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“My blood”, writes Stan Grant, who has both Irish and Wiradjuri forebears, in ‘Talking to My Country’, “the blood of Moyne and Belabula. White and black: two worlds that even within me, bend to each other but still can’t quite touch”. / And is that not us too? – two worlds, bending, but never touching? / Who is Australia? Why Australia? Where is Australia? It is the great question to which we must all make an answer later this year, and that is the question of whether or not we support the voice. / The Uluru Statement from the Heart was an invitation to finally meet, to finally touch. / Whether I wish to be or not, I am a child of this country. In seeking to understand it I have come to see that we must make a new start, a better start if our imaginings are to go further, if we are to create dreams that might liberate, stories we might live better by.
Richard Flanagan: ‘Our inauthentic heart – What the voice to parliament means for the stories we tell’ (The Monthly , July 2023, ps 36-38)
Welcome to the July/August 2023 edition of Localising Leanganook e-news. There are some changes afoot and here’s what you will find:
Changes to Localising Leanganook e-news
Feature Article- A Thrutopian Mindset
What’s Happening in Central Victoria?
- Bendigo Share and Repair Shed launched
- Repair Cafes are Expanding
- Smoking Ceremony for Renamed Creek
- Guildford Folk Club
- Yes to Voice to Parliament
- Yandoit Milking Cooperative
- Wararack- Community Climate Transition Plan
- Wararack and MASG Networking Drinks
- Ballarat Zero Emissions Alliance Workshops
- Mt Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) Programs
- Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize
- Loddon Mallee Climate Change and Health Framework
- Castlemaine Library Event- The Emotional World of Primary School Kids
- Wild at Art- Threatened Species Art Competition
- Connecting Country- Bird of the Month
- Stories of Transition- on line event- Transition Australia
- New Economy Network of Australia- Conference Proposals
- Northern Arts Hotel
- Saltgrass Podcasts and Interviews
- Wombat Forest Care
- Don’t Undermine Daylesford
- Contra Guitar Duo
- Calling All Artists- Newstead Arts Hub
- Coiled basketry – a workshop with Jodie Goldring
- Hub Writers Group: Monthly ‘Let’s Shut Up & Write’
- Words in Winter- Daylesford
- Words in Winter- Open Mic at Yandoit Cultural
- Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative- Orchard
- Castlemaine Weekly Farmers Market
- Mt Alexander Shire’s Climate Change Strategy
- Hepburn’s Sustainability Advisory Group
- Future Hepburn – Join our Community Engagement Pool
- National Tree Day
- Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance
- Alliance for Responsible Mining Regulation
- Newstead 2021 Project- Community Meeting
- Diamond Firetail – A Vulnerable Local Species
- Hepburn Shire’s Age-friendly Declaration Expo
- North Central Catchment Management Info
- Revegetation Success in a Changing Climate event
- Sustainable Hepburn News and Sustainable Hepburn Advisory Committee
- Walking Together
- Mt Alexander Shire News
- Castlemaine Free University
- Seeds of Renewal Leadership Course
- Community Battery
- VNI West Transmission Lines Update
- Winter Workshop series for Soil Health and Fruit Trees
- Castlemaine Seed Library
- Refugee Support in Daylesford
Letters
Food for Thought
Changes to Localising Leanganook e-news
Welcome to the July/August edition of Localising Leanganook e-news. You will notice changes to this and future editions. The call out to establish an editing group has borne fruit and there are now three new locals joining Nikki Marshall to prepare the newsletter (Keppel Cassidy, Laurel Freeland, Samantha Wittenberg ) . Each edition will begin with a thoughtful quote; followed by a feature article; an abbreviated ‘what’s happening in our neighbourhood’ section with links to further information; a letters section; and a ‘food for thought’ section with links to articles, podcasts, books etc.
We welcome your feedback, letters and what’s happening updates. Just click on ’email us’ at https://leanganook.org/contact/
The Localising Leanganook e-news started in 2017, following on from Local Lives Global Matters- a Conference for Future’s Sake– held in Castlemaine in October 2015. The e-news encourages and provides information about localising initiatives in central Victoria which sustain viable local economies, act on social and ecological justice, reclaim democracy and revitalise spirit.
Feature Article
Cultivating a Thrutopian Mindset to Seed a Viable Future for All- by Laurel Freeland, Newstead
Many of our current debates about climate change are based on polarised beliefs about either/or, right and wrong, us/them which arise from binary, fragmentary views of the world. The trajectory of this perspective leads us to further extremes – perpetual wars within and between ourselves, groups and nations that impede our collective ability to take the actions needed to create a viable future for all life.
There are many ways to create the future. There is a growing awareness that individually and collectively we have agency to contribute to a way of being in the world that engenders greater social, ecological, economic and political equity. Whatever we are focusing on now is what will create our future.
Some great minds have contributed to a way of being-and-doing in the world that takes us beyond globalisation, corporate interests, economics as the primary measure of success, excessive extraction and an ever-widening gap between rich and poor. We know this old story well and we know it is not working for the good of all.
Many indigenous cultures considered the impact of their practices on the next seven generations. And many contemporary thinkers have recognised that catastrophising and blaming is not sufficient to motivate the changes needed if we are to survive this precarious time on Earth.
Professor Rupert Read is one of our contemporary thinkers who recognises this and sees that we can cut through the false binaries of dystopian and utopian futures by telling different stories – ones that recognise the precarious place we find ourselves in and which show possibility – a pathway out. He calls this Thrutopia.
A Thrutopian Mindset
Cultivating a Thrutopian mindset is one way we can cut through these polarities to generate life enhancing stories that seed a viable future for all life. In 2017 Professor Read was asking himself, ‘How do we get to a position where we’re able to have a sort of realistic picture for how the future could be? How do we aim for that future to be as good as possible?’ He recognised the dilemma that, despite the urgent need to take action on climate and other planetary boundaries that humanity has exceeded, the message just wasn’t working.
Concurrently, many of his contemporaries were on a similar path – Rob Hopkins – From What Is to What If; Charles Eisenstein – A New Climate; Paul Hawken – Drawdown; Joanna Macy – The Work that Reconnects; and others were generating possible futures by offering solutions and processes, showing what is working, how to do more of it, how to imagine a viable future, and acting on what we are called to do.
Even the IPCC in its 2023 summary report began writing in a more accessible way than its previously indecipherable scientific jargon, ‘This report recognises the interdependence of climate, ecosystems and biodiversity and human societies and integrates knowledge more strongly across the natural, ecological, social and economic sciences than earlier IPCC assessments. The assessment of climate change impacts and risks as well as adaptation, is set against concurrently unfolding non climatic global trends, which are biodiversity loss, overall unsustainable consumption of natural resources, land and ecosystem degradation, rapid urbanisation, human demographic shifts, social and economic inequalities and a pandemic.’
A way of writing and communicating that recognises the gravity of our planetary situation and which offers a viable possible future is sorely needed.
Prof. Read wrote a short paper, ‘Thrutopia: Why Neither Dystopias Nor Utopias are Enough to Get Us Through the Climate Crisis and how a Thrutopia could be.’
A Thrutopian mindset is the foundation from which we create a viable future for all beings, one that we would be proud to leave for the next seven generations. It involves examining who and how we are being and a change of mindset individually and collectively.
Professor Read coined the concept and the term Thrutopia that was published in his article of the same name in the Huffington Post in 2017.
Telling stories is powerful. The ‘right and wrong’ game has been a big story on this planet. It has generated a lot of collective stupidity. We need stories that cut through binary perspectives that can generate collective wisdom.
There is a germ of hope if Thrutopia remains present in any vision that we are trying to get behind for the future. From this mindset we can tell stories that seed possibility and inspire actions.
References:
Huffington Post (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rupert-read/thrutopia-why-neither-dys_b_18372090.htm
Manda Scott, Accidental Gods, Episode #122) (https://accidentalgods.life/transformative-connection/
Karen O’Brien, You Matter More Than You Think, Quantum Social Change for a Thriving World.
IPCC Climate Change 2023 Synthesis – Summary for Policymakers. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/
What’s Happening in Central Victoria?
1. Bendigo Share and Repair Shed launched
2. Repair Cafes are Expanding
In addition Bendigo’s Share and Repair shed (see above) , Castlemaine, Daylesford and Ballarat continue to grow in strength. Recently Creswick started Repair and Share. 
Castlemaine: last Sunday of the month, 10am to 1pm at Casltemaine Community House. The July cafe (30/7)will have a focus on apple computers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/castlemainerepaircafe/
Daylesford: Third Sunday of the month, 1-4pm at Victoria Park Pavillion. Regular workshops inlcuding welding, creative darning and mending, basic plumbing and more. https://www.facebook.com/daylesfordrepaircafe/
Creswick: Next Repair and Share- Sunday August 6th, 1-4pm, at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre. The August session will include a workshop on how to make recycled denim dog toys. This is an initiative of Transition Creswick and includes a community lunch and produce swap. Foe more information : Tim Drylie 0425 716 544 or facebook: https://fb.me/e/3JyILUUnx
Ballarat: Every 4th Saturday, 1-4pm at Barkly Square. Subscribe to the newsletter here: https://breaze.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe…
3. Smoking Ceremony for Renamed Creek
Renaming of the old Jim Crow creek to Larni Barrumal Yaluk was celebrated on July 18th with a smoking ceremony at Franklinford. “Bringing a Dja Dja Wurrung presence back to Country is significant for Dja Dja Wurrung People’s health and wellbeing. We are also pleased to share our language and heritage with the wider community” said Rodney Carter, Djarra CEO .
“Larni Barramal Yaluk means ‘the creek that flows through the home or dreaming place of the emu’.
Elder Uncle Rick Nelson performed a smoking ceremony and Jason Kerr played the digeridoo.
4. Guildford Folk Club
5. Yes to Voice to Parliament
Central Victoria has a number of groups and activities to support the indigenous voice to parliament referendum. Kitchen Table Conversations (KTC’s) are being held around the region including at Newstead Arts Hub. Other local communities are invited to hold KTC’s- thoughtful conversations about the referendum, encouraging people to talk together, read and consider a range of information and then make their own decision on how they want to vote.
Several meetings have been held at Castlemaine library to support the Voice, thanks to Vic Say. Next meeting is Saturday July 29th, 12noon.
Bendigo (electorate) for Yes is meeting regularly at Newstead Hotel on Friday evenings. Newstead Arts Hub will be hosting several small round table discussions using the Together Yes resources: please book to come along . Dates are: Wed 9 and 30 August, 5.30-7.00pm (refreshments provided). Or you can book a space at the Hub if you would like to hold your own small group conversation – email info@newsteadartshub.org .For further info contact Dimity – 0475 260 051. .
For more information about Together Yes or to register as a small group discussion host go to https://togetheryes.com.au/
6. Yandoit Milking Cooperative
Looking for a couple more co-op members. Join a team of cowhands and milk once or twice a week and enjoy the produce.
Phone Nikki on 0432 232 073 or email nikki.marshall@mmnet.com.au if you’re interested.
Plenty of milk to make yoghurt, cheese and more.
7. Wararack- Community Climate Transition Plan
Wararack is a coalition of people and organisations in Mount Alexander Shire who support community-led efforts towards regenerative ways of living in response to the climate crisis, as sketched out in the Community Climate Transition Plan (2023–2030) (The Plan). Wararack is the ‘glue’ connecting and supporting all community regenerative activities within our unique landscape. Transitioning to regenerative living is an holistic response to the climate crisis. Wararack is tasked with holding this transition to a climate-safe future for the next generation and beyond.
- Launched! Community Climate Transition Plan
- Workshop: Tracking & Evaluation Home Group
- Wararack and MASG Networking Drinks
- Resource and Fundraising Home Group
- What is Wararack?
- What is the Community Climate Transition Plan
- Ways to be active in the Community Climate Transition and Wararack
8. Wararack and MASG Networking Drinks
When: Thursday 7th September, 5:30pm for a 6-7:30pm event.
Where: Venue to be advised.
9. Ballarat Zero Emissions Alliance Workshops
When: Mondays July 24th- September 11th
Where: Ballarat Tool Library, Barkly Square
This workshop series will be led by two Victorian Energy Scorecard Assessors, Dale Boucher and Tim Drylie, who will take participants through the various ways in which homes can be made more thermally efficient, with the objective of making them warmer in winter and cooler in summer, while also cutting energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
10. Mt Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) Programs
- Bioenergy Facility
- Regenerative Agriculture Program -working with local farmers and landholders to educate and support them in the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.
- Healthy Soils project – promoting greater understanding of soil health, practices that promote soil health in cropping and grazing systems; and cost-effective ways farmers can benchmark and gauge the health of their soils on a day-to-day basis.
- Zero Net Retrofits for Vulnerable households project- aiming to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of houses and in so doing, make these houses warmer in winter, cooler in summer and less expensive to run.
- Wash against Waste Trailer and Party Hire is gearing up for the spring festivals, and will keep loads of single-use plastic out of landfill. Please visit the WAW site to enquire about Trailer or Party Hire.
- Repair Café continues to support the goal of waste reduction by repairing and re-purposing common items.
11. Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize
David Holmgren established the Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize to honour his mother and her work as a poet and activist.
Information and entry details can be found here. Submissions close Monday August 7th
12. Loddon Mallee Climate Change and Health Framework
Developed by organisations and community groups across the Loddon Mallee and state-wide experts. Here’s the link: Climate Change and Health Framework.
www.bendigohealthfoundation.org.au
13. Castlemaine Library Event- The Emotional World of Primary School Kids
When: Thursday 31 August, 5:15-6:30pm
Where: Castlemaine Library
This session is part of the Parenting in the Modern World series.
Note: Castlemaine library, as part of Goldfields libraries, holds many events. For more info go to https://goldfieldslibraries.com/
14. Wild at Art- Threatened Species Art Competition
15. Connecting Country- Bird of the Month
Connecting Country (Mount Alexander Region) Inc is a not-for-profit community group that works to increase, enhance and restore biodiversity across the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria. https://connectingcountry.org.au/
Painted Button-quail: https://connectingcountry.org.au/news-events/
16. Stories of Transition- on line event- Transition Australia
Three upcoming online events hosted by our hub: Conversation Cafe Sun 30 July; Stories of Transition Mon 14 Aug; and Heart Nation Book Club Thur 17 August.
Register now for the next ‘Stories of Transition’ event Monday 14 August 2023 8 PM AEST.
Sharing stories from various Transition and related groups around Australia – as we find new ways to connect with others in creating the future we wish to see.
YouTube channel- you can watch or rewatch the Stories of Transition (7-14 minutes each) from groups across the country
Inspiring, connecting and supporting groups to build a localised, sustainable and just future.
17. New Economy Network of Australia- Conference Proposals
Life after Capitalism Conference.
Submissions due on July 31st-
18. Northern Arts Hotel
A variety of music, film and spoken words events at the Coolroom.
For program and more information: https://northernartshotel.com.au/
19. Saltgrass Podcasts and Interviews
Saltgrass is produced on Djaara country in Central Victoria, Australia. Each episode is a new story, a different angle and a fresh voice. In-depth interviews featuring everyday folk; farmers, psychologists, ecologists, artists, change agents, scientists and concerned citizens – talking about what can be done about the climate crisis at a local level.
20. Wombat Forest Care
Wombat Forestcare is a community group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural ecosystems of the Wombat Forest and surrounding areas.
21. Don’t Undermine Daylesford
A group of concerned locals who have come together in response to mining exploration projects close to Daylesford, including homes, spring water and aquifers.
The risks posed by mining operations to our community are too great to ignore.
https://dont-undermine-daylesford.website/
22. Contra Guitar Duo
When: Saturday 29 July, 7pm (concert at 7.30pm)
Where: Newstead Arts Hub, 8a Tivey St, Newstead
Queensland-based Contra Guitar Duo – Hamish Strathdee and Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle.
23. Calling All Artists- Newstead Arts Hub
Exhibition spaces at the Hub
Bookings now open for 2024! Email us at info@newsteadartshub.org or submit a short proposal at https://newsteadartshub.org/venue-hire/.
Experimental Print Prize: entries open now
Entries are now open for the Experimental Print Prize auspiced by Castlemaine Art Museum. For all the details go to the CAM website. Entries close 23 July 2023.
Maldon Landscape Prize: Essence of Place
The inaugural Landscape Prize 2023 Essence of Place is presented by Maldon Artist Network (MANet) and EDGE Galleries. Entries close 8 September 2023. First prize $10,000 and People’s Choice Award $1000 for the online exhibition winner. For more information go to the MANET website
24. Coiled basketry – a workshop with Jodie Goldring
Where: Newstead Arts Hub, 8A Tivey St, Newstead
When: Saturday 22 July, 10am-3.30pm
Learn how to use natural plant fibre to coil a functional basket.
25. Hub Writers Group: Monthly ‘Let’s Shut Up & Write’
When: Last Friday, each month – starts at 1pm.
Where: Newstead Arts Hub, 8A Tivey St, Newstead
The Hub Writers Group is self-organising and supports everyone to write at their own pace.
More info: Dimity on 0475 260 051
26. Words in Winter- Daylesford
A weekend of writers, story-tellers, poets, artists and more.
This years theme is ‘Out of the Shadows’.
When: August 25, 26 and 27th
Where: Assorted venues around Daylesford
For program: https://wordsinwinter.com/
27. Words in Winter- Open Mic at Yandoit Cultural
Stories, song, poetry and local history.
The theme for this year’s Open Mic session is “around the hearth”- that place where we gather in the winter. All welcome.
When: Sunday August 27th, 2pm
Where: Yandoit Cultural– the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, (off High ) Yandoit
28. Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative- Orchard
EOI for an exciting farming adventure now open!
An “instant orchard” business opportunity available right now at our organic farm in Harcourt.
29. Castlemaine Weekly Farmers Market
Castlemaine Farmers Market Weekly
When: 2:30-5:30pm
Where: Camp Reserve.
30. Mt Alexander Shire’s Climate Change Strategy
You can view the final documents here:
The strategy sets six long-term climate change response goals for Council. These focus on integrating climate action, supporting just and equitable transitions, enhancing our natural environment, incorporating climate into our infrastructure planning and renewal, supporting community connections, and moving toward a circular economy. Council’s role in fulfilling these goals is clarified through action areas, with the Action Plan 2023/2024 guiding the coming financial year’s delivery.
For further information: Melanie Marshall- m.marshall@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Subscribe to Council’s Sustainability News here.
31. Hepburn’s Sustainability Advisory Group
Are you passionate about Sustainability and the Environment? Join council’s new Sustainability Advisory group to help guide our sustainable action plan. Sign up below before Monday 31 July.
https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/sustainable-hepburn-community-advisory-committee
32. Future Hepburn – Join our Community Engagement Pool
Our towns are changing, growing, developing. What do we want to save and protect? How do we want to grow? Future Hepburn is a once-in-a-generation project to design how our towns look in 30 years. Be part of our focus groups. Council is calling for community members to sign up to part of a community pool to advise and give input. Your input into neighbourhood character, transport connections, biodiversity, agricultural land, bushfire, town structure plans is important. Help develop Structure Plans for Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Trentham, Glenlyon, Clunes or Creswick.
Register for the Community Engagement Pool at: https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/future-hepburn
33. National Tree Day
A family planting celebration.
When: Sunday July 30th, 10am -12noon.
Where: Railway St, Chewton
34. Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance
Community-connected conservation across Central Victoria
Pilot projects use the latest ecological thinking and conservation approaches – and share the scientific learnings across Central Victoria.
35. Alliance for Responsible Mining Regulation
ARMR has representation from groups in central and other parts of Victoria experiencing, or threatened by, the apparent unwillingness or inability of Earth Resources Regulation to properly regulate mining in Victoria.
ARMR has presented many Victorian politicians with a copy of its 10 point plan for improving mining regulation. It has also been developing responses to a number of government consultations including the Federal Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy and the Victorian Government’s Trailing Liabilities (Rehab) Consultation.
ARMR has developed a 10 point plan outlining the bare minimum required to bring Victoria’s mining regulations up to an acceptable standard.
36. Newstead 2021 Project- Community Meeting
When: Sunday September 10th, 11am -12.30pm
Where: Newstead Community Centre
Purpose: to revisiting and reassessing the Newstead 2021 project, to reflect on changes in the community and discuss new ideas, ambitions and desires. The Community Meeting will be followed by a Community lunch.
Newstead 2021 works to make Newstead a vibrant, fun, interesting and connected community. We help make stuff happen. Projects span the dreams, hopes and ambitions of our community.
Photo: Wikipedia
37. Diamond Firetail – A Vulnerable Local Species
Connecting Country’s Feathered Five includes the small but striking Diamond Firetail. It is a tricky bird to find, but not impossible.
Their conservation status was unfortunately recently upgraded to Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. It means that over the last 10 years, the population has an estimated decline in the region of 30-50%, with a high probability of declining further in the future.
Photo: Damien Kelly
For information: https://connectingcountry.org.au/
38. Hepburn Shire’s Age-friendly Declaration Expo
THEME: ‘Getting to know each other’.
Event time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm 27 July 2023
Event Place: Trentham Pavilion – 25 Falls Rd, Trentham.
To RSVP: The Hepburn Shire Age-friendly Declaration Expo: 27th July, 12pm-3pm, Trentham Pavilion (office.com)
39. North Central Catchment Management Info
Find out more about water management in our region via the North Central Chat:
North Central Chat July 2023 | North Central Catchment Management Authority (nccma.vic.gov.au)
40. Revegetation Success in a Changing Climate event
When: Tuesday 1 August 2023
Where: Anglican Church Hall, Castlemaine
Organised by: Connecting Country
The event will address how we plan revegetation in a changing climate. The event will feature presentations from Sasha Jellinek (University of Melbourne), DJAARA and the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), and a Q&A panel session to finish.
For more information: https://connectingcountry.org.au/
45. SEEDS OF RADICAL RENEWAL: A FOUR-PART LEADERSHIP COURSE
When: AUGUST 17 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 (4 sessions)
Where: Zoom
This four-part leadership course offers emerging leaders the opportunity to establish skills in building and co-creating spaces of renewal, reciprocity, and reverence. An abridged version of the Seeds of Radical Renewal Leadership program, this course is an introduction to the field of spiritual ecology: an evolving philosophy that is rooted in the understanding that ecology, culture, and spirituality are interdependent.
46. Community Battery
Hepburn Energy is one step closer to becoming Australia’s first energy park on the distribution network with wind turbines and battery storage, thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
For more information about the Hepburn Energy community battery project see their website.
For more information on the Community Batteries Program visit the federal government website.
47. VNI West Transmission Lines Update
VNI West, is the government’s plan to deliver 500 kilovolt overhead transmission lines from Bulgana, south-east of Stawell in Victoria, to just north of Jerilderie in NSW. The project is part of the state government’s push to reach its target of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 but it has consistently drawn criticism from farmers and landowners who are concerned about the impacts on their land.
The preferred route in the north of the state is different from the route which and been advised to landholders. The new route will cross the Murray River north of Kerang rather than at Echuca. The proposed route will then pass through Boort, Charlton, west of St Arnaud and through Navare. The link will join the Western Renewables Link at at a new terminal station at Bulgana.
The proposal for the Western Renewables Link remains unchanged. An earlier proposal for a terminal station at Mount Pleasant has been removed but the proposed route for the Link through Hepburn Shire remains unchanged. Hepburn Shire Council still has serious concerns about the increase in size of transmission line towers and the abject lack of genuine consideration for undergrounding lines.
“Farmers will face the unwelcome prospect of massive easements around transmission infrastructure on their property, thereby restricting agricultural activities in this incredibly productive land,” said Hepburn Shire Mayor.“We encourage the community to continue to make their voices heard throughout this process, including the upcoming Environmental Impact Assessment process.”
The VNI West Project Assessment Conclusions Report is available on the AEMO website.
48. Winter Workshop series for Soil Health and Fruit Trees
at Harcourt Organic Farming Coop.
49. Castlemaine Seed Library
The Castlemaine Seed Library volunteers meet once a month to package up all the saved seeds – if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, contact them via castlemaineseedlibrary@gmail.com
The Castlemaine Seed Library is free and everyone is welcome to use it during Library opening hours. The Library also has a great collection of gardening and seed saving books available to borrow too!
Donations of saved seeds are also welcome.
For enquiries- visit www.castlemaineseedlibrary.org.au
50. Refugee Support in Daylesford
Neil is a Tamil refugee living in Ballarat.
His 1000 km walk to Anthony Albanese’s electoral office is to raise awareness that many refugees currently have no rights to access work, education or Medicare. Neil will be coming through Daylesford on August 2nd on his long walk to Canberra. Be part of the crowd in town to welcome him.
Letters
Rethinking air travel
Over 3 years ago, I wrote to this newspaper about the need to rethink air travel. At this time, because of the Covid pandemic, much of the world was “locked down” and, as a result, the grey skies over China had vanished and many large rivers, once polluted backwaters, were clean and flowing again. Today newspapers are awash with travel ads and thousands of people are again boarding jet airplanes and ocean liners. We seem to have forgotten that carbon emissions from jet planes are at least 3 times more than the industry admits to, and that flying is currently the single, most polluting activity. A recent investigation into offsetting schemes used by the commercial aviation industry, found that, although many forests were now being conserved, the credits generated by the industry are based on flawed information, and are failing to prevent the logging of old-growth forests. Claims of “carbon neutral flying” are simply not possible using fossil fuel- based aviation fuel. We’ve forgotten that human-induced global heating is predicted by the IPCC to reach at least 1.5 degrees C by 2040, which means more and more catastrophic weather in less than 20 years time! Our “business as usual” travelling habit is making a major contribution. Is this what we want? Now, before you take that overseas trip, think about it. Is there another way I could travel? Can I put this journey off for at least another 12 months until these serious problems associated with travelling have been addressed?
Trevor Scott, Castlemaine, trevorscott3@gmail.com
Food for Thought
1.Biolinks- Rewilding Central Victoria workshop recording
Could the topical conservation approach ‘rewilding’ restore nature at the extent and speed we urgently need here in Central Victoria?
podcast and video recording from the day
3. Transition Australia videos
Three new videos: stories of Transition Darebin, Transition Dubbo and Active Hope online; HEART NATION online book club; Cohousing webinar .
three new videos
4. The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need
by Thomas Mayo & Kerry O’Brien (2023 Hardie Grant Explore) 96 pages.
5. Transitioning to clean energy would reduce the volume and harm of mining dramatically
A Fossil Fuel Economy Requires 535x More Mining Than a Clean Energy Economy
6. Shifting Landscapes: Volume 4 – Emergence magazine
7. World Localisation Day recordings
Online event recordings from World Localization Day 2023, including two powerful webinars featuring the voices of leading localizers from every continent.
New Economy Network Australia:
- Localizing our economies in the face of global corporatism
- Local resilience after fire and flood
- Localizing our food systems
- Local solutions to Australia’s housing crisis
- Building governance systems for localization
The Gift of Local Interdependence webinar with Pat McCabe/Woman Stands Shining & Helena Norberg-Hodge.‘Why localisation is the path to human wellbeing’ – Resurgence Talk with Helena Norberg-Hodge
World Localization Day webinar hosted by the Sloth club (in Japanese and English) – with Keibo Oiwa and Helena Norberg-Hodge.
Virtual panel on Education, Art and Culture – hosted by the Alliance for a Local Future (Mexico) and Local Futures (in Spanish).
The Reconomistas ‘Twinning REconomy Places’ webinar with Jay Tompt.
Village green India ‘InstaLive’ Sanjana Kaushik in conversation with Kunzang Deachen (Local Futures Ladakh), Alex Jensen and Henry Coleman (Local Futures).
Food Forest ‘InstaLive’ with Pacha Light and Henry Coleman (Local Futures)
8. Wedge issue: rich soils of Melbourne’s fringe under siege from development
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/02/wedge-issue-rich-soils-of-melbournes-fringe-under-siege-from-development
9. Marisa Holmes’ Occupy Wall Street, reviewed
— https://www.ppesydney.net/a-human-geography-of-the-space-of-the-square/ — is the latest release in the Alternatives and Futures series
