MASG news February 2nd 2007
Posted on 5 February 2007 by e-news
River of Bicycles MASG NEWS
* CSIRO Sustainable Communities Initiative meeting held on Friday 2nd of February was well attended with a smorgasbord of major energy users, interested parties and employers including CSIRO,KR Castlemaine, Victoria Carpets, Flowserve, Powercor, Mount Alexander Shire Council and the MA Hospital. All parties agreed to explore the possibilities that could arise from a cooperative partnership looking at energy efficiency, local energy generation and energy security. MASG is coordinating the early stages of this partnership looking at presenting a research proposal to the main group for approval, then heading out to look for investors to fund that research. It is very early days and a lot of work needs to be done before we begin to understand what is possible, so watch this space.
* 9 Feb 2007 – A Quick and Clean celebration for all members 5.30 t0 7.30pm, 7 Munro Court (at the end of Dudley Street, last turn on the right before going under the railway bridge on Castlemaine’s northern edge).
All members are invited to celebrate the contribution made by Carolyn to MASG as she departs to go on Maternity leave and to thank Robyn, Paul and Sue, who are stepping away from the committee work to continue to give their significant skills and valuable time to our housing and planning sub-committee. Jan “Yarn” Wositzky has fabulously donated his considerable story and music skills and from 6.15ish pm will entertain adults and children for half and hour or so. Drinks and nibbles provided.
*MASG and the Castlemaine State Festival Business Supporters project.
MASG is working with the Castlemaine State Festival on a project to enable businesses to demonstrate their support for the Castlemaine State Festival Carbon Neutral project by purchasing Greenpower for the duration of the festival. We hope this will raise the profile of Greenpower to the public and the profile of those businesses participating. We believe that it will help demonstrate that switching to clean energy is easy and won’t break the bank. Ring the MASG office on 5470 6978 or email on dc@masg.org.au if you wish to participate or help.
MASG REQUESTS
*Thanks to those who have offered bicycles for use by Festival Patrons. We are in need of more bikes either as a donation or for use as part of the State Festival Carbon Neutral program. Helmets, locks and racks to use as well would be greatly appreciated. Bikes can be brought to the MASG office, give a call first on 54 706978 or email Jill vol@masg.org.au
*Cyclists to participate in the “River of Bicycles” event that we are planning to have as part of the MASG contribution to the Castlemaine State Festival Ring the office on 54706978, or email Jill vol@masg.org.au to register your interest in being part of the ride. See the River of Bicycles or visit the MABUG web site for more details.
*Musicians, artists and cyclists. We wish to put together a photo for the State Festival program of people, bicycles, musical instruments and art/artists….sounds like we need you and your cello, viola and palette. call 54 706978 or email Jill vol@masg.org.au
OTHER:
Please note these events are not MASG endorsed and are for members information only.
*Sustainable Living Festival; 16th – 18th February, 2007 Federation Square, FREE ENTRY POWERING THE FUTURE: HARD CHOICES, HARD FACTS
MC: Liz Minchin – Environment Reporter at The Age Speakers include:
* Ric Brazzale – Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy * Assoc. Prof. Martin Sevior – Melbourne Uni Physics Dept. * Dr. Jim Green – Friends of the Earth
Saturday February 17: 3pm at BMW edge click here for details.
* Tonksculpture Prize will once again be part of the Fringe Festival Carnival of Chaos. Get your entry details from Tonks or the Fringe office, above Stonemans Bookroom. START SCULPTING RIGHT NOW to be in the running for a $300 prize for an entry from a secondary school age sculpture, a $100 prize for a entry from a primary school age and the prestigious $500 Mount Alexander Sculpture Award.
*NEXT WAVE information session about support for young regional artists. Next Wave is currently looking at expressions of interest to assist in the production of new work which will be presented at the 2008 festival called ‘Closer together’.Monday 19th of Feburary Raybradfield Rooms, Castlemaine 4.30pm – 5.30pm For further details contact Jeff Khan Next Wave’s Artistic Director on 9662 1099 or jeff@nextwave.org.au
*C500 Energy Smart Workshops happening on Mondays in February … 12th, 19th & 26th. All workshops start at 7pm sharp and will be staged at the Theatre Royal. Click here for details.
*Which Direction for Sustainability? Economists and Environmentalists Talking with Cheryl Batagol, D Noel Purcell group general manager, Westpac Banking Corporation; Dr Richard Denniss strategic adviser to Senator Bob Brown, David Yencken AO Professor Emeritus, The University of Melbourne. Thursday 15 february time: 6.00 – 7.30pm
(doors open 5.45pm) BMW Edge, Federation RSVP: rsvp@futureleaders.com.au
*’We cannot ignore climate change’ – industry chief Dr John Schubert, a former chairman and managing director of Esso Australia who now sits on the board of mining and petroleum giant BHP Billiton, says Australia has reached a “tipping point” on climate change, with overwhelming public acceptance of the problem making it impossible for business and government to ignore it any longer. His push comes just one day after BHP’s great rival, Rio Tinto, said the Federal Government should move ahead with emissions trading even if major polluters such as China and the United States refused to be involved.From an article 23 January in The Australian
FINAL WORDS
….some good news
On the wind….large Wind farm for SA: TrustPower, the fifth-largest power retailer in New Zealand, will begin construction of a $138 million wind farm in South Australia in April. See 14 January Bloomberg article in the International Herald Tribune
And in the bank…HSBC is a London-based megabank with a worldwide staff of 250,000, 10,000 offices & emission of some 771,630 tons in late 2004 committed itself to becoming carbon neutral—the first major bank to do so—by January 2006. The principle is simple: the bank spends its cash on green energy projects that reduce CO2 emissions by the same amount the bank creates. “We realized we had to go above that ‘business as usual’ scenario,” says Francis Sullivan, HSBC’s adviser on the environment.
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way! On a quiet day, if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing.”
Arundhati Roy
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