Transition Newcastle's Winter Warmer July 2010
It may be chilly out there but so much is happening in the next few weeks that it's really worth making the effort....
Wednesday 21st: The Garden at the End of the World
Don't forget this confronting documentary on Afghanistan is screening this Wednesday night only at 6.30pm.
The film, by award winning Australian filmmaker Gary Caganoff, portrays the lives of the hardest hit, the widows and orphans, who number in tens of thousands, following two remarkable Australian women; humanitarian, Mahboba Rawi, and internationally recognised permaculturalist Rosemary Morrow, who offer alternatives to the ‘reconstruction’ efforts that have not worked.Through these two remarkable women Caganoff elicits stories and images of Afghanistan rarely seen before. Neither sentimental nor sensational, the film is remarkable, reaching into the depths and complexities of war torn Afghanistan. Gary Caganoff will speak after the screening.
The film screens at the Elderly Citizens Centre, Laing Street, Newcastle East (behind Hunter St. Mall) Entry fee is $10 (PHR members and low-income) $15 non-members with all proceeds donated to Mahboba’s Promise. The film is rated ‘M’ for mature audiences. Enquiries to lizapezzano@hotmail.com
Sunday 25th: Heart and Soul Workshop - the work that reconnects
You are invited to attend a day-long workshop based on experiential processes developed by Joanna Macy. By participating together in meditation, rituals, and creative processes we have the opportunity to honour our pain for the world and be enlivened and empowered to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
Of all the dangers we face, from climate chaos to permanent war, none is so great as the deadening of our response… psychic numbing impedes our capacity to process and respond. In letting go of old defences we find truer community, and in community we learn to trust our inner responses to our world and find our power-Joanna Macy
Facilitator, Clare Power, from the Blue Mountains trained with Joanna Macy in August 2008.
The workshop runs from 9.15am to 5pm at the Family Action Centre – Newcastle University. The fee is $30 (concessions available)
Bring some lunch and a cushion. Morning & afternoon tea will be provided .
For information and bookings contact transitionnc@optusnet.com.au or phone Maureen on 4967 3231 (there are four spaces remaining).
Tuesday 27th: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
This inspiring film focuses on the oil supply crisis that the collapse of the Soviet Union brought upon Cuba. This Cuban experience of the 1990s offers lessons to help prepare other nations with petroleum-based economies—such as our own—for a future in which oil will become more more expensive and could eventually be unavailable.
The Power of Community is a project of the Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, a non-profit organization that designs and teaches low-energy solutions to the current unsustainable, fossil fuel based, industrialized, and centralized way of living. Far from being depressing, the people of Cuba show resilience and hope, not to mention innovative solutions, which are thought-provoking and inspiring.
This free film is showing in Transition Newcastle's July public meeting (normally Open Space) at the Hamilton Baptist Church, Lindsay Street, Hamilton (opposite Gregson Park) commencing at 7.15pm. There will be space for discussion and project creation.
Wednesday 4th August: Beyond Coal - 100% renewables for the Hunter
Climate Action Newcastle is holding a forum for the community to learn about the potential of renewable energy, and start talking about a future where we don’t need to burn dirty coal to produce electricity anymore.The panellists will speak on a range of related issues, including the technical challenges and solutions, how communities can take action to create the future they want to see, and how the transition will affect jobs.
A representative from Beyond Zero Emissions will be attending to launch their recently released Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan. This plan shows how we could provide 100% Renewable energy for Australia by 2020, including how much it would cost. Via skype, we will hear from Scott Kinear about how a community have set up their own wind farm in Victoria, and from Dr Luis Crespo about how Concentrating Solar Thermal technology is providing baseload power in Spain. There will be lots of questions and answers so please come along to listen, learn and participate.
The forum starts at 6.30pm at Newcastle City Hall. Entry is by a gold coin donation. For more info or media enquiries please contact John L Hayes on 0400 171 602, or jlhayes@bigpond.com.
Saturday August 14th: Hunter Organics 30th Anniversary
Featuring Andrew Dempster from Slow Food Hunter Valley as the guest speaker, the afternoon will celebrate 30 years of continuing passion for sustainable agriculture. As a group, HOGS encourages its members through field days and a newsletter, to grow food organically without artificial fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides and without polluting the environment. The group promotes the sustainable use of the earth in all aspects of everyday life and has grown from a handful of enthusiasts to over 150 members.
The afternoon commences at 1.30pm at The Wetlands at Shortland. RSVP to Angela by phoning 4959 9525 or e-mailing angela.finney@harboursat.com.au before August 7th.
