BSFG Newsletter and Newsletter Archive

BSFG's quarterly newsletter is emailed to the BSFG mailing list and published on this website shortly afterwards.
Members are invited to contribute articles of about 200 words about an environmentally themed topic.   Perhaps you are involved in one of our action groups and would like to submit an article about this.  Perhaps something you are personally interested in including actions you are taking to live more sustainably.  Your thoughts about major environmental issues which are important to you.  Are we dealing with these issues adequately?  Politics gives plenty of scope to comment on environmental issues! 

 Contributions for upcoming Newsletters can be be emailed to Peter Holmes at chrispeth@bigpond.com.

2023

BSFG's March 2023 Newsletter (#34)    Two excellent articles in this edition relate to the outstanding talk given in February by Dr Greg Moore about the benefits of trees in a changing climate.  In both his President's Message and his article on the Greg Moore talk, Peter Holmes stresses the need for Benalla Rural City Council to establish appropriate planning policies in the areas of new housing subdivision approvals and associated streetscape policies.  Ian Herbert takes a good look at the current Benalla Planning Scheme and the Council's Significant Tree Register and finds them both wanting - with a need for a clear strategy for obtaining and developing land for public spaces and answers to the question, what happens to the open space contribution from developers, and to the offsets provided when native vegetation is cleared.  Ian prompts us to write to the ministers responsible - DEECA and the Department of Transport and Planning, and to the Premier, to urge planning systems change at State level.   In another article, 'Systems Error', Ian expresses concern that many systems in our society are not responsive to the needs of the people--or the planet, noting that it can take two years to get a new entry up on the Significant Trees Register and 'That's within an existing system, not even asking for change'.  The newsletter also updates us on the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival - Saturday 17th June - and upcoming general meetings relating to 'Electric Vehicles' and 'Household Batteries and PV systems'.

2022

BSFG's August 2022 Newsletter (#33)  In his President's message, Peter Holmes suggests 'the early signs of the new government are promising, without being entirely convincing', and recommends writing letters to politicians and newspapers to make the point that any new mines will make it impossible for Australia to honour its emission reduction target.    An article introducing U3A Benalla Sustainability Group's new convenor, John Lane, follows.  Newsletter Editor Ian Herbert's thought provoking articles include  -'Australia's First Commercial Thermal Energy Storage', 'Sustainability: Whose responsibility is it?'; 'Methane and Dodgy Accounting' (in which he concluded "It's time to stop burying our heads in a fracking well'); and 'Random Thoughts on (De) Growth'; while Peter Maddock from the Ecological Sustainable Planning and Development and Retrofits Group has written about  on 'Retrofitting Older Buildings', 'Ecological Sustainable Development and Planning' and the 'Time Value of Carbon'.  We are so fortunate that deeply committed, considered environmentalists Peter Holmes, Ian Herbert and Peter Maddock are prepared to take the time to write about and share their journey in thinking deeply about environmental issues with us through the Newsletter.  Thank you so much Peter, Ian and Peter!

BSFG's May 2022 Newsletter (#32)  BSFG President Peter Holmes' column flagged two important elections in the offing - the Federal Election and our own BSFG Committee election on the 9th June.  The summary notes of the BSFG Review 2022 strategic planning workshops followed - highlighting objectives, key strengths and achievements, key opportunities and critical issues, vision, strategic objectives and initiatives/actions for the next 12-18 months.  Newsletter Editor Ian Herbert's article tackled 'the growth mentality that created the mess we are in', concluding that it is time to say 'enough is enough', that 'it's time to live within our means'.  Regular columnist Peter Maddock reported on the Net Zero Agriculture forum at the Benalla Gardens rotunda organized by Helen Haines and her crew before the elections; and also on the recent field day at net zero carbon certified beef farmer Russell Washusen's property at Warranbayne.  Passionate about reducing emissions, Peter also reviewed Lloyd Alter's book 'Living the 1.5 degee Lifestyle, Why Individual Climate Action matters more than ever'.

2021

​BSFG's November 2021 Newsletter (#31)  Peter Holmes' President's Message begins 'As I write this message, my hope is that COP 26, beginning in a few days, will finally deliver the climate action the Earth so desperately needs...' Peter writes about the frustrating journey to get the Council to respond to the BSFG petition asking them to declare a climate emergency, and implores younger supporters to come on board and become involved 'hands on' with BSFG.  Ian Herbert has contributed two engaging and thought provoking articles.  In the first, 'A message to a friend in the UK re COP 26', Ian concludes 'Ahh, pity help us' ...  His second article, 'Sustainability' and 'Resilience' coming out of COVID'  provides a carefully constructed argument which concludes 'We need to spend just a bit more time and money on developing resilience and a bit less on growth and consumerism'.  Peter Maddock's article 'Net Zero Benalla' describes his response to watching the Zoom recording of the Council Climate Emergency Petition hearing in late September.  Keen for the Council to work towards reducing emissions across Benalla, Peter has researched emissions accounting and suggests a range of  'climate and emissions' analysis tools. Also included - recommended reading - 'Many Homes are not Energy Efficient'  and 'Katanning Community Energy' - from David Blore; a piece on 'Consumption Emissions' from Peter Maddock, and reflections on BSFG's web presence from Bev Lee and Peter Maddock. .

​​BSFG's May 2021 Newsletter (#30)  President Peter Holmes asks ‘Are the wheels of climate change action turning more quickly - or is it just spin?' Peter also reports on the Climate Emergency Petition to Benalla Rural City Council 24th March 2021 covering his presentation on behalf of BSFG, student addresses to the Council Meeting (Cheyane Vaughan and Charlie Paterson), and Dr Gerard Brownstein's presentation on Health Effects of Climate Change .  Also included in Newsletter #30 - ‘Grow Free Cart’ (Kathryn McQualter);  'It’s Time to Kick Gas' (Bill McKibben);  'Benalla Food Cooperative Celebrates 10 years' (Christine Holmes); 'Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2021' (Ian Herbert);' Renewable Energy Benalla (REB) and its Activities' and 'The Benalla Community Energy Project (BCEP)' (John Lloyd).  

BSFG's February 2021 Newsletter (#29).  BSFG President Peter Holmes reminds us that 'Climate Change has not disappeared under a Covid Blanket' and provides an informative update on the Climate Emergency Series he is attending in Melbourne.  Electronic Vehicles feature in two articles -  'The EV Revolution may just be Sooner Than You Think' by Peter Holmes and 'Does an EV suit your needs? by Ian Herbert.  Ian also challenges us to consider whether we 'Are part of the One Percent?' while Peter Maddock encourages us to reflect on 'Societal Transformation required to Stay Below 1.5 degrees Centigrade'.  

2020

​BSFG's August Newsletter (#28)   BSFG President Peter Holmes, asks 'Climate Change, Carbon and COVID - are we all at C?'  Regular contributor, web team member, social media manager and BSFG Secretary Peter Maddock is an avid reader and thinker about sustainability issues across a broad spectrum .  This newsletter reflects this, with Peter contributing articles  'Cold Choices for a Warming Planet', 'To Care for Humanity, We Must Care for Nature', 'Protecting Biodiversity', 'Ecological Economics - will the transition to renewable energy damage the global macro-economy?' and 'Climate Change and Sea Level rise in Geelong'!  In From Anthropocene to Ecocene by 2050?' , Peter reflects on large scale renewables as a continuation and potential exacerbation of the human domination of the planet and its resources. Thank you, Peter, for your contribution to this newsletter and for being prepared to raise 'hot topics'.  Thanks also to members who submitted article links for 'Member Submitted Links'.

BSFG's May Newsletter (#27)  In a largely COVID-19 oriented edition, Peter Holmes reflects on 'COVID-19 v Climate Change'; Ian Herbert considers 'Where to From Here'?; Christine Holmes provides reports on the impact of COVID-19 on the running of the Benalla Food Coop; Peter Maddock considers localisation in relation to COVID-19 and Benalla. Many of the articles and reports include hyperlinks to articles; podcasts; YouTube videos; and websites - making this edition a quite interactive experience!  Peter Holmes concludes his President’s Message reporting that BSFG's Petition to Benalla Rural City Council "has been delayed, but not de-railed by COVID-19"; and trusts that ‘you have all managed to survive this period of 'social distancing' by staying in touch with family, friends and neighbours'.

2019

December Newsletter (#26) Peter Holmes reflects on Australia's lack of leadership on climate change in his President's Message, declaring ''The time for political argy-bargy is over.  All parties must come to their senses and show some statesmanship in this crisis".  Ian Herbert contributes 'Some Good News for Christmas' on the recent announcement by Lily D'Ambrosio on Protecting Victoria's Forests and Threatened Species and its meaning for the Strathbogie Forest.  Also from Ian,  'The Difference Between Large Numbers', an excellent educational article in which he aims to develop understanding of how small differences in numbers relating to climate change can lead to tipping points and make big difference to the planet. Peter Maddock encourages us to consider  'Limits to Growth', 'Moves to Raise the Efficiency Standards of Existing Homes' and '2040 and Mini Grids'; and in 'Carbon Footprint' calls for all reporting of emissions to be per capita emissions.  Peter also introduces the thought provoking work of Professor Alf Lornborg whose concerns about the high energy demands of global transport have led to the proposal of a complimentary currency which could only be used to purchase locally produced goods.  There are links to suggested reading sent in by members and links to books which have influenced thoughts on environmental sustainability.  A truly inspirational edition!

September Newsletter (#25) -  BSFG President Peter Holmes' President's Message.  emphasises the urgent and continuing need for both individual advocacy/lobbying and support for the organisations devoting considerable energy to overcome political brick walls (or, more bluntly, plain stupidity and greed) in the fight to counter climate change.  Also included - Callum Morrison's  'Fifty Years of Playing with Pipes' about his interest in hydrology; a thought provoking article on 'Emissions Levels' by Ian Herbert; Peter Maddock's stimulating contributions on 'Legacy', 'Low Carbon and Loving It', 'Carbon Footprint', '2040, MiniGrids and RedGrid', and 'Another Long Walk for Climate Action' and a report from Kathryn McQualter from BSFG's Local Food Network Action Group.

July Newsletter (#24) - articles include President’s Message by Peter Holmes, 'Why should we stop Adani?' and 'The Bob Brown ‘Stop Adani’ Convoy' by Ian Herbert, 'Plogging' submitted by an energetic member, 'Climate Change Epiphany' and 'System Change v’s Individual Change' by Peter Maddock, 'Swanpool Environmental Film Festival' by Ian Herbert, 'Member Submitted Article Links, and 'Earth Overshoot Day is July 29 in 2019' by Peter Maddock.

March Newsletter (#23) - articles include 'How soon will Benalla feel the impact of people changing their minds due to Climate Change' by Concerned Benalla Citizen - name supplied; selections from the media 'Australia's extreme heat is a sign of things to come' (The Guardian 2/2/2019); 'Climate change inaction costs lives' (Sydney Morning Herald 4 February); 'Teenage Activist takes School Strikes 4 Climate Action to World Economic Forum' (The Guardian 24 Jan 2019).  '1.5T CO2 for 1.5degrees bt 2050; Will We do It?' by Peter Maddock;; 'Grow Free Carts Come to Benalla' by Kathryn McQualter; 'Changing our diet to save the planet' by Freida Andrews; 'There's No Life in a Dead River' by Freida Andrews.  There's also a poem 'Christmas up in Smoke' by Jennifer Hearn; a Cathy Wilcox cartoon parody 'My Country (now)' ' details from an Environmental Research Letter 'The climate mitigation gap: education and government recommendations miss the most effective individual actions'; and a report on the BSFG Newsletter Survey by Christine Holmes on behalf of the BSFG Committee. 

Link here to BSFG Newsletter Archive - 2012 - 2018