Here is the link to BSFG Newsletter number 36, for May 2024.

Many thanks to our contributors, and to our Editor Ian Herbert for putting this Newsletter together.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, 
Benalla Sustainable Future Group

Benalla Sustainable Future Group invites members to attend our Annual General Meeting beginning at  6:00pm Friday 24th May 2024.  We will meet in the Benalla Uniting Church Meeting Room opposite Coles car park. 

The evening for members will start with a shared dinner and committee nominations/AGM at 6:00pm. 

Supporters are welcome to join members at 7:30pm, when our guest speaker, Dr Lynette Bettio will give her presentation entitled "Climate Extremes in North East Victoria - Current and Future Risks". Dr Bettio is a former student of FCJ College Benalla, now Climate Scientist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne. 

Lynette was co-author of the 2023 "State of the Climate" Report, so is very well informed of the latest trends occurring in climate change.

It is three years since Dr Lynette Bettio and Dr Leanne Webb (CSIRO) spoke to over 130 people at the Benalla Town Hall at BSFG's invitation. 

Since then Australia and most other regions of the world have experienced ever-increasing record-breaking weather events; either highest ever average temperatures or record rainfall and flood events.

BSFG believes it is very important that at all levels of government, and as individuals in the community, we urgently tackle the issue of climate change, not only to learn to adapt, but importantly to find ways to mitigate the climate threats our future generations are facing. 

It will be very interesting to hear from Lynette what has been driving the severe weather events experienced around Australia over that period.

Collectively and individually, we can use this opportunity to formulate ideas and take actions to assist or lead the Benalla Community into a more positive future. As a community we cannot continue to give low priority to this issue, hoping that a higher level of governance alone will be responsible for the problem. Rather we can "Think globally, Act locally".

There will be a Q and A opportunity after Lynette's presentation, and we invite members and supporters to stay for a light supper at the end of the evening.

Please RSVP your attendance at  [email protected]    We hope you can join us for this occasion. If you are planning to attend the shared dinner / AGM, we would appreciate it if you are able to bring something to share.

BSFG Membership Renewal and Committee

​At AGM time we also invite our members to renew their membership of BSFG. 

Our website  https://www.bsfg.org.au/  has an online form where you can select renewal of membership. Follow the JOIN tab / ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM  or find it with this direct link  https://www.bsfg.org.au/online-membership-form.html  

We also extend an invitation for any members interested in joining the committee to contact Peter Holmes, President, on 0438625638 for more information.


Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG

After the successful 10th anniversary screening of the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival in 2023 BSFG is pleased to support another Festival in 2024, working in partnership with Swanpool Landcare with support from Benalla Rural City and Winton Wetlands. 

Three sessions commence 1.00 pm sharp at Swanpool Cinema and include afternoon tea and an evening meal. 

Session one.
Guest Speaker Dr Mark Diesendorf Hon. Assoc. Prof. UNSW Sydney, Environmentalist, ‘The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation’.
Mark is Co Author of the book  The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation.
Film ‘The New Corporation, The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel’. 

Afternoon Tea 3.50pm.

Session two.
Feature film ’Finding The Money’, there's another side to the national debt.
Film discussion, questions and answers with Dr Steven Hail Assoc. Prof. Torrens University Australia, Economist at Modern Money Lab, economics for a new era. 

Dinner 6.50pm.

Session three.
Guest Speaker Margot Nash Filmmaker and Visiting Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, will show her short film ‘Undercurrents: Meditations on Power’,
https://www.margotnash.com/.

Guest Speaker Bertram Lobert with an update on the Save Our Strathbogie Forest Federal Court case about planned burns in high quality Southern Greater Glider habitat.  Title of Bert's talk is 'Wrong Fire - Wrong Place: planned burning in a Victorian foothill forest'.

$35 includes three sessions, afternoon tea and dinner. Catering by the Swanpool Catering Team.

Download the SEFF 2024 Menu.
 
Bookings essential on Try Booking - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1206465.
Saturday 15 June 2024 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM (UTC+10).

If attending please be Covid Aware.  Some masks will be available.

Swanpool Cinema 
2386 Midland Highway, Swanpool Victoria 3673
Details on Swanpool Cinema website www.swanpoolcinema.com.au
Phone 0498 007 988 for enquiries.  

Download the Festival Flyer.

Download the Festival Programme.

More details in our May Newsletter.

The SEFF 2024 Menu now available.  Download Menu.

This discussion paper came to us from a BSFG member, and may be of interest.
​
It was prepared for the Municipal Association of Victoria and has many point of interest in common with BSFG objectives including:

• Greening of streets and reserves
• Solar farms
• Council Resources 
• Affordable appropriate housing

https://www.mav.asn.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/35056/Shaping-regional-and-rural-Victoria-A-discussion-paper-SGS-and-MAV-21dec23.pdf

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, 
Benalla Sustainable Future Group.

Following Susanne Bennett’s retirement as coordinator at the end of May 2024, we need someone to fill this role.

The coordinator keeps their finger on the pulse of the co-op, oversees its running and is alert to any issues which arise. The coordinator is well supported by a committee and is encouraged to delegate roles where appropriate.

Ideally the role would be the responsibility of one person.

Financial remuneration in the form of a discount on all shopping, would be offered to the coordinator.

Past experience indicates that the coordinator’s role takes around two hours each week.  An additional 2 hours is needed to pick up and process orders (usually once a month).

The coordinator is not expected to be included in the duty roster…although doing so occasionally is an advantage.

Some of the roles currently done by the coordinator could be delegated, to share the load among members.

The duties of the coordinator include:

• Communicate with committee as required.
• Maintain food co-op supplies. Check stock, (eye-balling and via computer records), order new stock, collect pallet delivery from Midland Freight, Benalla.  Check delivery against order, number and shelve each item. Ordering new supplies is done from home. Pallet pick up takes around 2 hours (generally once a month).  This requires two strong, well organised people with a ute or trailer to pick up together.  The heaviest bags weigh 25kg (sugar bags).  Flour weigh bags weigh 12.5kg, oats 15kg, vinegar 20kg.
• Reply to emails, including welcoming new members and answering members’ questions.
• Between open times, check that food co-op is maintained in clean, orderly manner.  E.g. Checking honey and oil not leaking between shopping days.
• Oversee the annual compliance check with BRCC.
• Instigate and run committee meetings. (These are on a needs basis--generally two a year.)
• Order local products and arrange for pick-up or delivery. (eg oil, vinegar, pumpkin seeds, honey, rye and spelt flour, muesli, dried mushrooms)
• Write an annual report and present to BSFG’s AGM.
• Investigate options of supply, quality, price and delivery of potential new products.
• Ensure annual membership fees and member details are up to date.
• Buy items as needed to support efficient running of co-op. Eg pencils, funnels, scoops, tubs.
• Maintain supply of product order forms etc…
• Note and solve occasional problems such as moths or bugs in products.

Contact Christine on 0438 624866 or Rhona ([email protected])

Members and Supporters may be interested in this workshop coming up, on Nest Logs for the Turquoise parrot, at Winton Wetlands. Please note - registration which is free but necessary.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, Benalla Sustainable Future Group.

​Andie Guerin, Project Coordinator at the Regent Honeyeater Project, was the guest speaker at our general meeting held on Thursday March 14.  The theme for Andie's talk was ideas for planting on your nature strip.

Andie began his talk with information about the Regent Honeyeater Project and the extensive conservation plantings the project has completed for many years around Lurg, Winton Wetlands, Chesney Vale and the Warby Ranges, https://www.regenthoneyeater.org.au/.  The project relies on volunteers for many of its projects. ​

​Peter Maddock

(This is an amended version of an event originally posted on 10th February - with the date changed from Thursday 22nd February to 14th March)

Members and supporters are invited to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7:30 - 9:30 pm on Thursday 14th March at the Benalla Uniting Church meeting room, opposite the Coles Car Park. This time includes a light supper at the end of the evening.  The meeting part will be brief and the main focus is our guest speaker:
 
Andie Guerin, Environmental Consultant from the Regent Honeyeater Project.

The theme for Andie's talk is ideas for planting on your nature strip.

Andie will share his knowledge on local plants that would be suitable for planting on our nature strips, and what conditions we need to consider when selecting plants. Many of these plants will be ideal for our gardens too. 

Background: Nature Strips

Nature strips are the area of public land that lies between the boundary of private property and the road kerb. They soften and enhance the streetscape by providing a ‘green’ zone and a buffer between pedestrians and vehicles. Nature strips play a crucial role in keeping our neighbourhoods healthy and attractive.  

Your nature strip can be more than just grass, it can be a beautiful garden right outside your front fence. Planting up this area will also enhance habitat, increase urban biodiversity, help mitigate climate change and beautify your street. Plus reduce the time you spend mowing!

While your nature strip may not appear large enough to make a difference, small areas of biodiversity can have a valuable, cumulative effect on species diversity in urbanised environments.

BSFG is keen to work with our community to develop our nature strips into beautiful gardens for all of us to enjoy.

Please RSVP your attendance to [email protected]   We hope to see you there,

Judy Schwarzman,
Secretary, BSFG​

Event details:

Thursday 22nd February 2024
7.30pm - 9.30pm, including supper
Meeting Room, Benalla Uniting Church.
Opposite the Coles Car Park ​

If you choose to donate your refunds to WasteWise-BSFG we can see the amount donated, but cannot at present see who donated their refund. You are most welcome to let us know if you donate.

Many thanks in anticipation!


Judy Schwarzman,
Secretary BSFG
Member WasteWise BSFG Action Group.

If you have a glut of zucchinis and have run out of friends to share them with, have a look at this website of 69 delicious zucchini recipes. Many of the dishes (eg lasagne, soups and frittata) freeze very well.

32 Reasons why Zucchini is the Most Versatile of All Vegetables

Excess tomatoes, eggplant, zucchinis and beans are ideal for making ratatouille. This freezes well.

Rhona Rose
(From the Food Coop Bulletin - Feb 1 2024)

​At the BSFG meeting in May last year, Russell Klose of Kilowatt Cars demonstrated and spoke on EVs, and offered BSFG a loan vehicle for members and friends to be able to experience an EV through an "extended test drive".  David and Kevin followed up with Russell and picked up his Nissan Leaf in January to bring to Benalla.  So far we have had around half a dozen members and friends try the car, some taking it for an overnight test and experiencing the home charging task.  The list of interested people is around 20 and growing, so if you're interested you will need to get in quick before it is returned to Russell in the next couple of weeks!

A quick sample of comments so far from our testers include:-

On the positive side:

• Love it!
• Would certainly consider something like this
• Zippy
• Quiet
• Great
• Love how it doesn't roll back!
• Good cruise control
• (if it had V2L capability) good for emergency use in the home

A few downsides were noted:

• No spare tyre (seems to be space under the false floor of the boot)
• Lack of an electric back door closer
• Low profile tyres no good for rough tracks
• Range anxiety

(Note: of the above concerns, only the range issue is specific to an EV)

The model Leaf supplied by Russell is the one with a 40 kwh battery, with a nominal range of 240 km.  There is also a model with a 60 kwh size battery with a commensurately larger range.  Range is greatly affected by speed, terrain and (less so) use of aircon, lights and other features.  For those interested, V2L is  a feature some EVs have which allows the vehicle battery to be used to power the home.  Since a Tesla home battery is around 11-12 kwh, the advantage of having an EV with this capability is obvious, and examples occurred in the recent Qld flood power blackouts where EVs were used to power home-based medical devices (reports in The Age and Guardian)!"

David Blore
0407885410

You may remember that in March this year, Russell Klose from Kilowatt Cars, Yackandandah, visited Benalla and gave a presentation to BSFG about Electric Vehicles.

Renewable Energy Benalla (an action group of BSFG) will be taking up Russell's kind offer of an Electric Vehicle on loan in the new year. 
​
This will allow members to have an extended test drive, see how and if an Electric Vehicle could suit your needs, and directly address questions you may have such as range and charging.

The car (a 40 kilowatt hour Nissan Leaf) will be on loan for a week or two in January (exact times to be confirmed) and will be garaged in Benalla for that time. 

If you are interested in having an extended test drive, please email David Blore (BSFG Vice President) at [email protected] for bookings. Intending borrowers will also need to provide licence details and a phone number for making arrangements.

​
Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG

Jenny Monger was one of the inaugural members of the food co-op. Jenny has always risen to the challenge of learning new tasks, as demonstrated when she readily took on the challenge of being one of the co-op’s computer operators.

Jenny has been most supportive of the smooth running of the co-op by often doing extra shifts. For this, Christine Holmes, who organizes our roster, has been especially grateful.

Jenny will do her last shift as computer operator on Thursday December 21.

Members will continue to see Jenny and her husband Alan shopping at the co-op.

We thank Jenny for her many years of active involvement, good ideas, diligent work and her friendship..

​Following BSFG's November general meeting with Rachel de Lastic (Regenerative Farming), and the screening of Rachel's Farm at Swanpool Cinema in August, this special online event continues the discussion around the important topics: how we can reduce our environmental footprint and heal ecosystems through the choices we make as consumers. 

In the latest newsletter from The Regenerators are details and registration link for a free zoom event titled "Conscious Consumption - a free lunchtime Q & A" this Friday 8th December from 12-1pm.  The panel will discuss Documentary Australia's Environmental Accelerator films Greenhouse by Joost and Rachel's Farm, including regenerative food practices, reducing waste, and the transition to a circular economy.

Click on the photograph to link to Humanitix to book your free tickets!

We hope you find this event informative.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG.

Members and Supporters are invited to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday 23rd November at the Benalla Uniting Church meeting room.

Our guest speaker is Rachel de Lastic, previously from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, now based in Albury.

Rachel works for a small independent company called Soil Land Food, specialising in ecological agriculture, rural change and capacity building. Her projects include landscape rehydration and revegetation, soil testing and management, making biofertilisers, and pasture and soil monitoring.
With previous soil ecology university training, now training as an agroecologist, Rachel has worked mostly in horticulture systems (including regenerative market gardens), and more recently in grazing systems. She is looking forward to speaking with us about regenerative agriculture and soil health. 
 
A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

Please RSVP your attendance to [email protected]   We hope to see you there,


Judy Schwarzman,
Secretary, BSFG