Education
|
"Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. It enables individuals and communities to reflect on ways of interpreting and engaging with the world.
Sustainability education is futures-oriented, focusing on protecting environments and creating a more ecologically and socially just world through informed action. Actions that support more sustainable patterns of living require consideration of environmental, social, cultural and economic systems and their interdependence."* |
Benalla Sustainable Future Group actively engages in a range of educational activities which contribute to a more sustainable community:
|
|
Forums
BSFG's Sustainable Building Action group actively works with Benalla's Council to present educational community forums on Sustainable Housing. Forums in 2014, 2015 and 2016 have focused on encouraging people building new homes to seriously consider sustainable energy efficient approaches to designing and building their home and people who are retrofitting existing homes to make them more energy efficient and more comfortable. .
|
|
|
FestivalsBSFG partners with Swanpool Landcare and the Gecko CLaN in running the annual Swanpool Environmental Film Festival at the Swanpool Cinema.
The Festival on 25th June 2016 featured three thought provoking films - 'Polyfaces', 'Anthropocine' and 'Tarkine In Motion' - alternating with presentations by inspirational guest speakers, Prof Kate Auty'; 'Polyfaces' co-Director Isaebella Doherty and Cinematographer Andreas Overdahl; Dr Kerryn Higgs' on ‘Collision Course: The Growth Delusion’ and Prof Michael Clarke's on ‘Ecological Literacy, ambivalence and inspiration’. The 2017 Festival, held on the 24th June, featured 'The Age of Stupid' featuring Peter Postlethwaite; ‘The Age of Consequences‘ and and ‘The Bentley Effect‘. The films were interspersed between guest speakers Julian Cribb on ‘Surviving the 21st Century’; Dr Richard David Hames on ‘Burying the 20th Century’ and Prof Sharon Beder, on ‘Business-Managed Democracy’ The 2018 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival on 16th June was a sell out, with 195 bookings! The festival featured Session One: Dr Samuel Alexander and film ‘Living in the Futures Past’ Session Two: Dr Charles Massy, author of 'The Cry of the Reed Warbler' and film ‘Living the Change’ Session Three: Guest Panel chaired by Kate Auty featured Dr Ian Herbert; Bertram Lobert, Shirley Saywell and speakers from the Strathbogie Forests group who took action at the Barjarg coupe and was followed by the film ‘Paper Trail’. Catering by Swanpool Catering Team volunteers invariably sustains Festival audiences during breaks which provide opportunities for audience members to network and catch up with friends. |
Individual Benalla Sustainable Future Group members also engage in educational activities which contribute to a more sustainable community:
Projects: BSFG members have active links to the educational Regent Honey Eater Project in its work to protect, restore and connect significant remnants of native habitat in the Lurg Hills near Benalla and to Winton Wetlands, the largest wetland restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere.
Schools: A key objective of the BSFG website team is to provide a locally focused resource for teachers and students in Benalla and district schools to draw upon in researching topics and school projects. BSFG members make themselves available to school educators in educating for sustainability, drawing upon resources such as Cool Australia; Educating for a Sustainable Australia. School Environment Day, Term One, Benalla 2013 is an example of BSFG involvement with schools.
University of the Third Age: U3A Benalla and District's 'Towards a Sustainable Future' course is facilitated by BSFG President John Lloyd and most participants are also members of BSFG.
Projects: BSFG members have active links to the educational Regent Honey Eater Project in its work to protect, restore and connect significant remnants of native habitat in the Lurg Hills near Benalla and to Winton Wetlands, the largest wetland restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere.
Schools: A key objective of the BSFG website team is to provide a locally focused resource for teachers and students in Benalla and district schools to draw upon in researching topics and school projects. BSFG members make themselves available to school educators in educating for sustainability, drawing upon resources such as Cool Australia; Educating for a Sustainable Australia. School Environment Day, Term One, Benalla 2013 is an example of BSFG involvement with schools.
University of the Third Age: U3A Benalla and District's 'Towards a Sustainable Future' course is facilitated by BSFG President John Lloyd and most participants are also members of BSFG.
*Source - ACRA- Cross Curriculum Priorities 'Sustainability' accessed 20 August 2015