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August/September 2025 Newsletter

‘Local communities are the units of survival’ says David Suzuki
“Look, I’m not giving up in the sense of not doing anything, but Trump’s election was the dagger in my heart. Trump’s win was the triumph of capitalism and neoliberalism, and he’s going to wreak havoc. There’s nothing we can do about that, except maybe incremental changes. That’s not what we need. We need revolution. Can you have a peaceful revolution? I don’t know.
But I’m saying, as an environmentalist, we have failed to shift the narrative and we are still caught up in the same legal, economic and political systems.
For me, what we’ve got to do now is hunker down. The units of survival are going to be local communities, so I’m urging local communities to get together. Finland is offering a great example because the Finnish government has sent a letter to all of their citizens warning of future emergencies, whether they’re earthquakes, floods, droughts, or storms. They’re going to come and they’re going to be more urgent and prolonged.
Governments will not be able to respond on the scale or speed that is needed for these emergencies, so Finland is telling their citizens that they’re going to be at the front line of whatever hits and better be sure you’re ready to meet it. Find out who on your block can’t walk because you’re going to have to deal with that. Who has wheelchairs? Who has fire extinguishers? Where is the available water? Do you have batteries or generators? Start assessing the routes of escape. You’re going to have to inventory your community, and that’s really what we have to start doing now.”
‘It’s too late’– David Suzuki says the fight against climate change is lost  (facebook post)

Welcome to the August/September 2025 e-newsletter. Below is a brief article, prepared by Anitra Nelson for Degrowth Central Victoria . In addition you will find information about a few key localising events happening in central Victoria over the next month, including a community conversation reflecting on the Local Lives Global Matters Conference 10 years On. 

Feature Article- Degrowth Central Victoria- Routledge Handbook for Degrowth

(https://degrowthcentralvic.org/)

Routledge Handbook for Degrowth: Introductory Chapter 1

The Routledge Handbook for Degrowth was released in open access and hard cover forms in July 2025. Here is a summary and thought-provoking extracts from Chapter 1, ‘Degrowth has come of age’, co-written by a Degrowth Central Victora activist scholar along with a highly respected and longtime French degrowth activist who has lived in Budapest for the last two decades and is a founder of degrowth cooperative Cargonomia. It’s the second in a series on the handbook.

‘Degrowth has come of age’, the introductory chapter to the Routledge Handbook on Degrowth (2025), sketches the volume’s structure. Thirty-five chapters written by more than 55 contributors show various responses to key questions on the meaning and characteristics of ‘degrowth’ and its future.

Part I establishes the ecological, economic and political contexts for understanding how and why degrowth has evolved as a significant concept for societies worldwide facing twenty-first century challenges of growing socio-political inequities and ecological unsustainabilities.

Part II identifies degrowth theories, philosophies and activist movements in a sample of countries, languages and regions, starting with its origins in France:

‘degrowth is an essentially qualitative concept. It is an invitation to explore new imaginaries liberated from economism and, instead, focus on what really matters around such concepts as “conviviality” and “autonomy”.’

Part III presents key degrowth concepts in practice such as commoning, conviviality, the degrowth doughnut, frugal abundance and de-Fashioning to show activists and practitioners:

‘Market economies oriented to production for trade seem outdated, ineffective and inappropriate for a century where key challenges focus attention on satisfying everyone’s basic needs and taking account of planetary limits. This is why degrowth, explicitly critiquing and inverting the all-encompassing and ever-eroding drive to growth at all costs, strikes such a chord.’

Part IV offers forward-looking imaginaries for the degrowth project from ecofeminist futures to solidary modes of living, from showing how degrowth is essential to address poverty to the geopolitics of the nonaligned movement, utopian thought, and a youthful call for action:

‘degrowth advocates seek a transparent and open world based on ecological and humane values, applying principles of social and ecological justice, political autonomy, conviviality, solidarity and ecologically sustainable living for everyone. Degrowth is an invitation to view the world anew in enchanting ways, to practice everyday life in alterity, to be deeply alive, responsible and respectful, relating to other people and the more than human world in ways that promise greater security, sustainability and freedom for all.’

Published in: https://degrowthcentralvictoria.substack.com/

A Community Conversation: Local Lives Global Matters Conference 10 Years On

When: Monday September 1st at 6.00pm

Where: Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker St, Castlemaine

Localising Leanganook in collaboration with Castlemaine Free University is hosting this community conversation, celebrating and advancing the Local Lives Global Matters Conference 10 Years On .

How do you bring together more than 100 conversations in and around Castlemaine and Daylesford in 10 venues over 3 days enabling an abundant sharing of local, national and international perspectives?  Ten years ago, in October 2015, through a partnership between a group of humble locals and the global re-localisation movement- (Local Futures –https://www.localfutures.org/), hundreds of people gathered in Castlemaine, on Djaara Country, “to announce a new paradigm and tell the story that has a future”.

Local Lives Global Matters- A Conference for Future’s Sake, which has passed into local ‘folklore’, connected people with each other, with place and with the world. It sent ripples and seeded local initiatives.

The Conference posed critical questions, enabled a sharing of ideas and experiences, and linked central Victoria with the international re-localisation movement. Conference participants were inspired and encouraged towards a future based on viable local economies, reclaimed democracy, social and ecological justice, and revitalised spirit and relationships.

Everyone is invited to this sharing and re-visioning , including newcomers to Djaara Country. This community conversation will reflect back on what came out of the Conference, what’s happening now, and where to from here.

Join us as we share and celebrate what Local Lives Global Matters has inspired and how the Conference has influenced our lives in this community. There will be a brief overview of changes/mega trends in the last 10 years, that sets the current context for localisation. We will explore some of the ripple effects of re-localisation over the past 10 years, and finish with inspirations and actions to co-create now and into the future.

For more information:  hello@leanganook.org 

 

Save Kingston’s 130-Year-Old Algerian Oak from AusNet
When: Wednesday 20 August
The proposed Western Renewables Link transmission lines will cross directly over Kingston’s heritage-listed 1883 arched bluestone bridge and a majestic Algerian Oak, believed to be at least 130 years old.
In 2023, this tree was placed on the NATIONAL TRUST REGISTER of Significant Trees for its enormous size, perfect unpruned form, excellent health, and cultural and aesthetic value. But here’s the heartbreaking truth — this listing offers no legal protection. AusNet still says it must be removed.
Other precious vegetation, including trees planted by Kingston Primary School children 30 years ago, are also under threat. The nature reserve, through which Birches Creek flows, is home to platypus, the growling grass frog, and many other species — all at risk from the project.
We’re fighting back. Join us as we hold hands around the oak’s perimeter — one person for every year of its life — to send a powerful message that this tree, bridge, and reserve are worth saving.
 
When: Wednesday 20 August
 
Meet: 12:30pm at the Kingston Hotel (bus transport to the tree provided)
 
Petition: Sign at the hotel or at the event
Let’s show the world what community determination looks like — and save this magnificent oak.
A drone photo of the event will be taken for our campaign. PLEASE bring a COLOURFUL UMBRELLA 

Words in Winter Festival

When: Main Weekend – Friday August 22nd- Sunday August 24th;

Encore weekend: August 29th-31st

Where: Various locations- Daylesford ,  Hepburn Springs , Yandoit

Words in Winter is a literary and arts festival held in August in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. The festival is a celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms, shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, open mics, music, talks, workshops, author talks, and exhibitions.

The festival has grown into a beloved regional event, bringing together writers, poets, musicians, and audiences to share the warmth of words. Today, the festival continues to thrive, honoring the vision of connecting people through the power of language and storytelling.

Website and Program: https://wordsinwinter.com/

 

Central Victoria Climate Action- Turning the Ship- Rising Tide Documentary

The Rising Tide documentary- Turning the Ship is being screened again over the next month, in Ballarat, Casltemaine and Hepburn Springs

Ballarat on 20 August 6.30pm

Connect with your local Rising Tide community, celebrate the extraordinary success of 2024 and learn more about Rising Tide’s ambitious plans to make the 2025 People’s Blockade this November, the BIGGEST &BOLDEST yet. Presented by XR Ballarat at Barkley Square Theatre. RSVP and see details here

Castlemaine on 21 August 6.30pm

We have our ENCORE SCREENING of “Turning the Ship”, the Rising Tide documentary about the 2024 blockade of the Port of Newcastle (which is the largest coal port on the planet!) this Thursday 21st August at the wonderful Theatre Royal from 6.30 – 7.45 pm including a short Q and A. Come and see the 2024 action in Newcastle on the big screen. If you know any earth loving locals who are interested and missed out last time – or some that WOULD be interested but aren’t familiar with Rising Tide – why not bring them along? Tickets are $11.50 and available using the link below or on the door.

If you have a little more time, there is a 4.30pm Theatre Royal showing of FUTURE COUNCIL, a new film following a group of young school student climate activists. Please help spread the word about these screenings in the general community. It’s a fantastic way to combat climate despair and connect with others who want to DO.

Hepburn Springs on Sunday 14th September at 4.00pm

We are happy to announce another local screening of “Turning the Ship” on 14th September for Daylesford and Hepburn Shire folks curious about the 2024 blockade. It will be held at Radius Art Gallery, 76 Main Rd Hepburn Springs.

Community Climate Collective

The newly formed Community Climate Collective  aims to connect, share and support together across focuses of climate change, sustainability, regeneration and environment, an initiative of Mt Alexander Sustainability Group .
The next meet up will be held on the 27th August:

For more information: email- development@masg.org.au

Phoenix  Cinema at Daylesford- Fundraiser

The Phoenix Cinema @ The Rex holds a special place in our community’s heart, and we’re on a mission to bring it back to life.

At Phoenix @ The Rex, our vision is to revive the cinematic experience in Daylesford by providing a community-owned and operated theatre that offers more than just films. A candy bar selling popcorn, wine, choc tops in beautiful art deco surroundings.

To make this dream a reality, we need your support. Your generous donation, no matter the size, will play a vital role in restoring this beloved cinema and ensuring it can once again provide entertainment and joy for generations to come.

​Join us in reviving this cultural gem and help us create a vibrant hub for film lovers in Daylesford. To contribute and become a part of this exciting project, please click the link below to our GoFundMe page.

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