Weekly News Digest, Friday 28th November 2008
Posted on 28 November 2008 by e-news
Key Dates – Summary
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November: Low energy Solar Display Home open;
Friday 5th December: International Volunteers Day – see the film “Australia” at the Theatre Royal for FREE;
Wednesday 10th December: CRAG information session;
Wednesday 17th December, 5:30pm: MASG Xmas Party for members and volunteers
MASG News and Events
Low Energy Solar Display Home: The MASG Low Energy Solar Display Home was officially launched on Saturday 22nd November with a stunning turn out of MASG members, working group members, sponsors, concept designers Lifehouse Designs and Trevor Butcher the builder. Thanks to all of you who attended and made our day so successful. The public Open Day on Sunday 23rd greatly exceeded our expectations, with an estimated 250 visitors during the day. A huge thank you to all who have made this project such a success, particularly the volunteers who will be staffing the house. See you there if you haven’t been already, and remember to tell your friends! Warmest regards from Fran – Project Officer
Open House: The solar display house will be open to the public on weekends between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays and from 11am until 3pm on Sundays until Sunday 22nd December, and will reopen on Saturday 17th January. If you want to book a private house tour contact Fran on 5470 6978 or email: fran@masg.org.au.
Maine’s Power nationally recognised: The Maine’s Power project was one of only 8 projects to be chosen as a case study for the final report of the Garnaut Review. This is very important recognition at the national level of the importance of this project. Click on the link to visit the review website Garnaut review and access the final report including the Maine’s Power case study, or visit the Maine’s Power section of MASG website.
Carbon Rationing Action Groups (CRAGs): Info Session: CRAGs encourage friends, neighbours, workplaces or any group of people to meet and calculate their carbon emissions – usually covering electricity and gas, as well as car use and flights. Group members then set individual reduction targets and meet monthly, sharing tips, stories, progress reports, support and ideas for each other’s energy-reduction activities. You’re invited to attend a friendly info session to find out more about being part of a CRAGs group at 5.30pm Wednesday 10th December in the back garden of MASG, 233 Barker St Castlemaine. Bring a plate to share (local food or home-made!) … example of energy efficient products you’ve used or photos of retrofits you know … ideas of what you might contribute to a CRAG group. RSVP: Deanna Neville, 5470 6978 (Tues & Wed), 0428 751 090 or deanna@focusoncommunity.org
International Volunteers Day: All volunteer organisations in Mt Alexander Shire are invited ask all their volunteers to see a free screening of “Australia” on Friday 5th December at the Theatre Royal. Arrive at 9:30am for a 10am start. Followed by a light lunch at Victory Park. We really appreciate all the work done by our volunteers so make sure you RSVP by phoning 5470 6978 or emailing info@masg.org.au
Carbon Heroes visit the Castlemaine Library: The colourful collection of innovative Carbon Heroes banners is on display in the Castlemaine Library. The display coincides with a generous donation to the library of 24 children’s science books written by local author and Carbon Hero, Cheryl Jakab. Specifically written for children in the middle years, the books focus on environmental education and current issues, including Earth Cycles, Global Issues, The Human Body and Artists at Work. The books are now available for loan at the Castlemaine Library.
Globe Recycling: MASG’s globe recycling initiative is underway and you can bring your compact fluorescent light globes (CFLs) to the office for recycling. We ask for a gold coin donation for the recycling of each of the globes – the cost of recycling is $2 per globe. Please let others know of this service. More info: Gordon: 5470 6007.
MASG Xmas Party: Wednesday 17th December at 5:30pm. Bring a plate of food to share. Plenty of time to have something to eat and drink, catch up, and then go down to Carols in the Park at 8:30pm.
Food for the soil – compost, weed tea and worms. This is a free workshop/training session on Sunday the 14th December from 2-5pm organised by MASG member Sas. If interested email: sasalberry@hotmail.com or call on 5472 2340.
G Magazine Do you have any back issues of G Magazine? We are trying to secure a full set as a reference for CRAG and other community activities. If happy to donate or share, please let us know by email or drop them in to MASG.
Events organised by other groups
The MAP2020 Community Plan Steering Committee invite you to attend its next meeting on Thursday 27th November, 7.00 – 8.30pm at the Campbells Creek Community Centre, Elizabeth Street, Campbells Creek. A light supper will be served following the meeting. For further information please contact Deb Simpson in Council’s Community Planning Branch on 5471 1711.
Hepburn Wind Farm offer extended to 12th December. Copies of the Hepburn Wind Share Offer document and the extension can be obtained by calling 03 9429 5629, or by direct download. Information and Action Forum, Tuesday 2nd December, Daylesford Town Hall, 7:30 – 9:30pm. How you can help the Wind Park project succeed, even if you cannot invest.
Wild Homes training courses: Sustainable Housing Seminar – Bendigo, Sunday 7th December – practical direction through the maze of sustainable building information. And Owner Builder Workshop – 24th, 25th, 26th January (Australia Day long weekend). For information ring: 5439 3990, email: info@wildhomes.com.au or check the website.
Transformative Learning Workshop: Leading with the HEART: November 28-30 Melbourne Moora Moora, using Deep Ecology processes & Strategic Questioning (Fran Peavey). For more information please contact: Kathryn McCabe Phone 02 9938 5544; 0439704255 kmccabe@ozgreen.org.au . If you are interested in future workshops, please register here.
EconoSpace Framing: Building a small and green sustainable mini- shelter. Hands on learning, first time presented in Australia by Peter Cowman. Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December from 10am – 5pm. For further information: or phone 9005 5833
Interesting Information and Links
Sustainable Melbourne have a lively monthly newsletter: The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) run a Sustainable Cities Round Table and recently held a “Low carbon transport for our cities workshop symposium” with Prof John Whitelegg. Footage from the Sustainable Cities Round Table of all the presentations is now available free online! Have a look at website, and/or subscribe to their e-news for more info.
ZERO Greenhouse Emissions : New Book: The Day the Lights Went Out – Our Future World by Bob Williamson. Read the review .
Green tip: As we approach the busy Xmas season, it’s tempting to buy bagged ice for every function. This is a waste of energy, literally. Bagged ice sits in large freezers for weeks, using up large amounts of electricity in order to stay frozen. Invest in some ice cube trays and make as much as you can yourself!
Quote of the Week
Climate Institute CEO John Connor says business leaders should come clean before the Federal Government announces Australia’s carbon pollution reduction targets in December.
“It’s important that Australia keeps up the ambition for the targets which Garnaut and others have said is in our interests, which Treasury has said that we can afford economically. It’s now time that we have business being up-front about what they want for the long-term health of the planet. After decades of delay from many business leaders, many now accept the science but they’re not accepting or coming clean on what they see as the long-term objectives.”
MASG’s E News is compiled by Jill Bryan. If you would like to advertise an event or comment on any items, please send to: e-news@masg.org.au by 3pm Wednesday.
For further information ring: 5470 6978.
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