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.
Our next bi-monthly meeting at Beav's Bar (77 Little Malop St Geelong) will be in August. Get on the 11.40am train to the Climate Emergency Rally (Sat June 13) and meet Geelong's most sustainable and friendly people. Details of what happened at past general meetings are set out in our blog.
GSG members surprised that the rebate suddenly ended
Fri 26th June: Just a quick note to give some important news regarding solar PV systems in Victoria, and it's good news! The State's FiT has finally been passed, and has many of the improvements we (and many other environment groups) have been lobbying for.
Around 70 households took advantage of our Geelong Goes Solar bulk buy before the Federal Government abruptly pulled the pin. Well done to all involved for making a positive contribution to Geelong's carbon footprint.
For people between 10 and 30yrs, you can connect with Geelong Youth for Climate Action (a sub group of GSG) as well if you like. Contact Karina Donkers on kdon@deakin.edu.au. Come along to their World Environment Day gig on June 6 (see poster or read about it in Events)
We'd love to read your thoughts so please add to the Discussion forum.
Check out the myriad sustainability Events around Geelong. Also please spread the word about the site and encourage others to join as a friend or member.
We are currently inviting expressions of interest for people wanting to be on the warm and friendly committee of this great group.
Please email Monica goldenalight@yahoo.com.au if interested.
June News
Energy / Solar
Sustainability Guide for Renters : This new guide is packed with useful information. Download from www.envict.org.au/rentersguide
Solar Hot Water rebate : Note that there is now a $1600 rebate for those who replace an existing electric hot water system with a solar hot water system. See Solar Hot Water
Free Globes : Go to this website, type in your details and get 2 free Energy Saving Light Globes. Or you can get all your globes done for free by Envirosaver. They get carbon offset certificates for the emissions saved by the new globes and they trade them on the market.
Share cars : Would you like to convince one of the 2 car share companies in Melbourne to position a car in Geelong ? See Green Transport
Possible solar plant in Geelong : Click on Energy options for Geelong to find out more
Climate Campaigning
Feed-in tariff : The State Governnment's feed-in tariff legislation was passed by the upper house on 25 June 09. It now includes many of the amendments that were lobbied for by groups such as hours. To find out more click on
Feed-in TariffFederal Goverrnment's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme : to find out what is (not) happening, click on
Federal Govt targets
Climate action calendar for June-July 09 :
CAC 9 June - 15 July '09.doc
Watch this : one of the most moving and incredible climate videos we have seen :
the big ask
Walk Against Warming Geelong! was successfully held on Saturday November 15 with over 300 Geelong residents. For more information see the
blog.
Community Cabinet - our meetings with Ministers - Committee members of GSG and SCEG held meetings with Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Industry Minister Kim Carr and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the Community Cabinet in Geelong on December 7th. To find out who said what to whom, click on our blog and read the post.
Councils set to spend up on climate change. Local councils have set aside money for adaption and local action plans on climate. We welcome this move and will be interested in the details of how the money is to be spent. For the full story, click on
Local Government
Community Change
Congratulations to Robyn Hodge who has been employed as Co-ordinator of Grovedale Community Centre and it's in Transition South Barwon for which she has done so much work getting going!
Transition Bell and Transition South Barwon: Both are doing some of 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 these ie Andrew Lucas, Robyn Hodge, Doug Hunt, Doug Rolfe, Bree Schembri, Goshen Watts, Helen Long.
Surf Coast LETS (local energy trading scheme) is starting up. To find out more, click here
Proposed Otway Surf Coast / Eco Arts Community : to find out the latest, click here or contact Tabitha or Justin on tabitha_inbox@bigpond.com
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. They ran a private one recently in a team including Karina Donkers (Geelong Youth for Climate action) for 60 year 8 students at Clonard College on their fantastic Sustainability Day, 4th Dec. Contact us to organise one in your area/workplace/school/home.
Here's 20 things to do in challenging times.doc
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 and Andrew Lucas will be running more Permaculture education courses in 2009. Email Monica on goldenalight@yahoo.com.au if interested.
Random Quote"What you guys have created is more powerful than the gardens you have made, it is the concept of the permablitz... the idea that landscapes of lawn, shrubs, concrete and dog mess are not the pinnacle of human achievement, but are an odd manifestation of an age with more oil than sense, and the idea that we can change them, and we can change them fast. Out with the lawn and in with the salad!" Rob Hopkins, originator of the Transition Network
Water
The Government is currently offering an extra rebate on water bills to people who purchase water saving products for the garden. This offer only goes to the end of May and is in addition to the annual rebate for the 'basket of goods' rebate. You can read all about it here or see Water
Current discounts for members
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.
Yoga Dojo
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.
Some new courses events coming up they may be of interest to your members are:
Namaste,
Adrienne Stephens, Director, YOGA DOJO
3/34 Malop Street, Geelong, 3220
P: 03 5229 1910
M: 0450 959 191
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.