Category: BSFG General Meeting - Benalla Sustainable Future Group

Next BSFG General Meeting - Michelle Croker, Neoen Energy

14/11/2021

At our next BSFG general meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday 25th November 2021 Benalla Uniting Church Fellowship Room our guest speaker will be Michelle Croker.

Michelle is a consultant working for Neoen Energy, the developers of the Goorambat Solar Farms. Michelle lives in Yackandandah, and will also be able to update us on some of the renewable energy projects in that community.

Supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

BSFG General Meeting - Thursday 23rd September 7.30 pm

14/9/2021

We would like to invite members to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd September at the Benalla Uniting Church.

Adam Saddler, the newly appointed manager for economic development and sustainability at Benalla Rural City will be speaking. It will be an opportunity for BSFG to put forward our ideas for opportunities to transition Benalla into renewable/sustainable industries.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed.

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening if regulations at the time permit.

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to bsfginc@gmail.com

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

Update - BSFG Meeting rescheduled to Thursday 23 September

25/8/2021

Due to the Covid lockdown, unfortunately we will again have to cancel the General Meeting and film screening scheduled for Thursday 26 August. We hope to see everyone on the Thursday 23 September instead. Covid protocols at the time will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance will almost certainly be required. A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening. Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance. Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to bsfginc@gmail.com

BSFG General Meeting 7.30pm Thursday 26 August - 'Plastic Wars'

19/8/2021

We would like to invite you to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 26th August at the Benalla Uniting Church.

In keeping with "Plastic Free July" (previously postponed due to covid restrictions), we will be screening the documentary "Plastic Wars". Issues such as clear labelling on packaging for recycling, are raised in this documentary. There will be time for discussion after the film.

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed. Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance.

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to bsfginc@gmail.com

Please visit News on our BSFG website for more about Plastic Free July. https://www.bsfg.org.au/news

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

BSFG Meeting 22nd July - featuring documentary 'Plastic Wars'

10/7/2021

Dear BSFG Members and Supporters,

We would like to invite you to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd July at the Benalla Uniting Church.

In keeping with "Plastic Free July" we will be screening the documentary "Plastic Wars". Issues such as clear labelling on packaging for recycling, are raised in this documentary. There will be time for discussion after the film.

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed. Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance.

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to bsfginc@gmail.com

Please visit News on our BSFG website for more about Plastic Free July. https://www.bsfg.org.au/news

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

BSFG General Meeting 7.30pm Thursday March 25th Benalla Uniting Church

12/3/2021

For this meeting we are screening the Bob Brown Foundation film Forest Defenders.

Forest Defenders was filmed at the Bob Brown Foundation takayna / Tarkine blockade over the summer of 2019-20 in North-West Tasmania, during an intense period of logging and resistance by brave forest activists.

The film explores the day-to-day lives of those on the front line of the battle to save this ancient tract of cool-temperate rain forest, the largest in the world, from logging and mining. Link to Forest Defenders trailer, https://youtu.be/VvCvgT6Epoo.

We are pleased to have Bert Lobert from Our Strathbogie Forest attending and we look forward to his update on the Strathbogie Forest.

This meeting will commence with the film, followed by our speaker and tea/coffee. People may then leave the meeting before any meeting business.

It is important that you RSVP to attend the meeting for both Covid numbers and to determine where we screen the film at the Benalla Uniting Church.

RSVP: SMS 0438625638, Email bsfginc@gmail.com.

Please return to this article for any updates on meeting details.

Finally, our first 'real' live BSFG meeting for 2020!

12/11/2020

Finally, on Thursday 26th November, we will be able to have our first "real" live BSFG meeting for 2020! As this is also our last scheduled meeting date for the year, the committee felt it would be good to have something special, and a little less formal, to end the year.

We have obtained approval to screen a recently released film, "Kiss the Ground", which examines the effects of industrial farming practices on the world's agricultural land, and the potential benefits of regenerative farming techniques, not only to heal the land, but in assisting the drawdown of carbon from the atmosphere, to reduce the effects of climate change. https://kissthegroundmovie.com/

The film showcases some amazing examples of restoration projects from various parts of the world, and how they have transformed landscapes, and restored hope in the ability of the Earth to heal itself.

As this is a film about the future of the Earth's food production capability, I urge you all to attend, and to invite a friend who may be involved in food production, be it meat, grain, fruit or vegetable.

As usual, we will conclude with a cuppa and something to eat, and a chance to chat about the film, and of course, the year that was!!

We hope to see you all at the John Cooper Hall, Benalla Uniting Church, 7.30pm on the 26th.

As we may have limits on numbers attending, please RSVP to email: bsfginc@gmail.com or simply reply to this email with names attending.
Of course, covid protocols will need to be followed: stay home if unwell, wear facemasks, sanitize hands on arrival, and observe correct social distancing.

New Committee

In September, the new BSFG Committee was elected at our special zoom AGM. The members are as follows:
Peter Holmes - President
David Blore - Vice President
Judy Schwarzman - Secretary
Wendy Baker - Treasurer
Christine Holmes - food Co-op rep
Peter Maddock
Wendy Sherlock
Kevin Smith
Kay Blore

Many thanks to each of these members for agreeing to serve on the committee, and we look forward to achieving some of our (deferred) goals in the very near future.

Peter Holmes

News update - meeting room change; newsletter articles

26/11/2019

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

Next BSFG Meeting - Thursday September 26th - Guest Speaker Fiona Roberts (DELWP) on the Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap

17/9/2019

The next General Meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group will be held on Thursday September 26th, 7.30pm until 9.30pm at the Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla.

Our guest speaker is Fiona Roberts, a member of the Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap project team and a program officer in Community and Partnerships, DELWP, based in Benalla. Fiona will be speaking about the Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap.

The Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap has engaged thousands of people from communities, business and government to hear their views and vision for the future of renewable energy in the region.

The Roadmap identifies regional opportunities for renewable energy in Hume which includes a coalition of community energy groups working to deliver localised energy generation and distribution for community benefit.

Hume also has significant pumped hydro energy storage development potential as well as quality solar resources which have been attracting investment interest. Bioenergy resources are also abundant in Hume with a number of biogas generators operating in the region.

Fiona Roberts has previously worked in the Commonwealth government as a senior policy analyst on a variety of projects including ecological sustainable development and natural resource management for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Fiona says, "The Hume Renewable Energy Roadmap report brings together what we heard and uncovered and tells our region’s renewable energy story – the past, the exciting things happening now and what the future might hold."

Hear about this Renewable Energy Roadmap and learn about the possibilities for a renewable energy future for our region.

Following the presentation about the Renewable Energy Roadmap there will be a short presentation from John Lloyd about the activities of Renewable Energy Benalla and the role it could play in the energy future for Benalla.

The minutes of our previous meeting held on Thursday July 25th 2019 are attached below.

Supper will be available after the meeting.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

Minutes - BSFG Meeting - July 25th 2019

Committee Update - Meeting dates for 2019; BSFG Newsletter

21/1/2019

The BSFG Committee had its first meeting for the year last Wednesday and there are a couple of resolutions to advise you about.

Leading up to Christmas, December is a difficult time for people to attend General Meetings. January is also a time when people are often away. The Committee therefore resolved to have only five General Meetings per year. General Meetings will now be on the 4th Thursday of March, May, July, September and November.

The Committee will continue to meet six times a year on the second Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December.

The Committee has been discussing the replies we had to the Newsletter Survey and felt it was time to indicate a deadline for submission of articles for the next newsletter. Articles of about 200 words about an environmentally themed topic would be suitable for the Newsletter. 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 for commentary on environmental issues.

The deadline for the next Newsletter is Sunday February 17th. You can submit articles to Peter Maddock via email peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au Thank you to members who completed the Newsletter Survey. There is certainly interest from members in continuing with the Newsletter.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au

Annual General Meeting - 7.30pm Thursday 28th June; Speaker - Leigh Ewbank, 'Act on Climate' Coordinator, Friends of the Earth

14/6/2018

The Annual General Meeting of Benalla Sustainable Future Group will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 28th June at the Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

After accepting the minutes of the previous AGM and presentation of reports all elected positions will be declared open and there will be an election of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary plus a minimum of four committee members and a nominated member from the Food Co-Op.

This year John Lloyd will not be accepting nominations for President nor the Committee as his work with Renewable Energy Benalla is occupying him fully. So please give consideration to nominating for an Office Bearer or Committee position. Contact me if you require further information about standing for a position.

Our guest speaker for the meeting is Leigh Ewbank who is the current Act on Climate coordinator for Friends of the Earth. He has also worked on the Yes 2 Renewables campaign and was very much involved with campaigning against the anti-wind farm lobby. Yes 2 Renewables was the driving force behind the campaign to restore fair wind farm laws in Victoria, and spearheaded the case for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target. Leigh has a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from RMIT University, Melbourne. He has been engaged in climate and energy debates for years and more recently has lectured in the Urban Planning and Energy and Energy Policy and Management courses at RMIT University.

We look forward to seeing you at our 2018 AGM.
Regards,
Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

General meeting Thursday 22 February at 7.30 pm - guest speaker Bertram Lobert from the Strathbogie Sustainable Forest Group

10/2/2018

Our next General Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 22 February in the Meeting Room, Benalla Uniting Church, opposite the Coles car park.

Our guest speaker is Bertram Lobert from the Strathbogie Sustainable Forest Group. Bertram will speak about the activities and achievements of the group and has sent us a synopsis.

“The community campaign to improve both forest management and community appreciation of the Strathbogie State Forest began over four years ago. Since then we've organized 22+ forest walks and numerous community engagement activities. We've undertaken fauna and flora surveys including: spotlighting, camera trapping, fungi surveys, mothing nights and habitat assessment. The group has also put significant effort into forest advocacy and political lobbying, with mixed success so far. We've come a long way, but we're not done yet.

Our biggest achievement has been to attract many hundreds of people and thousands of eyes, to take an interest in our little forest – the forest that no one in DELWP or the Government took much notice of before we all started jumping up and down and organizing. And all those people talk to friends and return-visit, or can picture the forest when they hear or read about it. The cat is out of the bag – the Strathbogie Forest is now recognized by locals, regional government departments and by government policy, as an important natural assets in NE Vic. And that awareness isn’t something that can be switched off – and that is powerful!”

This is a good opportunity to hear firsthand about the activities and advocacy work of the Strathbogie Sustainable Forest Group.

A light supper will be served after Bertram’s presentation.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

Next General Meeting - Thursday October 26 7.30 pm Uniting Church

17/10/2017

The next General Meeting of BSFG is on Thursday the 26th of October at 7.30pm in the Meeting room, The Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles carpark.

Our guest speaker is Carole Hammond who is the Team Leader Sustainable Development at Strathbogie Shire. Carole is engaged in building the smart growth of a 21st century economy and environment for the Shire of Strathbogie. This includes programs across native vegetation and biodiversity, regional stewardship projects, working with Landcare, as well as a range of sustainability, and climate change adaptation projects, such as the ‘Bogie Bulk Buy’, that will contribute to a strong, resilient Shire of the future.

Carole is also the creator of Coolth Sustainability, a multidisciplinary sustainability practice. The consultancy offers accredited thermal performance assessments under the National Housing Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), and specialist input into environmentally sustainable residential design.

We look forward to hearing from Carole who will speak after the business of the meeting. A light supper will be served at the end of the meeting.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

BSFG General Meeting Thursday 8 December - Guest Speaker: Jeff Austen, Systems and Environment Coordinator from D&R Henderson

25/11/2016

The next General meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group will be held on Thursday December 8, at 7.30 pm in the Meeting Room, The Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

The guest speaker will be Jeff Austen, Systems and Environment Coordinator from D&R Henderson. You may be aware that Henderson’s were the winners of the Environmentally Sustainable Business Award that was jointly sponsored by BSFG and Sun Real.

Jeff’s presentation will cover the site operations at the Henderson factory and will highlight the range of initiatives Henderson’s have taken to reduce their impact on the environment, which led to them being the winners of the award.

Peter Maddock
Secretary.
0418 135 330

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Action Groups:
Benalla Food Cooperative
Benalla Local Food Network
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Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang and Bpangerang people
of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Photo used under Creative Commons from davebloggs007