Archive for May, 2010
Special Invitation to a Sneak–Preview Open Day
For those who couldn’t make it to the big launch on Thursday night for the Werribee Park Community Heritage Orchard (as well as those who could make it), we are holding a special sneak-preview Open Day and Tour at the orchard this Sunday at 2:00 PM. Come and see what all the fuss is about: You won’t be disappointed! Even if it’s raining, bring a brolly: It’s definitely worth it.
Take the freeway out to the Duncans Rd exit and proceed down K-Road, Werribee South, to meet at 2:00 PM at Gate 5 (same entrance as the Shadow Fax Winery), and drive through to the car park next to the Pavilion. From there, we’ll walk down to the orchard.
Kids and their families are very welcome (watch out for the river if you have toddlers).
The security gate will only be manned for about 15 minutes, so be on time or be prepared for a slightly longer walk.
MAIDSTONE CELEBRATION DRINKS AND CONSULTATION SESSION
It’s been a busy few months for all of us at POW, but we’ve finally got around to planning a thank you social event for all of you who helped us keep Maidstone Public Hall in community hands. We’ve also just been asked by council to have some input in to how they might best use the site in future, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to hear from the locals. As things stand, Council has not decided what to do with the land. Our submission still stands, but if you have any other ideas for the site or if you’d just like to express what’s most important for you, then come along and have a chat. We’d love to see you.
When: Wed 26th May, 6pm
Where: Maidstone Community Centre, 21 Yardley St Maidstone
What: Dinner and drinks – please bring a plate and whatever you wish to drink
Please RSVP to info@pow.org.au
Westlink Campaign public meetings about proposed Westlink tunnel
Westlink Campaign invites you to a meeting about the proposed Westlink tunnel and freeway/ tollway.
The first meeting is in Yarraville, next Monday 24 May at 7pm.
It’s been a great response so far to our campaign for smarter, greener transport instead of the Government’s proposed Westlink tunnel and freeway/ tollway. I’ve been out doorknocking, and have had a great group of volunteers pounding the streets letterboxing our ‘we can choose’ postcards
We have planned the meetings to focus on action. We hope that people will be able to:
- find out about the Government’s Westlink plan
- learn how this tunnel and freeway/ tollway won’t solve our transport problems
- discover how smarter greener transport can work to get the people of the West of Melbourne moving efficiently and effectively
- work together to develop an action plan to win this campaign!
The meetings are:
Kingsville-Yarraville
7pm Monday 24 May, David House, Kingston St, Yarraville
Seddon
7pm Monday 31 May Macedonian Church, 83 Victoria St, Seddon
Footscray
7pm Wednesday 2 June , St Johns Anglican Church, Paisley St, Footscray
West Footscray
7pm Thursday 17 June YMCA West Footscray Community Recreation Centre Hall
Sunshine
Meetings in late June/ early July. Dates and times to be confirmed
Please RSVP by emailing colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au or ringing my office on 9689 6373
For more information visit the website www.greensmps.vic.greens.org.au/transportwest.
Definition of Permaculture
Over the coming months, we’ll introduce some of the key concepts in Permaculture. There’s an increasing interest from people about what permaculture is. Often, people think it’s about gardening, or composting, or no-dig gardens. Permaculture includes these things, but encompasses a lot more than that.
One way of understanding what permaculture is to think of it as a closet with a set of hangers in it. The hangers are a set of principles and directives that help to inform how to do “things”. Those things include designing systems for humans to live in that are sustainable. Permaculture is not the clothes on the hangers, or the hangers. The closet itself is Permaculture; it is the framework that incorporates a set of principles (laws, rules) that give way to a set of directives that then gives you techniques (how), strategies (how and when) and design (patterns).
Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems.
It’s the harmonious integration of landscape and people, providing food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
Common garden vegetables, their companions and their antagonists
From Organic Gardening and Farming, February 1972, pg 54
| Vegetable | Companions | Antagonists |
| Asparagus | Tomatoes, parsley, basil | |
| Beans | Potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, summer savory, most other vegetables | Onions, garlic, gladiolus, chives |
| Bush beans | Potatoes, cucumbers, corn, strawberries, celery, summer savory | Onions |
| Pole beans | Corn, summer savory, sunflowers | Onions, beets, kohlrabi, cabbage |
| Beets | Onions, kohlrabi | Pole beans |
| Cabbage family (cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi) | Aromatic plants, potatoes, celery, dill, chamomile, sage, peppermint, rosemary, beets, onions | Strawberries, tomatoes, pole beans |
| Carrots | Peas, leaf lettuce, chives, onions, leeks, rosemary, sage, tomatoes | Dill |
| Celery | Leeks, tomatoes, bush beans, cauliflower, cabbage | |
| Chives | Carrots, tomatoes | Peas, beans |
| Corn | Potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash | |
| Cucumber | Beans, corn, peas, radishes, sunflowers, lettuce | Potatoes, aromatic herbs |
| Eggplant | Beans, potatoes | |
| Leeks | Onions, celery, carrots | |
| Lettuce | Carrots and radishes (lettuce, carrots and radishes make a strong team together), strawberries, cucumbers, onions | |
| Onions and garlic | Beets, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, summer savory, leeks, chamomile (sparsely) | Peas, beans |
| Parsley | Tomatoes, asparagus | |
| Peas | Carrots, turnips, radishes, cucumbers, corn, beans, most vegetables and herbs | Onions, garlic, gladiolus, potatoes, chives |
| Peppers | Basil, okra | |
| Potatoes | Beans, corn, cabbage, horseradish (should be planted at the corners of the patch), marigolds, eggplant | Pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sunflowers, tomatoes, raspberries |
| Pumpkins | Corn | Potatoes |
| Radishes | Peas, nasturtiums, lettuce, cucumbers | |
| Soybeans | Grows with everything, helps everything | |
| Spinach | Strawberries | |
| Squash | Nasturtiums, corn | Potatoes |
| Strawberries | Bush beans, spinach, borage, lettuce (as a border), onions | Cabbage |
| Sunflowers | Cucumbers | Potatoes |
| Tomatoes | Chives, onions, parsley, asparagus, marigolds, nasturtiums, carrots | Kohlrabi, potatoes, fennel, cabbage |
| Turnips | Peas |
CERES: Intro to Permaculture workshopn 5th/6th June
There’s been a great interest in Intro to Permaculture courses located in or around the city. POW is planning to start running Intro to Permaculture workshops next year.
In the meantime, CERES are running an Intro to Permaculture workshop on 5th/6th June at CERES. Cost is $120, and runs from 10am to 3pm each day.
This two day workshop will be beneficial to those new to the concept of permaculture or for those thinking of undertaking a Permaculture Design Course. You will be introduced to permaculture and gain a basic understanding of the principles and design methods associated with permaculture.
See http://www.ceres.org.au/civicrm/event/info?id=1137&reset=1
Dig It – No-Dig Gardens Explained
Kiss back breaking garden bed building goodbye with the SGA easy to follow guide on sustainable No-Dig Vegie Gardens. It’s easy, it’s organic, and it’s the perfect time to pump up your patch!
Get the lowdown on the built up vegie patch here! You dig?
SGA – Tanks a Lot – The Sustainable Shoppers Guide to Rainwater Tanks
Water, water everywhere so whack in a tank and catch it!!!! With a truckload of tanks on the market, getting tanked is not always that easy! Luckily, SGA are here to help, and let you know that it IS easy being green with our “Sustainable Shoppers Guide to Rainwater Tanks”. Wet you thirst for knowledge, and check out the good, the bad, and the downright ugly in the wonderful world of rainwater tanks. Your wallet, your conscience and the planet will tank you for it!!
Food Futures forum at Kinglake 15th May
The Kinglake Ranges Food Futures Forum on Sunday 15 May 2010 will explore the futures of food, farming and food distribution in Victoria.
Invited speakers guest are all leaders in their field. This unique event will appeal to farmers and foodies alike.
Kirsten Larsen will showcase four Future Food Scenarios from the work she is leading at the University of Melbourne’s Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab.
Trevor Budge will report on his work researching land use planning and food security, preserving farmland, changes in peri-urban areas and small towns.
Sherry Strong will present on the toxicity and addictive nature of most commercial food, and on developing a healthy relationship with food, without dieting.
Pam Morgan will report on her work in Maribyrnong on the VicHealth Food For All program and on local government’s critical role in supporting local food security.
George Seitz MP, Chair of the Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee will provide an overview of their Inquiry into Sustainable Agri-Business.
Daryl Brooke will outline a successful Community Supported Agriculture distribution and marketing business model that is financially, socially and environmentally viable.
The information sharing sessions begin at 10:00am on Sunday and will be held at the Kinglake Temporary Village – VBRRA Dining Hall.
This FREE event is a community organisation partnership. Everyone is welcome.
Inquiries to KANDO Co-President Daryl Taylor on 0430 63 77 48. To book a place email taylor.daryl@yahoo.com.au
Information on the session Food Futures Forum