About Benalla Sustainable Future Group

Beginning

The Benalla Sustainable Future Group was established in 2010 by local residents who were concerned about the issue of sustainability and the lack of action on climate change both locally and nationally.

Our Purpose

The primary purpose of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group is to protect and enhance the natural and built environment by promoting sustainable living practices and development within the Benalla region so that the needs of the present can be met without compromising the resources available to future generations.

Specifically the Benalla Sustainable Future Group will aim to develop and implement a sustainable vision for the Benalla region which will include:

• significantly reducing the region's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
• assisting residents to respond to the changing world by using natural resources wisely
• reducing reliance on non-renewable sources of energy
• promoting environmental awareness and responsibility to further the protection and, where necessary, the restoration and rehabilitation of the natural environment 
• helping to build and nurture a community in which relationships, social justice and creativity are highly valued.

Benalla Sustainable Future Group works to achieve its aims through;

• focussing on solutions to the problem of global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• involving households, schools, businesses and other institutions in sustainability programs involving energy, water, land and other resources
• operating education and awareness programs
• conducting research into ways in which our society can be more sustainable
• networking with, and where appropriate, supporting local, national and international organisations with similar objectives
• promoting the concept of "reduce, reuse and recycle"
• supporting sustainable locally based agriculture and other business ventures which seek to supply the local community
• working with the media to promote the ideas of sustainability and sustainable practices
• conducting advocacy with all levels of government - Local, State and Federal - on the issues of climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable development

 Action groups  are established to implement these and other strategies as the need arises

Meetings

The Benalla Sustainable Future Group generally meets on the fourth Thursday of every second month in March, May (AGM), July, September and November.   When general meetings are organised with guest speakers or films, they are held in the meeting room at the Uniting Church, Carrier Street, Benalla. (Opposite the Coles car park)  These meetings are open to members of the public.

BSFG Committee 2024-2025

President:  David Blore                         Vice-President:  Peter Holmes
Secretary:  Judy Schwarzman                 Treasurer: Wendy Baker                          
Committee members:  Peter Maddock, Rachel De Summa, Kay Blore, KateHolmes, Kevin Smith, Karen Nankervis, Liz Hilenaar. 

Committee members and others with roles in  2024-25 include (L to R) - Wendy Baker (Treasurer), Judy Schwartzman (Secretary), Kevin Smith (REB, NERSA), Peter Maddock (Web team, Ecologically Sustainable Design Action Group), Kaye Blore (WasteWise), David Blore (President), Christine Holmes (Food Coop Rosters) and Peter Holmes (Vice President).