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$100,000 for Marine Education Project
30 April 2012
The EPA today successfully prosecuted an oil spill with a court penalty of $100,000 being awarded for marine education. The EcoCentre's proposed project has been selected as the beneficiary. Other local environmental groups will provide some services as part of the award which will be managed by the EcoCentre. The groups include Rickett's Point Marine Care, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group, Earthcare St Kilda and the Boonwurrung Foundation. For the media release, please see attached.
"I Love Vegans" Festival shares the love
28-29 April 2012
An ad hoc group of passionate vegans approached the EcoCentre recently to run a festival to promote vegan concepts. The event was held over the weekend and was attended by an extimated 800 people. Vegans promote avoidance of meat, fish or products derived from animals, including dairy products, leather and so on. The lifestyle choice avoids emissions and land clearing from animal agriculture and thus vegans make a significant contribution to a more sustainable planet. And, as was shown this weekend, you can have fun too!
Strategic planning review
30 March 2012
The Ecocentre recently hosted a briefing on current needs and opportunities in the local community as part of informing the Board and staff. Held in the Council Chamber, speakers included Steve Cook, principal of Albert Park College, Jane Stewart of Landcare Australia, Sue Pennecuik MLC, David Spratt, author of Climate Code Red, Matt Wright, CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions and Katrina Reynard of the University of Melbourne. Attending were board members, staff and councillors and guests from adjoining councils, as well as EcoCentre partners.
Affiliates update EcoCentre
24 March 2012
The EcoCentre has embarked on its bi-annual review of its strategic plan. Several affiliated organisations recently attended a briefing to update the EcoCentre - and other affiliates - on their organisations. They included: LIVE, Bayside Climate Change Action Group, Animal Liberation Victoria, Earthsong, Veg Out, St Kilda Community Garden, St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative, Australian Landcare International and Friends of Westgate Park.
New Transition book features local project!
22 March 2012
The Transition movment, close to the hearts of many of the EcoCentre community, has recently published a book on the movement.
One of Transition Port Phillip's projects, a mapping project showing local environmental action, is featured in the book, putting us on the global Transition map, so to speak!
For more information on the movement, go to their website via our Affiliates page: click here.
ERM-sponsored workshops
7 March 2012
The first of three workshops aimed at school student leaders was run here today. Also featuring an expert on waste remediation from ERM, the day-long workshop exposed the student leaders to waste management and remediation concepts. The workshop was designed by EcoCentre Schools Team staff with funding and assistance from ERM. Student leaders were drawn from local schools participating in EcoCentre sustainability programs. Great career insight for many interested students!
Life in Japan post-Fukushima
20 February 2012
A visiting urban planner from Obu City in Japan, sister city to the City of Port Phillip, presented to a good crowd at the ecoCentre on life in Japan, post-Fukushima. He also noted that Japan has closed 51 of its 52 nuclear power reactors. They are having to adjust to the reduced availability of energy while new energy sources are developed and implemented.
The Casual Cyclist's Guide (Melbourne) sells out in a month
17 January 2012
The Casual Cyclist's Guide, written by Matt Hurst, whose bikes you can hire at the EcoCentre, has sold out all 3,000 copies in a month. We have a copy here to browse before you take your bike out for a meander and a re-print is underway.
City publishes guide to being safe during harsh weather
10 January 2012
You're floating down your driveway in your car and you think to yourself: "I should have read that guide that the City of Port Phillip published. Here's your chance: click here.
Roller coaster used to test bikes' brakes
17 December 2011
At the City of Port Phillip's Social Justice launch in O'Donnell Gardens, the EcoCentre's Will shared some basic bike maintenence tricks (fixing punctures, adjusting brakes, etc) with visitors. And no, the roller-coaster wasn't really used for testing the bike's brakes.
EcoCentre advises festival on waste management
11 December 2011
EcoCentre volunteer, Julia, assisted the Port Melbourne Celebration in the Park with its waste management strategy including separating paper products and organic waste products for separate recycling and minimising rubbish/packaging through an informed, waste-avoiding purchasing strategy and guides for visitors.
Young Person and Senior Person of 2011
5 December 2011
Two members of the EcoCentre received awards from the City of Port Philip for their work this year. Gio Fitzpartick (left) received Young Person of 2011 for his pioneering work with protecting wildlife and Zoe Hogg (right) received Citizen of 2011 for her work in many environmental areas. For the Council press release, please click here
Stop Harvey Norman using timber from native forests
18 November 2011
GetUp's campaign to persuade Harvey Norman to source wood for their furniture from FSC-regulated, environmentally responsible sources - as opposed to native forests - comes to a climax tomorrow with a petition being delivered to stores around the country. if you would like to sign the petition, the link is here.
Social Inclusion Planning
17 November 2011
The Ecocentre participated in COPP's social inclusion strategy session today. Agencies from around the city participated to share ideas for increasing social incusion in various segments that are disadvantaged, marginalised or less included in general society in some way (from immobility to disability, language, etc).
Results of the information-sharing exercise will be collated and distributed to participating agencies with a view to increasing sharing of resources and more effective delivery of services.
Community Bank Elwood grants $5,000
16 November 2011
At Community Bank of Elwood's AGM today, the EcoCentre was awarded a grant of $5,000 by the bank. The funding will be put towards subsidising two schools in the area to participate in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) in 2012. EcoCentre Schools Team staff will facilitate the program in the two schools over 2012. The schools contribute the rest of the funding required. The funding will enable the EcoCentre to implement the Core module and one other module: either energy, water, waste or biodiversity. Schools that successfully pass an audit of their achievements are awarded a star by the Victorian government through SV's ResourceSmart program.
New bike hire facility @ EcoCentre
14 November 2011
The Humble Vintage, a restored-bike hire company, has installed a pick-up point at the EcoCentre. Bicycles are all classics, with old-fashioned curvy handlebars, comfy saddles and just a few simple gears. They come in great nick with a good bike-lock, helmet, tail-light and even a smile.
Bikes can be picked up or returned during the EcoCentre's normal opening hours on weekdays and weekends.
Says Vintage Bike's Matt, "it's great for that occasional ride or for a visiting friend who needs a bike for a few hours or a day".
To make a booking, please visit www.thehumblevintage.com
Bayside Council's Climate Change Strategy
23 October 2011
Our affiliate, Bayside Climate Change Action Group (www.bccag.org.au), tells us that the Bayside City Council has published their Climate Change Strategy document for comment. To download it, please click here
Growing Change film night
Please note that this film showing is on Monday 28th at 7pm. Click here for a description of the movie.
COPP's Draft Greenhouse Plan released
The City of Port Phillip has released the Draft Greenhouse Plan for comment. There is also a shorter version dealing just with community issues. The plans are available at:
full version (with Council & Community objectives & plans): click here
community summary (community objectives & plans): click here
Fracking seminar well attended
23 September 2011
Stop Press: Drew Hutton in Melbourne on Friday 7th for seminar: click here
25 people turned out last night, filling the meeting room, for an information evening on hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), the unconventional technique used to extract coal seam gas (methane) from the ground. 40,000 well sites are proposed by mining companies in Queensland and the Victorian government has just granted exploration licences for drill sites within Greater Melbourne and Geelong and so this is now a serious local issue too. In the film, Gaslands, and in the ABC Four Corners documentary - selections of which were shown - the risks to human health, land and ground water from the carcinogenic and poisonous substances used in drilling were illustrated. Following the showing, particpants joined in a short discussion and were provided with an information pack with references, links and possible actions. Links to some of the resources can be accessed here.
Big few days at EcoCentre
23 September 2011
Food Swap:
This weekend, the EcoCentre will host its first Food Swap on Saturday from 10h30 to 11h30. The idea is bring along any food you have grown or cooked (or anything in the cupboard you won't use) and swap it with others for something that you will use. Simple concept and very sociable but you need to turn up!
Nesting box workshop:
Gio will lead another workshop for parents and their kids, making nesting boxes to take away and put in a tree. They can attract various sorts of birds, bats or animals depending on their design. Call us to book - a few places are left.
Sewing workshop:
Rosanna will teach you to sew as usual on Saturday.
Coal Seam Gas:
Join us on Tuesday evening to see part of the award-winning movie GASLANDS and a short ABC documentary on this topical and serious issue and then join in discussion afterwards. Pizzas on order and fruit juices available. Bookings appreciated to help us plan. (9534 0670)
For all these events, see our Calendar for details.
EcoCentre supports Radio 3CR Earth Matters (AM 855)
21 September 2011
Radio 3CR presents a weekly radio program covering local, national and international environmental issues with a strong social justice bent. Bringing fresh environmental news to people, Earth Matters reports on environmental campaigns and critical ecological issues. Interviewees range from environmental activists and commentators to scientists.
Earth Matters - www.earthmatters.org.au
Tune in on 3CR (AM 855): Sunday 11 – 11.30am
Repeats: Monday 10.30 – 11am, Wednesday 6.30 – 7am
Download the latest Earth Matters shows
Follow them on Earth Matters Facebook
Earth Matters is broadcasted nationally on Community Radio Network of Australia Fridays at 4.04PM.
Getting Fracked
16 September 2011
The EcoCentre, in collaboration with LIVE and Transition Towns Port Phillip, is pleased to announce an event to inform the public on the risks of mining coal seam gas, currently proposed for Victoria. The technique, hydraulic fracturing - otherwise known as "fracking" - seriously risks permanent contamination of the water table, land surface, plant & animal health as well as human health.
In case you are already informed and convinced, GetUp is running a campaign and provides a short video on the subject as well as a petition to sign. Click here.
The EcoCentre event is being run on Tuesday 27th at 7pm - 8-30pm and will show parts of the film GASLAND as well as a short ABC documentary to provide Australian context. The video component will be followed by a discussion and options for further information or action will be considered. Refreshments will be available. Click here for poster.
Sustainable House Day
11 September 2011
Sunday was classic Melbourne weather: rain in the morning, sun at noon, clouds and winds every now and then. Despite these weather conditions, a group of 16 dedicated volunteers arrived at the EcoCentre to welcome visitors who wanted to find out more about sustainable living. Sustainable House Day is a national program, initiated by the Dept of Climate Changeand administered locally in Melbourne by the ATA, designed to show the latest sustainable technologies as deployed in local homes.
Visitors were shown through the building in groups by volunteers manning 6 separate zones who introduced the sustainable features in each zone. Our new lighting display in the kitchen, featuring 6 different types of LED lightbulbs, was particularly popular and attracted lots of questions. (The technical data for this display can be found here). At the end of the tour, visitors could enjoy a barbeque, run under our sustainable purchasing methodology, and view some of the products for sale such as our worm product range, window insulation and lighting products. Over a hundred visitors braved the variable weather and a great day was had by all.
Sustainable Schools Awards
6 September 2011
Participating schools attended the EcoCentre's Sustainable Schools Awards at the St Kilda Town Hall today. Cr Jane Touzeau and Aunty Carolyn Briggs, Yalukit Willam Elder, presented the prizes at a highly interactive event run by the EcoCentre's School Education team, along with volunteers. The School Poetry Competition awards were also presented, the theme being "The Garden" this year.
The students had a chance to show off some of their projects including a film-making competition on using bicycles (Caulfield Grammar), worm farming (St Kilda Primary), composting (Beaumaris Primary), among many others. They also had the opportunity to teach each other about an aspect of their discoveries over the past year. Afterwards, everyone came down to the EcoCentre for lunch and a song-composing workshop on sustainability. Much fun had by all.
Pictures: Vesna Zadnik, COPP.
Picture (right): The St Columba's 'Energy Bros' do a "Sus Rap"
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