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'Is this the future we really want for our children?'

30/9/2020

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Media Release:  Article Published in the Benalla Ensign, Wednesday 30 September, 2020

Sent:
 Friday, 25 September 2020 8:53 PM
To: 'editor@benallaensign.com.au'
Subject: School Strike for Climate

Students lead Australian action on climate
 
On Friday 25th September, over 630 separate actions were organised around Australia in support of Students Strike for climate change. In Benalla, a planned gathering with adherence to strict Covid protocols, was denied permission at the eleventh hour, but small groups of supporters still gathered to take photos of the messages they wanted to send to politicians, displaying their rejection of the so-called gas led economic recovery proposed by the Federal Government.
 
These plans, which include the development of five large unconventional gas fields (fracking) have been opposed by environmental groups, scientists,  and health professionals, as detrimental to the future health and safety of the Earth. It is well documented that fracking destroys the groundwater systems in the country around the gas drilling sites, both through the large volumes of water required to operate the drills, and the pollution of the water from the chemicals used. There is also documented evidence of serious health issues occurring in communities close to the gas fields.
 
From an economic point of view, claims from the government that gas will keep power prices down, are blatantly untrue. Wind farms and large solar farms are now producing electricity at a wholesale cost of $40 per MWh, compared to base load gas power generation costing $90 per MWh. Even renewables plus storage (large batteries) costs approximately $60 per MWh. These figures were determined by a recent CSIRO study into the electricity generation industry.
 
The students are also opposing the government’s plans to use public money to fund the gas industry, on the grounds that it is an option which will only exacerbate the climate crisis by contributing even more greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane), and reduce the possibility of preventing global warming from exceeding 2 degrees. This will make the future living conditions they face incredibly difficult, climatically, food production wise, and from a health perspective.
 
Is this the future we really want for our children and grandchildren?
 
 
Peter Holmes, President – Benalla Sustainable Future Group
"On 25th September, small groups of supporters gathered to take photos of the messages they wanted to send to politicians, displaying their rejection of the so-called gas led economic recovery
​ proposed by the Federal Government"
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Benalla Food Cooperative - Report to the AGM - 2019- 2020

25/9/2020

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The Benalla Food Co-op currently has just over 70 members and 118 different products. All products are chosen very carefully with environmental and ethical considerations, along with supporting local and regional producers where possible. The co-op has been running for nine and a half years.

The prompt implementation of COVID 19 safe procedures at the Benalla Food Co-op, has meant we were able to keep operating through-out this disturbing time of uncertainty and lockdowns. I had many consultations with Callum Morrison, BRC Public Health Officer, fine-tuning the procedures for the Food Co-op, to continue serving our members. Keeping people safe was of prime importance. We were reassured by Callum's comment that “we are providing an essential service". Numerous procedures have been implemented, along with the basic hygiene principals such as washing hands, physical distancing, 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 4 sq metres per person. Earlier on, I think we might have been the only place in Benalla that didn't run out of toilet paper!

A short video was produced illustrating our procedures. I would like to thank Sonia Bourke for putting this together. 
The Benalla Food Co-op currently has just over 70 members and 118 different products. All products are chosen very carefully with environmental and ethical considerations, along with supporting local and 
With the advent of COVID 19 it became a priority to have and encourage the preferred digital method of online payment. Each member who operates the computer system has been trained up to do this. I would like to thank Tanya Walker and Peter Holmes for overseeing this transition.

A number of weeks ago I put a number of options to the committee as to how we could continue running the coop in the advent of worsening outbreaks of COVID. Each committee member contributed thoughtful and suggestive responses ranging from how we currently manage to the use of online ordering and the use of paper-bags. The majority of committee members were happy with the current procedures as long as COVID numbers remained low in Regional Victoria.

I would like to acknowledge there have been a few general members who have chosen not to shop at the food co-op during this time. Other than that, during the COVID restrictions, the food co-op has been busier than the same period of time last year, and we have had fourteen new members join the co-op, which is quite astonishing.

​If you would like to check financial statements refer to the treasurer's report (BSFG Annual Reports, when published).

I would like to thank all the duty managers and computer operators who do a wonderful job carrying out extra responsibilities. We have had a number of new members take this on.

I would like to thank Julie McPherson who has the relentless job of organising the roster, Rhona Rose who keeps you up to date on a weekly basis, Loren who sometimes takes delivery of our orders along with Sonia who takes delivery of special items such as Tradewinds and dried fruits from Mildura.

Lastly, I would like to thank all our amazing dedicated committee members, who are committed to the well being of the food co-op and for me personally are a truly wonderful group of people who offer support, make suggestions and are prepared to work through any arising issues. I am profoundly grateful to be working with you all.
Christine Holmes
​Benalla Food Co-op Coordinator
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How can Urban Planning help prevent bushfires?

24/9/2020

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Attribution of the source of bush-fires is often a 'hot topic' at the time of major bush fires.  New urban planning development and greater attention to bushfire prevention in new urban planning developments and periurban areas generally are also required according to Associate Professor Janet Stanley, Principal Research Fellow - Urban Social Resilence at Melbourne University's Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI) and Professor Brendan Gleeson, Director of the MSSI, who participated in a Webinar 'How Urban Planning can help prevent bushfires' on Thursday 24 September at 12 midday..  

How can Urban Planning help prevent bushfires?

Bushfires pose unprecedented challenges for Australian cities and towns. Climate change and continuing urban sprawl see more and more Australians impacted by increasingly catastrophic fires. The frequency of bushfires is higher in the urban fringe areas, with about 40% of maliciously lit fires linked to youth.   

These suburbs often suffer from a lack of infrastructure – services, transport and jobs. The outcome are social problems such as high youth unemployment, early school leaving and an inability for youth to travel to and from work and recreation. What role does urban planning have to play in breaking up this combination of climate, geographical and social factors?

Associate Professor Janet Stanley is a Principal Research Fellow - Urban Social Resilience at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI). She focuses on the interface between social, environmental and economic issues in climate change and sustainability, across policy, system design, and at community levels. In conversation with Professor Brendan Gleeson, Director of MSSI and a specialist in urban, social and environmental planning and policy, Janet will discuss her research and findings into how urban planning can help prevent further bushfires.


Janet Stanley spoke of the need for forward planning to prevent, eg. piling up of rubbish; leaving of old vehicles; in periurban areas.  Her research area clearly incorporates a focus on arson, and she spoke compellingly about the need for involvement from a wide range of group members including police,and urban planners, in working to prevent arson, especially with children and young people.  She also spoke earnestly about the need for environmentalists to be part of any community response, with 'Gippsland Arson Prevention Association' a lighthouse example which she felt could be replicated elsewhere.

Last summer a number of fires began close to Benalla - with one, for example, near the golf course, starting when a car with a trailer swerved and became disconnected from the vehicle towing it, igniting a small fire which got away.  There are of course preventative approaches to eg. fires caused by farm machinery in rural areas, especially during periods of increasing fire risk, but Janet's work focuses more on urban areas, particularly urban fringe areas.  For me, this is a hot topic, as I have two gum trees I'm particularly fond of on my property in town.  With increasing risk of bushrfires with climate change, worry that they may form a conduit for across town spread of bushfires.  While this wasn't covered in her talk, it did raise issues for me to think about.  

​Bev Lee
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School Strike for Climate Change - "Fund our Future, Not Gas" - Friday 25th September

22/9/2020

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This coming Friday has been earmarked as a day of Australia-wide protest at the Federal Government's proposals to fund the expansion of the gas industry in Australia, firstly by trying to open up major gas fracking operations in the Beetaloo Basin of the NT and the Pilliga region of central western NSW, and secondly, proposing to build a gas-fired electricity generator in the Hunter Valley of NSW.

Any increase in our use of fossil fuels is counter-productive to the fight against climate change, as it only leads to additional greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane) being released into the atmosphere.
The theme for this week's student action is "Fund our Future - not Gas". There will be a press release in this week's Benalla Ensign about the action.

BSFG is holding a brief event at midday at the Ceramic Mural next to Lake Benalla, to support that theme. We will be adhering to strict Covid protocols - you must wear masks, and be in groups of no more than 10, and socially distance within each group.

Please bring a placard/poster voicing your message to politicians around the above theme. Photos will be taken and published in the Ensign and on the BSFG website, and sent to local politicians to deliver the messages.

If the weather is wet, we will gather under the Benalla Library in the carparking area.

Please email or text Peter Holmes re your intention to attend.
​

Email:  chrispeth@bigpond.com
Text:   0438625638
 
Peter Maddock
Secretary

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Benalla's Community Gardens - the Central Benalla Community Garden, Carrier Street (behind Uniting Church, opposite Coles)

20/9/2020

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What an abundant crop of vegetables greeted me during a spontaneous visit to the Central Benalla Community Garden in Carrier Street while visiting Benalla's local Food Cooperative recently.  Community Garden members Pip Rigby and Rhonda Manning proudly showed me full to over-flowing beds of snow peas, lettuce, silver beet, sprouts, parsley and more. Chewing happily on freshly picked snow peas while chatting, they encouraged me to try a  snow pea, to pick vegetables to take home and to share the news with BSFG members that we are welcome to visit the gardens and pick fresh vegetables..

Bev Lee
​Media team
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Sustainable House Day 2020 - Benalla - Howard and Berni's Solar Skillion Sleep Out and Studio

17/9/2020

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Benalla's Howard Bartlett is participating in Sustainable House Day again this year, with his Solar Skillion Sleepout featuring in 2020's on-line event .  Developing a video presentation was part of the requirement this year, and it is with pleasure we launch Howard's video on our website!  There is also a most informative article by Simon Ruppert in the Shepparton News and Benalla Ensign, and of course past posts on our website. 

The online program for Sustainable House Day looks excellent - so many sessions to choose from, you just need to register, choose a stream and enter the online webinars you wish to attend.  . 

​There is also an Extension Program of six webinar sessions over the next 10 days at a minimal cost per session.   

You can check out the Shepparton News article here (you just need to register), or, if the link has expired by the time you read it, email us through the Contact page and we will send you a pdf copy.  

T read more about Howard's house - Bartlett, Howard (2017) 'Changing Households'  The Owner Builder  201, July/August 2017 p48 - 51
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Sustainable House Day 2020 is on Sunday 20th September 2020

10/9/2020

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Established in 2001, Sustainable House Day is a national event that allows the public to see and learn from the best environmental homes in Australia. It aims to inspire people to live sustainably, showing them how to lower energy bills, live comfortably and help the environment through good home design, practices and technology.

Explore a program of over 30 free sessions happening on Sustainable House Day, offering practical advice and guidance on a range of topics relating to sustainable house design including new buildings and renovations.

In light of COVID-19, this year’s event is completely virtual. Participating homes have created video tours and can be asked questions about their homes on the Sustainable House Day website. Selected homeowners will also be taking part in information sessions happening throughout the day, accessible to anyone through Zoom. These sessions will be hosted by sustainability experts, designers, and architects, and allow a valuable opportunity for participants to seek guidance from those who have already completed their home. The program for these sessions can be found on the Sustainable House Day website: https://sustainablehouseday.com/program.

To view house tours and take part in the sessions on the day, registrations to the Sustainable House Day website are necessary. Register at https://sustainablehouseday.com/register.

BSFG member Howard Bartlett is again part of Sustainable House Day, displaying his Solar Skillion Sleepout.

A reminder that our 2020 AGM is also online via Zoom at 7.30pm on Thursday September 24th. 


Peter Maddock
Secretary, BSFG
0418 135 330

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AGM - Online Zoom meeting; 7.30 pm, Thursday 24 September

9/9/2020

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Due to Covid 19 restrictions the committee has decided to conduct our AGM online this year.  The Zoom meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday September 24th.

The AGM will be limited to the basic requirements of ratifying any reports and electing the new committee.  Reports will be circulated to members by email prior to the meeting.

Prior to the election of the new committee all positions will be declared vacant.  Positions available are President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, plus four committee members.  Nominations for the new committee should be submitted to me by email by 5pm on Tuesday 22nd September. 

We will email the link for the Zoom meeting on Sunday 20th, and again after 5pm on Tuesday 22nd, listing the nominations for the committee.

We expect the AGM could be conducted withing the 40 minutes available on our Basic Zoom plan.  However, should extra time be required our meeting may be resumed by using the same Zoom link to continue the meeting again for another 40 minutes, perhaps after a short break for coffee.

Yesterday we received advice for Consumer Affairs that we need to send a Proxy form with this notice of the AGM.  We have also decided to send a Nomination form to assist with the election of Office Bearers and Committee.  We need to receive Proxy forms at least 24 hours before the meeting. These forms were attached to the email sent to members and can be sent on application if necessary.  

Last week I sent a reminder to some members about renewing their membership for 2020/21.  Only financial members can vote at the AGM.

We look forward to seeing you online for our 2020 AGM.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330
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Next Meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network Online Wednesday 16 September 4 to 5pm

6/9/2020

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The next meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network will be held online on Wednesday September 16th from 4pm until 5pm.  Join the meeting from your computer by clicking on this link,  https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/benallahealth/room/team-meeting.

Download the Flyer.

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Benalla Local Food Network upcoming meeting - 16 Sept 4pm

2/9/2020

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I hope every has been well in safe in these COVID times! There has been a lot of work in the food space recently;
  • Open Food Network have been running online  forums on how to boost short supply chain local food in the North East
  • Indigo Shire Council have been the first local council to do a Draft Local Food policy https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/Have-your-say/Closed-consultations/Draft-Local-Food-Policy
  • North East Food Strategy group continue to meet during COVID 19
  • Can healthy food save the planet? See the EAT Lancet commission report on a healthy sustainable diet https://eatforum.org/learn-and-discover/can-healthy-food-save-the-planet-animation/
 
I would love to catch up with everyone in Benalla about what is happening with our local food. Anecdotally I have heard of more families getting back into gardening and home cooking during lockdown which is great. Our local Benalla businesses are also doing food deliveries to our local community.
 
Date: Wednesday 16th September
Time: 4-5pm
https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/benallahealth/room/team-meeting
Hope to see you all there (virtually!)
 
Kathryn McQualter
Dietitian
Allied Health
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