The Compost is Revolting, The Wind Survey Continues
Posted on 2 May 2012 by e-news
2 May 2012
MASG NEWS
International Compost Awareness Week: 7th – 12th May
Across the Shire we’ll be celebrating the week with workshops, films and demonstrations by experts in the fields! Sign up one of these fabulous events and join the Compost Revolution! Please book in advance as spaces are limited. You can take a compost tutorial here. [A partnership between the Council, MASG, Growing Abundance, Community Houses and Community Gardens.]
At MASG: Compost and Wormfarms for the backyard. The basics of composting and trouble shooting. A choice of compost methods and worm farms and a tour of the gorgeous Hub Plot Gardens. Sunday 6th May; 10am for morning tea, 10.30am for the workshop. $5 suggested donation. Bookings – Heather 0409 327 791. At The Hub Plot, 233 Barker St (enter from Templeton St), Castlemaine
Other local events:
Compost Building for Beginners: Never composted before? Start at the Maldon Community Garden and get your composting L plates. Saturday 5 May. 9am – 12noon. $5 (includes morning tea) Cnr Church and Edward Streets, Maldon. Book on 5475 2093.
Upcycling Worm Farms: Make your own worm farm to take home from a selection of recycled materials including wheelie bins, bath tubs, polystyrene boxes and old car tyres. Learn about how to best care for the hardest garden workers you will ever meet! Stinky household compost questions and dilemmas will also be answered. Friday 11 May, 11am – 1pm. $10 (includes a recycled worm farm with worms, made by you to take home). Winters Flat Primary School, Roberts Ave, Castlemaine. Book on 5472 4842
Biodynamic Composting and Preparations: The principles behind making a Biodynamic compost heap and preparations. There will be plenty of time to get your hands dirty in this workshop, in between lunch and refreshments, of course! Saturday 12 May. 10am for morning tea 10.30am – 4pm for workshop. $15 (Includes lunch and refreshments). Newstead Community Garden, Layard St (rear of Anglican Church – enter from Panmure St). Book on 5476 2593 or 0439 003 469
AND
Dirt! the Movie – takes viewers on a journey around the world to hear and see the stories of global visionaries who are discovering new ways to repair humanity’s relationship with Earth’s most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility – dirt. Sunday 13 May. Ray Bradfield Room, Castlemaine. 4.30pm – 7pm. Film free, supper by CAKE, available to purchase. Book on 5472 4842.
Community Wind Survey:
Thanks to everyone who has already completed a survey. This is a great way for you to have input into the project. Please complete the survey
Wind Forums continue:
- Chewton Monday 7 May, 7-9 pm, Chewton Town Hall.
145 Main Rd, Chewton - Castlemaine Wednesday 9 May, 7-9 pm, Town Hall.
25 Lyttleton St, Castlemaine
We’d love to see you there!
Solar Cells:
Get your Solar PVs before the subsidy reduces. Free info session tonight, Wednesday, 2nd May – Castlemaine Senior Citizens Hall, Mechanics Lane from 5.30pm, AND Thursday, 3rd May – Strathfieldsaye Sports Club from 7.30pm AND Tuesday, 8th May – Newstead Community Hall from 7.00pm. http://www.goldfieldssolarhub.org.au/workshops
Purchase quality solar panels at a great price, get support from our team throughout the installation process, and be part of our virtual solar power station! A joint initiative of the Bendigo Sustainability Group and the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group.
Sister Organisations
Growing Abundance Autumn Produce Workshops in Castlemaine: Sourdough Bread Making – 20th May; Preserving Olives 27th May. For more details or to book click here, or contact Lucy Young, 5472 4842. lucy@cch.org.au
And to find out about food workshops in Melbourne, contact CERES
AUSTRALIAN and GLOBAL LOW CARBON NEWS
Can I change your view on Climate? Did you see the ABC program last Thursday? This clip didn’t make the cut of the TV show. Nick Minchin is confronted with some clear science and political rationale. Click to view.
Post-Carbon news from around the World: A new report analysing 18 of the world’s most comprehensive and innovative post carbon economy transition strategies from the Centre for Policy Development and the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute. Click to view
Land Skin Temperatures – don’t have a black roof on your house! Black roofs are twice as hot as white anc cities are hotter than deserts. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urban areas regularly record air temperatures as much as 6° Celsius (10° Fahrenheit) hotter than the surrounding areas. It’s called the urban heat island effect
Listen to why and how Germany leads the world in green technology and generation of renewable electricity. What are the benefits and what has been the cost?
Are You A Big Foot? Measure Your Footprint!
Australians have one of the largest environmental footprints per capita in the world, consuming more than three times our fair share of the planet’s natural resources. How many planets does it take to support your lifestyle? Find out how your lifestyle is impacting on the environment and what you can do to reduce your impact.
The Waste Not Challenge – good for kids and others of all ages! Can you go through a day without throwing anything away? Try it!
‘Things Happen’ Video. The time has come to move away from oil, gas and coal. A concise and potent reminder of why people everywhere are joining the international day of action to Connect the Dots. Watch. (2 Mins)
OTHER fascinating ECO-NEWS
Wake Up! Symposium in Melbourne – an event for young leaders age 14 – 29. Wake Up to your generation, your planet and your commitment! Be inspired and motivated to bring forth a thriving, just and sustainable world. 5th May. Details
Are female cyclists vulvas at risk? After years of research about whether male cyclists’ genitalia are at risk, finally someone has asked about women – NY Times story – and more in depth analysis at the Lovely Bicycle Blog
Every Choice Matters – Fairtrade fortnight 5 – 20 May: Learn more and find out how to be part of Fair Trade Fortnight – Australia and New Zealand’s biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade.
Mexico’s Senate has this week approved the country’s groundbreaking new climate change law — the first ever passed by a ‘majority world’ country, that gives statutory power to Mexico’s 2030 target, to reduce emissions by 30% below business as usual. It will also mean the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies, and will create a Climate Change Commission similar to the one in the UK, and an emissions reporting system. Scientific American.