Woodford Folk Festival - 2012

Transition Town presentation
Woodford Folk Festival
December 27, 2011 at 11am
in the wonderful Greenhouse

Making the Transition to local food
Celebrating Transition Towns around the world who are getting out there, seeding, creating and building resilient, localised food systems in all their shapes and forms. The presentation will feature international and local action on local food systems.

About the speaker

Sonya Wallace - Transition Sunshine Coast

Sonya is involved in raising awareness nationally about local food systems through the models of Transition Towns and permaculture. From government taskforces to teaching hands on workshops, her focus is on working co-operatively with others to create resilient food systems.

Upcoming Transition Town presentation

Dairy date - 'Transitioning to a Sustainable Community' - public presentation.

Tuesday August 2 - evening (exact time to be confirmed)
Mullumbimby NSW (address to be confirmed)

** more details will be published here as soon as they are available **

Sonya Wallace from Transition Sunshine Coast will be talking about the Transition Town movement and look at international and local success stories and how other communities are working together cooperatively to prepare for climate, resource and economic uncertainty.

Places filling fast for Transition Town training weekend

Here's some information on the training weekend we have coming up in a couple of weeks - places are filling fast, so please get in quick if you'd like to be part of this exciting Transition Town weekend on the Sunshine Coast. Email if you'd like a flier.

Other weekends are planned for mid-year and later in the year.

ABOVE - a photo of some happy workshop participants and Chippy the dog.

Dates:
Friday February 5 (from 5pm)
Saturday and Sunday February 6 & 7 (9am-4pm)
(We aim to be finished and out the door by 4pm Sunday)

The workshop:
We begin on Friday evening with a shared meal (as local and organic as we can get it) at 6pm with time to meet each other, chat, make connections and gently relax into our weekend of Transition Town training.

First thing Saturday it’s into the workshop. During the two days, we'll take you through a process that will enable you to confidently go back to your communities and either start or continue with your Transition initiative.

We focus on practical, doable and usable information, skills and techniques, bringing together our experience with Transition Towns both locally and from around Australia, years of research and development, and key lessons we’ve learnt along the way.

Learning activities include; powerpoint presentations, facilitated group discussion, small group activities, games (fun ways you can unleash the creative genius in your community!), including our famous Trans-Action and Carbon Dating games, mindmapping exercises, examples of world cafes and other techniques featured in the Transition Handbook and processes for starting, leading and developing your Transition Town.

We'll cover;
History of and introduction to the international Transition Town model

The language of Transition
The Transition Handbook and how best to use it
Transition Towns in Australia
The principles Transition Towns are built on
Finding your running mates
First steps
How to be not just ‘another bloody group’
Understanding the uniqueness of your community
Case studies of other initiatives (how they got started, what they are doing, what’s working)
Understanding group dynamics
Group facilitation skills
Strategies for raising awareness in your community
SWOT analysis of your community
Planning Pathways to Resilience
Defining domains and levels of action
Working with local government
Planning projects and making them happen
Energy Descent Action Planning
Your next steps and your personal pathway to resilience
Whatever else you need to get started…

Each course is tailored to meet the needs of that particular group – sometimes we have a group of people from one geographical area and they can work together on developing a core group and becoming an official Transition Town over the weekend.

Other individual participants will receive a detailed plan for how they can create community support to get their initiative up and running on their return.

Your facilitators:
Sonya Wallace and Janet Millington
Sonya and Janet have been working together in the realm of Transition Towns since 2006 and are the founders of Australia’s first Transition initiative (Transition Sunshine Coast) and local initiatives in their home towns of Eudlo and Eumundi.

They have created and run the world’s first Energy Descent Action Planning course (Time for an Oil Change), which led to the Sunshine Coast Energy Descent Action Plan, now being utilised by both the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in policy-making decisions and Transition Towns in the region.

Sonya’s background (pictured below right) is in state and local government communications, crisis management and community education. She has a Permaculture Design Certificate and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is currently working toward her Diploma of Permaculture. Sonya has also completed courses in group facilitation focussed on Transition Town creation, development and longevity of group dynamics. She runs a small-scale organic farm at Eudlo, where she coordinates Transition Town Eudlo.

Janet’s background (pictured below left) is in education and permaculture. A qualified primary school teacher, she has been teaching and applying permaculture for many years both locally, nationally and internationally, working with people to develop community gardens, school gardens, permaculture groups and she also helped write the national Accredited Permaculture Training. Janet is an active community member in her home town of Eumundi particularly with the Eumundi Markets, which have recently become an official Transition Town initiative. Janet also has a Diploma of Permaculture and is a published author on outdoor classrooms.

BELOW - Sonya and Janet received a regional award for their work in Transition Towns.

Your booking:
To book, simply contact Sonya on 0408 013 012 or email transitiontowns@yahoo.com.au or contact Janet on 5442 7200 or miltech@bigpond.com for further information and to secure your place.

What to bring:
Please bring all you need for the weekend – comfortable cool clothes (weather will be hot in February), walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, notebook, pens, camera, water bottle, food for the Saturday and Sunday (shopping opportunity available Saturday morning at Eumundi Markets), musical instruments if you have them, and any plans, ideas or learning tools you’ve been working on in your own Transition Town. Also pack your creative genius to unleash on the weekend.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo
Think Green Consultancy

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

Transition Blackwood - Victoria

Another new initiative just starting up... please keep them coming - the national network is really building up.

Hi Sonya,

I just wanted to let you know for the Transition Towns Australia blog that our Transition Initiative in Blackwood is off and running.

There is more on our blog including a photo from that evening.

http://transitionblackwood.blogspot.com/

Thanks! Heather


Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo
Think Green Consultancy

Transition Town trainer, facilitator and consultant

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

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

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 Lismore?

I received another email today wanting to see if anyone is interested in starting up Transition Town Lismore in New South Wales?

Dear friends
am wondering if you have contacts in Lismore who want to form a transitional towns group?

I have recently returned form the Maldives, where I designed co managed construction and trained staff to manage "Eco Centro Waste to Wealth" centre.

Please see WWW.youtube,com/ec3global

Wadzy hellowadzy@gmail.com
for Mother Earth

Transition Tasmania

Received an email from a group in Tasmania who are working toward setting up Transition Tasmania. They aren't on the official list yet, but this is where you can see what they are doing and how to get in contact with them http://transitiontas.ning.com/

If you are in the process of starting up but aren't official just yet, let me know and I can add you to this list.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Coordinator

Alice Springs Trip

We've returned from our visit to Alice Springs and fingers crossed, we'll soon see some Transition Town action starting up there.

Alice Springs is in the centre of Australia in desert country. The average rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology is 286mm per year, but it is very unpredictable and variable, so growing food is challenging. They do rely on an underground water supply, but this seems to be slightly salty and doesn't seem to be being monitored on its usage.


We had a few engagements while we were there - first up the Eco-Fair. ABOVE is a photo of a solar box cooker baking up some treats for the solar cook off challenge. You can see the type of country and how harsh it is.

ABOVE - promoting recycling at the Fair.

ABOVE - a trailer full of good ideas - an aquaponics system (mixing fish and hydroponic growing), solar panel, wind generator, cacti, worm farms and wicking beds.

BELOW - a poster about solar ovens and the various types you can buy or make.

BELOW - information about food shopping and how to green it up and reduce food miles and carbon emissions.

BELOW - the Fair was set in the Olive Pink Botanic Garden which has a wonderful display of bushtucker and useful desert plants including native crotolarias and other legumes.

BELOW - native lemon grass

BELOW - an interpretive sign so people can wander at their own pace and learn more about bushfood, Indigenous knowledge and what grows well there.

BELOW - where to find witchetty grubs for protein.

BELOW - the gardens also had some lovely art and sculpture incorporated throughout

BELOW - the entrants in the solar cook off challenge

BELOW - a look around the Fair.

BELOW - promoting cycling. Alice Springs is pretty much flat, so cycling is an option (not in the summer though - way too hot). Here visitors could book in for a free bike service and check up.

BELOW - Alice is also a Solar City and one of its iconic projects is the roof of the Crowne Plaza - covered with 305kws of Photo Voltaic panels. The largest roof solar energy system in the Southern Hemisphere.

BELOW - a pv coffee table

BELOW - we also ran a community garden workshop. The community have a piece of land (about 1 acre) available to start a community garden.

We also did a couple of Transition Town presentations - for business and council.

I'll post more information on their Solar City project and the successes they've had.

Cheers,

Sonya Wallace

New Transition Initiatives & Brisbane in the news

Congratulations to the latest Australian Transition Initiatives!

Far North Queensland , QLD (http://www.tfnq.org/) will be up and running soon
Sydney North, NSW (http://www.permaculturenorth.org.au/)
Epping, NSW
Darebin, Melbourne, VIC

Some don't have websites just yet, but if you'd like to get in contact with them let us know and we'll try our best to connect you.

If you live near a Transition Town you'd be more than welcome to catch up with them and see what they're up to.

If there isn't one near you, why not start one up?



Also this week we saw the Transition groups in Brisbane featured in The Courier-Mail newspaper talking all things Transition. Here is the link to the story.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Coordinator