Winter Solstice Update

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Hi all

The shortest day of the year has already passed, and last night we had our monthly Open Space meeting. It reminds me why we are doing this work. Yes there is a need to promote a paradigm shift to a fossil fuel free  lifestyle and economy; but why the Transition Town model appeals is because of its positive focus on a future where our prosperity is more based on social capital and community engagement, and the desire of those involved to create new and more connected lives and stories.Please join us at one of our events

In this bulletin: Updates on

  • NCC 2030 Vision and workshops
  • Monthly Ideas Cafe
  • Heart and Soul workshop
  • Film and Open Space meeting
  • Fair Share Festival
  • Transition Discussion Course
  • 2010 Sustainable House day 

Updates:You can find more info on the front page links of our website at www.transitionnewcastle.org.au

Current: Many of you will have heard of NCC's  2030 Vision and Community workshops to get our input into Newcastle's future. A series of seven workshops are currently being run by the irrepressible Peter Kenyon from The Bank of I.D.E.A.S.This is an excellent opportunity to bring your ideas about sustainability into the public arena and make a difference. While all areas are important, please note those of the The connected City and the Protection of the Environment. For more information on times and dates please go to this link NCC 2030 Vision

Saturday July 3rd, 2:30pm: Ideas Cafe - for the first time in three months, the Ideas Cafe will be back at Dimitri's Cafe in Hamilton. Join us for meaningful conversations, at the core of any real community building.

Sunday July 24th, 9:15 to 5pm: Our first Heart and Soul workshop:You are invited to a day long workshop called "The Work that Reconnects". This is based on Joanna Macy's work, and will be run by Clare Power from Katoomba  - it is about what has been called Deep Ecology, designed to support people in opening up to the greater possibilities of community connection, and being more enlivened and empowered in contributing to creating a sustainable future. Cost is $30 (or concession). Venue TBA.  Please email transitionnc@optusnet.com.au.

Tuesday July 27th, 7:15pm: Hamilton Baptist Church Hall, Lindsay Street. The next Open Space meeting will be modified to accomodate the showing of the movie The Power of Community, a terrific film that documents the real life journey of Cuba when it had the world's first experience of what Peak Oil might mean, following the cutting of its oil supplies with the collapse of the soviet Union.

Saturday August 28th, 9:30am to 4:30pm: Hamilton Public School, Newcastle

FAIR  SHARE  FESTIVAL - FSF  … the first in Australia and Transition Newcastle is auspicing this event

Interactive workshops, displays and "edutainment" - skits, music and comedy - on key social justice problems and eco-social development solutions. Saturday 28 August 9.30am -4.30pm plus, likely, Friday 27 Aug 4.30-8pm to be confirmed. This will also be on our website soon.

Sunday September 12th, 10:00am to 4:00pm: Sustainable House Day 2010 is on again on Sunday 12th September. In Newcastle and the Lower Hunter, Transition Town Newcastle will again be the local sponsoring community group.

We need to ascertain is how many people out there are interested in the possibility of opening their house on the 12th for 6 hours (10 am to 4 pm). No commitment yet - only expressions of interest. For those interested, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered. We are hoping to get some houses from each of the local Lower Hunter council areas: Port Stephens, Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie. Ten would be a good number. If it's a pleasant day you could expect between 80 and 150 people to drop by, some only briefly, some for a lengthy yak.

You'll be covered with public liability insurance.  Other information will be available as to how to handle the day.  For further details have a look at http://www.sustainablehouseday.com. If you are interested could you email Bryan Havenhand on spean@fastmail.fm. (He'll be away until mid-July but he can be contacted via this email address).

September: Transition Training and Discussion Course: a six session event held fortnightly - more info to follow.

Happy Transitioning!