Weekly News Digest – Friday 29th February 2008
Posted on 29 February 2008 by e-news
For more info call 5470 6978
MASG News and Events
MASG social. Join us [today] for our first monthly gathering of the year. 5.30pm to 7pm in the back garden. Drinks and nibbles and the chance to talk with other MASGers. As it is 29th February, wear/bring/do something odd!
Farmers’ market in Castlemaine on Sunday 2 March: Premier, John Brumby will open the re-located market near Victory Park, which runs from at 9am – 1pm. MASG will have solar cookers, information, and a fruit and veg display. The sustainable piano will also be there, which, according to Neil, will be “playing all the great tunes from 1905 to 1965 after which, music lost its way…”
Climate ‘Code Red’: A copy of the petition to the Legislative Assembly of Victoria is available in the MASG office and is being coordinated by Wendy French of MASG Tarrengower. You can get your own copy from the MASG office or from our website. Completed petitions will be handed to Bob Cameron MP, by Wendy. We have until 31 March.
The petition urges the Legislative Assembly to commit Victoria to greenhouse gas emission targets that facilitate the large-scale and rapid transition of Victoria to a post-carbon economy and society. Lets see if we can get at least 10 copies of this petition circulating out there.
Computers [second hand] needed to assist with the Solar in Community Buildings initiative. To be able to access government subsidies, local community organisations and churches need a computer that can receive emails. Please contact Jayson on 5470 6978 if you can donate such a computer – needs to run windows XP, (ie it will probably be about 5 or 6 years old) but does not need to have a big capacity.
MASG still recycling old mobile phones. Also bring in the phone charger if you have no other use for them. We get $5 per phone that we divert from land fill.
Growing the Harvest – Festival: MASG, in partnership with the Uniting and Anglican Churches. 12-13 April 2008. A Festival that aims to inspire people to grow more food themselves rather than rely on transported food; to be aware of the abundance of food produced locally and to celebrate the growing of it, the preparation of it and the eating of it….and to give thanks for this.
At Growing the Harvest you may find compost making, bread baking, worm farming , scone eating, a Church Harvest Service, displays of wonderful home grown produce, harvest singing and more. We are still in the planning stages of this and anyone wishing to help is most welcome. Please contact Heather on 5472 3094 or Peter on 54 742403 or treasurer@masg.org.au
Maines’ Power: CSIRO Media release
Taradale Mineral Springs Festival Sunday 9th March 10am-4pm; features the new Wash Against Waste Service. See posters locally for more info.
Coming Events, not endorsed by MASG
Scene From the Air: exhibition continues in the Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine
EXIT – voluntary euthanasia public meeting with Dr Philip Nitschke, Thursday 13th March, from 2 – 5pm, Bendigo Bank Theatre (50 View St., Bendigo). Also workshop ($50 public, EXIT members free). Local contact Grace 5472 1128. EXIT info at: www.exitinternational.net email: contact@exitinternational.net. On the subject of sustainable living and dieing here are some links on eco coffins, http://www.onearth.com.au/ ; http://www.earthbeds.com.au/ and http://www.lifeart.com.au/lifeart_coffins.asp
Talking about Climate change: An Australian Psychological Society Tip Sheet by MASG member Susie Burke. Great information aimed at helping people cope with the many environmental threats facing us. “Change can also mean we end up living better.” Available soon on the MASG website. Meanwhile we can email you a copy. On Feb 25th Phillip Adams had a discussion on the psychological aspects of climate change. A good listen:
Public Presentations By Cuban Permaculturist Roberto Perez
The recently launched 2007 Living Planet Report from the World Wildlife Fund identified Cuba as the only sustainable country in the world. Australia is listed as the world’s 6th most unsustainable nation. Roberto Perez is an inspiring and articulate presenter who works as a permaculture and environmental educator for the Foundation for Nature and Humanity, Cuba’s major environment organization based in Havana. Local talks:
* Violet Town – Wednesday 2nd April, 5798 1381
* Daylesford – Thursday 3rd April – 5348 3636
Contact ian@masg.org.au if interested in car sharing to either event
11 prominent Australians who will help select the participants for the 2020 summit, have been chosen by PM, Kevin Rudd. The panel will be chaired by Prof. Glyn Davis and each member will lead one of the 10 discussion areas at the summit. The discussion of most interest is chaired by Roger Beale AO – which covers Population, sustainability, climate change, and water.
You can still make submissions. Go to: http://www.australia2020.gov.au/submissions/index.cfm
QUOTE:
“The Australians chosen for the 2020 summit’s steering committee have not been picked just for their high profile. Individuals such as Cate Blanchett, together with the other nine members of this national steering committee for the summit are confident, creative individuals in their own right with ideas to contribute.” Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, 27 February 2008
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