Oct 28, 2009

Welcome to two new Australian initiatives

Ta Da!!

Congratulations to
The Eumundi Markets at Eumundi on becoming a Transition Initiative - are they the first market in the world to become a TT?

and

Transition Denmark in Western Australia - well done!!
Here's their email address transitiondenmark@gmail.com too

So, who's next??

If you need help becoming official, let us know and we'll help you as much as we can.

If you'd like Transition Town Workshops in your local area - or a presentation to your local council, get in contact. If we can't help you, we'll know someone who can.

Let's Transition Australia.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 27, 2009

Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town Eudlo will be getting together this Sunday morning November 1 between 8.30-10am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

We'll chat about what's been happening with...
The Permablitz Team
Eudlo Food Co-operative
The Steam Team
Eudlo Seed Savers Group
Eudlo Beekeepers' Collective
Waste Busters
Eudlo Transport Solutions
Permaculture Eudlo
Eudlo Seasonal Markets
Solar Cooking Group
EGG (Eudlo Growers' Group) (coming soon)
Highlanders' Goat Dairy (coming soon)
Community Harvest Project (coming soon)

Also an open invitation to anyone from Nambour who is interested in starting a Transition Town there.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 25, 2009

Did you know that...

...Transition Sunshine Coast is the second largest Transition Initiative in the world?

That's according to an article in the Australian Conservation Foundation's latest edition of Habitat magazine.

If you live on the Sunshine Coast and are interested in starting up a Transition Initiative in your local area, please contact me (Sonya) at info@seac.net.au

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 23, 2009

Transition Far North Queensland

If you live in or around Far North Queensland you're invited to the first regional meeting of the official Transition Far North Queensland Network.

11am-2pm
Sunday November 1
Candlenut Steiner School
Kuranda

email transition@tfnq.org for more information and details of what's happening on the day and what to bring to share for lunch.


Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 18, 2009

Transition Town Nambour perhaps?

There seems to be some interest brewing in Nambour (on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland) about Transition Towns.

If you live in Nambour and are interested in getting together with some other Nambour folk to discuss the potential of your town to become a Transition Town, either get in touch or perhaps get along to the next Transition Town Eudlo meeting on November 1 at 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in the heart of Eudlo.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 17, 2009

Become official and everyone benefits

Greetings Transitioners,

Australia is quickly developing a strong and expansive network of communities embracing the concept of Transition Towns.

For many it's simply a matter of putting a name to what has already been happening, for others it's the catalyst to bring together many parts to make a wonderful new whole.

For others it's an exciting new idea that's capturing people's imagination of what could be if we could work together...

There are a lot of people out there who really secretly like the idea of living local, eating great organic seasonal food, being part of a vibrant community and feeling a sense of belonging in their community - all side-effects of Transitioning.

And becoming an official initiative is a very important step in the process.

It doesn't cost you anything except a little time spent filling out the form available here.

You need at least four people, preferably one or more will have a Permaculture Design Certificate (which will give the group a strong grounding in the core ethics and principles of sustainability), who are willing to begin the process of raising awareness and testing the Transition waters in their community.

If you look at the current list of official initiatives you'll see that Australia has about 10 percent of the world's Transition Towns - which is pretty darn good given our national population.

But there are a lot of groups are calling yourselves Transition Towns, but are not listed on the site.

Perhaps your paperwork is in the pipeline and we'll soon all see your name added to the official list?

I know they are processing the forms in batches now due to the volume coming in.

I urge you to join the network and add your name to the critical mass of international Transition Towns popping up around the world.

Each time a new initiative is added it adds strength to the movement as a whole. Everyone benefits.

When we approach the decision-makers in our communities to talk about the top down action we need they to take, having a list of everyone who is putting the Transition Town name to what they are doing will only support and help the cause. It adds to everyone's credibility and strength.

Becoming part of the network is fundamental to understanding of Transition Towns - it's how the movement can build resilience in these early stages.

Networking in your community (on the ground) is what being a Transition Town is all about - so if you're not also networking internationally with all the other Transition Towns, you're missing a key principle.

If you need help or advice on filling out the form, please contact me, I'd be more than happy to help.

You won't be signing your life away, you're merely putting up a flag to see if others in your community are concerned about climate change and peak oil and would like to join others to begin working on positive pro-active solutions.

And I bet you won't be standing there on your own for very long!

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 14, 2009

Transition Phillip Island Victoria

Found out about another new transition initiative at Phillip Island

http://transitionphillipisland.wordpress.com/transition-what/

Let us know if we can help you become official

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 13, 2009

Transition Town Newcastle

Very remiss of me, but I had left Transition Town Newcastle (NSW) off the list of useful Transition Town Sites on the right.

Apologies, luckily Ree got hold of me and put that right. So if you live in or around Newcastle and you're looking to find out more about Transition Towns, there is one near you.

Visit their website http://www.transitionnewcastle.org.au/

There are also projects such as; an organic food co-op, liasing with local farmers and "getting it out there" in regards to food availability and future food security happening in the area too.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 12, 2009

Transition Town Hervey Bay Update

Sustainable House Day
Transition Town Hervey Bay (TTHB) held a very successful Sustainable House Day last month. There were over 100 visitors to Jeff and Lorene’s house, about 70 visitors to John’s house and about 60 visitors to Ann’s house out at Burrum Heads.

A total of at least 230 separate visits. Well done Ann for organising such a successful day and thanks to Janey for the publicity. This was a great day to meet and talk with people interested in living more sustainably.

There was also information available on the new, interest free Green Loans and flyers from local businesses on things such as PV panels. We still have many flyers and information sheets if you are interested.

Tour de Bay
Get on your bike for the Hervey Bay Community Bank Tour De Bay charity bike ride, Sunday 18 October. Starting from 7am at the Botanic Gardens, there's a cycling route for everyone from beginners to the more experienced.

Finishing at the Botanic Gardens, the whole family can enjoy the community carnival which kicks off at 8.30am.

The carnival will have amusement rides including the Cup and Saucer, baby animals with Old MacDonald’s Farm, Carnival Cafe for Devonshire tea, free games for the children.

Performers for the day include the Kawungan School Skipping Group, the Australian Air League, Nefertiti belly dancers, the Feds Bush Band and the Rock on Social Group. Stalls include Spin ‘n’ Win Tombola with everyone taking home a prize, Sweet & Sour Liquorice, Crafty Candles, Bunnings Face Painting & Balloon Tying, Bicycle User Group to name a few. There will be drumming, puppetry and art and craft workshops.

All proceeds from the day will go towards the new Hervey Bay Community Centre. So get on your bike for the Tour De Bay charity bike ride Sunday October 18th followed by the Hervey Bay Community Carnival.

Entry forms and more information are available on the community centre website site http://www.ourcommunitycentre.com.au/ or phone (07) 4124 3544

Share Your Story!
How easy is it being green? We would like to hear from you about your experiences in sustainability and what it means to you.

Perhaps you are really proud of your school worm farm, dine on your own aquaponic fish and vegetables, or share enormous vegetables from your backyard with family and friends? How are you using your Climate Smart Home Service monitor? Do you have a compost bin at work, or have developed a business sustainability plan?

If you would like to share your experiences and passion to inspire others, please contact Christel Schrank, TTHB Media Officer, on christelhttp://au.mc540.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=christel.schrank@bigpond.com.

Aquaponics at Bay Crest
Fluid Industries, Jet n’ Drain plumbing and Transition Town Hervey Bay have joined forces to install a small aquaponics system at Bay Crest. The fish went in on Friday 9 October and some seedlings have already been planted. This is the easiest form of gardening I have ever practiced and the water efficiency is incredible. In my home system I have grown lush, green lettuce, celery, parsley, strawberries, capsicum, broccoli, water chestnuts and more and I only have to top up the system with 2-3 buckets of water a week. If any one is interested in viewing the Bay Crest system please contact me on Mb: 0434 144 394.

New Media Officer
Welcome to Christel who has taken over the Media Officer role from Janey and many thanks to Janey for all the work and time donated to TTHB. The success of our events is very much a result of the hard work that these good people put into the promotions and it is truly appreciated by the rest of the team.

Solar Power Update
Now is a good time to go solar. On August 20th, the Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation was passed. This made way for the Solar Credits program, which effectively reduces the purchase cost of a 1.5kW solar system by approximately $6,500, based on recent REC (Renewable Energy Certificates) prices.

TTHB has been approached by GoGreen Solar from Newcastle who asked us to send out the following information:

GoGreen Solar have a room booked at Hervey Bay RSL on 2nd November 6.30pm for Q&A night on the GoGreen Solar Offering, the new Renewable Energy Target legislation and our Sustainable Homes Program. We would like to invite Transition Town and anyone else who may be interested. For our latest sales brochure and Homes Program flyer and any questions you may have please call us on 1300 918 020.

Because it is important to our local economy to support local business I have also asked a local solar installer if a discount would be possible for a bulk buy. We would need a minimum of 8 orders to qualify for a discount so if you are interested please contact me.
So go solar! – get in before the price of electricity increases due to carbon emission reduction and take advantage of the RECs and interest free green loans.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at Images Training Restaurant, Wide Bay TAFE, Urraween Road. 6.30pm.

Next Meeting October 29. Everyone welcome.

Contact us:
e-mail: http://au.mc540.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tt_hb@hotmail.com
Mb: 0434 144 394
Web: http://transitionfrasercoast.org.au/

Transition Town Buderim

Buderim are in the process of forming a Transition Initiative - they're not official yet, so won't be on any international lists, but if you live in Buderim and would like to see what it's all about they have an event on October 17 - this Saturday.

Oil, The Economy and You
A screening of Australia Pumping Empty

3.30pm Saturday October 17
Buderim War Memorial Hall
Cost is $5

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Oct 8, 2009

Welcome to WA!

Great news, Transition Towns are taking off in the West.

Received an email today from Transition Denmark in Western Australia. Seems they have quite a lot going on already.

Here is their email contact if you live in WA and want to get in touch.

Steering committee representative - Transition Denmark.
TransitionDenmark@gmail.com

Also Transition action happening in Geraldton, Mount Lawley (A Suburb of Perth),and Albany (Our Neighbouring Town).

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Coordinator

Oct 4, 2009

Transition Towns in the news

Transition Towns feature in the current ABC Organic Gardening Australia Magazine as a way of future-proofing communties.

It includes information about how they all started, their permaculture foundations and what's happening in Australia and includes an interview with Transition Sunshine Coast.


Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Coordinator