Since the week commencing Monday January 27th 2020 BSFG has been collecting signatures from Benalla Residents requesting our Councillors Declare a Climate Emergency.

The wording on the petition is;

CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION PETITION

We, the undersigned residents of Benalla Rural City, request our Councillors to:

• Acknowledge that human actions have contributed substantially to the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the warming of the planet, and leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events
• Declare that the Earth is facing a Climate Emergency.

The main location to sign the petition is outside the Bendigo Bank in Bridge Street Benalla and this was done during the following two weeks.  There may be other opportunities to sign the petition here.  The petition is also available to sign at North East Artisans in Bridge Street Benalla.


Additional times and locations to sign the petition. Bendigo Bank from 13th until 27th February 9.30pm until 4.00pm, the Food Co-op, Swanpool Cinema, the Lakeside Market on 22nd February, and at the Public Meeting “Climate - Present Facts and Future Predictions”at BPACC on March 19th (see below and more details to follow).

Download our climate change flyer.

See https://climateemergencydeclaration.org/.

Presentation of Petition to Council Wednesday March 25 2020.
BSFG will present the Climate Emergency Declaration Petition to Benalla Rural City Councillors at the Council Meeting on Wednesday March 25th 2020 from 6:00pm at the Council Meeting Room, Mair Street Benalla.

Public Meeting “Climate - Present Facts and Future Predictions” Thursday March 19 2020.
Prior to the presentation to council BSFG is hosting a public meeting titled “Climate-Present Facts and Future Predictions” from 7.00pm until 10.00pm on Thursday March 19th 2020 at the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

Our guest speakers are Dr Leanne Webb from CSIRO Climate Research Institute in Aspendale, and Dr Lynette Bettio from the Bureau of Meteorology in Melbourne.  This is a rare opportunity to hear about Climate Science first hand, from scientists at the forefront of climate research, together with an opportunity to ask them questions.

State and Federal Members of Parliament (Steph Ryan, Jaclyn Symes and Dr Helen Haines) have also been invited to attend.  There will also be a brief talk by the Mayor of Indigo Shire, Jenny O’Connor, related to her Shire’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, and their proposed actions related to that declaration.

We will be publicising more details about this most important event through the BSFG website and newsletter, social media, the Benalla Ensign, Benalla P-12 College, Benalla FCJ College, and elsewhere.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330

The BSFG Committee is preparing a Climate Emergency petition requesting Benalla Rural City Council Declare a Climate Emergency, joining in excess of 80 in Australia and 1,315 jurisdictions and local governments globally covering 810 million citizens.

The petition is for Benalla Rural City residents to sign and we are seeking assistance from BSFG members to go on a roster to collect signatures and hand out our flyer, initially next week on Tuesday (28th), Thursday (30th), and Friday (31st). Hours would be from 9.00-12.30 and 12.30-4.00 i.e. 2 separate shifts preferably with 2 people on each shift.

Peter Holmes has permission to set up a table and small A-frame outside Bendigo Bank to collect signatures for the CE petition.

We also need to organise the delivery and collection of the card table, chairs and sandwich board on each day – again by roster.

Please contact Peter on 0438 625 6358 to be added to the roster.

"First, governments and energy ministries could remove fossil fuel subsidies, or redirect those subsidies towards renewables and low-carbon energy. At the same time, they could encourage decentralized energy production and storage. These efforts would erode the advantages that current policies afford to fossil fuels, and hasten the day when low-carbon energy production is more profitable than fossil fuels.

Second, governments could build carbon-neutral cities or other large-scale demonstration projects, while grass-roots efforts could help existing towns and cities move toward being carbon-neutral. These actions would help spread information and build consumer interest in fossil-fuel-free technologies, until they become the first choice for new projects.

Third, divestment from fossil fuel assets and withdrawal of insurance support for fossil fuel projects would help burst the ‘carbon bubble,’ making it unprofitable to develop remaining fossil fuel reserves.

Next, activists and opinion leaders could emphasize the moral implications of fossil fuels – that is, the idea that burning fossil fuels in ways incompatible with the Paris climate targets is immoral. This has the potential to shift societal norms and, consequently, widespread patterns of behavior.

Fifth, a massive climate literacy campaign to strengthen education about the climate in schools and universities, resulting in a generation of workers and leaders who are focused on stopping climate change.
​
And finally, better education of the general public by disseminating information about the carbon impacts of consumer and lifestyle choices – basically the climate equivalent of nutrition labeling."

Extract from an article by titled Here are half a dozen nudges that could bring about rapid decarbonisation in Anthropocene January 21, 2020 which draws from recently published research by Otto I.M. et al.  “Social tipping dynamics for stabilizing Earth’s climate by 2050.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2020.

This media release was prepared for and published in Benalla's 'Ensign' on 15 January 2020. 

"Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) wrote to Benalla Rural City Council last week, asking them to exercise their discretion to allow the image of Greta Thunberg to remain on the window of the Council Customer Service Centre.
​
The group wrote: "We view this painting as a powerful statement that here is a community that cares, not only about the present wellbeing of its citizens, but the future as well. Greta is a beacon of hope for millions of people, both young and old, around the world, and a hero for them as she challenges the world's leaders to take immediate and urgent action to mitigate climate change.
​
Climate change action is not a political issue, as some would have us believe. It is an environmental, social, economic and ethical issue, and we are right now experiencing one of the most devastating effects predicted long ago by climate scientists, as a result of the warming and drying of our part of the Earth.

We need to take a stand on the issue of climate change, and what better way can there be for Council to demonstrate their support for action, than to leave Greta's image on the window."

BSFG President, Peter Holmes, says the group is extremely disappointed with Council's response, in which they simply reiterated that the painting was part of the Window to Window Festival, and would be removed this week. He noted that none of the reasons BSFG offered in the letter to Council were addressed in their response, and hoped that this is not indicative of Council's attitude towards addressing the issue of mitigating climate change.

"Seven years ago, I was part of a community consultation group, organised by Council, to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Back then, we were probably thinking that the world had until about 2050 to make things right! Well, things have changed drastically, even in that short space of time, with temperature records being broken virtually every year, rainfall decreasing significantly, and now Australia is in the grip of a wildfire crisis that has cost at least 26 lives directly, burnt over 10 million hectares of forest and farmland, destroyed over 2000 homes and many more buildings, and killed an estimated 500 million creatures, many to the point of extinction," Mr Holmes said.

BSFG says that there is no longer room in our parliaments or local governments for debate about whether climate change is real. The discussion and the action must now be about urgently mitigating the causes of climate change, and not about "papering over the cracks" every time we experience another disaster. This discussion must be bipartisan, and above party political motives.

Mr Holmes indicated that BSFG believes, along with many others in the community, that an excellent way for Benalla Rural City to respond, is to declare that there is a Climate Emergency (as have 85 other local government councils in Australia). BRC should then convene a group of community leaders from business, health, energy, transport, environment, and most importantly, youth sectors, to work with Council officers to develop and implement initiatives that will rapidly make BRC a zero emissions community, and therefore make a major contribution to the mitigation of the worst effects of climate change."

​Tuesday 7th January, 2020
 
To - Mayor and Councillors, Benalla Rural City                                                                     URGENT
 
Dear Danny and fellow councillors,
 
I am writing on behalf of Benalla Sustainable Future Group, and many of the other people in our community who share our views, to earnestly request that Tim Bowtell’s painting of Greta Thunberg is retained on the Council Customer Service Centre window.
 
We view this painting as a powerful statement that here is a community that cares, not only about the present wellbeing of its citizens, but the future as well. Greta is a beacon of hope for millions of people, both young and old, around the world, and a hero for them as she challenges the world’s leaders to take immediate and urgent action to mitigate climate change.
 
Climate change action is not a political issue, as some would have us believe. It is an environmental, social, economic and ethical issue, and we are right now experiencing one of the most devastating effects predicted long ago by climate scientists, as a result of the warming and drying of our part of the Earth.
 
We need to take a stand on the issue of climate change, and what better way can there be for Council to demonstrate their support for action, than to leave Greta’s image on the window.
 
We understand that the “Window to Window” festival invites artists to paint images related to Christmas, and that those images remain on windows for a period of time at the discretion of the various establishments. We are asking Council to exercise their discretion on this occasion to allow this image to remain. The messages of Christmas are love, joy, peace and hope. What Greta symbolizes is a message of hope for the future and a great love for the wellbeing of the Earth and her fellow humankind.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Peter Holmes
President - BSFG

"As we approach the end of another calendar year, the evidence grows ever so much stronger that the Earth faces a climate crisis due to human induced activity, and yet, our political leaders still refuse to acknowledge that strong action must be taken to arrest the escalation of the problem.

This year, we have seen fires in the Arctic, the continued melting of the ice caps and glaciers, including the Earth's thickest glacier, sea levels continue to rise, record temperatures around the globe, catastrophic fires in California, and over the past few weeks at home in NSW and Queensland, with the real fire season yet to commence! For the first time, NSW was faced with a catastrophic weather forecast day on the 12th November - a combination of high temperatures, no humidity and high winds, with around 40 fires already burning out of control. Coincidentally, in the same week, the whole of Australia recorded its first ever rain free day!

I am not going to be restrained in what I write about the pathetic and disgraceful lack of leadership we have in this country.

For starters, Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, and his National Party cohort, Barnaby Joyce, should both be expelled from Parliament for their senseless and outrageous comments in the midst of the bushfire crisis in NSW. Prime Minister Morrison refused to be engaged on whether the early onset of the fires and their intensity could in some way be attributed to climate change. "Now is not the time to talk about climate change", he opined!

But Prime Minister, you never want to talk about climate change, unlike your counterpart across the Tasman! You don't want to upset your mates in the fossil fuel industries. You are more concerned with pretending to keep electricity prices down by a few dollars by propping up coal power, than by supporting renewable energy, which will make the planet safer and ultimately, the cost of living cheaper, because renewable energy will be cheaper, and our insurance premiums won't skyrocket, as they will under your disaster laden policies (that's something politicians haven't been talking about).

Why also, is the Labor Party even talking about emulating the Liberal Party's policies, on exporting coal (Albanese's reasoning that, "if we don't do it then another country will, and Australia will miss out", beggars belief), and on renewable energy and emissions reduction, when climate scientists universally are saying this is not within a bull's roar of being enough?

​The time for political argy-bargy is over. All parties must come to their senses and show some statesmanship on this crisis. Isn't that what they called it during the World Wars when the world was in the grips of a different crisis?

​In the coming weeks, BSFG will be seeking agreement from Benalla City councillors to pass a motion declaring that we have a Climate Emergency, as over 75 local government areas around Australia have already done. This will mean that all management and planning decisions made by Council need to consider the impact on greenhouse emissions, with the aim of reducing and even eliminating them. I ask all members and supporters to be encouraging of this action. Please take whatever opportunity you may have to talk to Councillors and communicate the urgency of the situation.

Finally, I acknowledge that all of us have been contributing our own personal efforts over many years to reduce the levels of greenhouse emissions, and to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but we have now reached the point where micro efforts are no longer enough. Only the macro changes that can be enforced by government legislation and political common sense will now turn the tide.

Peter Holmes

Tim Bowtell's compelling portrait of Greta Thunberg, painted on the side window of the Benalla Rural City offices in Mair Street for the Window to Window festival, draws from and is representative of Tim's current work.   Tim describes being surprised that around 90% of people who spoke to him while he was painting weren't aware of Greta Thunberg, and is pleased that his work has acted as such a catalyst for conversations about climate change.  The discussions continued this week in three pages of Letters to the Editor in the Ensign, most of which were about the portrait of Greta, and most of which were postive!

The announcement by Time Magazine of Greta as their Person of the Year a few days into the controversy on social media proved a wonderful endorsement of Tim's choice of a portrait of Greta for his window. 

This news item from 9 News Border North East on December 12 includes responses by Benalla Sustainable Future Group's President Peter Holmes and Renewable Energy Benalla's John Lloyd.

​I am sending this update to BSFG members and REB followers about the free community screening of the film 2040 from 7.00 pm this Wednesday at BPACC Cinema.

There are still seats left for this DELWP and Council supported screening of 2040.  You need to book to confirm your seat either online at www.bpacc.com.au/theatre or call 03 5762 5515. 

We have been issued 30 tickets to distribute to contributors and have about 12-14 left if you would like to book through me.  These tickets are on the third and fourth rows back from the front of the main central seating area which you can view at the above booking link.  Contact me if you would like me to hold tickets for you in this area, or book online for other seating.

Download the 2040 flyer

BSFG is providing a light supper after the screening which will be tea and coffee and a few nibbles.  If you are coming to the 2040 screening are you able to bring in a small plate to provide something to eat after the film?  If you can help in this way please reply and let me know by Wednesday morning to assist us with the catering arrangements.  At this stage we have bookings for about 140.

Peter Maddock
0418 135 330

DELWP Hume will be working with communities across the region over the next twelve months to develop a Hume Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan. To support community conversations about how best to respond to the impacts of climate change and adaptation opportunities DELWP is offering financial support to communities by covering the film licencing costs for screening the 2040 film, to enable communities to attend free screenings of the film 2040. 

What is 2040?
Concerned about his young daughter’s future, filmmaker Damon Gameau travels the world in search of new approaches and solutions to global warming.  Gameau positions himself as a glass-half-full idealist, with his first mission to convince people that they can make a difference.  Dividing his focus into key areas, including renewable energy and alternative transportation, with corresponding on the road case studies, he structures the film as a one-way conversation with his four-year-old daughter, who will be 25 when 2040 arrives and, he hopes, part of a brighter and better world.  The outlook of the film is refreshing, empowering, inspiring and positive. (2040 review – an idealist’s vision of a healthy Earth, The Guardian, 4 April 2019)  https://whatsyour2040.com/

The Benalla Sustainable Future Group made a successful application for financial support from DELWP Hume to screen 2040.  With additional support from Benalla Rural City 2040 will screen at BPACC, 57 Samaria Rd Benalla VIC 3672 on Wednesday December 11 from 7.00pm.  

Q&A led by Benalla Sustainable Future Group and a light supper following the film.

Bookings are required to see the film and you can book online at http://bpacc.com.au/theatre/ or by calling 03 5762 5515.
Download the flyer.

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

The final Meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group for 2019 will be on Thursday November 28th at the Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

To finish the year we are screening the film Point Of No Return http://pointofnoreturndoc.com/, the story of the round the world flight by Solar Impulse the solar powered aircraft piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg who in 2016 succeeded in flying 40,000 km around the world without using a drop of fuel.

This is a free public screening.  All welcome, bring along a friend.

In the words of Bertrand Piccard, Pilot and project initiator “Our goal is not to transport passengers.  Our goal is to transport a message”. And from director Quinn Kanaly, “At its core, this film is about the perseverance and courage it takes to make difficult decisions when everything is on the line. When we look at the daunting challenge of the global climate crisis, this story of innovation and collaboration offers hope.”

The Solar Impulse Foundation is promoting The Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label which “seeks to bridge the gap between ecology and economy, bringing together protection of the environment and financial viability to show that these solutions are not expensive fixes to problems, but rather opportunities for clean economic growth”, https://solarimpulse.com/.
 
Time: 7.15 for a 7.30 start.  Prior to the film BSFG president Peter Holmes will update the meeting on local initiatives to declare a climate emergency.  The film runs for 1hr 35minutes leaving time for supper after the film.

Although it is not necessary to register your attendance, doing so will assist setting up for the night, in particular the room we use for the screening at the Uniting Church.  Register by contacting Peter by Wednesday November 27th; email peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au or sms 0418 135 330.  Or submit the online form below the Solar Impulse photo below.
Download the flyer.
Peter Maddock
Secretary BSFG Inc.
0418 135 330

The next meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network Action Group is at 5.15pm, Wednesday November 6th at The Farmers Basket Cafe, Nun Street Benalla. 
More details Kathryn McQualter 03 5761 4500.
Linking local food to local people.
Download November Flyer

There are few events coming on our calendar which you may be interested in attending and possibly assist us with.

1. Next Friday November 1st Bob Brown will be launching the Convoy Film and Book Tour in Albury.  Details about this event here, https://www.facebook.com/events/547486569413548/.  It may be possible that a later event can be organised at Benalla/Swanpool however this would not be attended by Bob Brown.

2. The Benalla Festival Day in the Gardens is on Sunday November 10 from 9am-3pm.  We have booked our stall for this event and would like some assistance on the stall.  If you have some time to spare please reply to this email and let me know a time you would be available to assist us.

3. Our final General Meeting for 2019 is on Thursday November 28.  The committee have decided to have a more social ending to the year by having a Food and Film night.  The film we are going to screen is Point Of No Return, http://pointofnoreturndoc.com/ which promises to be an inspiring film about “the perseverance and courage it takes to make difficult decisions when everything is on the line.  When we look at the daunting challenge of the global climate crisis, this story of innovation and collaboration offers hope”, Quinn Kanaly, Director.  More details to follow.

A reminder about the final session of Renewable Energy Benalla’s 2019 Energy Efficiency workshops which is on tomorrow night, Monday 14 October, at the Benalla Uniting Church, opposite the Coles car park from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

This workshop on Energy Monitoring, Solar Power & Batteries will be presented by Kevin Smith.  We didn’t get to cover this topic last year so I am also including some people who attended our workshops in 2018.

We will also be mentioning an Energy Efficient Hot Water Bulk Buy.  Renewable Energy Benalla and Indigo Power are partnering to offer two best price energy efficient hot water systems.

Reclaim Energy CO2 Heat Pump – 315 litre
Standard installation with rebates - $2000 - $2200
Normal price fully installed approx. $4700            
​
Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water – 315 litre
Standard installation with rebates – $3000
Normal price fully installed approx. $5600
 
For more information, contact Peter Maddock  0418 135 330

BSFG President Peter Holmes recently emailed The Honourable Michael Gunner Chief Minister of the Northern Territory about Proposed Fracking in the Northern Territory.  Peter was inspired to write this letter after hearing a young girl speak at Katherine in the students Strike for Climate Action while he and Christine were travelling in the Territory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Christine and Peter Holmes
Sent: Thursday, 3 October 2019 10:35 PM
To: 'chief.minister@nt.gov.au'
Subject: Proposed Fracking in the Northern Territory
 
The Honourable Michael Gunner
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
 
Dear Sir
 
On Friday 20th September, my wife and I were privileged to participate with students from Katherine Secondary schools in the students Strike for Climate Action. We were passing through Katherine on our return journey to Victoria.
 
One of the student speakers at the rally was an incredibly erudite 15 year old girl (unfortunately, I do not recall her name), who spoke with the clarity of message and urgency one would expect of someone many years her senior. She spoke of her concerns for the future of the Northern Territory in particular, and of course the Earth in general, if your Government were to proceed with proposals to open up the Territory to gas exploration and fracking.
 
Chief Minister, you need to heed the concerns of your young (and older) citizens, as well as the scientists, who are all telling us that we have very few years left to take urgent action to combat the worst effects of climate change. If you were to approve fracking in the Territory, your Government would be complicit in contributing to an impending global disaster. Fracking has been found to have extremely adverse effects on subterranean water supplies, not only because of the huge volumes of water required in each drilling operation, but because of the chemical contamination of groundwater. It has caused many serious human and animal health issues in communities close to fracking operations, and also releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. At this point in history, we need to be drastically reducing our reliance on fossil fuels – not approving projects which condemn our young people to a bleak future.
 
I write, as President, on behalf of all the members and supporters of Benalla Sustainable Future Group, urging you to refrain from approving fracking in the Northern Territory. Any short-term financial profit that these companies, or your Government, may realise from such activity, will very soon pale into insignificance, compared to the costs associated with repair bills from weather related disasters caused by the escalating carbon dioxide levels the fracking has contributed to, and the costs associated with the health issues the communities will need to address.
 
For the sake of that 15 year old girl and all her fellow students who are showing courage and leadership in speaking out about their concerns, we as responsible citizens must make wise decisions, even if they may seem to be politically unpopular. There are many other options available to us right now to provide energy and transport into the future, so why not pursue these options as an investment in the future well-being of your young people.
 
Yours faithfully
 
Peter Holmes
President – Benalla Sustainable Future Group
PO Box 642, Benalla, Vic, 3672

There will be a School Strike for Climate event in Wangaratta, at the King George Gardens, at 12 noon on Friday.
 
The King George Gardens are in the centre of Wangaratta opposite the CoStore and Cinema. .

The Age reports that the state government is allowing public servants to take time out to attend climate rallies and is also supportive of students attending rallies. 

John Lloyd
​Renewable Energy Benalla Action Group Convenor

​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

Long term Benalla Local Food Network Action Group members Kathryn McQualter, Peter Maddock and Callum Morrison shared lots of news and discussed many ideas relating to local food networks at their meeting on September 4th.  

Kathryn reported on the launch of the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022. It is available at  http://beechworthhealthservice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/NE-Local-Food-Strategy_2018_2022_Final.pdf 

Kathryn was very positive about both the process involved in creating the report and the final product and highlighted its great potential as a resource for community members and groups applying for funding to introduce or expand innovative local food strategies in the North East.

Next meeting Kathryn will report back on a meeting she is attending at Gateway Health on September 17th with Serenity Hill from Open Food Network. Serenity has funding through the Open Food Network to host an event in Wangaratta before July 2020 to ‘connect food producers and eaters, strengthen networks that help connect producers with consumers.’ Other BSFG members are welcome to attend.

Other topics discussed included Kathryn's bountiful garden beds at Benalla Health and the continuing popularity of the Grow Free cart where people can swap their home grown fruit, vegetables and seedlings. The cart is located at the Ray Sweeney Centre 45 Coster St Benalla.  The innovative and highly valued 'wicking bed' project was also discussed - Kathryn mentioned that it will soon be time for the annual sharing of seeds and celebration of the wicking garden project at Waminda,

Kathryn is a member of the Benalla Health and Wellbeing group.  Kathryn is concerned to ensure that the role a healthy diet,  fresh foods and  the activity of gardening can have on both physical and mental health, is incorporated in their discussions.

Local good news stories were shared.  Kathryn shared information about Good Vibes Wholefoods Benalla's 'Fruit and Veggie Box'.  The box, which costs $35, will contain seasonal fresh produce every week.  The list will be posted on Facebook @goodvibesbenalla and orders can be confirmed on 0426828788,  Main Street Cafe was commended on publishing a list of its local and regional suppliers - not only demonstrating support for local businesses, but a great way to reduce food miles travelled.

The group enjoys catching up and sharing news and views on a bimonthly basis at the Farmers Basket Cafe.  They are looking for more action group members particularly in agriculture or environment sector - Kathryn will link with anyone who is unable to attend in person.

The next Benalla Local Food Network meeting will be the Wed 6th Nov 5:15 at Farmers Basket Café Benalla--all welcome

Contact Person: 
Kathryn McQualter
​Coordinator Benalla Local Food Network Action Group
Dietitian Benalla Health  0357612219  
Kathryn.McQualter@benallahealth.org.au


Beverley Lee
BSFG Member/Web Team 

"​Greetings to all from Broome, and probably by the time you read this newsletter, the AWC property, Mornington, off the Gibb River road, NE of Derby.

After having travelled nearly 4,000 km to get here, I am now starting to feel a bit guilty about burning all that diesel to power our trip! (Just as well we planted lots of trees before we left!) After being (blissfully) out of mobile reception for several days,

I was brought back to earth with a jolt by the plethora of emails from all the various conservation and activist organisations we subscribe to - headlines screaming at me that the ‘Arctic is Burning’, our Pacific neighbours are drowning as seawaters rise, large-scale solar investment is about to ‘fall off the cliff’ because of government policies, etc.

In the past few days, I have learned of two stories, which left me shocked and somewhat angered, by the ignorance and greed displayed in each case. Firstly, at Geikie Gorge, near Fitzroy Crossing, we were told by the Park Ranger that cattle from the neighbouring station had been allowed to invade the National Park to drink from the river, and in the process destroyed the habitat of the critically endangered Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, virtually wiping out the entire local population.

Secondly, we heard that Gina Reinhardt, and other wealthy landholders, were proposing a scheme to use water from the Fitzroy River basin for a large-scale irrigation project - this, in spite of the fact that water levels in this basin are at their lowest in living memory, having endured two very dry ‘wet’ seasons in a row (last year, Fitzroy Crossing had 60mm of rain over the ‘wet’ months instead of the average 600mm). Vast areas of this region are suffering through reduced water table levels, so schemes such as this proposal will further weaken the resilience of the local flora and fauna.

On a positive note, I read, with awe and admiration, the email relating the story of the people of the Negros Occidental province of the Philippines, and their struggles to keep their province coal-mine and coalpower free. I was also encouraged by the plan that Holley and Fin have to encourage people to plant as many trees as possible to absorb atmospheric CO2.

There are many organisations within Australia which are devoting considerable energy to overcome political brick walls (or, more bluntly, plain stupidity and greed) in the fight to counter climate change, and if we support them, vocally and/or financially, they will succeed, because politicians will respond to public pressure.

We need to all start writing letters to newspapers, expressing our frustration with the unwillingness of governments to take the necessary urgent steps to counter climate change, or telephone your local member and record your displeasure with their party's policies. We cannot continue to expect that someone else will do this on our behalf.

I live in hope that common sense will prevail over greed and stupidity!

​Peter Holmes

​Source: ​ BSFG Newsletter #25 - September 2015

BSFG's September Newsletter (#25)  is now available on the website. . 

Peter Holmes, in a passionate' President's Message, emphasises the urgent and continuing need for both individual advocacy/lobbying and support for the organisations devoting considerable energy to overcome political brick walls (or, more bluntly, plain stupidity and greed) in the fight to counter climate change.  Also included - Callum Morrison's  'Fifty Years of Playing with Pipes' about his interest in hydrology; a thought provoking article on 'Emissions Levels' by Ian Herbert; a range of stimulating contributions by Peter Maddock - 'Legacy', 'Low Carbon and Loving It', 'Carbon Footprint', '2040, MiniGrids and RedGrid', and 'Another Long Walk for Climate Action' - and a report from Kathryn McQualter from BSFG's Local Food Network Action Group.

Thank you to Ian Herbert for his efforts in putting our Newsletter together.  Ian is quite busy yet manages to fit this job into a very full schedule.

The deadline for the December Newsletter is Sunday November 24th.  Plenty of time to put pen to paper.  E-mail your articles to peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au. 

​For information, please contact Peter Maddock on 0418 135 330.  

The next meeting of the Benalla Local Food Network Action Group is at 5.15pm, The Farmers Basket Cafe, Nun Street Benalla.  More details Kathryn McQualter.
Linking local food to local people.
Download Flyer

BSFG's Action Group Renewable Energy Benalla is conducting a series of free workshops on how to reduce energy bills and increase the thermal comfort of your home.
​
August 5   Understanding energy bills and getting the best rate
Electricity contracts, understanding your usage, comparing retail rates.  Bring your electricity bills to discuss
 
August 19  Draught Proofing & Insulation
Locating and fixing draughts. Insulation to improve thermal performance.
 
September 2   Lighting & Windows
Energy efficient lighting; solutions to poorly performing windows

September 16  Efficient Hot Water Systems, Heating and Cooling
Water heating is a major energy user while heating accounts for 30% of energy bills. Learn about efficient options.
 
September 30  Appliances & Cooking; Transitioning from Gas
Appliances & cooking account for 30% of energy bills.
 
October 14     Energy Monitoring, Solar Power & Batteries
Monitoring real time energy consumption.
Advantages of solar power & batteries.

These free workshops will be conducted in the meeting rooms at the Uniting Church in Carrier Street, Benalla, (opposite the Coles car park), from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
 
While attending all the workshops would provide the major benefit, some people may wish to only attend some of the sessions.
 
It is important to register to attend these workshops by emailing info@reb.org.au,  indicating the workshops you wish to attend or phone/SMS  Peter on 0418 135 330.
 
Please register by Wednesday 31st July 
​