Responses to the 'Net Zero Farming' forum at the Benalla Gardens on Friday 25 February were overwhelmingly positive. Organised by Dr Helen Haines and her team, it was attended by a number of BSFG members and like minded community members. Speakers covered the issues in an engaging, well informed way; the questions from the gathering were thought provoking, and there was much networking during breakout group discussions and afterwards to share news and ideas about net zero farming and possible 'next steps'. Hopefully this networking will lead on to similar community gatherings and networking on Net Zero Farming into the future!
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On Friday afternoon 25 February, Benalla Community Energy Project's Solar Panel Installation at Bernard Brigg's Kindergarten was officially launched by Helen Haines MP. Helen's passion for community renewable energy is demonstrated continually in communities throughout her Indigo Electorate. BSFG President Peter Holmes took the opportunity to thank John Lloyd, former BSFG President and retiring Renewable Energy Benalla/Benalla Community Energy Project convenor, for his tireless work in promoting renewable energy in our community.
Thank you, John! The Benalla Sustainable Future Group Inc. executive has engaged consultant Cath Botta to facilitate a review of BSFG which will be held over a series of workshops on Thursday March 31st 7pm-9pm and Sunday April 10th 1pm-3.30pm.
Objectives of the review
BSFG is seeking input from its membership and other community stakeholders about key strengths and achievements of BSFG and will be personally contacting some people for input to this review. The questions below for Members and Non-Members can also be answered using an online form which can be accessed from the form links below. For Members
These Member questions can be answered and submitted to us using this Member online form For Non-Members
These Non-Member questions can be answered and submitted to us using this Non-Member online form Thank you for assisting BSFG with this important review of our Group. BSFG has 100 corflute signs (300 x 300mm) for people to put on their front fence saying "Climate Action Now".
This will be a message not only for the Federal election, but also to our local Council, and will have a collective effect, especially in higher traffic areas of Benalla. We also have a supply of car stickers with the same message. The signs and stickers are free. Please email to [email protected] with your name, delivery address, and number of signs and car stickers required and we will send them to you as soon as possible. You may like to check upcoming editions of The Ensign for more about the signs. Judy Schwartzman Secretary 'Thriving farm wetland created' (Country News, January 11 2022 p4), celebrates Deb Hill's success in transforming a degraded farm dam in Warrenbayne with turbid water, high coliform and nutrient content causing algal blooms and salinity into a biodiverse habitat teeming with life. Four years ago Deb fenced off the dam from livestock - " I left everythng else alone and let nature take its course...A fallen red gum tree helped create habitat for eastern long necked turtles, birds, frogs and acquatic macroinvertebrates...I remember taking my grandson to this lovely wetland and we sat on the fallen tree and watched eight turtles poking their heads just above the water as they repeatedly emerged to breathe. My biggest thrill was seeing a water rat and the turtles because that is a good indicator of a healthy wetland". Inspirational! Banner photograph - Deb Hill is pictured at the farm wetland she revived at Warrenbayne.
Source - 'Country News', January 11 2022 page 4. |
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