Steering Group meeting 22 Nov 2011

Today we discussed future directions for WHEN, in the context of the imminent 'Changing Gears' weekend at Nubeena, and the current environment of economic scarcity, which is making increasing numbers of people concerned about their and their family's futures.  Is the timing right for raising the issues of food security and Peak Oil, and for promoting positive responses such as Re-Localisation? 

We discussed possibilities for West Hobart around local food production, including creating a community garden, and promoting Community Supported Agriculture.  We discussed engaging with the retired community through assisting with energy audits and growing food.  A more visible and fairly central meeting place would be great, a sort of community centre to provide a base for projects and meetings.

The group agreed to go ahead with adopting a more formal structure for the group, so that there is a more visible public organisation representing the broader interests of the West Hobart community.

We will hold a public meeting in early March 2012 with the theme of Localisation, at which we will launch the new Walking West Hobart map and present a positive approach to developing solutions to issues which may be worrying people. 

Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture - a better way to bridge the gap between producers and consumers!
The Community Supported Agriculture Toolkit for Tasmanian Communities will be launched tomorrow (Monday 21st) at the Botanical Gardens in Hobart (a very brief launch) and information sessions will be held later in the week in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.
To find out more, go to: http://csatoolkit.channelliving.org.au/launch.html 

Next GAF meeting: 26 November

Our next Gardens and Food group meeting will take place in conjunction with a 
shared supper and produce swap (broad beans?) on Saturday 26th November. 
Would anyone like to host this gathering? If you would, please let us know
by Wednesday 23rd.

Some agenda ideas so far: summer /autumn produce exchange, working
bees, bulk buying manures and mulch, sharing garden space (Miriam has
just harvested the garlic she planted in a borrowed plot at Lawrenny
Court), feedback on soap and candle re-skilling workshop, slide show/
dinner re Miriam's trip and discussion of some of the big issues the
world faces.

Enquiries: Annie March 62310378

Sustainable Living Exp 2011

It's on again, presented by Sustainable Living Tasmania of course, and it's terrific!!  Get down there and take the opportunity to talk to experts in a wide range of fields and businesses, listen to presentations and watch demonstrations!  Today is the second (and last) day.

Single mums' group

Share stories, advice, a cuppa and some adult company every Friday from 10am-12pm at the Hobart Women's Health Centre (Lefroy St, North Hobart). Babies and small children welcome. Simply show up for the first meeting on Friday 8 Oct or contact Cat (042313612, cat@catmoore.com).

Free boxes, plastic bags and bottle tops!!!

National foods (The Pura milk factory, Lenah Valley) have an ongoing supply of useful bits up for grabs:
* Clean, flattened cardboard boxes.
* Clean, large plastic bags (garbage bin and wheelie bin sized) a skip-bin of these are taken to the tip EVERY week.
* Clean, new, unassembled milk cartons ideal for seedling propagation/planting or protection
* Clean, new, plastic milk bottle tops (approx 1300 per box) in assorted colours ideal for maths as counters or for craft projects.

Call Keith Angell at National foods on 0406 587 997 to arrange collection. Remember these resources are available on an ongoing basis so you may never have to buy garbage bags again!

Update from the Gardening & Food group 28 Sep 2011

1. The next working bee at Lawrenny Court is on Monday 3rd October at 3pm. Meet in the hall at 131 Hill Street for an hour's convivial gardening followed by afternoon tea supplied by the residents. Please RSVP by Sunday evening.

2. Spring seedling sale. Eve's Garden, 14 Petty St, will be selling robust seedlings, including many varieties of heritage tomato, at 3pm on Saturday 15th October. Donations of pots welcome.

3. If anyone is feeling overwhelmed by their garden and would like a working bee, please contact us.

4. October plantings: now is the month to get going for best crops in the coming summer. Greg Summers has produced a West Hobart Planting Guide. Contact him if you would like a copy: sumbodyelse@bigpond.com

1. Moving Planet,

Saturday 24 Sept - ride, walk, scoot... to show support for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. 10 am bike ride from Cornelian Bay to Mawson's Pavilion on the Hobart Waterfront. 10.45 am rally - speakers, stalls, best dressed bike comp. This is an event coordinated globally by 350.org and locally by Climate Action Hobart.
www.climateactionhobart.org/
www.350.org/

2. Changing the Dream symposium, a half-day event on 9th October at the Baha'i Centre for a challenging and rewarding afternoon of powerful multi-media presentations, personal reflection and stimulating conversations, facilitated by Graham Flower and Wendy Armstrong. Changing the Dream is a network of people spanning the globe who are united by creating a future for the world in which our children and grandchildren can live full lives. The presentation reflects on what social justice,
personal fulfilment and environmental sustainability mean for us; it is inclusive, apolitical and optimistic and encourages people to come to their own conclusions about the global challenges and opportunities that confront us and what to do about it. Register at http://bit.ly/hobartsymposium9oct and come and see what YOU think!

3. Still Gardening Program – Seeking Garden Mates
Hi WHEN,
I ‘m writing from the Still Gardening Program, a great program connecting volunteer ‘Garden Mates’ with elderly clients who live independently and still garden but need a little help and company. We help people to stay active, get outdoors, stay engaged and stimulated, feel less stressed about their gardens, stay living independently and make new friendships.
We’re currently recruiting more volunteer Garden Mates, as we have an ever-growing list of clients wanting assistance. Would there be any possibility of a small article or mention of the program in one of your upcoming newsletters or on your website? We would really appreciate your help with spreading the news of our program.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards
Kim
Kim Tyson
Project Officer
Still Gardening Program
Community Inclusion
Hobart City Council
(Tue, Wed, Fri)
P 6236 9349
M 0409 191 553
E tysonk@netspace.net.au

4. Soap and Candle Making
Thanks to those who turned up for a soap and candle making afternoon and to wish Margaret well in Taroona.
Here’s some information in case you are interested but couldn’t make it:

My Basic Soap Recipe
1. Prepare the lye: weigh out the distilled water and place in the fridge to cool. Put on your personal protective gear and weigh out the caustic soda. Take the water out the fridge and slowly at the caustic soda. Never add the water to the caustic soda – always the caustic soda to the water. It will get hot. Put it back in the fridge to cool to 37C.
2. Measure out your oils using the tare function on your scales.
3. Melt oils in a double boiler or microwave (30 sec bursts). Cool to 37C.
4. Slowly and carefully pour lye into oils.
5. Stir gently with a handheld blender and then combine in bursts.
6. Check for trace – the point at which the oils and lye have combined successfully to make soap – it will leave a trail when you lift the blender.
7. Add any additional ingredients (essential oils, clay, seeds, lavender, herbs, oats etc).
8. Pour into mould. The mixture is still caustic at this stage so don’t touch with bare hands.
9. Cover mould with plastic wrap and a towel (the towel helps saponification and curing).
10. Let the soap harden for 24 hours before turning out.
11. Air dry for 3-4 weeks before using.

. Store away from little people. Vinegar can be used to clean up spills to neutralise the stuff.

Note: The ingredient lists below will result in 1kg of soap. To reduce the quantities or change the oils and the soap properties use a soap calculator. There are many different types of oils you can use. The calculator I use is: http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp

Lavender Soap Ingredients * note all are in grams
186g Castor oil
114g Olive oil
300g Cocoa butter
400g Coconut oil
25g lavender oil
Cup of lavender seeds to mix into the soap and put on top as desired
Lye: 380g water and 146g caustic soda

Honey and Oat Soap Ingredients
186g Castor oil
114g Olive oil
300g Cocoa butter
400g Coconut oil
10g bergamot oil
15g chamomile oil
1 T honey
Small cup of oats
Lye: 380g water and 146g caustic soda

There is loads of info on the web...just google 'make your own soap' or something like that.

For candle making supplies you can order from:
http://www.candlemaking.com.au//
http://www.aussiecandlesupplies.com.au/shop/home.php

I'd be interested in a bulk order if others are.

Paul has put some pics on the web below at http://westhobartenvnet.blogspot.com/

All the best
Miriam

Candle and Soap Making Afternoon Tea

Candle and Soap Making Afternoon Tea

Saturday 10th September 2011

An informative time of sharing skills as we farewelled Margaret who has moved to share the knowledge with residents in the Taroona area.

First we don our protective gear in preparation
for handling some of the ingredients.

The ingredients are weighed out carefully.

While waiting for the melted ingredients to cool a few
candles were made to keep ourselves amused.

The warmed ingredients are mixed together until "custard consistency"!

Once the ingredients are successfully combined, some give the mixture
a stir "for luck" whilst the others enjoy a cuppa and share afternoon tea.

Optional ingredients such as oatmeal, fragrances andcolourings can now be added.

The moulds are laid out in readiness.

The soap mixture is now carefully spooned into the moulds.

Decorations are sprinkled on the top.

And the afternoon finishes off with a sharing of ideas.

Ideas for the next skills sharing afternoon are now being accepted.

Any suggestions?

The Still Gardening Program

We've just received a note from the coordinator of this excellent program:


Hi WHEN,

I ‘m writing from the Still Gardening Program, a great program connecting volunteer ‘Garden Mates’ with elderly clients who live independently and still garden but need a little help and company. We help people to stay active, get outdoors, stay engaged and stimulated, feel less stressed about their gardens, stay living independently and make new friendships.

We’re currently recruiting more volunteer Garden Mates, as we have an ever-growing list of clients wanting assistance...



Contact Kim (details below) if you would like to get involved:


Kim Tyson
Project Officer
Still Gardening Program
Community Inclusion
Hobart City Council
(Tue, Wed, Fri)
P 6236 9349
M 0409 191 553E

West Hobart - interesting info

West Hobart's Neighbourhood Watch group has set up a webpage full of useful and interesting information for us lucky West Hobart residents. There is information about local services, history and community events. Take a look:

http://westhobart.wordpress.com/

Walking West Hobart map - Meeting 10 Aug 2011

A good meeting, energised by the terrific news that Hobart City Council have funded our submission for Walking West Hobart to the tune of $1700. Sustainable Living Tasmania will hold the funds for us and pay our bills as we present them. All good!

We agreed on map size as A3, and we can afford a likely print run of 1000.

We agreed on the main design features of the map, including title, credits for HCC and WHEN, keys below the map, how to fold it, what to place on the "front" and "back" "covers", what (roughly) to place on the large reverse of the map. We agreed to remove the numbers from the red dots and just have general titles for the businesses e.g. grocer, pharmacy, doctor, butcher.

We agreed that we would engage Maria as our Designer (thanks Maria!).

Margaret will forward Di's "Appreciating the Past in WH" to Brendan Lennard for historical editting.

Maria will do final edit of both this and James Boyce's lovely essay.

We thought of some loop routes for some "folksy" walks to feature on the reverse of the map e.g. historical loops.

We need some photos of walkers and vistas in West Hobart. Ideas: happy, walking, shopping, kids in Friends Park... Each of us to provide some for choosing from.

Maria and John will run through outstanding ideas and edits for the map and pass back to Margaret . Margaret to collect edits and notes, contact the mapmaker and ask for an updated edition.

When the updated edition comes back, the whole group to work together to finalise the details. We're getting close to the final product!

Update from the GAF group - July 2011

A couple of items that may be of interest:


1. Food for All - Resources for Local Government - VicHealth

Visit: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Publications/Healthy-Eating/Healthy-Eating-Programs/Food-For-All---Resources-for-Local-Governments.aspx

2. GROW campaign in Hobart: The Future of Food Forum.

The GROW campaign is aiming for a future where everyone has enough to eat, always, and is focussing on key issues associated with food – climate change, production, food prices, trade, etc. The campaign is being run globally by Oxfam and seeks to build and assist the large amount of advocacy that has been done to date around food. You can read more about the GROW campaign at http://www.oxfam.org.au/grow/

Helping to launch our new campaign and discussing the sustainability of the global food system and how we (together) can fix it will be Andrew Hewett, Executive Director Oxfam Australia, and Matthew Evans, Author of "The Real Food Companion.

WHERE: Long Gallery, Salamanca Place, Hobart

WHEN: August 10th from 11am – 12:30pm

RSVP: rebeccal@oxfam.org.au or http://bit.ly/qlk95I

Events coming up for the Gardens & Food Group

This year's solstice progressive dinner was a great success.

Next activity: Lawrenny Court Working Bee Monday 4th July, 3-4pm, please RSVP

Coming soon: Candle and soap making afternoon tea

Gardening news update from Miriam

1. OPENIDEO – Community sourced solutions address the disconnect between food production & consumption

This is a link to the crowd source social enterprise site OpenIDEO. The particular brief here and its community sourced solutions address the disconnect between food production and consumption- I'm thinking there are some beaut ideas here that may be applicable to Hobart and surrounds?

http://www.openideo.com/open/localfood/winners-announced/ .

Contact: Ruth Howard: ruth.howard@education.tas.gov.au

2. Our Food Our Hands Our Future – Horticulture Course – 18^th August – 20 October

“Our Food, Our Hands, Our Future”. This course goes for 10 weeks for an incredibly cheap rate of $90 for Feeding the Future members. This course is for anyone who is interested in learning how to set up/enhance a community garden/kitchen for the purpose of teaching people at risk of food insecurity how to grow and cook their on food. Is this YOU, do you know anyone who would like to do this course? If so can you please send this email to them.

Please note this is a Nationally recognised training certificate 1 course in horticulture. We have some very exciting personalities teaching this course such as:

· Tino Carnevale

· Marcus Ragus

· Kirsten Bacon

· Laurie Miller (to be confirmed)

· ....and other professional horticulturists from the Royal Botanical Gardens

For more information contact:

Louise Sullivan

Feeding the Future
39 Leura St
ROSNY 7018
04181222 22
03 62444 918

3. Opportunity for Community Gardens - SBS Documentary

Hello to you all,

We're producing an online documentary and social media project for the SBS Australia food website on community gardens. The idea is to follow a garden from beginning to harvest and feature the fresh produce grown in that garden and the cultural, familial and/or spiritual stories that modern Australians associate with the recipes they cook using their garden-grown fresh produce.

We have a garden here in WA that we will follow, but an integral part of our project is having other gardens and allied groups from around the country contributing stories, recipes, pix etc about their own garden and their food/cultural experiences.

As persons interested in community gardening, sustainability and food I am issuing you an invitation to become part of this project and/or to find out more. I would love to hear from you if this sounds like an exciting project that you and/or your community group/organisation would like to be a part of. If you'd like to know more you're most welcome to contact me at this address and I can send you an extended synopsis of the project. Or you can give me a call if it's more convenient.

We're very excited about the potential that our project offers to bring like-minded people together and document and celebrate the wonderful outcomes that can grow from gardening and food. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best regards,

Rob McGlynn

PS feel free to pass on this email to anyone who you think might be interested in participating.

CROW
media + communications
39d harvest rd
north fremantle wa 6159
0407 161 045
www.crowmedia.com.au

Healthy buildings talk and tour - Sunday 19th June

Healthy buildings talk and tour - Sunday 19th June 11am-3.30pm - Organised by our sister organisation Channel LivingLearn how the discipline of “Building Biology” approaches the creation of homes and commercial buildings that are more environmentally sustainable and better for health of the inhabitants. The tour gives two examples of how Building Biology principles have influenced a commercial building (the Baha’i Centre) and how it has been applied thoroughly in all aspects of a domestic building (Michael Meyer’s home in West Hobart).

Venue: Sustainable Living Tasmania, Murray Street (followed by the two tours).
Time: 11am - 3.30pm
Cost: $20
Booking Essential: email to info@channelliving.org or call Zoe 6267 4437.

Lawrenny Court Working Bees

The next of these enjoyable, convivial events (afternoon tea provided) will be held at 3pm on Monday May 30th. Meet at the hall on Hill St.

Please RSVP to Annie March. We recently received a very nice thankyou letter from Lawrenny Court residents and management.

Update from the GAF group - May 2011

Gardens and Food News

The final produce exchange was celebrated with afternoon tea and trading of autumn bounty. Particular thanks to a neighbour who saw our sign and brought a crate of freshly picked apples.

Solstice feast: the carbon-friendly walking progressive four-course dinner is scheduled for Saturday 18th June.

Please register your interest now, either to host a course, nominate what you'd like to cook, or say which course you'd like to cook for.

We'd like to find out how people interpret 'carbon-friendly'? And we're wondering how to resolve the tension between the desire to be generous/ hospitable with the food we bring, yet not over-eat or squander.

As good earth-keepers / housekeepers, we'll tidy and wash up as we go.

WHEN at Back to West Hobart Day, 15 June 2011

The Transport and the GAF groups presented some fantastic displays at the Back to West Hobart celebration day. We were given a corner in the Lawrenny Court hall and made the most of it!

We had a display of the Walking West Hobart map and had lots of people peering at it. Margaret and Di were able to show many current and former residents the early drafts of our professionally drawn map, which was very exciting. We collected a couple of dozen new ideas for shortcuts and points of interest for the map!

Meanwhile Miriam set up an eye catching display promoting vegie gardening and the GAF group. The pile of Greg's "What to Grow When in West Hobart" were greatly appreciated and disappeared quickly into people's baskets and pockets.

It was a valuable day for promoting our group, and lots of WHEN flyers were taken by people. It was also a fun day, with activities and entertainment happening throughout the day. The organisers, in particular Cynthia Archer, deserve hearty thanks from the community for making it happen.

Renewable energy map - show off your solar heater!

http://www.repowermap.org/

Here's a site, created in Europe, which helps us to build a map of how many solar energy units and other renewable energy devices are in our suburb. You can go to the site and find your house, then click on the renewable energy installation that you have. I put my solar water heater on the map!