Are you concerned about climate change, peak oil, etc?

Join a dynamic, creative community group focused on education and action. Geelong Sustainability Group's vision is an environmentally and economically sustainable, spiritually fullfilling and socially just human presence on the planet. 

Climate change is an emergency for our community, our nation and our planet : we bring together Geelong residents and organisations who want to create solutions. Simple definition of sustainability "Enough for all, forever!"

Our next gathering will be our AGM / strategy discussion on Thursday 19 April 2012 at 7pm in the Geelong Heritage Centre (above Geelong Library). Come along - all welcome - click here for more details.

We'd love to read your thoughts so please add to the discussion forum. Check out the myriad sustainability Events around Geelong.

For events outside the Geelong region check out the The VCAC 14 May - 28 June 2012[1].doc  Remember to check the whole calendar; events are often added AFTER the posted date on the previous calendar.

Also please spread the word about the site and encourage others to join us as a friend or member.

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Monica Winston who is organising this course is Vice President of Geelong Sustainability Group.

Energy / Solar

GSG has run Sustainable House Day in Geelong for the last few years. In the last three years the number of  visits have been approximately 1200, 1200 and 1450 respectively. Numerous Geelong homeowners have opened their doors to give all Geelong residents the opportunity to see sustainability in action. Thankyou to City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Water for assistance with the 2011 event.

Carbon price cost of living calculator : Consumer advocate CHOICE, the Australian Council of Social Service and The Climate Institute have teamed up to look at the cost of living impacts of the carbon price. With the carbon price now law you can go to the website - yourcarbonprice.com.au - and use the online calculator to weigh up your own costs, the financial support you will receive from the government and the potential savings you can make from energy efficiency measures.
 

The State Government has released its policy on the location of wind farms and it is more restrictive than we had feared. It is now easier to find a location for a coal-fired power station than for a wind farm in Victoria. To see more details click on our Victoria - coal and more page.

Environment Victoria is challenging HRL's proposal to build a new coal fired power station in Victoria. Unfortunately HRL is challenging their right to even appear in court. To read more click on our Victoria - coal and more page.

100% Renewable Energy Campaign

• GSG is joining with over 50 other community groups in every state and territory as part of the 100% renewable energy campaign. For more details on the campaign across Australia go to www.100percent.org.au .

   GSG has recently signed on to a campaign for Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) in Victoria. CDL is a scheme whereby a 10 cent returnable deposit is given to all drink bottles, cans and cartons. Victorian’s consume almost one million tonnes of packaging per year. Of this, approximately 103 kilograms of packaging waste per person is land-filled each year. Drink containers represent 30% of all packaging, but only half of used containers are recycled. Plastic soft drink containers are the most littered item by volume in Victoria.

Community Change

Phil Baulch and Monica Winston are facilitating Changing the Dream Symposium events. It is a powerful way to be empowered or empower others to take inspiring actions to transform our world. Contact us to organise one in your area/workplace/school/home.

For people between 12 and 28yrs, you can connect with Geelong Youth for Climate Action (a sub group of GSG) contact Tara Watts on tlwa@deakin.edu.au and the newly formed Geelong Students Environment Network.

• Geelong Student Environment Netork (GSEN) http://www.gsenviro.net is a network, an opportunity for students from all schools, public and private in the Geelong region to meet, collaborate, exchange ideas and encourage each other.
  
• The aim of this network is to allow us, the future generation to build a sustainable future within our schools and within our communities.
  
• This will give us the right to say to future generations “We are doing everything in our power to sustain our environment”.
• GSEN page On Facebook 

Geelong LETS (L.ocal E.nergy T.ransfer System) and Surf Coast LETS have started up. These are community-based trading system that allows you to trade without using your hard-earned Dollars. You 'pay' for what you receive by offering back to the community goods and services that you can provide.To find out more, click here  (see sidebar)

Transition Towns is the most exciting work assisting communities to transition to a low energy future and create community resilience.  Check out the web pages on this site and "Events" for exciting and informative ways to meet like minded people and build solutions from the ground up. A number GSG members have been particularly active in establishing and running these ie Andrew Lucas, Goshen Watts, Janet Massey, Doug Rolfe, Joh Donkers and Cheryl Almond.

Andrew Lucas who has been the Eco Living Manager of 9 community houses in the Surfcoast and Colac Otway Shires and is now a Transition Consultant to 1/4 of Victoria's councils in a program he created called "Councils and Communities in Transition (CACIT)

South Barwon Community Centre has partnered with Transition South Barwon to auspice a City of Greater Geelong councillor community grant to run 10 edible garden blitz's in 3216 area in 2010 and 2011.

Sustainable food / permaculture / Biodiversity

Geelong Organic Gardeners are a fantastic group to join full of laughter, great books, knowledge to share, seeds and an incredible newsletter. www.gog.org.au

Kylie and Lars organise an organic vegie box. If interested see purchasing organic

Monica Winston is running more Permaculture education courses in 2011 including Eat Your Garden and Edible Garden Blitz's (modelled on Permablitz) Email Monica on goldenalight@yahoo.com.au if interested.

Current discounts for members

Buxton Baby (www.buxtonbaby.com.au) is Geelong owned and operated by a midwife and mother of two young children. As new parents we found it difficult to find the quality and range of sustainable products that we now stock, including toys, natural remedies, cloth nappies, baby carriers and so much more.
Buxton Baby would like to offer a standing discount Members of Geelong Sustainability Group
Enter the code ‘GSG’ at checkout to receive 10% off.

Solar Whiz removes hot air from your roof space using free energy from the sun. Also energy monitors, differencial thermostats, Solar Venti's etc
Contact Phil Baulch for information, sales and installation 0417 554 791

Bike Power in Belmont (corner of Corio and Belmont Streets - just east of the PO) run by members of GSG are offering 10% discount ongoingly. We need to confirm this with the new owners.

Yoga Dojo - www.yoga-dojo.com.au

In appreciation of all the fabbo work and commitment to our precious environment provided by members of Geelong Sustainability Group, I'd like to provide a 10% discount on all yoga classes and courses at Yoga Dojo. To get the discount, members will just need to let me know they are members of GSG when they are paying for their class / course.

Namaste, Adrienne Stephens, Director, YOGA DOJO
3/34 Malop Street, Geelong, 3220
P:    03 5229 1910   M:    0450 959 191
                     

                                   

Envirogroup (www.enviroshop.com.au) run an on-line and physical shop for Sustainability products. We are currently investigating options for them to expand locally. If you are a business owner who may be willing to help with this then Contact Us . Also, EnviroShop Solar have joined with Alternative Technology Association (ATA) to provide Solar lighting for East Timorese homes. They are hoping to donate 200 solar lighting systems to East Timorese families between now and the end of March 2012.  Check them out on facebook 

 

Solar installers

Local residents Christian and Emma Pritchett from City to Surf Solar (http://citytosurfsolar.com.au) (formerly Pritchett Electrical) have been long-standing supporters of Geelong Sustainability Group. If you contact them they are willing to guide you through the process of installing solar panels (at a reduced rate for GSG members). They can be contacted on 1300 348 847 / 0424 466 857

Geelong Solar Energy Pty Ltd (http://www.geelongsolarenergy.com.au)
Steve Moriarty
7-9 Hill St Clifton Springs VICTORIA 3222
Phone: 03 525 33 429, Mobile: 0409 883 891

current offer 16/4/12 :  "If any members are interested in a group buy or even a one off purchase I have at the moment 5kw systems with 6kw Aurora inverters going for a very competitive price of around 12,000, fully installed, depending on the job I can install most for this price, some cheaper if it is a easy install"
 

                   

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We have parents, educators, gardeners, artists, social workers, builders, architects, business people, local govt employees, scientists, leaders, health professionals etc in this group.
There are many many talented, educated and skilled people who have joined this network and it's wonderful to be connected.