MASG NEWS

Renewable Energy & Regional Australia – conference report: It was fantastic to see such a strong representation of things happening in this area, including Winters Flat Primary School, Manfred Pruter, Ken Chapman, plus MASG on Greenpower, and MASG LoCo2 project officer, Jane Knight, talking about HREA, and with an interview on Radio National’s Bush Telegraph. Dean’s slides from his presentation: GreenPower.

MASG’s Renewable Expo (9-10 Nov) is coming along well with a number of prominent industry speakers confirmed for presentations and a range of leading renewable energy organizations invited to attend and exhibit. Volunteers needed to help before and at the event. Please contact Jayson on 5470 6978 or jayson@masg.org.au

“Acting Locally for Climate Change - What Are the Most Effective Steps for Churches, Schools and other Community Organisations?” Agitation Hill Lecture, Anglican Church, THIS Friday 21st Sept, 6pm. By Terry White, MASG committee member and founder of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.

Maldon Community Light Globe initiative continues. At least half the 9,000 globes have gone in so far, with the aim to complete the installation in early October.

Finding Our Power: we need willing volunteers for the MASG open space technology forum on 19-20 October. Can you help before or at the event? We need two people with computer skills to assist with inputting information generated by discussion groups and three or more others to assist with general duties to ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible. This is a great opportunity to be directly involved in a very exciting community event. To help, please contact Jayson on 5470 6978. Open Space Technology is a simple way to run productive meetings, for five to 2000+ people, and a powerful way to lead any kind of organization, in everyday practice and ongoing change.

Congratulations to MASG activists Celia and Con on the birth of their baby girl.

Ride to Work Day - An Invitation To Sponsors And Advertisers: this year’s Ride to Work [Wednesday, 17th October] should be more impressive than ever. We’re expecting at least 150 cyclists to ride. And we are extending it to include walkers as well as cyclists, and schools as well as workplaces. And of course we offer breakfast in Victory Park for all those involved. We have opportunities for Major Sponsors and Contributing Sponsors – please contact Jill Gibson on 5472 3098.

MASG/MAS Seniors week: Mon 8 October Solar Cooker Workshop 65 Maldon Rd, Castlemaine 10.00am- 3.00pm. Free. Bookings essential - 5472 1128

OTHER NEWS AND EVENTS not endorsed by MASG

Leading with the Heart – Finding Inspiration and wisdom for living with purpose and passion on an endangered planet. 21-23 September with Sue and Col Lennox, OZ-Green co-founders, at Moora Moora, Healesville. www.ozgreen.org.au

Ninth Annual “Technologists’ Picnic”, Friday 28th September, 2007; 6.45 p.m. The cost of the evening, which includes a buffet meal, is a very reasonable $30.00 at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat. John Lasich will speak on Solar Concentrator-PV Systems for Large Scale Power Generation.
For Picnic bookings: R.S.V.P. by Monday 24th September : mailto:gbunn@flowserve.com or phone 0418 359 975.

Dr David Suzuki, live via video conference from Canada, “Can We Avoid the Looming Ecological Armageddon?” Thursday 25 October, 2007 at 12.30pm, McKay Lecture Theatre & Circular Lecture Theatre. La Trobe University, Edwards Rd, Bendigo, RSVP essential - Enquiries: Sally Routledge - 5444 7374, s.routledge@latrobe.edu.au
All welcome to attend this free lecture.

From Lester Brown - It’s a longish piece, but summarized by his para: “The key to restructuring the energy economy is to get the market to tell the ecological truth. I personally think if I understand what is happening on the climate front that we are going to have to think about cutting emissions dramatically and quickly. … In effect, the price of oil is beginning to set the price of food.”

Strong inquiry prompts organic wool training. 18 September 2007. Elders Wool has received numerous inquiries from woolgrowers interested in a conversion to organic wool production, according to Elders Wool marketing manager, Michael Blake. “In response, Elders has aligned itself with an organic certification facilitator to assist growers who want to know more about the steps involved in becoming accredited organic wool producers,” Mr Blake said. A single day course is being prepared specifically for woolgrowers to help them determine their potential for organic production. Woolgrowers interested in the course can obtain more information from their local Elders district wool manager, or Elders Wool marketing manager, Michael Blake, on (08) 8425 4124, or Geoff Redden on (08) 8425 4908.

Pump it up - if you’re a cyclist, keeping your tyres pumped will make your ride more comfortable and reduce puncture risk. If you drive, pumping your tyres will make your car less wasteful. Up to 80 per cent of car tyres are under-inflated, which means each car wastes approx 5 per cent of its fuel consumption

“I have three pets at home that answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog that growls in the morning, a parrot that swears all afternoon and a cat that comes home late at night.”

Marie Corelli, [in The Vintage Book of Dissent, available for browsing at MASG thanks to Luke Bennett].