A Cabaret, cheap solar and the end of the world
Posted on 17 October 2012 by e-news
Open up and read our e-news! We have it all at MASG. It’s not the end of the world, but it will be on December 1! Read about our cabaret. Please send your contributions for the next e-news to e-news@masg.org.au by 11am on Wednesday, 31 October.
In this issue we have a great offer on discounted solar hot water for MASG members, information on the Bendigo Sustainable House Day, and news on some great workshops and how to buy nothing new in October (except maybe … a solar hot water unit, if you need it).
MASG AGM coming
It’s AGM time soon. Next week we’ll be sending out a special notification about it, and there will be a number of vacancies. For the time being, if you’re interested in nominating, start the wheels turning and keep an eye out for our notification next week.
Bendigo Sustainable House Day
Join like-minded people at this year’s Sustainable House Day on Sunday, 28 October in Bendigo. Each house will have an architect or designer on site, and you’ll be able to bring your own plans along and discuss them. A great opportunity to green your own plans and lower your carbon footprint. Book your tickets now.
Getting into hot water with MASG
Exclusive offer to members
Why not think about installing solar hot water and saving up to 30 per cent of your power bill? Hills Solar has some great specials on evacuated tube solar hot water systems available through the Bendigo Sustainability Group, now open to MASG members.
All these systems have quality stainless steel tanks. Rebates still available. Electric-boosted models start at $2479 and gas boosted from $2255.
Some people in Castlemaine have had trouble with flat plate systems, but these are evacuated tubes, which are reputedly great for Castlemaine and guaranteed down to -15.
Specials are for Sustainable House Day (above). For more information contact: Liz Martin, 0407343911; healthysolarhomes@gmail.com
MASG Cabaret!
Keep Saturday night, 1 December free! The end of year MASG Cabaret is coming, and the all-singing, all-dancing night will be one to remember. It’s the end of the world as we know it …
Film: Growing Change (2011)
Renewable Energy Target: the people’s review
HAVE YOUR SAY
The Renewable Energy Target, or RET, is the legislation driving renewable energy investment in Australia. The current target is for 20% of Australia’s electricity to come from renewable power by 2020. Currently, just under 10% of Australia’s electricity is from renewables (the same amount as it was in the 1960s!)
The RET is under review by the Climate Change Authority, and the big power companies and other vested interests want to see it killed! So the 100% Renewable Campaign is organising a series of activities and actions to support the RET and let the big polluters know that ordinary Australians want renewables. We need your voice.
Next week, spend 10 minutes and take the online survey “The People’s RET Review”…and promote it to your friends and colleagues. More details and how to take the review in a special enews edition next week.
What does renewable energy do for you? In South Australia it is leading to lower prices for consumers. Read about how renewable energy is causing coal power to be shut down and lowering prices in South Australia (8% next year). Which is of course the reason why the big companies want the RET to be killed.
The Hub Plot jottings
The group at Bress
Things are starting to grow with the warmer weather. Many of the summer vegetables can be started off as seeds inside. If you are planting outside be aware there can be some nasty late frosts, so be prepared to cover your tender plants.
Instead of gardening this Monday we headed off on a field trip and picnic at Bress Biodynamic Winery and Gardens. Gardeners Louise and Julie showed us the various aspects of their garden: how they rotate crops, use chook tractors, plant seeds by the moon phases, make huge BD compost heaps and grow lots of food.
Some of us are planning to return to work in the Bress market garden to learn more about their techniques. First off will be a large patch of no-dig potatoes.
At the Oxfam fundraiser
On Sunday the Hub Plot hosted an Oxfam fund raising for the Eat Local, Feed Global campaign. Thirty people came to our afternoon tea and we raised over $300. Local food enthusiasts from The Hub Plot, Growing Abundance and our wonderful Growing the Harvest festival volunteers joined in.
Forthcoming workshops: The principles and practice of making a wicking bed garden. We’ll show you how to make a successful wicking bed to help solve water problems in your garden. Saturday, 10 November, 10am, $20. To register phone Heather on 0409 327792 or email Peter on bundara@netcon.net.au
Chilean Needle Grass
A free workshop is being held to learn how to identify CNG and what to do about it. Thursday 25 October, 5pm, 11-13 McEwan St Castlemaine (entrance to the land behind).
Matt Sheehan – National Weed Spread Prevention Coordinator will facilitate the workshop which will include identifying and removing CNG. BYO weeding tools (eg kitchen knife) gloves and insect repellent. More Information: McKenzie Hill Landcare and Action Group 5470 5556. Funded by Victorian Landcare Grants Program
Youth Leading the World (YLTW) Congress
A leadership conference bound for Bendigo is aiming to bring positive change to the lives of young local people. Youth Leading the World (YLTW) is a three-day annual conference held in 50 locations around the world and streamed online. This November, the international movement will be in Bendigo, thanks to a group of local students. A community forum will be held on Thursday, 29 November, 1.30-3pm.
When: 9am Tuesday 27 November to 3pm Thursday 29 November
Where: Circular Lecture Theatre, La Trobe University, Edwards Road, Flora Hill
Cost: Free (please bring your own food)
RSVP: Contact Facilitator Jay Smith on 0439 611 696 or youth@masg.org.au
For more information about OzGreen and YLTW, visit www.ozgreen.org.
Is this the beginning of the end of coal-fired generation?
Reduced demand and the need to reduce carbon emissions continues to have a dramatic impact on Australia’s coal-fired generators. One of Queensland’s largest, the Tarong power station, has been forced to close half of its 1,400MW capacity. Read the full story
The Victorian Wind Alliance blasts off
The Victorian Wind Alliance was launched last Wednesday, 10 October. Organisers called on Victorians who support wind energy to use town meetings and social media to make their voices heard.
“The Victorian Wind Alliance is being formed in response to a call from communities across the state who support more wind energy,” said Victorian Wind Alliance member, Taryn Lane of Hepburn Wind.
The Alliance is on Twitter as @VicWindAll and can be contacted at info@vicwind.info. People are encouraged to join for free at the Vic Wind Alliance website, www.vicwind.info
Seven easy tips to save water in your home
Did you know that your daily five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country uses for an entire day?
Read more: 7 Easy Ways to Save Water in Your Household
It’s October, so it must be…
Buy Nothing New Month
A Salvation Army campaign to break the habit of buying new stuff, buying stuff we don’t need and shopping for entertainment rather than necessity. You are invited to take the pledge to Buy Nothing New this October, by visiting www.buynothingnew.com.au
Take October to reassess what you really need, think about where the stuff we buy comes from (finite resources), where it goes (landfill), and what the alternatives are.
Last word
“Cease being intimidated by the argument that a right action is impossible because it does not yield maximum profits, or that a wrong action is to be condoned because it pays.”
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
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