​The film Albatross by Chris Jordan was screened at North East Artisans on Saturday 1st August.  A joint initiative of BSFG, Plastic Wise Benalla and NEA, the film was introduced by Wendy Baker from Plastic Wise Benalla and BSFG's Peter Maddock, with the screening followed by discussion and tea/coffee.  .

​Peter's inspiration for screening the film in Benalla is evident from the preamble he wrote prior to its screening...
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"I spoke to Tim Bowtell at NEA a few years ago about screening a film at NEA.  At the time I was influenced by seeing a recording of Art Climate Ethics: What Role for the Arts? at the Melbourne Sustainable Living Festival 2014.  This presentation featured a number of artists talking about their art and climate change and was presented by Guy Abrahams of CLIMARTE: Arts for a Safe Climate.  One of the featured artists was Chris Jordan director of Albatross who spoke about his making of the film on Midway Island, https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/

Over recent months I have looked up some of Chris Jordan’s work and have come to see how Chris wants to take us beyond the numbers used to describe our impact on the environment.  By showing us the consequences of the cultural choices we make he wants us to feel these impacts, because large numbers such as tons of carbon emissions, the number of species threatened with extinction, etc. doesn’t mean much to us.

Chris Jordan’s website presents some amazing Photographic Arts, in particular some animations titled Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait and Running the Numbers II: Portraits of global mass culture, visualising the numbers resulting from our personal consumption.  In his TedX talk 'Midway Journey' Chris describes his artistic work as “visualising and facing the invisible truths of our time”.

​Earlier this year I came across a video of Chris talking about the making of Albatross on Midway Island.  In particular I was taken by his comment that the tragedy unfolding on Midway from our plastic pollution in the Pacific is a bit like global warming, it is largely invisible to us.  Chris’ message is that he wants us to feel the tragedy of our times.  A wakeup call for us to make new choices.

This year Albatross was screened at the Transition Film Festival in Melbourne and has been offered by Chris Jordan as a free public screening to spread the word about the tragedy of plastic pollution in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  So thank you to Tim and North East Artisans for providing us with the opportunity to screen Albatross at NEA.

A reminder also that Tim Bowtell has in his own way been visualising some of the tragedies of our times.  His mural at Benalla Wall Art this year was “Cornography”, a critique of our modern corporate food chain.  And most recently Tim’s entry in the inaugural Swanpool SCRAP Art Prize, the “Treadmill of Perpetual Happiness” is now situated at the entry to North East Artisans." (Peter Maddock)

People who attended the screening of Albatross at NEA were clearly very moved by it.  NEA member Pamella Francis wrote the following comment on NEA's Facebook page - 

"I attended the free ALBATROSS movie last night, Saturday 1st Sept at NEA.... I was totally aghast at what we, as humans are doing to our beautiful planet and the animals who innocently go about their lives unaware of the dangers that they ingest and pass on to their offspring. The parent bird don't know that they are slowly killing them. As humans we at least have choice and can be aware of the dangers of what we choose to eat and the lifestyles we live in. Whilst there is a minority of people who are trying to do the 'right' thing with plastic, recycling etc etc... the BIG companies need to get on board if real changes can be made! I don't usually say much on FB just "like" what other people post but I can't not say something about this movie on the Albatross. If everyone took the time to watch this move, they would be moved to change".
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In collaboration with North East Artisans, Benalla Sustainable Future Group and Plastic Wise Benalla presents a free screening of the film Albatross on Saturday September 1ST at 7:00PM.

On a remote atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, albatross chicks are dying, bodies filled with plastic.
ALBATROSS unflinchingly shows the horror and grief of this tragedy, but ultimately brings us to a deeply felt experience of beauty and love for life on Earth. Stepping outside of traditional documentary film style, ALBATROSS delivers a profound message of reverence and renewal.

Chris Jordan is a multi-media artist based in Seattle. His work explores contemporary mass culture from a variety of photographic and conceptual perspectives, connecting the viewer viscerally to the enormity and power of humanity’s collective unconscious. Jordan’s work edgewalks the lines between beauty and horror, abstraction and representation, and the visible and the invisible, challenging us to look both in-ward and outward at the complex landscapes of our collective choices (www.chrisjordan.com).

Jordan’s work reaches an increasingly broad international audience through his exhibitions, books, web-site, interviews on radio and television, and speaking engagements and school visits all over the world. He is currently involved in an international tour of his first feature film ALBATROSS, bringing to world the awareness and message of plastic pollution’s devastation effect on the albatrosses of Midway island (www.albatrossthefilm.com).

This film is exempt from classification and is restricted to people over 15 years.  People under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Running for 97 minutes there will be time for discussion afterwards.

Free screening at NEA, 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla, VIC 3672, Sat Sep 1ST, 6.30pm for 7.00pm Start.  Limited seating. Additional screenings may be possible.

RSVP By 27 August; Phone Peter 0418 135 330 or email peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au.

This action group of BSFG has been fairly active in the last few months making upcycled fabric bags in an effort to encourage the use of reusable bags and to create a thought process about our consumption of plastics.  An enthusiastic and passionate team have been hard at work sourcing unwanted clean fabric; cutting fabric to size; and then sewing the bags. Working bees have been held fortnightly at the Drill Hall.

The next session will be held on 19th December from 12.30pm until 3.30pm

All are welcome. No sewing skills are necessary as we also require cutters, ironers, and fabric matchers.

We had a very successful sell day at the BSFG stall at the Day in the Gardens Market and we continue to sell the bags for $5 each. Any monies raised will go back in to the project to support our plastic reduction goal.

I would like to thank the local businesses that are stocking the bags. These businesses are One Wild Apple Cafe, Leading Edge Books, Blooms on Bridge, Samaria Farm and the BSFG Bulk Food Co-op. If you know of any other business that would be interested in selling them please let me know.

Tuesdays, September 26, October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, December 5, December 19, 12.30 to 3.30 pm:  Plastic Wise Benalla, under the auspice of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group, is working towards reducing the impact of single use plastic on our community.

Upcycled bags are sewn with love by community volunteers,

Working bees are held Tuesdays, 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm, at the Benalla Drill Hall.

Anyone is welcome to come along and help create bags for our community, all help is appreciated.  No sewing necessary - the commmunity group also needs help with cutting, sourcing material, ironing and pinning - there's plenty to do for all skill levels!

Other options for support include sew-at-home kits; donations (sturdy material suitable for bags such as calico, curtains and tablecloths, and cotton for sewing up the bags).  Purchases will be available as well shortly for $5, with all proceeds going back into the community.

We are making some progress with our Plastic Sub-committee.   We recently had our first 'bag making session' where we are upcycling scrap/waste material into very trendy bags.  We are not calling them boomerang bags but obviously a similar type of thing.  We intend to sell them at various outlets and to our friends for $2 to $3. Haven't decided on the price yet.

We are investigating how to promote this on social media.  Ideas include linking "Plastic Wise Benalla' on the BSFG website and setting up our own facebook page.  BSFG will be the overarching body for our Group, Plastic Wise Benalla.  We have our own logo which is based around that used in by the Indigo Shire Groups.

Jason, Fabio Industries, has screen printed our first batch of pockets for free.  And the Council have provided us with a room at the Drill Hall for free for bag making sessions each fortnight for the next 2 months.

It is great that we are creating some community action about this issue and some wonderful helpers have been recruited.  We have started off small just to get ourselves organised.  We have several people who are very willing to sew at home which is great.

Any donations of heavy duty fabric, curtains/tablecloths, and not so heavy duty (for a contrast), and calico will be gratefully accepted.

Wendy Bacon

Plastic Free July is an international initiative developed by a Perth council to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives. The challenge is to refuse single use plastic during July.

Some of you may think it is too difficult to stop using plastic. It is. Plastic is ubiquitous and it is made to last a very long time.  It is packaged around our food. Some would even say it has started to become a part of our food.  It is in our make-up and personal hygiene products. It is in our clothing.

However, if we put in a little thought and effort we all can reduce our usage of plastic. I have been concerned about the impact of plastics on the environment for years.  This concern was heightened on a recent trip to Sri Lanka where I was totally disheartened by the rubbish on the beaches, in the ocean and on the streets. Waste reduction is a global responsibility.

Some ideas to aid in this challenge would be to:

• take your own shopping bag or pack your shopping in a box
• either reuse or refuse produce bags
• purchase products packaged in cardboard, paper or glass
• avoid cling wrap – use a plate, clean shower cap or fabric covers over your leftovers/bowls
• opt for refills and bulk purchases
• ask for meat to be wrapped in paper or take your own container to the butchers
• BYO coffee cup and support cafes that reduce the price of a takeaway coffee if you BYO
• refuse plastic straws
• say ‘NO’ to bottled water
• line your rubbish bin with newspaper
• pick up the plastic litter
• ask yourself if you really need that new piece of clothing – consider clothes swaps with friends or an op shop purchase

Continue the challenge if travelling:

• take your own reusable coffee cup and water bottle
• purify the local tap water with tablets or a UV water purifier
• take your own snacks, earphones, and reusable cutlery

Think- Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Rethink, Repair.

If we are all a little wiser with our purchases and consumption habits, a cleaner and healthier environment will follow.

For more ideas and to accept the challenge go to www.plasticfreejuly.org

Choose to Refuse.

Source: Baker, W  'Ecoportal'  http://ecoportal.net.au/plastic-free-july/ 21 July 2017
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Maybe you are not ready to give up the plastic altogether but there are some easy ways to make a big difference in reducing the amount of plastic waste that is a huge burden to our environment. Recycling goes some of the way to easing the issue; however it is a much better option to avoid the use of plastic as much as possible.

Bring your own shopping bag
I am thinking hessian is best. Or why not make your own out of left over fabric? In addition to bigger
carryall bags, you can take your own reusable produce bags or don’t use produce bags at all.

Ditch bottled water
Such an easy way to reduce waste. Keep a refillable bottle handy and take it wherever you go. Bottled water is incredibly expensive compared to the tap. Say ‘no’ to bottled water.

BYO Coffee Cup
Coffee Cups are usually lined with a polyethylene making it difficult to be recycled. Take your own refillable cup....you may even get your coffee at a reduced price!!

Choose cardboard over plastic bottles and bags
Try pasta in a box instead of a bag, detergent in a box instead of a bottle. Even better, see if the cardboard is from a sustainable source.

Say ‘no’ to straws 
They are just not necessary. Paper or stainless straws are an option. Get plastic out of the makeup drawer and bathroom

Research microbeads. 
Aim for none in your products.

Skip the disposable razor

Re-think your food storage
Try to use glass instead of plastic for fridge/pantry storage. Take your own containers for the left over restaurant meal. Use reusable sandwich wraps e.g.‘Keep Leaf’ eco-friendly bags.

Use cloth nappies over disposable nappies

Shop in Bulk
Consider joining the BSFG Bulk Food Co-op. Keep your eye out for places with refill stations or bulk purchases.

Think about fashion choices
Do you really need another item of clothing?  Consider clothes swapping with your friends and family. Check out the Op Shop.

Travelling?
Try to follow the practices you have at home. Carry a lightweight rolled-up reusable carry bag. Purify the tap water – choose to avoid the bottled water. My daughter recently travelled Sri Lanka, India and Nepal for 3 months and used a ‘Steripen’ handheld water purifier....was fantastic, easy to use, saved heaps of dollars, and heaps of plastic bottle waste.

CHOOSE TO REFUSE
Check out the ABC’s “War on Waste”:
http://www.abc.net.au/ourfocus/waronwaste/
And the website for “Plastic Free July”:
http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
Also recommended reading:
http://treadingmyownpath.com/2017/01/12/onlinezero-waste-plastic-free-stores/

Wendy Baker
​BSFG Plastic Bag Action Group


Source  BSFG's May Newsletter, 2017