Fortnightly News Digest, August 6, 2009
Posted on 7 August 2009 by e-news
MASG News
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT:
6-30pm Special General Meeting to vote on changes to constitution;
6-45pm MASG Members’ Forum.
7-30pm Dr Mark Diesendorf, an inspiring speaker from the University of NSW on ‘Climate Action – How Citizens Acting Together Can Save the Planet’.
This is also the title of his latest book which will be launched on the night. You can look up Mark’s background on Wikipedia. Followed by a session led by Terry White on what MASG members can do. This is a major event for all MASG members. We hope to see you there.
MASG Combined Special General Meeting and Members’ Forum: Friday 7th August, at 6.30pm, Uniting Church Hall, Castlemaine. This is a Special General Meeting [not the AGM] and is needed to adopt some constitutional changes about membership categories that reflect MASG’s growth and evolution. Then, at 6.45pm the Members’ Forum gives an update to members on the achievements of recent months, and our plans for the next 12 months! (Light snacks available). Followed by a talk on climate change activism by leading academic, Dr Mark Diesendorf, – see below for details. Please RSVP to info@masg.org.au , or call us on 5470 6978.
Dr Mark Diesendorf Back in Castlemaine! Friday 7th August, 7-30pm, Uniting Church Hall. For three years, Mark has been researching local climate action groups and the result is an inspiring book, Climate Action – How Citizens Acting Together Can Save the Planet. This will be no ordinary book launch – it’s a call to non-violent action by all of us to exert collective pressure through grass-roots climate, social justice, student, faith, trade union, business and professional groups. Details of the book at www.unswpress.com.au
Demonstration Food Garden – 2nd Working Bee this Saturday 8th August, between 9am and 12noon. Following the excellent hard work done by six volunteers last Saturday (a big thank you to you all), we are now at the stage where some of the smaller tasks can be completed. New tasks are weeding, painting, loose brick edging etc. To achieve this, there will be a second working bee. If you would like to be involved, please contact Peter Sansom at bundara@netcon.net.au or phone 5474 2403. 3 or 4 volunteers would make a big difference.
Fruit Tree Sponsors Urgently Needed: Fruit trees will be planted this week and we urgently require sponsors. We have apples, pears, apricots, a nectarine, a cherry and a plum. There are 5 trees @$22.00, 2 trees @ $44.50 and 1 tree @ $29.50. Donations are tax deductible. This is a great way to support MASG. Contact Peter Sansom at bundara@netcon.net.au or phone 5474 2403.
MASG TO OFFER FREE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS: MASG is now able to offer our members free home energy assessments through the federal government’s greenloan program http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/ . We are very excited about this as it provides an opportunity to meet with some of our members in person and discuss their sustainability plans. It also provides householders with an opportunity to access a $10,000 interest free loan to undertake various energy efficiency related activities. The assessments are free to householders but MASG will receive some remuneration for this service from the federal government. MASG appreciates that you are probably all incredibly efficient users of energy already – but if you, your family or friends do have some retrofitting in mind then please contact Jayson at MASG on 5470 6978 or jayson@masg.org.au.
The Age of Stupid: This film is a four-year in the making epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? The film has been funded by ordinary people from all round the world who invested $1 million for the production of the film during 2004-2006.
MASG has arranged a special fund-raising screening of the film at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on Sunday 23 August 2009, at 6:30pm. $15 per person, or a combined ticket with a low-carbon meal is $30. Please book a seat or a table by calling 5472 1196 or credit card at www.theatreroyal.info ; and be ready to experience the phenomena that is The Age of Stupid. More information about the film can be found at www.ageofstupid.net . If you would like to assist with publicity, please email info@masg.org.au or call Frank on 0414 410 411.
Renewals Reminder: if you have been sent a renewal letter in the last few weeks, Jill and our team of keen volunteers are just waiting to process your forms! Please return with cheque to PO Box 1043 Castlemaine, or enjoy a stroll up to the Anglican Church Hall during office hours. Thank you in advance.
Fundraising Help Wanted: MASG requires ongoing support from the community to continue its important work on the issues of climate change and sustainability. In the past year MASG has run major events such as the Festival of the Wheel and the Low Energy Display Home, supplied the Wash Against Waste trailer to community events, along with food stalls and raffles. MASG also requires keen volunteers to assist in developing our program of fundraising activities and helping with specific events. Your commitment can be one great idea or a regular input into our fundraising work. If you would like to assist with this program or have a great idea for a specific fundraising event or activity, please email info@masg.org.au or call Frank on 0414 410 411.
Missing projector screen, can you help? A projector screen has gone missing from the 233 barker St address. If you know where it is, please call 5470 6978 or email to info@masg.org.au.
Office opening Hours: MASG is located in the SE corner of the Anglican Church Hall, between Mostyn and Forest streets, near the railway bridge. We are open 1.30pm- 4.30pm on Mondays then 10am – 2pm Tuesdays to Thursdays and closed on Fridays. To make an appointment outside of those hours ring 5470 6978.
Events organised by other groups
This Saturday 8th August, 8.00 pm at Theatre Royal. Sunshine Cleaning (not Coco avant Chanel as previously advertised). $15.00 with door prize. Book at the Theatre Royal – 5472 1196. From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine, Sunshine Cleaning is the first fundraiser for BudaFest 09 being held from Friday 11th – Monday 14th September. Budafest includes Presentations, Workshops, Displays, 100 km Dinner, Film night, a Schools’ Gardening Challenge, Young Sculptor’s Award, Garden visits and high profile presenters. Details at www.budacastlemaine.org . Enquiries and bookings 5472 1032 or admin@budacastlemaine.org
Climate Action Forum and Book Launch – Sunday 9th August: Two leading Australian environmentalists speak about ways forward for a sustainable future. Dr Mark Diesendorf, renewable energy and climate action pioneer launches his new book “Climate Action: A Campaign Manual for Greenhouse Solutions.” David Holmgren, co-originator of the Permaculture concept launches a new book and website “Future Scenarios: How Communities Can Adapt to Peak Oil and Climate Change”. The first 30 people will receive a free gift. This is a half day event with local solutions and action show-cased by SHARE, HRN and Hepburn Wind during the Words in Winter Festival. Daylesford Inn, 158 Ballan Road, Sunday 9th August 2009, 1.30pm to 5pm, entry by donation. Proceeds will be used to buy books for the library. Bookings or for more information: email SHARE at info@hrea.org or call David on 0401 763 553
Bushfire recovery SOS: Clare and Win’s property near Redesdale burnt on Black Saturday. They are now putting up a rammed earth shed to replace 3 of those that burned. Able bodied help would be very much appreciated. In return, frequent, wholesome food and shared know how in rammed earth construction. Please phone 54 234 152 with any offers.
Transition Towns conference, run by the Municipal Association of Victoria:
http://www.mav.asn.au/CA256C320013CB4B/Lookup/relocalisation0909/$file/relocalisation.pdf
www.350.org are trying recruit 350 school communities to take part in an action
on 23rd or 24th October to form part of the global 350 voice in the lead up to Copenhagen. 350.org is an organization pushing for 350ppm of CO2 being the target for the climate change talks. The idea is to involve lots of communities in lots of smaller style actions. If you are part of a school community and are interested check out www.350schools.com or ring 0410159907.
CFA community Fireguard program. To find out more about preparing for the fireseason, phone 5472 5176
Interesting Information and Links
Bike Parking at Station offer: The Parkiteer bike cage at Castlemaine Station isn’t a prison overflow; it has room to store twenty-six bikes. The cages are operated by a security card (there is a refundable $50 deposit payable for the card), ensuring that access is restricted to members only. As an added incentive to ride your bike to the station, the top 10 Parkiteer cage users between August 10th & September 7th will receive a Bicycle Superstore voucher to the value of $50. All you have to do is register for a spot, then ride to the cage to win! More information at http://www.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ff1da5e15da087f90981f4acb&id=2c2861252e&e=45e12616fe or call 1300 546 526.
WINDPOWER IN CHINA AND THE WORLD: Work on the world’s largest wind power complex started in Gansu Province in China in July. The farm’s 10,000 or so turbines will have a capacity of 40,000MW. According to MASG calculations, the electricity generated will be more than twice that generated by all the power stations in the Latrobe Valley. It does make MASG’s proposed windfarm of 6 turbines look a little insignificant but the Chinese needs are just a little bit greater than ours. Today, China is the fourth largest generator of windpower, behind the USA, Germany and Spain.
According to the World Wind Energy Association, world windpower capacity grew by 30% in 2008, continuing the rapid rise of previous years. Overall windpower provides 1.5% of global electricity consumption, reflecting the fact that it is still a relatively new industry at a time when electricity consumption is rising. (In Germany where it has been a government priority for the past two decades, the figure is around 6% for wind and 11% for renewables overall, including wind, solar and biomass). Sources: China View July 2009 and WWEA Annual Report for 2008,
Enviro Odd Spot. (from yesterdays Age) A man has been named the ‘greenest householder in Britain’. He is so diligent with recycling, that he has not put out any rubbish for collection in over 2 years! He uses his bin to collect rainwater instead. Well done that man.
MASG’s E News is compiled by Mike, with volunteer assistance. If you would like to advertise an event or comment on any items, please send to: e-news@masg.org.au or PH: 5470 6978
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