Acknowledgement of Country
The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Jaara Jaara people of the Dja Dja Wurrung nation whose members, elders and ancestors have been custodians for many centuries and continue to perform age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. They continue to play a vital and unique role in this region.
Who are we?
MASG is the peak sustainability organisation for the Mount Alexander Shire, delivering education, research, advocacy, and endorsement for shire wide sustainability and clean energy initiatives.
The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group was established in 2006, by a passionate group of locals who wanted to see coordinated action on climate change and support the Mount Alexander Shire Community to work towards a sustainable future.
MASG has over 300 voting members: local people taking action to combat climate change. We employ four staff, supported by volunteers at the MASG office in Castlemaine, central Victoria.
Details of committee and staff.
Click on the link to see our Constitution.
MASG Vision
Zero Net Emissions by 2025: A local target we can achieve.
As an organisation MASG is committed:
- To significantly reduce the region’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
- To target zero net emissions by 2025 in the Mt Alexander Shire.
- To encourage, support and partner with other organisations and business to help the shire reach this target
- To protect, and where necessary, enhance the built environment.
- To help build and nurture a community in which relationships, social justice and creativity are highly valued.
- To Seed, Support and Deliver projects which have aligned goals and are strongly supported by the local community.
- To have projects which optimise the use of local resources.
- To have financial, social and sustainability benefits realised in the local community and its economy.
Our Members
Our members are householders and local schools, businesses, and community
organisations. A charity and non-government organisation, MASG can receive tax deductible donations to assist us with our work.
MASG staff and dozens of volunteers are working on positive responses to climate change and peak oil; and are seeking ways to get renewable energy systems in place in this region.
Castlemaine is the largest town in Mount Alexander Shire, 120km north-west of Melbourne and home to around 18,000 people. Our initial focus is on reducing our carbon emissions through improving energy efficiency and increasing the supply of renewable energy.
Who are we working with?
The MASG staff and Committee are continually responding to partnership requests, and work to support local organisations, businesses and projects by sharing resourcing, providing financial auspice, volunteers and exposure through our marketing networks.
Click here to see The MASG Guide to an Auspice Agreement.
Current Partnerships and Supported Organisations Include:
- Coliban Water
- The Open Food Network
- The Hub Foundation
- Local Lives Global Matters
- KR Castlemaine
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance
- Castlemaine Community House
- The Castlemaine State Festival
- Castlemaine Continuing Education
Our Structure
The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation on the Register of Environmental Organisations with the Department of Environment and Heritage.
How are we funded?
Local donors provided seeding money to enable MASG to start. We have obtained funding from Commonwealth, State, and philanthropic organisations to keep our work going, and we are on the Register of Environmental Organisations so donations to MASG are tax deductible.
Our Current Funding Partners Include: Mount Alexander Shire Council, Maldon and District Community Bank, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, McKinnon Family Foundation, The Angel Foundation.
Minutes of Committee Meetings (COM)
Are available by calling at the MASG office, 325 Barker St, (PO Box 1043), Castlemaine VIC 3450, or by emailing us
