We would love more people to get involved in the Greens in Alice Springs and for more people to be informed about issues affecting life in Central Australia. To encourage this we have decided to have a Green gathering every second month on the second Sunday of the month. This will be a social event with a time to meet other Greens members and learn more about a particular issue.
The first one will be happening this Sunday (12th October):
Date: Sunday 12 October
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Venue: Telegraph Station
Focus Issue: Angela-Pamela exploration license - what happens now?
What to bring: drinks/snacks to eat and share, something to sit on
Kids, friends, non-members VERY welcome.
Hope to see you there!
Lisa Hall on behalf of the Alice Springs Greens
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Protest against Angela Pamela
Unfortunately we are one step close to being a Uranium mining town
The Angela Pamela license to explore for uranium 21km from Alice Springs has been granted:
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/news_media_archive_article.cfm?newsid=404&ws=1
Over 100 people gathered yesterday and another protest is planned for tomorrow.
PROTEST THIS SUNDAY Oct 5th: Flynn Church lawns 10.30am
You may also want to find out more about ASAP and join the No Alice U-Mine facebook group
The Angela Pamela license to explore for uranium 21km from Alice Springs has been granted:
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/news_media_archive_article.cfm?newsid=404&ws=1
Over 100 people gathered yesterday and another protest is planned for tomorrow.
PROTEST THIS SUNDAY Oct 5th: Flynn Church lawns 10.30am
You may also want to find out more about ASAP and join the No Alice U-Mine facebook group
Thursday, October 2, 2008
From the Coordinator
It's starting to heat up and a busy couple of weeks ahead for all of us.
Don't forget the Landcare AGM on Sunday morning.
The Going Green Workshop Series may be of interest to some of you.
There's been a potentially large gain on the waste dump issue, with a senate inquiry being instigated by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam (see below).
If you don't have the time to volunteer for ALEC you can make regular tax deductible donations through our new direct debit, recurring credit card system from www.egive.org.au. See DONATE on the right for more info.
Also, Ngapartji Ngapartji tickets are selling fast so don't forget to book yours and tell your mates to get in quick before they get snapped up by conference delegates! Araluen Box Office for tickets 8951 1122.
That's all for now.
Enjoy your week and be good to our Mother.
Jimmy
'All things are possible once enough human beings realise that everything is at stake' - Norman Cousins
Don't forget the Landcare AGM on Sunday morning.
The Going Green Workshop Series may be of interest to some of you.
There's been a potentially large gain on the waste dump issue, with a senate inquiry being instigated by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam (see below).
If you don't have the time to volunteer for ALEC you can make regular tax deductible donations through our new direct debit, recurring credit card system from www.egive.org.au. See DONATE on the right for more info.
Also, Ngapartji Ngapartji tickets are selling fast so don't forget to book yours and tell your mates to get in quick before they get snapped up by conference delegates! Araluen Box Office for tickets 8951 1122.
That's all for now.
Enjoy your week and be good to our Mother.
Jimmy
'All things are possible once enough human beings realise that everything is at stake' - Norman Cousins
How to Lead and Organise Desert Communites
The Desert Knowledge CRC is proud to host a unique seminar and workshop featuring internationally-renowned author and thinker Margaret J Wheatley on how to lead and organise desert communities.
"No one discipline, institution, or specialisation can answer the questions that now confront us. We all must draw from many different perspectives to reweave the world," Margaret says.
In her co-authored groundbreaking 1996 book A Simpler Way she explores the question: Could we organise human endeavour differently if we understood how Life itself organises? For more information see:
http://www.margaretwheatley.com/biography.html
DKCRC research has found that certain rules govern the way deserts and all life in them, human included, operate and this has profound significance to the way we organise our communities, livelihoods and industries.
Margaret will deliver a seminar on leadership in desert communities, followed by an interactive workshop focusing on:
. How science is finding what indigenous peoples have known all along-the basic building blocks are relationships . What makes for a healthy community
. What kind of leadership works to mobilise a community . The core principles for working in a community.
The event is open to partners and associates of the DKCRC, and the public, but please book as we anticipate heavy demand and seats are limited.
Media are welcome to attend and cover the event.
Where: Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza, Barrett Drive, Alice Springs
When: Monday 3 November 2008, 11:00am start for seminar with the workshop running from 1:30pm to 5:00pm.
A light lunch will be provided.
Bookings: Renee Westbrook, 08 8959 6041 or
renee.westbrook@desertknowledgecrc.com.au
RSVP: By close of business, Friday 17 October 2008.
The workshop will be streamed live, from this page:
http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/publications/conferencestreaming.html
"No one discipline, institution, or specialisation can answer the questions that now confront us. We all must draw from many different perspectives to reweave the world," Margaret says.
In her co-authored groundbreaking 1996 book A Simpler Way she explores the question: Could we organise human endeavour differently if we understood how Life itself organises? For more information see:
http://www.margaretwheatley.com/biography.html
DKCRC research has found that certain rules govern the way deserts and all life in them, human included, operate and this has profound significance to the way we organise our communities, livelihoods and industries.
Margaret will deliver a seminar on leadership in desert communities, followed by an interactive workshop focusing on:
. How science is finding what indigenous peoples have known all along-the basic building blocks are relationships . What makes for a healthy community
. What kind of leadership works to mobilise a community . The core principles for working in a community.
The event is open to partners and associates of the DKCRC, and the public, but please book as we anticipate heavy demand and seats are limited.
Media are welcome to attend and cover the event.
Where: Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza, Barrett Drive, Alice Springs
When: Monday 3 November 2008, 11:00am start for seminar with the workshop running from 1:30pm to 5:00pm.
A light lunch will be provided.
Bookings: Renee Westbrook, 08 8959 6041 or
renee.westbrook@desertknowledgecrc.com.au
RSVP: By close of business, Friday 17 October 2008.
The workshop will be streamed live, from this page:
http://www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/publications/conferencestreaming.html
Inquiry into the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill
As you may know, there will be an Inquiry into the Commonwealth Radioactive
Waste Management Bill, put forward by Senator Ludlam last week.
Information about the Inquiry is online here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eca_ctte/radioactive_waste/info.htm
This Bill put forward by Senator Ludlam repeals the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act of 2005 and the amendments to that legislation made in 2006.
Submissions are due by Friday 31 October. You are strongly, strongly urged to make a submission to the Inquiry! Send your submissions to
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
Phone:+61 2 6277 3526
Fax: +61 2 6277 5818
Email:eca.sen@aph.gov.au
Hearings will be held in mid-November, and if enough submissions are
received from the Territory, it is a possibility that a hearing will be held
in Darwin and/or Alice Springs. The report will be due in early December.
Waste Management Bill, put forward by Senator Ludlam last week.
Information about the Inquiry is online here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eca_ctte/radioactive_waste/info.htm
This Bill put forward by Senator Ludlam repeals the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act of 2005 and the amendments to that legislation made in 2006.
Submissions are due by Friday 31 October. You are strongly, strongly urged to make a submission to the Inquiry! Send your submissions to
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
Phone:+61 2 6277 3526
Fax: +61 2 6277 5818
Email:eca.sen@aph.gov.au
Hearings will be held in mid-November, and if enough submissions are
received from the Territory, it is a possibility that a hearing will be held
in Darwin and/or Alice Springs. The report will be due in early December.
Alice Springs Landcare Community Field day
Alice Springs Landcare
Greening Australia and Alice Springs Landcare are pleased to invite you to a community field day on the banks of the Todd River this Sunday 5th October.
Meet at Casa Nostra carpark 9am. Write this in your diaries now!
Activities: rubbish removal, maintenance of past plantings and buffel control around remnant vegetation and Old Red Gum Trees.
Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, mug, rug/chair, gloves and any spare tools. Supervision and training provided on the day
Hang around afterwards for a BBQ and the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Alice Springs Landcare.
This is the chance you have been waiting for to get your hands dirty and help look after the unique environment of Alice Springs.
Enquires:
Ben Kober
Urban Landcare Officer Alice Springs
Greening Australia NT (Ltd)
PH: (08) 89532882
FAX: (08) 89527434
Greening Australia and Alice Springs Landcare are pleased to invite you to a community field day on the banks of the Todd River this Sunday 5th October.
Meet at Casa Nostra carpark 9am. Write this in your diaries now!
Activities: rubbish removal, maintenance of past plantings and buffel control around remnant vegetation and Old Red Gum Trees.
Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, mug, rug/chair, gloves and any spare tools. Supervision and training provided on the day
Hang around afterwards for a BBQ and the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Alice Springs Landcare.
This is the chance you have been waiting for to get your hands dirty and help look after the unique environment of Alice Springs.
Enquires:
Ben Kober
Urban Landcare Officer Alice Springs
Greening Australia NT (Ltd)
PH: (08) 89532882
FAX: (08) 89527434
Native Plant Sale
Native Plant Sale at Greening Australia Nursery.
Happy Healthy Plants Looking For Good Homes.
11th October 9am - 12pm. Charles Darwin University
(off Grevillea Drive 2nd Entrance ... then follow the signs...)
Happy Healthy Plants Looking For Good Homes.
11th October 9am - 12pm. Charles Darwin University
(off Grevillea Drive 2nd Entrance ... then follow the signs...)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Alice Solar City
ALEC is a proud member of the Alice Solar City Consortium
Alice Solar City is very much aligned to our objective of creating healthy futures for arid lands and people. The $37 million, six year program is part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative and aims to explore how technology, behaviour change and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future for Australia. Elements include residential, commercial and large scale solar trials.
Alice Solar City provides the residents and business operators of Alice Springs with free energy surveys, financial incentives to save energy, and advice on solar energy and energy efficiency. So far over 260 residents have signed up to the program. After the launch of the commercial services program on 30 May, 25 business operators have also expressed interest in participating, with the first business energy survey conducted at the YHA last week.
Congratulations Alice Springs!
To find out more or to sign up just drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (next to Bojangles) and have a chat with their friendly staff or visit the Alice solar city website or call 8950 4350.
Alice Solar City is very much aligned to our objective of creating healthy futures for arid lands and people. The $37 million, six year program is part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative and aims to explore how technology, behaviour change and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future for Australia. Elements include residential, commercial and large scale solar trials.
Alice Solar City provides the residents and business operators of Alice Springs with free energy surveys, financial incentives to save energy, and advice on solar energy and energy efficiency. So far over 260 residents have signed up to the program. After the launch of the commercial services program on 30 May, 25 business operators have also expressed interest in participating, with the first business energy survey conducted at the YHA last week.
Congratulations Alice Springs!
To find out more or to sign up just drop into the Smart Living Centre at 82 Todd Street (next to Bojangles) and have a chat with their friendly staff or visit the Alice solar city website or call 8950 4350.
Sustenance
Tune into Sustenance to hear the latest on the sustainability and environmental frontline. Hosted by Kat Taylor and friends, listen to inspiring interviews, groovy music and stimulating conversation from 7-9pm every Wednesday night on 8CCC 102.1FM
SPEAKERS and PARTICIPANTS NEEDED:
Volunteer speakers, requests or cancellation of email notification: contact Bill Low, Coordinator, P.O.Box 3130, Alice Springs; Phone/Fax 89 555 222, Fax 89 555 722; Email: LowEcol@LowEcol.com.au Organisational and distributional assistance from CSIRO, NRETA, DPIFM, CAT, CLC. Seminar notices are available on the web
Ngapartji Ngapartji Central Desert Tour 2008;
Kala pukulariku nyura pitjanyangka show nyakunytjikitja. Show nyanga paluru panya nintini munu wangkanyi iriti Maralingala bomb waninytja. Nyangatja nganampa, Anangu tjutaku Tjukurpa mulapa. Nganana nyakula kulintjaku panya iriti alatjirinytja. - Ninti Mulapa
We are excitedly anticipating that many of you will come and see the show. This theatre production explores history and talks about the fallout from the Maralinga bomb testing. This is our true story, that of Pitjantjatjara people. This show helps us to understand the way things happened in the past. - Ngapartji Ngapartji Language and Culture Reference Group
Big hART's Ngapartji Ngapartji is a long-term intergenerational language and arts project based in the Central Desert. The project comprises an ongoing community development process which feeds into film projects, touring theatre works and an online language and culture learning website - http://ninti.ngapartji.org - and a campaign to encourage the establishment of a national indigenous languages policy.
The Ngapartji Ngapartji theatre show is an epic story of displacement as the desert nations are swept up in the Cold War. Written and directed by Scott Rankin and performed by Spinifex man and master storyteller Trevor Jamieson, with an ensemble cast of elders and young people from his community. This incredible story is shared in Pitjantjatjara and English, inviting audiences into an intimate and rare experience of culture through dance, story and song.
The Ngapartji Ngapartji theatre show has toured nationally to sold-out audiences at Melbourne International Arts Festival, Sydney Festival and Perth International Arts Festival.
October 2nd, 3rd, 4th Alice Springs - Araluen Arts Centre as part of Regional Arts Australia's the Art at the Heart conference; This season will sell out so get your tickets quick - Bookings via Araluen box office: 08 8951 1122
We hope to see you there!
http://ngapartji.org
We are excitedly anticipating that many of you will come and see the show. This theatre production explores history and talks about the fallout from the Maralinga bomb testing. This is our true story, that of Pitjantjatjara people. This show helps us to understand the way things happened in the past. - Ngapartji Ngapartji Language and Culture Reference Group
Big hART's Ngapartji Ngapartji is a long-term intergenerational language and arts project based in the Central Desert. The project comprises an ongoing community development process which feeds into film projects, touring theatre works and an online language and culture learning website - http://ninti.ngapartji.org - and a campaign to encourage the establishment of a national indigenous languages policy.
The Ngapartji Ngapartji theatre show is an epic story of displacement as the desert nations are swept up in the Cold War. Written and directed by Scott Rankin and performed by Spinifex man and master storyteller Trevor Jamieson, with an ensemble cast of elders and young people from his community. This incredible story is shared in Pitjantjatjara and English, inviting audiences into an intimate and rare experience of culture through dance, story and song.
The Ngapartji Ngapartji theatre show has toured nationally to sold-out audiences at Melbourne International Arts Festival, Sydney Festival and Perth International Arts Festival.
October 2nd, 3rd, 4th Alice Springs - Araluen Arts Centre as part of Regional Arts Australia's the Art at the Heart conference; This season will sell out so get your tickets quick - Bookings via Araluen box office: 08 8951 1122
We hope to see you there!
http://ngapartji.org
YouthLEAD Alice Springs October 10-12 2008
Inspiration Action Tools to Make a Difference !!!
An innovative environmental/social action and leadership training program designed to give young people the skills, motivation and opportunities to lead the way to a sustainable future in their own communities & beyond.
What is Youth LEAD?
Youth LEAD is an OzGREEN initiative, building a national network of young leaders who are working in their local community and beyond to build a life-sustaining society. Youth LEAD is achieving this through leadership training and mentoring for eco-social projects that forge pathways to sustainable futures. Youth LEAD begins where other leadership programs finish – with people learning to be leaders by designing and undertaking their own projects.
Why get involved?
Have you ever wanted to do something but aren’t sure how you can make a difference or where to start? Are you already doing lots but want to reflect, refocus or recharge? No matter what your concerns and where you’re at, we can help you strengthen skills and create a plan for action to really do something that you are interested in, even if you don’t know what that is!
We provide the space, support, nurturing and training to give you the confidence, motivation and skills to develop plans and put them into action, and to refocus on and invigorate your current plans. We work from the principle that the answers to problems lie within people and within communities, even though most of us don’t know what they are. Youth LEAD is a transformative processes that enables people to tap into these answers, to be themselves, do what makes their heart sing, AND make a real difference in the world!
The Program
Each program involves a 3 day residential environmental leadership training and action planning residential workshop for participants. It costs $250 which covers everything (food, accommodation & course costs) & there are subsidised places available if price is a barrier. Youth LEAD is for 15-25 year olds (we do have Leading with the Heart for older adults).
The workshop features skills training in:
ecological footprint assessment and lifestyle analysis
strategic questioning,
deep listening and critical thinking
rational and emotional intelligence
creative thinking
values and visioning
goal setting
and actionplanning for lifestyle changes and eco-social action
After the workshop there will be follow-up meetings and regular phone and email contact with all participants for mentoring and support. And opportunities to join our trainee facilitator, mentor and OzGREEN volunteer programs nationally & in East Timor, India, Pakistan & Papua New Guinea.
Youth LEAD is currently being documented as a case study in best practice education for sustainability by the Australian Association for Environmental Education (2006). Youth LEAD is also a previous winner of the Social Ventures Australia BIG BOOST! Award and winner of the coveted Eureka! Award for Education for Sustainability (2007).
Through our programs people:
Clarify what is important to them
Find inspiration and focus to make informed life choices
Develop confidence to live from their own values and integrity
Reflect on and re-energise the difference they already make in their lives
Develop and strengthen skills to understand, analyse, vision and plan
Be leaders of positive change
Understand local and global environmental challenges
Learn to live sustainably and reduce ecological footprint (average 29%)
Harness their passion, creativity and intelligence to build a better world
Join a supportive inspiring community of people
Become more themselves
About the Facilitators
OzGREEN co-founders Sue and Colin Lennox lead by example and are recognised as leading social entrepreneurs in Australia. They each bring over 30 years of experience and professional qualifications in environmental education, social enterprise and youth empowerment gained on the ground in city and rural settings in Australia and internationally. They are supported by a team of passionate young professionals, trainee facilitators and youth-to-youth mentors, each of whom has a track record of successfully implementing their own life changes and projects.
What YouthLEADers Say
”Youth LEAD has made me more confident and determined to speak out and act on the issues that concern me.”
”Youth LEAD has given me a chance to be more of a leader, make new friends and have heaps of fun.”
”I have gained and unleashed skills I never knew I had.”
“Before Youth LEAD I was overwhelmed by the issues of our time... Now I am inspired, happy and empowered with a clear plan of action!”
“It is so hard to articulate what a profound effect this program has had. On a personal level, for me, it gave my life new direction and was impetus in defining who I was and what I stood for and then doing something about those things!”
”Thank you so much for the inspiration. You have helped me become myself.”
OzGREEN
OzGREEN is an independent, not for profit organisation that was established in 1992. OzGREEN facilitates life changing learning and leadership programs for sustainability. OzGREEN enables people to harness their inner wisdom, creativity and intelligence to build pathways to an ecologically sustainable future. OzGREEN runs a range of programs, working nationally in Australia and internationally in India, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Pakistan.
Youth LEAD is proudly supported by the Vodafone Australia Foundation & Coca
Cola Foundation.
If you are interested please contact Kathryn to reserve your place
Kathryn Mc Cabe
Program Coordinator & Facilitator
OzGREEN
Po Box 1378
Dee Why
NSW 2099
Australia
P 02 9984 8917
F 02 9981 4956
E kmccabe@ozgreen.org.au
http://www.ozgreen.org.au
http://www.myriver.org.au
Sign up to our monthly E-news http://www.ozgreen.org.au/elist_form.php
An innovative environmental/social action and leadership training program designed to give young people the skills, motivation and opportunities to lead the way to a sustainable future in their own communities & beyond.
What is Youth LEAD?
Youth LEAD is an OzGREEN initiative, building a national network of young leaders who are working in their local community and beyond to build a life-sustaining society. Youth LEAD is achieving this through leadership training and mentoring for eco-social projects that forge pathways to sustainable futures. Youth LEAD begins where other leadership programs finish – with people learning to be leaders by designing and undertaking their own projects.
Why get involved?
Have you ever wanted to do something but aren’t sure how you can make a difference or where to start? Are you already doing lots but want to reflect, refocus or recharge? No matter what your concerns and where you’re at, we can help you strengthen skills and create a plan for action to really do something that you are interested in, even if you don’t know what that is!
We provide the space, support, nurturing and training to give you the confidence, motivation and skills to develop plans and put them into action, and to refocus on and invigorate your current plans. We work from the principle that the answers to problems lie within people and within communities, even though most of us don’t know what they are. Youth LEAD is a transformative processes that enables people to tap into these answers, to be themselves, do what makes their heart sing, AND make a real difference in the world!
The Program
Each program involves a 3 day residential environmental leadership training and action planning residential workshop for participants. It costs $250 which covers everything (food, accommodation & course costs) & there are subsidised places available if price is a barrier. Youth LEAD is for 15-25 year olds (we do have Leading with the Heart for older adults).
The workshop features skills training in:
ecological footprint assessment and lifestyle analysis
strategic questioning,
deep listening and critical thinking
rational and emotional intelligence
creative thinking
values and visioning
goal setting
and actionplanning for lifestyle changes and eco-social action
After the workshop there will be follow-up meetings and regular phone and email contact with all participants for mentoring and support. And opportunities to join our trainee facilitator, mentor and OzGREEN volunteer programs nationally & in East Timor, India, Pakistan & Papua New Guinea.
Youth LEAD is currently being documented as a case study in best practice education for sustainability by the Australian Association for Environmental Education (2006). Youth LEAD is also a previous winner of the Social Ventures Australia BIG BOOST! Award and winner of the coveted Eureka! Award for Education for Sustainability (2007).
Through our programs people:
Clarify what is important to them
Find inspiration and focus to make informed life choices
Develop confidence to live from their own values and integrity
Reflect on and re-energise the difference they already make in their lives
Develop and strengthen skills to understand, analyse, vision and plan
Be leaders of positive change
Understand local and global environmental challenges
Learn to live sustainably and reduce ecological footprint (average 29%)
Harness their passion, creativity and intelligence to build a better world
Join a supportive inspiring community of people
Become more themselves
About the Facilitators
OzGREEN co-founders Sue and Colin Lennox lead by example and are recognised as leading social entrepreneurs in Australia. They each bring over 30 years of experience and professional qualifications in environmental education, social enterprise and youth empowerment gained on the ground in city and rural settings in Australia and internationally. They are supported by a team of passionate young professionals, trainee facilitators and youth-to-youth mentors, each of whom has a track record of successfully implementing their own life changes and projects.
What YouthLEADers Say
”Youth LEAD has made me more confident and determined to speak out and act on the issues that concern me.”
”Youth LEAD has given me a chance to be more of a leader, make new friends and have heaps of fun.”
”I have gained and unleashed skills I never knew I had.”
“Before Youth LEAD I was overwhelmed by the issues of our time... Now I am inspired, happy and empowered with a clear plan of action!”
“It is so hard to articulate what a profound effect this program has had. On a personal level, for me, it gave my life new direction and was impetus in defining who I was and what I stood for and then doing something about those things!”
”Thank you so much for the inspiration. You have helped me become myself.”
OzGREEN
OzGREEN is an independent, not for profit organisation that was established in 1992. OzGREEN facilitates life changing learning and leadership programs for sustainability. OzGREEN enables people to harness their inner wisdom, creativity and intelligence to build pathways to an ecologically sustainable future. OzGREEN runs a range of programs, working nationally in Australia and internationally in India, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Pakistan.
Youth LEAD is proudly supported by the Vodafone Australia Foundation & Coca
Cola Foundation.
If you are interested please contact Kathryn to reserve your place
Kathryn Mc Cabe
Program Coordinator & Facilitator
OzGREEN
Po Box 1378
Dee Why
NSW 2099
Australia
P 02 9984 8917
F 02 9981 4956
E kmccabe@ozgreen.org.au
http://www.ozgreen.org.au
http://www.myriver.org.au
Sign up to our monthly E-news http://www.ozgreen.org.au/elist_form.php
COOLMob September wrap up:
Sustainable House Day, Sustainability Fair and Solar Oven Bakeoff
Sustainable House Day was extremely well attended with 100-200 people visiting each house to see the range of features including solar PV, permaculture garden, solar air heaters and aquaponics. The first year of the Desert Garden and Sustainability and went very well. Some highlights included the worm farm display, no dig garden demonstration, Mandala making and smoothies from the pedal powered blender. As usual the native plant sale was a huge hit. Can’t wait for next year!
Congratulations to all the entrants in the Solar Oven Bakeoff. All the entries were delicious and we were lucky it didn’t rain! Some interesting things were Hans’ Fresnel lens griller made from an old TV screen and the feral dove stew.
The winners were:
Meredith: Sweet category, Bean Tree café voucher
Steve Sawyer: Savoury category, Afghan Trader’s voucher Hans Pfau: Best homemade oven, Home Timber and Hardware voucher
Delia Naughton and Emma Chessel: Bush Foods category, plants from Olive Pink
Delia Naughton and Emma Chessel: OVERALL WINNERS, subscriptions to ReNew magazine and the Green Spoon Trophy
HUGE THANK YOUS TO:
The Crosses and the Sawyers for opening their houses.
All the bakeoff entrants, judges Stephanie Alexander, Rohan Barwick, Beck Gooderham and Lyndon Hodges, pre-bakeoff workshop organizer Steve Sawyer, all the organizations who donated prizes, and ABC radio for their livecoverage.
Ruth Apelt, Ada Markby and Jan Taylor for helping out at the Bakeoff info stall.
Cheers
Kat Taylor
Sustainable House Day was extremely well attended with 100-200 people visiting each house to see the range of features including solar PV, permaculture garden, solar air heaters and aquaponics. The first year of the Desert Garden and Sustainability and went very well. Some highlights included the worm farm display, no dig garden demonstration, Mandala making and smoothies from the pedal powered blender. As usual the native plant sale was a huge hit. Can’t wait for next year!
Congratulations to all the entrants in the Solar Oven Bakeoff. All the entries were delicious and we were lucky it didn’t rain! Some interesting things were Hans’ Fresnel lens griller made from an old TV screen and the feral dove stew.
The winners were:
Meredith: Sweet category, Bean Tree café voucher
Steve Sawyer: Savoury category, Afghan Trader’s voucher Hans Pfau: Best homemade oven, Home Timber and Hardware voucher
Delia Naughton and Emma Chessel: Bush Foods category, plants from Olive Pink
Delia Naughton and Emma Chessel: OVERALL WINNERS, subscriptions to ReNew magazine and the Green Spoon Trophy
HUGE THANK YOUS TO:
The Crosses and the Sawyers for opening their houses.
All the bakeoff entrants, judges Stephanie Alexander, Rohan Barwick, Beck Gooderham and Lyndon Hodges, pre-bakeoff workshop organizer Steve Sawyer, all the organizations who donated prizes, and ABC radio for their livecoverage.
Ruth Apelt, Ada Markby and Jan Taylor for helping out at the Bakeoff info stall.
Cheers
Kat Taylor
New Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet
Grab your copy of the revised Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet. Available from the Arid Lands Environment Centre or for download here. This edition includes information for Tennant Creek as well as Alice Springs.
Tennant Creek Water Audits
Shout out to Tennant Creek- please pass on to anyone you know there Energy/ water auditors will be in Tennant Creek on Thursday 2nd October. To book an audit, ring Kat 8952 0299 or email dka.coolmob@coolmob.org.
If you're interested in cutting your bills, you could also come to the free information session in the Pyramid Building (Civic Centre) at 5:30pm,Thursday October 2nd. Learn about available rebates, grab a copy of the Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet, and tell Kat how DKA COOLmob could best help you.
We're also looking for people to train up as casual home auditors, please come and say 'hi' on the night if you're interested!
If you're interested in cutting your bills, you could also come to the free information session in the Pyramid Building (Civic Centre) at 5:30pm,Thursday October 2nd. Learn about available rebates, grab a copy of the Greenhouse Friendly Action Booklet, and tell Kat how DKA COOLmob could best help you.
We're also looking for people to train up as casual home auditors, please come and say 'hi' on the night if you're interested!
Beyond Nuclear News
There have been some interesting developments in the anti-dump campaign this week:
1. ANSTO’s application last week to build a new radioactive waste storage building on site at Lucas Heights highlights to the federal government that there are more options for radioactive waste management than a remote dump in the NT (see media release below). There is the opportunity for public comment on this application until September 30.
The referral document can be downloaded from
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=referral_detail&p
roposal_id=4459
Comments can be emailed to epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au
2. WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam tabled a bill in the Senate today to repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act, which has allowed a federal dump to be forced on the NT. Repealing this undemocratic Act was a clear election commitment from the ALP, but since forming government there has been no previous indication this will go ahead. It is a welcome move from the Greens that they have decided to introduce this Bill to push things along.
Yesterday Senator Kim Carr stated in Senate question time that Minister Martin Ferguson has indicated (for the first time) the government will repeal the Act.
While this is great news for communities living near the targeted areas, it has not happened yet, and our local ALP federal members would no doubt appreciate a flood of calls and emails urging them to help this Bill go through!
Contact:
Senator Trish Crossin
Senator.crossin@aph.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6277 3777
Fax: (02) 6277 3661
Minister Warren Snowdon
Warren.snowdon.mp@aph.gov.au
Tel: (02) 6277 7620
Fax: (02) 6273 7112
1. ANSTO’s application last week to build a new radioactive waste storage building on site at Lucas Heights highlights to the federal government that there are more options for radioactive waste management than a remote dump in the NT (see media release below). There is the opportunity for public comment on this application until September 30.
The referral document can be downloaded from
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=referral_detail&p
roposal_id=4459
Comments can be emailed to epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au
2. WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam tabled a bill in the Senate today to repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act, which has allowed a federal dump to be forced on the NT. Repealing this undemocratic Act was a clear election commitment from the ALP, but since forming government there has been no previous indication this will go ahead. It is a welcome move from the Greens that they have decided to introduce this Bill to push things along.
Yesterday Senator Kim Carr stated in Senate question time that Minister Martin Ferguson has indicated (for the first time) the government will repeal the Act.
While this is great news for communities living near the targeted areas, it has not happened yet, and our local ALP federal members would no doubt appreciate a flood of calls and emails urging them to help this Bill go through!
Contact:
Senator Trish Crossin
Senator.crossin@aph.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6277 3777
Fax: (02) 6277 3661
Minister Warren Snowdon
Warren.snowdon.mp@aph.gov.au
Tel: (02) 6277 7620
Fax: (02) 6273 7112
Climate Torch Relay Friday October 3 from 4 til 5 pm
Local communities and groups around Australia have been hosting climate torch relays over the past six weeks to achieve this, and in one week the torch will be in Alice Springs. The week after that it will finish in Canberra. This is an exciting opportunity to link your local action into a national campaign and call to reduce emissions by 50% by 2020.
I'm coordinating the Alice Springs leg of the relay, with fantastic support from ALEC and others. The plan so far is for it to start at 4.30pm and finish at 5.00pm on the Town Council lawns opposite Solar Cities. The relay runners will represent local groups who are 'holding the torch' on climate change issues in Alice, and will walk/run/cycle/skip a short distance, maybe 50m before passing onto the next runner. We plan to take the torch from the base of Anzac hill down to the council lawns, where it will be received by a local politician.
I would love to hear from any ALEC or CAG members and others who are interested in getting involved. Most especially, it would be great to have a couple of legs run by people associated with the Climate Action Group. One leg could be any willing volunteer (got any quirky costumes you want to give another public outing to?), and the other, Ruth and I have discussed having a younger person, or group of children, run the final leg, with the torch perhaps held by a child who will turn 21 in 2020 - thus highlighting the need for change now (but age is no biggie).
Quirky and interesting should help get local media coverage - local media are the voice of our pollie's electorates and
So - would you like to help out coordinating runners on the day?
- would you like to run a leg?
- do you know of a child/children who would like to run the final leg and is capable on the footpath?
I would love to hear from you, as soon as possible - I need to finalise the final leg tomorrow in time to put out press releases etc - please call me directly.
Cheers
Hannah
ph. 0431 267 213
home. 8953 8928
More info at www.climatetorch.com
I'm coordinating the Alice Springs leg of the relay, with fantastic support from ALEC and others. The plan so far is for it to start at 4.30pm and finish at 5.00pm on the Town Council lawns opposite Solar Cities. The relay runners will represent local groups who are 'holding the torch' on climate change issues in Alice, and will walk/run/cycle/skip a short distance, maybe 50m before passing onto the next runner. We plan to take the torch from the base of Anzac hill down to the council lawns, where it will be received by a local politician.
I would love to hear from any ALEC or CAG members and others who are interested in getting involved. Most especially, it would be great to have a couple of legs run by people associated with the Climate Action Group. One leg could be any willing volunteer (got any quirky costumes you want to give another public outing to?), and the other, Ruth and I have discussed having a younger person, or group of children, run the final leg, with the torch perhaps held by a child who will turn 21 in 2020 - thus highlighting the need for change now (but age is no biggie).
Quirky and interesting should help get local media coverage - local media are the voice of our pollie's electorates and
So - would you like to help out coordinating runners on the day?
- would you like to run a leg?
- do you know of a child/children who would like to run the final leg and is capable on the footpath?
I would love to hear from you, as soon as possible - I need to finalise the final leg tomorrow in time to put out press releases etc - please call me directly.
Cheers
Hannah
ph. 0431 267 213
home. 8953 8928
More info at www.climatetorch.com
Tax deductible donations
We now have the option for those who can afford to give regular tax deductible donations to ALEC. There are direct debit and recurring credit card options that allow you to give as much as you want to ALEC, all of which you can claim at tax time. The website is: www.egive.org.au ALEC can be found in the Environment Group section. All you have to do is register and organise with your bank to take out $10, $20, $50, $100 or whatever you want each month. These funds will help ALEC to maintain a strong voice in the community and allow us the opportunity to become less dependent on government funding.
If you’re interested in giving tax deductible donations to ALEC contact me
on 8952 2497 or email info@alec.org.au
If you’re interested in giving tax deductible donations to ALEC contact me
on 8952 2497 or email info@alec.org.au
More funding for ALEC from NTG
NT Government confirms election commitment increasing ALEC funding to $70,000 per year from 2009/10 as part of its recognition of the importance of engaging the community on climate change issues.
From the Coordinator
Well...it’s been busy times in Alice Springs for the last couple of weeks. The Desert Festival wound up on Sunday and since Monday, many of us have been cleaning up after the freakish storm that hit early that afternoon. It’s been inspiring to see people pull together as a town to put on entertaining musical and theatrical acts but more importantly how we just get on with it following powerful natural events such as the storm.
The key to living in this environment is working together as a community. Sharing
skills, resources, tools and time is key to ensuring we have a future herein the arid zone.
The looming economic crisis that has engulfed the US and spread across the globe is a strong signal that we cannot continue living beyond our means and must look closer to home for how we may weather the crisis here in Central Australia. The development of solar thermal technologies will provide the energy necessary to maintain commercial and residential electricity supply.
We need to rethink our methods of building to live comfortably in a carbon-constrained world. Could we make strawbale houses from all the buffel grass rendered with papercrete or other locally produced material? It’s just an idea but a possibility in cheaply providing energy efficient housing for those who need it.
We’re currently in the process of developing strategies around how ALEC can play a role in building community resilience in Alice Springs and beyond. In particular, how the town and its residents can be empowered to improve water management, produce food locally, reduce energy use, increase sustainable and affordable housing, adapt to climate change, reducing vehicle (fuel) use, increasing public and low-impact transport in town, rethinking waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), green trades upskilling and whatever else comes to mind. ALEC will be advocating for and working towards practical local solutions that will improve our community’s resilience.
We’re meeting at ALEC on Monday September 29 at 1.30pm to start discussing
strategies as to how we can get this process happening.
If you want more information or to get involved in making the transition,
email me: info@alec.org.au Ph. 8952 2497
Some links:
www.transitiontowns.org
www.transitionculture.org
‘If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where it should be. Now put foundations under them.’
Henry David Thoreau
Jimmy
The key to living in this environment is working together as a community. Sharing
skills, resources, tools and time is key to ensuring we have a future herein the arid zone.
The looming economic crisis that has engulfed the US and spread across the globe is a strong signal that we cannot continue living beyond our means and must look closer to home for how we may weather the crisis here in Central Australia. The development of solar thermal technologies will provide the energy necessary to maintain commercial and residential electricity supply.
We need to rethink our methods of building to live comfortably in a carbon-constrained world. Could we make strawbale houses from all the buffel grass rendered with papercrete or other locally produced material? It’s just an idea but a possibility in cheaply providing energy efficient housing for those who need it.
We’re currently in the process of developing strategies around how ALEC can play a role in building community resilience in Alice Springs and beyond. In particular, how the town and its residents can be empowered to improve water management, produce food locally, reduce energy use, increase sustainable and affordable housing, adapt to climate change, reducing vehicle (fuel) use, increasing public and low-impact transport in town, rethinking waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), green trades upskilling and whatever else comes to mind. ALEC will be advocating for and working towards practical local solutions that will improve our community’s resilience.
We’re meeting at ALEC on Monday September 29 at 1.30pm to start discussing
strategies as to how we can get this process happening.
If you want more information or to get involved in making the transition,
email me: info@alec.org.au Ph. 8952 2497
Some links:
www.transitiontowns.org
www.transitionculture.org
‘If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where it should be. Now put foundations under them.’
Henry David Thoreau
Jimmy
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