In this episode we discuss protest.  This week a contingent of locals took a road trip to Canberra to rally outside of parliament and a Castlemaine rally took place in support of the Canberra crew.  I wanted to know what they were protesting about and whether they really thought it would change anyone's mind.

links:

The Totnes Extinction Rebellion Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUt1ELCXwgM

In this episode, we start with what the frik is going on with recycling in this region!  Then move on to Transition Towns... what are they?  how can that be applied here? and what comes next?  I am joined by Mary Blain from MASG and Ian Lillington Premaculturalist, both of whom have been fans of the Transition Towns concept for over ten years!

Read more about the global movement that is Transition Towns here: https://transitioninitiative.org/

Find out the latest about Mount Alexander Shires recycling crisis here: https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=2552

In this episode we speak to Bill Grant who is a self confessed compost nerd and whose job it is to know all about waste.  We discuss why it is so important to keep organic waste out of landfill and what is REALLY going on with recycling.  We also delve into the controversial world of dog poo... if it stinks, we've covered it in this episode. 

Links mentioned in the episode below:

Nasa

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/from-smoke-going-round-the-world-to-aerosol-levels-nasa-observes-australias-bushfires

Compost instructions

https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/You-and-your-home/Waste-and-recycling/Food-and-garden-waste/Compost

Faye White

https://www.faywhitemusic.com/

Recycle your shoes

asga.com.au/sos

The first episode in a new series. Allie introduces us to the new series and puts it in the context of the devastating fires that have been out of control across much of Australia this season. 

We start with Deane Belfield, talking about the book Drawdown and how it can help us all avoid climate catastrophe. Then we are joined by Joan Webster OAM discussing bushfire safety.

Books mentioned:

Drawdown - edited by Paul Hawkins

This and other books mentioned that are by him can be seen at:

http://www.paulhawken.com/write

The Complete Bushfire Safety Book by Joan Webster

Essential Bushfire Safety Tips by Joan Webster

Recycling:

https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/WasteFacilities

https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/General-Waste-Recycling-and-Organics/Landfills-and-Transfer-Stations/Eaglehawk-Landfill

https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/

Recorded in 2018, this episode of An Environment for Change sees Allie, Mel and Rachel gather again at the end of their month of plastic free living.  They share stories and tips and things they have learnt over the month of July.  They reveal what worked and what didn't work, where they met success and where they had to compromise. 

Three women chatting about plastic free July.  They are committing to varying levels of plastic free living and in this first episode discuss their thoughts before starting.

In this episode of An Environment For Change we spoke to Julie Holden, principal of the Chewton Primary School.  Under her leadership the school has achieved a five star sustainability rating, the highest rating there is. Find out what she and her team and the students at Chewton Primary School have done to achieve this.

In this episode of An Environment for Change I speak with Chris Hooper about the Castlemaine Repair Cafe.  She has been running a monthly Repair Cafe in Castlemaine for over a year and they have saved over 600kg of waste from being thrown out; objects, clothing and mechanical items that can now live to see another day.  I speak to Chris about how it all started, how it works and where it is going. I also spoke to some of her repair volunteers, who talk about what it is like to be a repairer, why they do it and some of the things they have been asked to repair.

A laughter filled chat about very serious issues; the importance of small scale diverse farming providing for local markets.  Sas and Mel have been farming veggies on their patch of land in Harcourt, subletting from the Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens, for several years.  In that time they have doubled thier size and then doubled again, all the while learning and sharing with their local community. 

In this episode I speak to Katie, who has been running the organic orchard Mount Alexander Fruit Garden for over 20 years with her partner Hugh, and Ant, who is set to start running the orchard as Katie and Hue retire.  The conversation ranges over topics from the hidden benefits of organic farming to the exciting new ways young farmers like Ant are starting to organise.