie Patch and Herb Garden. So come help us ‘mob’ Il Pomodoro – eat and drink Italian and know that your dollars are helping to support deliciously sustainable cuisine and reduce food miles.
This very first evening mob will feature pizza & Peroni deals, as well as great home-style Italian favourites, al fresco dining and music by Matt Wicking from The General Assembly. Come past for a quick after-work drink, dinner with friends or even coffee and dessert. Take-away available for carrots in a rush.
What’s carrotmob? We harness the power of the consumer dollar to support local businesses to take steps to become more sustainable! We’re the opposite of a boycott!
http://carrotmobmelbourne.wordpress.com/
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Detroit’s Urban Roots: The Big Picture at Ross House
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 7th, 2011
| 8 November , 2011 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Photo credit: Urban Roots Film
The industrial powerhouse of a lost American era has died, and the skeleton left behind is present-day Detroit. But now, against all odds in the empty lots, in the old factory yards, and in-between the sad, sagging blocks of company housing, seeds of change are taking root. A small group of dedicated citizens, allied with environmental and academic groups, have started an urban environmental movement with the potential to transform not just a city after its collapse, but also a country after the end of its industrial age. >>More about Urban Roots
On the first Tuesday of every month (except public holidays), Ross House presents The Big Picture – films for environmental and social justice. Entry is by donation, the proceeds of which go towards environmental action. Sometimes this means that it goes to the group hosting the event, or it goes to greening Ross House. Mulled wine and popcorn are always available (also by donation), and usually we have a group chat about the issue being watched. It’s a lot of freaking fun. >>More about The Big Picture
Next screening, URBAN ROOTS, on Tuesday 8 November 2011 at 6pm at Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
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PepperTree Place Garden Fiesta
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 3rd, 2011
| 5 November , 2011 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
Via Moreland Food Gardens Network
Photo via Moreland Leader
Celebrate all things green and growing at this year’s annual Garden Fiesta
This creatively designed community space boasts a productive kitchen garden, inviting edible classroom and community plant nursery all framed by an historic bluestone church and stables. A fun day in the gardens, the Fiesta promises great music, good food and friendly people.
- Live Music
- Community Nursery
- Plant Sale
- Free Gardening Workshops and Kids Activities
- Coburg Home-grown Edibles Swap
- Café Cooperative BBQ (veggie ‘n’ meat)
- Roving Puppets
- Community Info and Market Stalls
November 5th, 10 -4pm
512 Sydney Rd, Coburg (enter from Bell Street or Urquhart Street)
>>More about PepperTree Place
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