Designing projects to boost the regional food economy in North-East Victoria

The Open Food Network's Farmers & Eaters NE Victoria Project involves bringing together local food producers, distributors and eaters to develop projects to activate short and direct supply chains to boost viability for farmers and resilience of the regional food economy. 

It will build on existing regional strengths and projects, and collaborate to ensure efforts align with existing initiatives and strategies. 

Due to COVID, d the plan for delivery of this project has been rejigged!  

Have a project idea or want to learn more? – Webinar 17 June 6.30-8.30 pm
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• How are farmers in the North East planning for converging pressures and future uncertainty (COVID impact on commodities; climate; input supply disruption; land costs; compliance;)?
• How can we better show the public value generated by good practice (e.g regenerating soil) and build support among eaters and others to pay for it?
• What are the opportunities in short and direct supply chains? What models are out there? What are the barriers?
• How might we build on local strengths and energy to generate ideas or generate support around existing ideas for practical action?

​Short and Direct Food Supply Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for Farmers in North East Victoria

Webinar: 17 June, 6.30-8.30pm.  

Register at eventbrite:  https://bit.ly/ofn-ne-event

Background paper: https://bit.ly/ofn-ne-backgrounder

Submit a project idea:  The aim of the project is to develop actionable projects to help more North East Vic farmers get more of the retail dollar for their food!  Following the webinar, we will select project ideas for support from July 2020.  There is more information and a form at the end of the Background Paper.

Questions? serenity@openfoodnetwork.org.au or 0411878063 

Serenity Hill
Community facilitation | Sector development 
Open Food Network Australia
0411878063
 
www.openfoodnetwork.org.au
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It’s hard to fathom the complexity of the globally challenging time COVID-19 has delivered to us all. As to the running of the Benalla Food Co-op, we were questioning ourselves - How will we manage the running of the co-op? Customers by appointment? Reduce open hours? Should we close?

Keeping people safe was of prime importance. Emails were flying around between committee members who were diligent and supportive of keeping it going if we could. After consultation with Callum Morrison, BRC Public Health Officer, we fine-tuned the procedures for the Food Co-op to continue serving our members. Many of our customers have been shopping for nearly nine years, so it would be a grave shame if we had to shut altogether. I was reassured by Callum's comment that, “We are providing an essential service". Callum was very impressed with our efforts and at no time indicated a necessity to close the co-op.

Numerous procedures have been implemented, along with the basic hygiene principals such as: no one entering until hands have been washed in hands free basin, no touching of body, not coming in to the food co-op if you are unwell and limiting the customers to three at a time, which was well under four square metres per person.

Any points of possible direct contamination between customers, customers' containers, duty members, and food co-op products has been eliminated by wearing gloves and thoughtful procedures that might look bizarre, if not dealing with a pandemic crisis. We have also had to tell our customers that children must remain home.

Another idea that came up was to make a short video. If you wish to view the video outlining our procedure, Ctrl and Click on the following link: Benalla Food Co Op COVID-19 procedures.mp4

​The committee had also been looking into an electronic payment system at the food co-op. With the advent of COVID-19 it became a priority as this is now the preferred method of payment. This required purchasing a new iPad and Square card reader, downloading the Square app on to the iPad, and transferring a lot of data to the new system as well as sorting through some teething issues. Cash or cheque payments are also still available, as we are using an inand-out cash tin system to avoid cross handling of cash.

Members have been patient, supportive and as committed as always to continue shopping at the food co-op.

Christine Holmes
​Benalla Food Co-op Coordinator

We recently received information from the Australian Conservation Foundation about the online School Strike 4 Climate this Friday 15 May.  You may be interested in following this.

 "As for many of us, this year has been tough for the young leaders in the Australian School Strike 4 Climate movement.

In March students made the difficult decision to cancel all the in-person strikes they were planning for 15 May, due to COVID-19. Their education was also disrupted as schools closed down. Many of them have spent weeks learning from home, with all the challenges that involves.

But throughout, the students have come together with incredible care and resilience. They have re-grouped, reflected, and collaborated on solid plans to keep their movement strong and thriving.
That’s why on Friday 15 May, School Strike 4 Climate is hosting an online interactive livestream, to envision a better future on the other side of this crisis, and start taking action to make this vision a reality. Will you join them?
​
During this event you will:

• Hear from those on the frontlines of the overlapping crises we are in.
• Talk about what we and our political leaders need to do to rebuild better.
• Join creative online activities - Q&As, polls, sign-making, live performances and more - to create a collective vision for a better, kinder, and cleaner future.
• Send our visions for a better future to every single federal MP.
• Make plans to have thousands of conversations with our communities to build a bigger, more inclusive and compassionate movement.

You might notice that this event isn’t called a “strike”. Learning from home hasn’t been easy, and with so many students struggling and schools slowly re-opening, the opportunity to attend class is one that the students don’t want to miss.

So this event will be held outside most school hours, from 4pm to 8pm AEST (that’s starting at 4pm in VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT, QLD; starting 2pm in WA; and starting 3.30pm in NT and SA.)

JOIN THE LIVESTREAM
​
The students’ demands hold true, now more than ever. As Australia rebuilds from this major disruption, we need our elected representatives to ensure Australia rapidly cuts emissions with: no new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine; 100% clean energy generation and exports by 2030; and funding a fair transition and job creation for fossil-fuel industry workers and communities.

And in recognition of how interconnected we are with each other, and how our health depends on the health of our communities and our planet, the students’ have set three new objectives: show solidarity with impacted communities; connect with one another; and educate the network.

The students do not take a crisis lying down. So let’s back them in as they call for a better future.
See you online to #BuildaBetterFuture.

P.S. Can’t make it to the whole livestream? That’s okay – you can still RSVP and join for the time that you can. And if you have some spare time this week, the students would really appreciate you helping to get the word out about the event. They’ve created this handy promo guide with images, posters, templates for emails and text messages, and more ideas to help you invite your friends, family and colleagues to join.

P.P.S. Some students are running local online events on or after 15 May. To see if there’s an event run by your local student group, see their list of community events.

John Lloyd, convenor of  Renewable Energy Benalla, a BSFG action group, has been liaising with and sharing information about Indigo Power as it has developed to become our local community provider.  Community Energy Hubs and Indigo Power were launched online via a Covid-19 required webinar a couple of weeks ago. 

Hint - the webinar begins five minutes in; prior to that people begin arriving.

John responded to Indigo Power's suggestion during the webinar that people to compare their rates with their current energy retailer and was agreeably surprised to find that Indigo Power rates were very competitive. 

Would you like to find out more?  Check out the brochure on Indigo Power and the Benalla Community Hub below. Considering joining? Check out the following information...

Join Indigo Power today

Electricity generation is the largest driver of climate change and bills take over $160 million out of our region each year. Together we can change that.  We employ local people and will invest half of any profits in renewable energy projects in our communities.
 
So every time you pay your bill, you’ll be making a difference.
 
As a customer, you’ll be connected to your community energy hub where you can keep track of the energy generated and shared between you and your neighbours. We’re also building local clean energy generation and storage for extra supply.
 
Find out more at indigopower.com.au
connect@indigopower.com.au or 1800 491 739
 
Retail energy provided by Indigo Power Services. Indigo Power Services is a trading name of Energy Locals Pty Ltd, ABN 23606408879, a licensed energy retailer.

Considering that as from Monday there will be a banning of non-essential gatherings to contain the coronavirus the committee has unfortunately had to postpone the Climate Change Public meeting scheduled to be held at BPACC this Thursday March 19th.

https://www.bsfg.org.au/news/climate-change-science-now-and-whats-the-future-public-meeting-bpacc-thursday-march-19-2020

President Peter Holmes has also had confirmation from the guest speakers of their difficulty in attending the meeting.

We will advise you as soon as a new meeting can be arranged.

Peter Maddock
0418 135 330

A one-day workshop on resilience thinking at Chesney Vale on Thursday 23 April 2020 is one of three being held across the Goulburn Broken Catchment for interested community members.  It is being held  at the Mokoan Hub and Cafe, 652 Lake Mokoan Road, Chesney Vale from 10am to 2.30pm. 
 
Resilience is the capacity of a system (people and the environment) ‘to absorb a shock or setback and to flourish in spite of it, maybe even because of it’ (Outback, Apr/May 2017), Participants will learn how communities and organisations can prepare and manage change (including shocks and disasters), while creating opportunities towards a positive future. Course presenter Paul Ryan will share the latest resilience thinking from across the globe and practical examples from our own backyard. The course will also cover the seven key principles for resilience: 1. Develop a ‘complexity’ view of the world 2. Plan for change 3. Foster cohesion, self-organisation and local responsibility 4. Design for flexibility 5. Manage connectivity 6. Value, retain and build diversity and redundancy 7. Orientate towards slow variables, leverage and tipping points 8. Learn for change.

The workshop is open to all interested community members, including Traditional Owners, youth, business owners, farmers, tourism operators, natural resource management professionals, environmental volunteers, health professionals and government agency staff.

If you’re interested in change management and developing your ability to increase the resilience of your local community, environment, business and/or industry then this free one-day course will provide you with new knowledge and skills to achieve this.  For further details or queries contact: Ashley Rogers by emailing ashleyr@gbcma.vic.gov.au or phoning 0488 196 216.

The workshops are free thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Our Catchments, Our Communities Program and the Goulburn Broken CMA.

National Climate Emergency Summit - Melbourne 14th, 15th Feb 2020

The Melbourne Town Hall was filled to capacity last Friday and Saturday, as 2000 people, representing all age groups, all walks of life, most States of Australia, and across the political spectrum, attended both plenary and workshop sessions, over the two days. Delegates included representatives from Benalla Rural City Council and Benalla Sustainable Future Group

They were addressed by over 100 speakers - climate and other scientists, business leaders, social justice advocates, health professionals, lawyers, engineers, journalists, economists, indigenous leaders, student climate  leaders, and politicians - both past and present, Liberal, ALP, Greens and Independents.

The key messages that came through to all delegates at the Summit, were that the World, and in particular developed countries, and most essentially Australia, must urgently tackle the existential threat of climate change, with a government of national unity, and a Cabinet of experts who can utilise all the resources of knowledge and materials that we have to defeat this "enemy of climate change", rather like the free world did to mobilize itself in the world wars.

Why? Because, as the science has been showing us for decades, the Earth has been warming at an increasing rate, principally due to human activity, and it is rapidly approaching critical climate "tipping points", from which it will be impossible to prevent a human and ecological catastrophe.

All speakers were extremely critical of Australia's weak emission reduction target of 26-28% by 2050, describing this as just "kicking the can down the road" for future generations to deal with the problem. The reality is that Australia contributes over 5% of the Earth's greenhouse emissions through its own domestic activities, and its exports of coal and gas overseas - not just the 1.3% claimed by the government. This makes Australia the fourth highest polluting country in the world, with just 25 million of the 7.5 billion people who live on Earth!

Setting targets of zero net emissions by 2050 were also described as hopelessly inadequate - climate scientists warned a few years ago that we have until 2030 at the latest to reach that target.
If the world continues on its present path of burning fossil fuels and releasing even more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it will not meet the Paris Climate Agreement objective of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but will instead heat up by 3 to 4 degrees by mid to late this century, making life impossible for billions of people through drought and famine, diseases, rising sea levels, and resulting in the mass extinctions of much of the Earth's flora and fauna.

This is not the future that the 2000 delegates want to see inflicted on our planet. The urgency of the crisis has been demonstrated quite clearly to Australians this summer and in recent years through prolonged drought, catastrophic bushfires, severe hailstorms and flooding rain events - and all of these have been exacerbated by just one degree of warming!

So what solutions did the Summit propose?

Of primary importance, Australia must be a world leader in rapidly restructuring its economy, away from its reliance on fossil fuels, as it is blessed with the natural resources of sun, wind and waves to power its entire economy, and export surplus power to Asia. Communities that currently rely on fossil fuel industries must be financially and socially assisted in this transition. The electricity network grid in Australia requires enormous upgrades to cope with the influx of renewable energy, and part of this upgrade is the installation of large-scale battery storage facilities. The transport sector must be redeveloped with electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Agriculture must play its part too, as there are serious ramifications for the Earth if vegetation clearing continues unabated, and soil degradation leads to decreasing food production.

The Summit was told that not only do we need to stop emitting more greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, but we need to draw down carbon dioxide which we have already sent there. Various speakers from science and engineering fields detailed the techniques that are already available, or that could be utilised in the future, in order to do this draw-down, so that the Earth could cool again.

At the final plenary session on Saturday evening, delegates were addressed by 3 speakers. The first was 14 year old schoolboy, Zel Whiting from Adelaide, reporting on the student workshop that had been held during the Summit, at which it was determined to continue fighting for action and justice on behalf of future generations. One could not help but be moved by the clarity of thought, and the desperation of the message that these young people bring to the world. The second speaker was Cr. Trent McCarthy from Darebin City Council in Melbourne, the first Council in the world to declare a Climate Emergency in 2016. Over 100 delegates representing 77 local government jurisdictions in Australia met on Saturday morning, and resolved to "commit to work together as a partisan group" to find solutions to the climate emergency.

The final speaker was Ian Dunlop, former chair of the Australian Coal Association and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Dunlop, along with Dr John Hewson (former leader of the Liberal Party), Carmen Lawrence (former WA Premier), Dr Kerryn Phelps (former head of AMA and Independent MHR for Wentworth), and Tim Costello (former CEO of World Vision Australia), co-authored a Declaration of Climate Emergency to the Parliament of Australia, calling for a government of National Unity to tackle the climate crisis, and outlining a course of action that will be required if we are going to save the world from a looming humanitarian and ecological disaster. It is a rallying call to all Australians to confront and overcome the enemy that is climate change.

Peter Holmes
President

Note: This event has been postponed after the banning of non-essential meetings from Monday 16 March 2020 to contain the coronavirus . Details.

Benalla Sustainable Future Group, invite you to attend a public presentation at BPACC on Thursday 19th March, 6.45pm for a 7pm start, on the subject of Climate Science – what the current data is telling us, and what the trends are predicting for the future.

Our guest speakers are Dr Leanne Webb from the CSIRO Climate Research Institute in Aspendale, and Dr Lynette Bettio from the Bureau of Meteorology in Melbourne.

Dr Webb has been a Climate Scientist for over 15 years, since completing her PhD at Melbourne University, and has worked for much of her career with Professor David Karoly, recognised as one of the world’s foremost Climate Scientists. She currently works as a Climate Change Knowledge Broker at CSIRO, and has extensively researched the impacts of climate change on the agricultural industry, and in particular the wine industry. Leanne was part of the team that prepared the most recent climate projections for Australia, released in 2016, and funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Planning for Climate Change Fund.

Dr Bettio is a Senior Climatologist with the BOM, has a PhD in Climate Science, and is a former resident of Benalla, and student at FCJ College. She examines and communicates on changes to Australia’s climate including long-term trends in rainfall and temperature and the interaction with extreme events.

Rarely do we have the opportunity to hear about Climate Science first hand, from scientists at the forefront of climate research, together with an opportunity to ask them questions.

After the Q & A a light supper will conclude the evening.

This is a free event and seating is unreserved.

Benalla residents will also be able to sign our Petition calling on Benalla Council to Declare a Climate Emergency,

Download the event flyer.

Peter Maddock
0418 135 330

Since the week commencing Monday January 27th 2020 BSFG has been collecting signatures from Benalla Residents requesting our Councillors Declare a Climate Emergency.

The wording on the petition is;

CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION PETITION

We, the undersigned residents of Benalla Rural City, request our Councillors to:

• Acknowledge that human actions have contributed substantially to the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the warming of the planet, and leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events
• Declare that the Earth is facing a Climate Emergency.

The main location to sign the petition is outside the Bendigo Bank in Bridge Street Benalla and this was done during the following two weeks.  There may be other opportunities to sign the petition here.  The petition is also available to sign at North East Artisans in Bridge Street Benalla.


Additional times and locations to sign the petition. Bendigo Bank from 13th until 27th February 9.30pm until 4.00pm, the Food Co-op, Swanpool Cinema, the Lakeside Market on 22nd February, and at the Public Meeting “Climate - Present Facts and Future Predictions”at BPACC on March 19th (see below and more details to follow).

Download our climate change flyer.

See https://climateemergencydeclaration.org/.

Presentation of Petition to Council Wednesday March 25 2020.
BSFG will present the Climate Emergency Declaration Petition to Benalla Rural City Councillors at the Council Meeting on Wednesday March 25th 2020 from 6:00pm at the Council Meeting Room, Mair Street Benalla.

Public Meeting “Climate - Present Facts and Future Predictions” Thursday March 19 2020.
Prior to the presentation to council BSFG is hosting a public meeting titled “Climate-Present Facts and Future Predictions” from 7.00pm until 10.00pm on Thursday March 19th 2020 at the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

Our guest speakers are Dr Leanne Webb from CSIRO Climate Research Institute in Aspendale, and Dr Lynette Bettio from the Bureau of Meteorology in Melbourne.  This is a rare opportunity to hear about Climate Science first hand, from scientists at the forefront of climate research, together with an opportunity to ask them questions.

State and Federal Members of Parliament (Steph Ryan, Jaclyn Symes and Dr Helen Haines) have also been invited to attend.  There will also be a brief talk by the Mayor of Indigo Shire, Jenny O’Connor, related to her Shire’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, and their proposed actions related to that declaration.

We will be publicising more details about this most important event through the BSFG website and newsletter, social media, the Benalla Ensign, Benalla P-12 College, Benalla FCJ College, and elsewhere.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

The BSFG Committee is preparing a Climate Emergency petition requesting Benalla Rural City Council Declare a Climate Emergency, joining in excess of 80 in Australia and 1,315 jurisdictions and local governments globally covering 810 million citizens.

The petition is for Benalla Rural City residents to sign and we are seeking assistance from BSFG members to go on a roster to collect signatures and hand out our flyer, initially next week on Tuesday (28th), Thursday (30th), and Friday (31st). Hours would be from 9.00-12.30 and 12.30-4.00 i.e. 2 separate shifts preferably with 2 people on each shift.

Peter Holmes has permission to set up a table and small A-frame outside Bendigo Bank to collect signatures for the CE petition.

We also need to organise the delivery and collection of the card table, chairs and sandwich board on each day – again by roster.

Please contact Peter on 0438 625 6358 to be added to the roster.

"First, governments and energy ministries could remove fossil fuel subsidies, or redirect those subsidies towards renewables and low-carbon energy. At the same time, they could encourage decentralized energy production and storage. These efforts would erode the advantages that current policies afford to fossil fuels, and hasten the day when low-carbon energy production is more profitable than fossil fuels.

Second, governments could build carbon-neutral cities or other large-scale demonstration projects, while grass-roots efforts could help existing towns and cities move toward being carbon-neutral. These actions would help spread information and build consumer interest in fossil-fuel-free technologies, until they become the first choice for new projects.

Third, divestment from fossil fuel assets and withdrawal of insurance support for fossil fuel projects would help burst the ‘carbon bubble,’ making it unprofitable to develop remaining fossil fuel reserves.

Next, activists and opinion leaders could emphasize the moral implications of fossil fuels – that is, the idea that burning fossil fuels in ways incompatible with the Paris climate targets is immoral. This has the potential to shift societal norms and, consequently, widespread patterns of behavior.

Fifth, a massive climate literacy campaign to strengthen education about the climate in schools and universities, resulting in a generation of workers and leaders who are focused on stopping climate change.
​
And finally, better education of the general public by disseminating information about the carbon impacts of consumer and lifestyle choices – basically the climate equivalent of nutrition labeling."

Extract from an article by titled Here are half a dozen nudges that could bring about rapid decarbonisation in Anthropocene January 21, 2020 which draws from recently published research by Otto I.M. et al.  “Social tipping dynamics for stabilizing Earth’s climate by 2050.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2020.

This media release was prepared for and published in Benalla's 'Ensign' on 15 January 2020. 

"Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) wrote to Benalla Rural City Council last week, asking them to exercise their discretion to allow the image of Greta Thunberg to remain on the window of the Council Customer Service Centre.
​
The group wrote: "We view this painting as a powerful statement that here is a community that cares, not only about the present wellbeing of its citizens, but the future as well. Greta is a beacon of hope for millions of people, both young and old, around the world, and a hero for them as she challenges the world's leaders to take immediate and urgent action to mitigate climate change.
​
Climate change action is not a political issue, as some would have us believe. It is an environmental, social, economic and ethical issue, and we are right now experiencing one of the most devastating effects predicted long ago by climate scientists, as a result of the warming and drying of our part of the Earth.

We need to take a stand on the issue of climate change, and what better way can there be for Council to demonstrate their support for action, than to leave Greta's image on the window."

BSFG President, Peter Holmes, says the group is extremely disappointed with Council's response, in which they simply reiterated that the painting was part of the Window to Window Festival, and would be removed this week. He noted that none of the reasons BSFG offered in the letter to Council were addressed in their response, and hoped that this is not indicative of Council's attitude towards addressing the issue of mitigating climate change.

"Seven years ago, I was part of a community consultation group, organised by Council, to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Back then, we were probably thinking that the world had until about 2050 to make things right! Well, things have changed drastically, even in that short space of time, with temperature records being broken virtually every year, rainfall decreasing significantly, and now Australia is in the grip of a wildfire crisis that has cost at least 26 lives directly, burnt over 10 million hectares of forest and farmland, destroyed over 2000 homes and many more buildings, and killed an estimated 500 million creatures, many to the point of extinction," Mr Holmes said.

BSFG says that there is no longer room in our parliaments or local governments for debate about whether climate change is real. The discussion and the action must now be about urgently mitigating the causes of climate change, and not about "papering over the cracks" every time we experience another disaster. This discussion must be bipartisan, and above party political motives.

Mr Holmes indicated that BSFG believes, along with many others in the community, that an excellent way for Benalla Rural City to respond, is to declare that there is a Climate Emergency (as have 85 other local government councils in Australia). BRC should then convene a group of community leaders from business, health, energy, transport, environment, and most importantly, youth sectors, to work with Council officers to develop and implement initiatives that will rapidly make BRC a zero emissions community, and therefore make a major contribution to the mitigation of the worst effects of climate change."

​Tuesday 7th January, 2020
 
To - Mayor and Councillors, Benalla Rural City                                                                     URGENT
 
Dear Danny and fellow councillors,
 
I am writing on behalf of Benalla Sustainable Future Group, and many of the other people in our community who share our views, to earnestly request that Tim Bowtell’s painting of Greta Thunberg is retained on the Council Customer Service Centre window.
 
We view this painting as a powerful statement that here is a community that cares, not only about the present wellbeing of its citizens, but the future as well. Greta is a beacon of hope for millions of people, both young and old, around the world, and a hero for them as she challenges the world’s leaders to take immediate and urgent action to mitigate climate change.
 
Climate change action is not a political issue, as some would have us believe. It is an environmental, social, economic and ethical issue, and we are right now experiencing one of the most devastating effects predicted long ago by climate scientists, as a result of the warming and drying of our part of the Earth.
 
We need to take a stand on the issue of climate change, and what better way can there be for Council to demonstrate their support for action, than to leave Greta’s image on the window.
 
We understand that the “Window to Window” festival invites artists to paint images related to Christmas, and that those images remain on windows for a period of time at the discretion of the various establishments. We are asking Council to exercise their discretion on this occasion to allow this image to remain. The messages of Christmas are love, joy, peace and hope. What Greta symbolizes is a message of hope for the future and a great love for the wellbeing of the Earth and her fellow humankind.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Peter Holmes
President - BSFG

"As we approach the end of another calendar year, the evidence grows ever so much stronger that the Earth faces a climate crisis due to human induced activity, and yet, our political leaders still refuse to acknowledge that strong action must be taken to arrest the escalation of the problem.

This year, we have seen fires in the Arctic, the continued melting of the ice caps and glaciers, including the Earth's thickest glacier, sea levels continue to rise, record temperatures around the globe, catastrophic fires in California, and over the past few weeks at home in NSW and Queensland, with the real fire season yet to commence! For the first time, NSW was faced with a catastrophic weather forecast day on the 12th November - a combination of high temperatures, no humidity and high winds, with around 40 fires already burning out of control. Coincidentally, in the same week, the whole of Australia recorded its first ever rain free day!

I am not going to be restrained in what I write about the pathetic and disgraceful lack of leadership we have in this country.

For starters, Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, and his National Party cohort, Barnaby Joyce, should both be expelled from Parliament for their senseless and outrageous comments in the midst of the bushfire crisis in NSW. Prime Minister Morrison refused to be engaged on whether the early onset of the fires and their intensity could in some way be attributed to climate change. "Now is not the time to talk about climate change", he opined!

But Prime Minister, you never want to talk about climate change, unlike your counterpart across the Tasman! You don't want to upset your mates in the fossil fuel industries. You are more concerned with pretending to keep electricity prices down by a few dollars by propping up coal power, than by supporting renewable energy, which will make the planet safer and ultimately, the cost of living cheaper, because renewable energy will be cheaper, and our insurance premiums won't skyrocket, as they will under your disaster laden policies (that's something politicians haven't been talking about).

Why also, is the Labor Party even talking about emulating the Liberal Party's policies, on exporting coal (Albanese's reasoning that, "if we don't do it then another country will, and Australia will miss out", beggars belief), and on renewable energy and emissions reduction, when climate scientists universally are saying this is not within a bull's roar of being enough?

​The time for political argy-bargy is over. All parties must come to their senses and show some statesmanship on this crisis. Isn't that what they called it during the World Wars when the world was in the grips of a different crisis?

​In the coming weeks, BSFG will be seeking agreement from Benalla City councillors to pass a motion declaring that we have a Climate Emergency, as over 75 local government areas around Australia have already done. This will mean that all management and planning decisions made by Council need to consider the impact on greenhouse emissions, with the aim of reducing and even eliminating them. I ask all members and supporters to be encouraging of this action. Please take whatever opportunity you may have to talk to Councillors and communicate the urgency of the situation.

Finally, I acknowledge that all of us have been contributing our own personal efforts over many years to reduce the levels of greenhouse emissions, and to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but we have now reached the point where micro efforts are no longer enough. Only the macro changes that can be enforced by government legislation and political common sense will now turn the tide.

Peter Holmes

Tim Bowtell's compelling portrait of Greta Thunberg, painted on the side window of the Benalla Rural City offices in Mair Street for the Window to Window festival, draws from and is representative of Tim's current work.   Tim describes being surprised that around 90% of people who spoke to him while he was painting weren't aware of Greta Thunberg, and is pleased that his work has acted as such a catalyst for conversations about climate change.  The discussions continued this week in three pages of Letters to the Editor in the Ensign, most of which were about the portrait of Greta, and most of which were postive!

The announcement by Time Magazine of Greta as their Person of the Year a few days into the controversy on social media proved a wonderful endorsement of Tim's choice of a portrait of Greta for his window. 

This news item from 9 News Border North East on December 12 includes responses by Benalla Sustainable Future Group's President Peter Holmes and Renewable Energy Benalla's John Lloyd.

​I am sending this update to BSFG members and REB followers about the free community screening of the film 2040 from 7.00 pm this Wednesday at BPACC Cinema.

There are still seats left for this DELWP and Council supported screening of 2040.  You need to book to confirm your seat either online at www.bpacc.com.au/theatre or call 03 5762 5515. 

We have been issued 30 tickets to distribute to contributors and have about 12-14 left if you would like to book through me.  These tickets are on the third and fourth rows back from the front of the main central seating area which you can view at the above booking link.  Contact me if you would like me to hold tickets for you in this area, or book online for other seating.

Download the 2040 flyer

BSFG is providing a light supper after the screening which will be tea and coffee and a few nibbles.  If you are coming to the 2040 screening are you able to bring in a small plate to provide something to eat after the film?  If you can help in this way please reply and let me know by Wednesday morning to assist us with the catering arrangements.  At this stage we have bookings for about 140.

Peter Maddock
0418 135 330

DELWP Hume will be working with communities across the region over the next twelve months to develop a Hume Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan. To support community conversations about how best to respond to the impacts of climate change and adaptation opportunities DELWP is offering financial support to communities by covering the film licencing costs for screening the 2040 film, to enable communities to attend free screenings of the film 2040. 

What is 2040?
Concerned about his young daughter’s future, filmmaker Damon Gameau travels the world in search of new approaches and solutions to global warming.  Gameau positions himself as a glass-half-full idealist, with his first mission to convince people that they can make a difference.  Dividing his focus into key areas, including renewable energy and alternative transportation, with corresponding on the road case studies, he structures the film as a one-way conversation with his four-year-old daughter, who will be 25 when 2040 arrives and, he hopes, part of a brighter and better world.  The outlook of the film is refreshing, empowering, inspiring and positive. (2040 review – an idealist’s vision of a healthy Earth, The Guardian, 4 April 2019)  https://whatsyour2040.com/

The Benalla Sustainable Future Group made a successful application for financial support from DELWP Hume to screen 2040.  With additional support from Benalla Rural City 2040 will screen at BPACC, 57 Samaria Rd Benalla VIC 3672 on Wednesday December 11 from 7.00pm.  

Q&A led by Benalla Sustainable Future Group and a light supper following the film.

Bookings are required to see the film and you can book online at http://bpacc.com.au/theatre/ or by calling 03 5762 5515.
Download the flyer.

We would like to confirm that our screening of the film Point Of No Return this Thursday will now be held in the John Cooper Hall rather than our normal meeting room at the Benalla Uniting Church. This hall will enable a better viewing experience, and it has seating for about 150 and a kitchen for serving supper after the film.

The film is a free public screening and you are welcome to bring along some friends or pass on the event details to people you know; https://www.bsfg.org.au/news/final-bsfg-meeting-for-2019-thursday-28-november-free-screening-of-the-documentary-point-of-no-return.  RSVP details in this link including an online RSVP.

Note also that the closing date for submission of articles for our December Newsletter was last Sunday.  Articles would still be welcome over the next few days so if you can write about 200 words on something that interests you email it to me and I will forward it to our editor Ian Herbert.

Peter Maddock
Secretary 0418 135 330

The final Meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group for 2019 will be on Thursday November 28th at the Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

To finish the year we are screening the film Point Of No Return http://pointofnoreturndoc.com/, the story of the round the world flight by Solar Impulse the solar powered aircraft piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg who in 2016 succeeded in flying 40,000 km around the world without using a drop of fuel.

This is a free public screening.  All welcome, bring along a friend.

In the words of Bertrand Piccard, Pilot and project initiator “Our goal is not to transport passengers.  Our goal is to transport a message”. And from director Quinn Kanaly, “At its core, this film is about the perseverance and courage it takes to make difficult decisions when everything is on the line. When we look at the daunting challenge of the global climate crisis, this story of innovation and collaboration offers hope.”

The Solar Impulse Foundation is promoting The Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label which “seeks to bridge the gap between ecology and economy, bringing together protection of the environment and financial viability to show that these solutions are not expensive fixes to problems, but rather opportunities for clean economic growth”, https://solarimpulse.com/.
 
Time: 7.15 for a 7.30 start.  Prior to the film BSFG president Peter Holmes will update the meeting on local initiatives to declare a climate emergency.  The film runs for 1hr 35minutes leaving time for supper after the film.

Although it is not necessary to register your attendance, doing so will assist setting up for the night, in particular the room we use for the screening at the Uniting Church.  Register by contacting Peter by Wednesday November 27th; email peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au or sms 0418 135 330.  Or submit the online form below the Solar Impulse photo below.
Download the flyer.
Peter Maddock
Secretary BSFG Inc.
0418 135 330

The next meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network Action Group is at 5.15pm, Wednesday November 6th at The Farmers Basket Cafe, Nun Street Benalla. 
More details Kathryn McQualter 03 5761 4500.
Linking local food to local people.
Download November Flyer

There are few events coming on our calendar which you may be interested in attending and possibly assist us with.

1. Next Friday November 1st Bob Brown will be launching the Convoy Film and Book Tour in Albury.  Details about this event here, https://www.facebook.com/events/547486569413548/.  It may be possible that a later event can be organised at Benalla/Swanpool however this would not be attended by Bob Brown.

2. The Benalla Festival Day in the Gardens is on Sunday November 10 from 9am-3pm.  We have booked our stall for this event and would like some assistance on the stall.  If you have some time to spare please reply to this email and let me know a time you would be available to assist us.

3. Our final General Meeting for 2019 is on Thursday November 28.  The committee have decided to have a more social ending to the year by having a Food and Film night.  The film we are going to screen is Point Of No Return, http://pointofnoreturndoc.com/ which promises to be an inspiring film about “the perseverance and courage it takes to make difficult decisions when everything is on the line.  When we look at the daunting challenge of the global climate crisis, this story of innovation and collaboration offers hope”, Quinn Kanaly, Director.  More details to follow.