November 2009
November already! Extraordinary. And what a lot we've achieved in 2009..! We’ve refreshed, revitalised, reshaped, rebranded (news of our new logo coming soon!) and are turning over new leaves all over the place - check out our workshop happening this weekend to create a brand new Transition Initiative with the Waratah. Georgetown and Mayfield communities - The Greater Waratah Wellbeing and Sustainability Community Forum this Saturday 7 November 2-4pm at St Matthews Church Hall, 7 Wentworth Street, Georgetown, details below. If you live in the Waratah, Georgetown or Mayfield area, or just want to be part of growing this exciting new Transition Initiative, make sure you get along. [And if you'd like to start a Transition Initiative in your suburb or community, do get in contact with Transition Newcastle!] And don’t miss the picnic revitalising Braye Park into a very special community space on Saturday 28 November – see below for more information.
Also below is a special mention for Fellow Traveller Climate Action Newcastle's Smart Energy Expo, on for two action-packed days (and FREE!) at Wheeler Place and Newcastle Town Hall this weekend – full speaker schedule below. See you there!
In this edition:
Waratah Wellbeing and Sustainability Community Forum
Climate Action Newcastle Smart Energy Expo
- Sustainable House Day & Sustainable Home Assessments
- Transport Forum
Transition Household of the Month - Kate & family
- Having a Go - in a Productive Way!
- Lambton Primary School update - LEAP Frog Food & Art Garden
Waratah Wellbeing and Sustainability Community Forum – FREE
Greater Waratah Wellbeing and Sustainability Community Forum
2 - 4pm Saturday 7th November
St Matthews Church Hall, 7 Wentworth Street, Georgetown
Do you live in Waratah, Mayfield, or Georgetown?
What would make your community a better place to live?
Community gardens ~ A safe place for my children to play ~ BBQ area ~ Bike tracks ~ Better public transport ~ A cafe on the hill ~ Community centre ~ Vegetable growing workshops ~ Sustainable living workshops ~ Frugal family club ~ Kids nature club at Braye Park ~ Free exercise classes ~ Exercise circuits ~ Access to free organic vegetables ~ Community kitchen & pizza oven.
These are just some of the ideas we are considering. Do you have others?
Come along and have your say and help us build a stronger community.
Please RSVP by email to transitionnc@optusnet.com.au or phone 0414248993
For additional information, hard-copy posters, or flyers please contact Tricia (contact details above).
Smart Energy Expo Newcastle 2009 - FREE
By Ian Wilcox
The third annual Smart Energy Expo Newcastle, hosted by grassroots community group Climate Action Newcastle (CAN), is on again! The Expo will be held at Newcastle City Hall and Wheeler Place on the 7-8th November, from 9am to 4pm each day.
Smart Energy Expo Newcastle 2009 is a two day event highlighting the latest technologies available and in development to achieve a clean energy and low carbon future, for the home, our region and the world. It’s your one-stop shop for the latest in renewable energy and sustainable living.
More than 25 exhibitors will be showcased at this year’s Expo, including:
l Solar electricity systems,
l Solar and heat pump hot water systems
l Micro wind turbines
l Energy-smart building design and materials
l LED lighting technologies
l A range of energy efficient products for your home
l Advice on government rebates and local Council initiatives
l Water tanks
l Bicycles
l Plants
There is also a kids’ activities space, and a speakers’ forum from 10.30am to 3.30pm on both days, with an extensive list of expert speakers from various disciplines.
Walking the Talk
Of course, there’s not much point having solar panels on your roof if you have a metre wide plasma TV or run a pool heater pump for eight hours a day. Climate change is happening now, much faster than previously predicted, and the global need for action has moved far beyond people changing their light globes.
Talk to Climate Action Newcastle volunteers at the Expo about the many ways you can get involved to help avert a global climate emergency. Climate Action Newcastle was established in August 2006 as a local response to the global threat of climate change. Climate Action Newcastle currently has over 60 members, and 700 supporters who subscribe to our monthly newsletter. CAN’s mission statement is “to secure a clean energy/low carbon future for the Hunter to contribute to a sustainable future for all.” See www.climateaction.org.au for more information.
Smart Energy Expo Speakers' Forum
The speakers' forum will be held in The Newcastle Room, on the ground floor of Newcastle City Hall.
All presentations are 20 minutes with a 10 minute break/question time in between.
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Saturday |
Sunday |
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10.30am |
Duncan Jinks (CAN) introducing Climate Action Newcastle & the Smart Energy Expo Newcastle 2009 |
Duncan Jinks (CAN) introducing Climate Action Newcastle & the Smart Energy Expo Newcastle 2009 |
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11am |
Scott Barrett (Solar Shop Australia) on solar electricity systems |
Scott Barrett (Solar Shop Australia) on solar electricity systems |
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11.30am |
Howard Morrison (sustainable owner-builder) on the zero carbon house, distributed energy and energy transitioning |
Glenn Platt (CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship Newcastle) on smart grids & alternative energy |
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12pm |
Jarra Hicks (The University of Newcastle) on local responses to climate change and using the diverse economy to meet energy needs |
Discussion/Q&A and break |
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12.30pm |
Mark Brown/Kate Beveridge (Purple Pear Organics) on community supported agriculture and permaculture |
Duncan Jinks (CAN) on climate change science and policy, Copenhagen and beyond |
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1pm |
William Vorobioff (Transition Town Newcastle) on Peak Oil and the Transition Towns movement |
William Vorobioff (Transition Town Newcastle) on Peak Oil and the Transition Towns movement |
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1.30pm |
Ben Ewald (Newcastle Cycleways Movement) on The Newcastle Bike Plan and cycling in Newcastle |
Discussion/Q&A and break |
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2pm |
David Wood/Paul Peterson (Aerogenesis) on wind turbine technologies |
Nikki Brown (co-author ‘Cycling Outback Australia’) on sustainable holidays and guilt free travel |
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2.30pm |
Paul Dastoor (The Univeristy of Newcastle) on recent advances in solar technology |
Ben Ewald (Newcastle Cycleways Movement) on The Newcastle Bike Plan and cycling in Newcastle |
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3pm |
Kate Barton (Lake Macquarie City Council) on LMCC climate initiatives |
Duncan Jinks (CAN) on climate change science and policy, Copenhagen and beyond |
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3.30pm |
Greg Chrismas (Huff & Puff straw bale constructions) on sustainable building |
Discussion/Q&A and close |
Braye Park Picnic Day
Braye Park, Edith Street Waratah.
Bring a picnic and join us for a free family friendly celebration.
Music ~ face painting ~ cake stall ~ kids' games ~ competitions ~ best dressed dog ~ best dressed bike ~ kite flying ~ giveaways and prizes ~ put your mark on the park ~ council presentation on Braye Park Master Plan revision ~ have your say regarding what you think the park needs
Supported by Newcastle City Council's Place Making project.
Place making is the creation of safe, vibrant public destinations and neighborhoods: places where people feel a strong sense of ownership in their communities and a commitment to making things better.
The picnic will include fundraising activities for proposed ‘Movies in Braye Park’. So if you would like to see a Green Film Fest happen in 2010, come along and show your support.
Seeking Sponsors: We are seeking additional sponsors for the community picnic. Sponsor benefits include inclusion on a sponsor panel to be displayed at the picnic and acknowledgement on the Waratah Wellbeing and Sustainability project web page. No sponsorship is too small. We are particularly seeking: financial contributions towards hiring local musicians and face painters; gift vouchers or items suitable for competition prizes; and cakes or sweets suitable for our fundraising cake stall.
Contact: transitionnc@optusnet.com.au or phone Tricia on 0414248993.
Report backs...
- Sustainable House Day
By William Vorobioff
In September, TTN co-ordinated a Sustainable House Day here in the Hunter which, thanks to the tireless efforts of Bryan Havenhand, was a great success. Although this day was free to the public, TTN received a rebate for each house we registered so the event provided some much needed funding to our empty coffers. It was also an opportunity to see how well we were doing in our attempts to live more sustainably.
As novices, we had little idea of what to expect, and were overwhelmed by the response. We spent the day showing people around the yard and through the house. Although most of our efforts were outside, with a focus on gardens, chooks, solar panels, and the very sustainable, iconic Hills Hoist (offering a most efficient circulating structure for solar drying), people were interested in the inner workings of our chaotic abode. This made me think about what we had done, and be more clear about what we still could do – a rewarding experience that had the understated result of keeping me honest. We have managed to make many of the changes needed, quite frugally, and apart from the big ticket items, a lot can be done without much money at all (particularly with the added incentive of rebates).
Many thanks to the people who opened their homes and the fabulous volunteers who ensured that the day, though frantically busy, was enjoyable for everyone. And don’t forget, we are looking for others next year willing to share what they have managed to do on their own journey to sustainability. With support, it is fun and rewarding.
- Sustainable Transport Forum
By Geraldine O'Connor
TTN hosted a Sustainable Transport Forum in Newcastle Town Hall on Thursday 24 September. The keynote speaker was Elliot Fishmann from the Sensible Transport Institute in Victoria. Over 100 people, including the Mayors of Maitland and Newcastle and the General Manager of Newcastle City Council, attended the Forum.
Elliott provided the audience with information on Peak Oil and the impacts for how we utilise transport in the future. Examples of clever transport ideas from other areas were shown, including bike racks on the front of buses in Canberra, trains with one whole carriage devoted to bicycles, cycle land treatments and facilities for cyclists.
Councils that have adopted Peak Oil policies and are seriously considering the impacts of the increasing cost of oil on Council operations were highlighted.
A panel of five speakers from across the Hunter gave their perspective on Elliott’s presentation and their own experiences.
A Sensible Transport Working Group was formed on the night. This group has drafted a Peak Oil discussion paper. Members are currently actively working to get this discussion paper into the five Lower Hunter Councils and onto Council’s agenda. Updates on the progress of this task will be provided through this newsletter.
- Home Sustainability Assessments
By Ian Wilcox
As part of a new Federal Government program, home owners and tenants can get a FREE assessment of their home together with an analysis of their energy and water usage. The assessor can also advise on the Government rebates available for solar, insulation and replacement of white goods as well as give some simple tips to reduce energy consumption. An interest free Green Loan is also an option.
Cathy Stuart and Ian Wilcox are both Home Sustainability Assessors and active members of Transition Towns Newcastle (TTN). If you arrange a FREE assessment directly with them they will donate $20 to TTN for each house assessed.
Cathy and Ian can be contacted on:
Ian Wilcox Phone:40211019 www.energysavings.net.au Email:HomeEnergySavingsAdvice@gmail.com
Cathy Stuart Phone:49539422 Email: cathy.stuart@exemail.com.au
Transition Household of the Month – Kate, Graeme and family
“Nothing beats having kids when it comes to curing you of your selfishness and making you think about how the world could be a better place” says Kate, mum-of-two, in Tighes Hill.
Kate and her husband, Graeme, had cared about the environment for a long time but now look back on their early years together and feel surprised they didn’t do more. Now the principles of green living influence most of their decisions – from the work they do to type of laundry powder they buy - so what changed?
“We moved away from Newcastle for six years,” recalls Kate. “First we were in a farming community in northern NSW where large-scale land clearing was interrupted by small patches of stunning state forest. Then we spent some time in Sweden – the green mecca of the West! – and Switzerland, where we saw the great role that pro-active councils and governments can play in the move towards more sustainable practices.”
Seeing Australia through the eyes of Western Europe and then having a baby made the importance of reducing their own carbon footprints and improving their own community hit home. “We’re trying to be more thoughtful consumers who question whether or not we really need new things. And buying our home has meant that we can do things like install solar panels.” Graeme cycles to work and Kate offers practical advice on green living in the free local parenting magazine, Sunny Days.
Kate says, “The greatest number of changes have taken place since I stopped working in order to be with our sons. This has meant that I have the time to contribute to some of the fantastic groups that are already established or are currently being established around here, such as the Tighes Hill Community Garden. There’s so much to be gained from thinking globally while acting locally”.
Schools in Transition!
HAVING A GO … IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY
Maureen Beckett
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what you can contribute in terms of building awareness about sustainability. When I joined the environmental subcommittee of my son’s new school, I was a woman on a mission, with ambitious ideas about what we could achieve.
In my zeal, I had forgotten how slow the wheels turn in large institutions. I was beginning to feel that my time could be better spent elsewhere.I don't have much spare and I wanted to feel I was using it productively. Besides, my impatience and frustration wasn't helpful.
To get the process moving, I organised speakers to talk to our group of principals, teachers, parents and a student representative about what was possible.
As a consultant for many years, if I needed to learn about something new, the first thing I’d do was pick the brains of people who’d already tried. It didn’t matter how well they succeeded because sometimes you can learn more from their mistakes (as opposed to making them yourself!).
I think people were sceptical about what others could offer, but when Ian Wilcox (a fellow member of TTN and CAN) described the energy savings (read $$$s) at Hamilton Public he soon had their attention. His explanations of how simple changes had a great impact made the process seem achievable.
Similarly Declan Clausen, an inspiring student from Lambton High, gave a presentation on the changes and savings they’d achieved and how the students had organised themselves. He talked about their Green Day, which inspired our primary to have a go, and will lead to a multi-campus green day next year. His environmental studies teacher, Carolyn Hayden, also talked about her role in driving and supporting the changes.
Of course progress isn’t as fast and momentous as I’d hoped, although the grant from the National Solar Schools Program will make major changes in terms of energy and water savings. The true progress for me is in engaging the students so that their awareness grows and they can drive the changes. But of course this doesn’t happen overnight. The teaching staff are already carrying a huge workload and building awareness takes time and effort above and beyond their normal duties.
So, I’m taking a different tack and celebrating each small step. The primary’s Environment Day, a simple start to the process, broadened kids’ notions about energy usage. Ian Wilcox enthralled kids by showing them how to measure how much energy appliances use and talking about ways to reduce usage. In consultation with the students, some inspired teachers devised activities that demonstrated and celebrated sustainability including tree planting, seed sowing, a hat and costume parade and covering the playground in green slogans. And of course they pigged out on green cordial, cakes and fairy bread. I’m not sure what’s sustainable about a green lamington but they seemed to go down OK.
SWAP TILL YOU DROP
I’m hoping our next activity is a Swap Party. I’m already running one at work as part of our carbon crusade. The Swap is sponsored by Planet Ark and is part of National Recycling Week (November 9-15) http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/ Everything you need to hold a swap party is provided online. You just need to define what you’re going to swap, where and when you’ll hold the event.
At work we’ll swap books, CDs and DVDs. For every item we bring in, we get a token, which we can then exchange for something we want. We’re also having an office fling. Office paper has a low recycling rate because it’s stuck in filing cabinets where it will probably never be read again. Our competition will reward staff for getting as much paper back into circulation as possible (either as recycled notepads or shredded for reuse). We’re still working out if and how we can hold a swap party at the school, so I’ll let you know how we go.
Lambton Primary School update - LEAP Frog Food and Art Garden
By Graeme Stuart
An important aspect of transitioning is building strong local communities and the LEAP Frog Food and Art Garden at Lambton Public School has a strong focus on community building. The gardens are looking good and lots of people have contributed. We hope that parents and students will develop a sense of ownership of the garden and be willing to initiate ideas. We haven’t quite developed a roster or other system for ensuring the garden is watered regularly but a group of year 5 girls have organised themselves so that they water the garden during recess. 
As often as possible we try to use things that are being thrown out (e.g. old tyres, ceramic pipes, furniture from Council pick ups). It is great to see people coming in with ideas for the garden. We picked up some large steps that were being demolished at someone’s work and one of the fathers turned them into some great seats.
During the school holidays we had a family mosaic day. Over 75 people had a wonderful day creating mosaic pavers for the garden and we are holding another one soon. These types of events help parents and children get to know each other while enjoying themselves.
While we rarely mention peak oil or climate change, we definitely see it as part of the transition movement. It is introducing students (and some parents) to growing their own food; we hope to encourage teachers to use it as part of sustainability education and it is helping to strengthen the local community.
Ideas Cafe
Don't forget TTN's Ideas Cafe on the first Saturday of every month, at D'Mitri's, 79 Beaumont St Hamilton (behind Euro Bar), 2.30pm-3.30pm - we'd love to see you!
Newsletter compiled and zen-edited by Jacquie Svenson.
