criteria for publishing "Other News" items

In  the online newsletter, will we publish information that is not directly related to Transition Bellingen by using the following criteria: 

(1) local initiatives that will help make our community more resilient in the face of shocks such as peak oil, climate change and financial crisis,

and (2)  initiatives from community-based, not-for-profit groups whose work is relevant to this goal, and that do not publicise commercial or party political initiatives.

Eco Centro public meeting Wednesday 20 February

Eco Centro

”Biochar may represent the single most important initiative for humanity’s environmental future”

Tim Flannery

Do We Have What It Takes to Make it Work Here?

Last winter Wayne ‘Wadzy’ Wadsworth proposed ‘Eco Centro’ for Bellingen as the basis of his Mayoral campaign.  Subsequent conversations have indicated a growing interest in what he is proposing… so 

we are holding a public meeting on

Wednesday 20th February 

at No. 5 Church St

to discuss what it would take to make it work here

Our Shire Councillors along with Council Managers and Officers have been invited (please add your encouragement to inspire them to attend). The project is consistent with the aims of the Community Strategic Plan.

This project has not been done anywhere in Australia in it’s entirety, though Ballina Shire is now converting to a ‘waste-to-energy’ biochar system. Government and private funding may be available. The biggest piece of the picture would be to turn the Sewage Treatment Plant into a green electricity generator, which would turn the waste into energy using a gas turbine (similar to what is done with Sydney water). The treated water at the STP would be used to feed a bamboo/hemp plantation, which, along with Bellingen’s green waste, could be used to make biochar and green energy. The c50 acres of land surrounding the STP could provide the space for production of all of the energy that our town needs via Solar, Biogas and the making of biochar*. [*As the bamboo/hemp grows, it takes up carbon and through pyrolysis (baking, not burning) this carbon is made stable (sequestered)and can be used to enhance the soil, effectively removing it from the atmosphere]

Wed 20th February at No. 5 Church St -- 7:15 pm meeting start

Come early for dinner

please RSVP by 14 Feb 

to register for the $18pp Vegetarian Buffet option

**Email vparkes@westnet.com.au to RSVP or ring Vicki on 6655-9715 and leave a message**

Summer Jams, Pickles and Conserve Making - 2 December 2012

Summer Jams, Pickles and Conserve Making workshop 2 December 2012

for photos of the workshop click here
for photos of previous workshops click here

for more details click on http://tbworkshops.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/jams-pickles-and-conserve-making.html

Sourdough Bread Making Workshop 4 November 2012

Sourdough Bread Making Workshop 4 November 2012

to see photographs of this successful workshop click on bread
for photos of previous workshops click here

for more detail click on http://tbworkshops.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/sourdough-bread-making-4-november-2012.html

Bellingen River Festival 3 November 2012

Bellingen River Festival 2012

How you can help

Buy a transfer for your shirt on the day, iron it on your shirt on the spot

Bellingen Community Parade is seeking support.

Last year, the River Festival  introduced. as the pinnacle of the event, the Community Parade. This was hugely celebrated last year by the shire and after extraordinary planning and adhering to all the various additional requirements from Police and RTA, we have permission to hold this unique spectacle again.

The Parade, this year is gauged to have some school groups and many community organisations take part and represent themselves to showcase some of the many and varied peoples that make this Bellingen. 

We still are seeking further interest in this from all community groups from sporting to charitable and all other community bodies. 

The parade does not seek to structure a rank and file march with each group separately identified, rather to simply allow all groups to prepare their banner and come along in uniform where applicable to represent themselves in an inclusive community bridge walk. 

We encourage our most respected and long standing community members to walk along side with family and grandchildren from schools and other groups with the hope for as many banners and groups identifying all the various pieces that make this community.

Space will be available at the showground pavilion from 29 October to 2 November, for any community organisation to come and create a banner for their group - please call or email us 

Activities

Small Business Canoe Knockout race - 2 person teams will be competing for cash and prizes..But mostly for bragging rights. 

We are especially calling out to businesses we cannot reach and extending the invitation to sole traders and tradespeople.

Lanterns and Sculptures -  become involved in a workshop before the festival to learn amazing techniques in bamboo sculpture and become a mentor for a workshop on the day

Storytellers and historians - contact Pearl Maya on 0400 473 494 to share your yarns and knowledge about the river, its history, on the farm, in the flood, or about the river at its most beautiful

Rubber Duckie Race

Donations needed
Unfortunately this year the event has encountered excessive costs for infrastructure and operation of the Community Parade and we are asking for your help to raise the revenue to bring the parade to fruition.

Despite our best efforts and the wonderful support from all our sponsors, the committee hasn’t the revenue to cover the remaining $2300 in additional costs associated to implement the road closure, parade and great expression of community.  

Donations are  accepted for the Bellingen River Festival - you can donate via collection tins at Roots Records, Hearthfire Bakery, Kombu & IGA or checkout the webpage for deposit details.

We also still have various sponsorship packages available for all businesses and budgets and we wish to  express  our thanks to all the sponsors and supporters already on board for this years event. 

Thanks to all the regional sponsors that support a community and its enrichment.

There is always lots of space for eager volunteers to make this all happen. Check out the website for details of the various ways anyone can get involved. Many hands make light work. see below

Phone: Ben 0401 908 441

Email: info@bellingenriverfestival.org

Webpage:  www.bellingenriverfestival.org

See you there!

We need your help in the preparation, set up, during the festival and in the take down process

click on support to download volunteer booklet and application form

completed forms can be dropped off at
Roots Records
Hearthfire Bakery
for the attention of Ben/river

Reskilling workshop Cheese Making Sunday 28 October 2012

Cheese Making Workshop

no photos of Cheese workshop, but click here for previous workshops

NOW FULL

for resources and recipes click on information

Reskilling workshop Edible Weeds Sunday 7 October 2012

Edible weeds workshop

photographs - click on weeds

more details at  http://tbworkshops.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/local-edible-weeds-and-plants-workshop.html

Reskilling workshop bees 1 Sunday 9 September 2012

Bee Workshop 9 September 2012

Full

Transition Bellingen News as at 7 September 2012

First online Transition Bellingen News

Transition Bellingen News as at 7 September 2012

Tomorrow Saturday 8 September - Bellingen Seed Savers at the Plant Fair
8am to 2pm

Thursday 13 September - Food Exchange outside Kombu, Church St, 10.30 to 12.30 Permaculture Collective mnc

Reskilling Workshops - to see the the workshops planned for 2012-13 click on workshops
FULL Sunday 9 September - Bees 1 workshop - a second workshop is being considered for 16 September, please contact us if you are interested

Sunday 7 October - Edible Plants and Weeds
Learn where and how to collect edible"weeds". how to prepare them and their nutritional/medicinal properties - click on weeds

Sunday 28 October - Cheese making for Beginners click on cheese

Saturday 3 November - 2nd Bellingen River Festival
Building on last year's event, the Festival is looking good - to provide for the attendance that showed up last year along with the friends who will "definitely" come this year, there will be more food, activities, cultural experiences and music. Groups are invited to get involved: sporting groups; schools; clubs and associations. Do you want to showcase your group and invite others to join? Do you want to demonstrate your activities/skills? Or be part of the program in any of a number of other ways?
Contact Ben Perrim, the Festival Events Coordinator to chat about the options. telephone 0401 908 441 and email bellingenriverfestival@hotmail.com. See you there!

Chamber of Commerce Bellingen News Magazine September 2012 - Transition article "The Stupid Economy" to read click on articles

Other News


Bellofoodbox local nutritious food - click on foodbox news for latest
information and what is in the box.
Enter the Bellofoodbox Colour-in and Identify Competition!
Have fun with your kids, helping them to identify all the local fresh and seasonal produce, delivered in the foodbox. click here to see how to get the competition stencil.
Entries close 6pm on Wednesday 12 September

Community Groups - There are many local networks discussion and support groups - click on community to find contact details

contact by email: transitionbellingen@gmail.com 

Wild Fermentation workshop 26 August 2012

Sunday 26  August  -  FULL

Wild fermentation – Sauerkraut, Kefir & Rejuvelac

for  photographs click on wild photos  

for resources presented at workshop click on information 

Comments

Thanks once again  for helping me to acquire skills  which will lead to a healthier life.

Denis Hampton

I felt the work shop was fantastic

Your facilitation skills are exemplary, and I thoroughly enjoy your presentations. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and your knowledge base concerning this subject impressive. Rosa was also extremely interesting and quite generous with her knowledge and assistance.

Toni Lawson

Only positive feedback from me. The timing of it was good; good balance of theory and hands on.

Kerri Dene

Sourdough Bread Making Workshop 22 July 2012

Sourdough Making workshop

Comments

What a wonderful workshop, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was also a great opportunity to meet new friends. Penny's tuition was perfect, it certainly gave me the confidence to try again, after some previous not so good results. The most wonderful part of all, NO kneading!

Ziggy

'Bread making is a creative

endeavour with each loaf being a unique creative expression'.

regards

Pauline

Penny's easy going approach was fantastic, not too daunting at all for us beginners.

Julie

I thought the course was great. Good mixture of theory and practical. Penny is awesome, I love her style....she's a great presenter and obviously knows her bread stuff really well.

Dave

click on bread photos to see this exciting workshop

Jams, Pickles and Conserve Making workshop -winter Sunday 8 July 2012

Jams, pickles and conserve making workshop - winter

click on recipes and scroll down to see recipes from workshop

Comments


We had a good day and love our stash of goodies. Thanks so much to you all for a great lunch and lots of new ideas.

Margot and Paul

Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop on Sunday – I picked up some fabulous new tips, tricks and recipes!  Please pass on my thanks to Sue and Ute for their generosity and for sharing their experience and wisdom!

Jaquie


 click on photos to see the exciting workshop

Transition Cafe Wednesday 6 June from 6.00pm

Transition Cafe "What is happening in Transition Bellingen"

Projects include

Bellingen Seeds Savers http://bellingenseedsaversunderground.blogspot.com.au/
Permacutlure Collective mnc    http://www.permcollmnc.blogspot.com.au/
Reskilling workshops http://tbworkshops.blogspot.com.au/
River Festival  http://transitionbellingen.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/expressions-of-interest-for-bellingen.html
FREEMARKET http://transitionbellingen.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/free-market-held-on-sunday-4-december.html
Nap-In http://transitionbellingen.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/nap-zzzzone-at-stillpoint-st-andrews.html

Joint initiative Edible Streetscapes http://ediblestreetsbellingen.blogspot.com.au/

Nap-in challenge awards 15 May 2012

Workplace Nap Challenge:  Last week the results of the nap challenge - to take 2 powernaps a week for 2 weeks, were tallied.

Partaking in the challenge were: Kevin Doye Kombu, Mandy TraynorGO4 Media, Guy Saddleton, G S Real Estate, Nicole Rowsell

Burrows Child Care Centre, Dan Maher Affirmations, Jane Eales Council, Jason Brown No. 5 Church St,  Steve Doyle Bellingen Solar, Jason Johns

Uniting Church, and late but keen participant RosemaryStevens, Emporium

And the winner was ... Mandy Traynor, of GO4 media for consistency plus.. who used the local Nap Zzone to take her bi-weekly mini-sieasta. 

SPECIAL Mentions went to  ... 

Highest Number of Naps:  Guy Saddleton  9 naps all up , followed by Dan Maher with 7  (both are the boss with a couch in their office and a door they can close and as well.)

Most challenging conditions :  Nicole Rowsell with only half an hour for lunch, followed by Jason, no. 5 – start up café 

Positive Role modelling award.  Jane Eales

Progressive Minister Award: Jason for opening up his church for us to take a lie down

Culture Jamming Award: goes to everyone … it really is a counter cultural pose to strike, when you take a nap at work so thanks for being at the forefront of this culture-changing movement. 

Transition Bellingen News 25 May 2012

Transition Bellingen News

Transition Bellingen News 18 May 2012

Bellingen River Festival will be held in November 2012 and planning is under way. It is important that funding can be confirmed so that the size and scope of the festival can be determined.

Please let us know if you can make a contribution, money or in kind, no matter how large or small by Friday 25 May by emailing transitionbellingen@gmail.com or phoning  Vicki on 6655 9715.

Vicki has already received $600 from 7 businesses.

To remind you of how amazing the 2011 festival was, go to parade for Solveig's photos of the lantern making and the parade

TODAY HURRY TO THE NAP-IN CHALLENGE AWARDS AT 12.45PM AT NO 5 CHURCH STREET

Thursday 24 May - Permaculture Collective mnc Food Exchange outside Kombu 10.30am to 12.30pm - click on exchange

 

Transition Network News Letter May 2012 click on News 

Other news

Bellofoodbox - providers of local food - click on Foodbox to see this weeks newsletter  

Tuesday 22 May - Film Night at No 5 Church Street about biodynamic farm practices - "One Man, One Cow, One Planet" see film  for details 

Saturday 2 June - Bellingen High School Community Garden High School Open Day  click 

  

 here for full size poster

Saturday 2 June at Brierfield  - Transform your farm with Biodynamics -   click on workshop for Demeter course

Friday 8 June at Hydes Creek  - Biodynamics in the Home Orchard click home orchard on for course by Biodynamics Agriculture Australia - headquarters in Bellingen

Saturday 9 June at Thora -  Demeter Bio-Dynamics Field Day at Thora  click on Field Day for details 

Friday June 8 Registration -  Trash to Treasure for beautiful poster and registration information click on T2T   

Saturday 28 July  - Bellingen Energy Festival go to http://www.bef.org.au/

Community Groups: Click here to find information about the many local networks and discussion/support groups.

Information on "Intimacy Circle" has been added this week.

Thursday 24 May Bellingen Business Divas Network Biggest Morning Tea go to  Diva News 

The Transition Bellingen web site address is  http://transitionbellingen.org