‘The changes we dread most may contain our salvation’
Posted on 5 July 2013 by e-news
Switch on to our e-news! It’s funky. Switch off fossil power.
It’s so last century.
The next e-news will be published on Thursday, 18 July, so get your contributions in to us then, by 11am.
How funky can you get, MASG?
MASG drinks
Friday 26 July. Come and have a chat with us from 7pm at The New Northern Hotel, 359 Barker St, Castlemaine. Wear a funky shirt and get a prize (our admiration!)
Council e-waste initiative
Take your dead mobile phones and batteries to the front desk of the Council at their office in Lyttleton Street.
Old TVs and computers … A pile of them at the Castlemaine tip is managed by a private contractor as part of the Federal Government Stewardship Program. This appears to be the current best option. Recyclers want to deal with large numbers.
But maybe that bit of equipment isn’t quite ready to be thrown out – try freecyle.
National Tree Day
Come along to tree planting on Sunday, 28 July, 10.30am-12 noon at the Castlemaine Landfill Buffer land, as part of National Tree Day. The site is part of Council’s walking and cycling network and can be accessed by Honeycomb Road, Campbells Creek or via the walking and cycling path adjacent to Campbells Creek. Wear the right gear for tree planting, bring gloves and a water bottle, and enjoy a free BBQ lunch afterwards.
More info: www.treeday.planetark.org or call Council on 5471 1700.
Go Fossil Free Australia – new campaign launched
Thanks to those who came to the MASG fundraiser of Do the Math at the Theatre Royal. It was an extremely successful fundraiser for us.
In the wake of the Do the Math tour, a new campaign has been launched in Australia – a campaign to divest Australia’s economy from fossil fuels. Check out the campaign by visiting the Go Fossil Free website
It’s time now to move our money out of fossil fuels and into clean energy. We can urge our super funds, banks, governments, educational and religious institutionsto divest Australia’s economy from fossil fuels.
There are tools on the website for personal action and to join with the movement. The effectiveness of this campaign is down to us and the people around us. Together we can bring forward a safer climate and a brighter, more renewable future for Australia.
Is your money supporting fossil fuels?
You can sign the campaign: Divest Castlemaine from Fossil Fuels
The divestment movement is catching on like wildfire, and with good reason: If it is wrong to wreck the climate, then it is wrong to profit from that wreckage. Educational and religious institutions, city and state governments, and other institutions that serve the public good should divest from fossil fuels.
Every name that is added builds momentum around the divestment effort and makes it more likely for us to win. Will you join by taking action on this campaign?
Mt Alexander Shire Council
Mt Alexander Shire Council could investigate how their funds are invested, and divest from fossil fuels. In order to remain under 2 degrees of warming – which our government has agreed to – we have to keep 80% of fossil fuels in the ground.
The more people are behind this fossil fuel divestment effort, the more likely it is that decision makers will pay attention. Each name that is added to a campaign takes it one step closer to succeeding.
Can you help spread the word about the campaign by sharing it with your friends and family?
Our indefatigable Chairwoman
With Eric Whalen, Field Organiser for Environment New York
Our Chair, Marg Rasa, has been spreading the word about going below on waste. Recently she met with Eric Whalen, Field Organiser for Environment New York
The Hub Plot Jottings
Want more info on making wicking beds? Drop in to the Hub Plot on Monday mornings. We have a detailed guide to help you make your own. Or you may be interested to come to the workshop at Bress on the 3 August, (see below).
Natural Pest Control for Fruit Trees at The Hub Plot
The emphasis of this session will be hands on and cover the essentials of natural pest control.
Sunday 21 July, 10am-12pm.
Cost: $20 / $15 concession
The Hub Plot, Templeton St Castlemaine behind the Good Table
Bookings or call 5472 4842 or drop into the Community House at 210 Barker St, Castlemaine.
Wicking garden beds: theory and practice
Plus an Introduction to seed sowing and planting for spring.
The Hub Plot, with Bress Winery, is running this workshop on wicking beds from IBC food-grade containers and apple crates. Simple and cheap ways to make wicking beds.
Followed by a session by Louise, Bress’s kitchen gardener, introducing seed sowing and planting for successful spring and summer crops.
Saturday 3 August, 10am-2pm, $35 including morning tea and lunch. Bress Winery, 3894 Calder Hwy, Harcourt. Bookings essential with a $15 deposit through Bress on 5474 2262.
Solar Energy map of Australia
100% renewable energy and SunWiz have analysed Clean Energy Regulator data to show the breakdown of home solar installations by electorate in Australia, with estimates for capacity, dollars saved off power bills, and cost of installation. Explore the distribution of solar with this interactive map – use the drop-down menu to change between total and proportion, or click on an electorate for more detailed information.
Last word
The changes we dread most may contain our salvation.
– Barbara Kingsolver, Small Wonder
And just for the sake of it, a recipe for Anna’s laundry jelly
Suitable for machine or hand washing, for front and top loaders. use about 2 cups in a full load. Best way is to put the gel into the empty machine, allow to fill and then to agitate for about 30 seconds to make sure the liquid is thoroughly dispersed, then add clothes. Makes 12 litres (at least 20 full washes) – need a big covered bucket to keep it in, I leave a plastic measuring jug on top of lid to measure out liquid and leave bucket on floor beside machine.
Ingredients
50g pure soap (don’t use cosmetic soaps it must be pure soap – I use Preservene)
1/2 cup washing soda crystals (I use Lectric Soda)
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons eucalyptus oil or tea-tree oil
5-10 drops of lemon or lavender pure essential oil for fragrance (I use Lavendula’s Organic Lavender Oil – heavenly)
5 L cold water
4.5 L hot water
Method
1. Grate soap into large saucepan and cover with 1 L of the cold water. bring to the boil, add washing soda and stir until completely dissolved. (Note that you will need to watch saucepan as the moment it boils it will froth up and pour over sides so needs to be turned down immediately. Also, remove from heat when adding washing soda or it will froth up like a berocca, then you can put back on heat. Need to make sure to use a saucepan significantly bigger than liquids to allow for frothing).
2. Stir in eucalyptus oil, white vinegar and essential oil.
3. Pour into a bucket, add the hot water and stir in remaining cold water.
4. When cool, transfer to smaller containers and label if you wish. Forms a gel-like substance which does totally dissolve in the wash.
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