Speaking of Sustainability A new sustainability-focused public speaking group in the Banyule area. Operates as a Toastmasters club with access to all Toastmasters International training resources and support. Meets the first and third Tuesdays every month in Heidelberg West. See the Speaking of Sustainability Facebook Group for details.
Bicycle Rodeo Fun and positive clinic to teach kids basic skills to ride a bike safely. It involves 8 activity stations each staffed by a volunteer and includes: safety and maintenance inspection of the bike; helmet fit and condition; skills test on a course. Participants get a scorecard and certificate at the end. The Rodeo was delivered at the Banyule Sustainable Transport Show in April, and is ready for future community events and festivals. The kids favourite station? The "Slow Race!"
Sustainable House Tours A series of educational tours of energy and water efficient houses to demonstrate low consumption living in suburbia - not just the houses themselves, but the sustainable ways people live in them.
Pony Club Hill Environment Plan A 5 year environmental and revegetation plan for the North Eastern Pony Club, Viewbank. Includes pony club working bees. Stakeholders are North East Pony Club, Parks Vic, Banyule Council, residents.
The Back Yard Building a nature-based playscape on site at Rosanna Gumnuts playgroup and Rosanna Scouts. Nature-based play looks at creating engaging and sustainable environments for 0-5 y.o. and older children. This environment will include indigenous plants, herb and vegetable, water play through onsite harvesting and art based community engagement. The site is located at Rosanna Scout Hall, De Winton Oval. Currently the project is exploring soil remediation options, to make the ground safe for kids.
Monty Primary School Planting and Children's Habitat Gardens Twenty-five children receive 6 indigenous plants to plant at home to start or extend a habitat garden. They'll learn about best practice planting, and activities to record and document their growing garden. The gardens will enhance the habitat value of the Montmorency wildlife corridor.
St Pius X Community Environment Park Creating a public access sanctuary in Heidelberg West where people can gather to eat and grow food, develop friendships and connections with wider community, learn skills and knowledge around sustainability, or relax and reflect with friends and family.
Banyule + Växjö Environmental Connections Banyule, Victoria and Växjö, Sweden become sister cities or similar, for environmental stewardship and sustainability exchange. Community groups on each side of the globe communicate, teach and learn.
TreeCycle Work with children at St Pius X School to raise their awareness of recyclable materials and experience how these can be used to create art which enhances the environment. The children bring materials, rescued from waste, then plan how these can be used to create a tree which will stand in the Community Environmental Park.
Eat Your Street Starting small in Thornbury, this project grows food in front yards and nature strips. As the interest grows among neighbours, the plan is to build momentum and develop a shared food resource for the street.
All Nations Park Kitchen Garden Running events and activities to look after and build the profile of this marvelous community resource behind the Plaza in the park on Separation St, Northcote. Get your hands dirty at the monthly working bee - first Sunday morning every month. Enjoy a chat and a taste of the fragrant goodies growing.
Darebin Creek Sweepers Holds a "Creek-Sweep" on the third Sunday of every month, 10.30am, at various sites on Darebin Creek. Working with Darebin Creek Management Committee and the two Council Bush Crews. Hundreds of kgs of litter collected and sorted already. Visit Darebin Creek Sweepers on Facebook.
Green Renters Web App Designing and promoting a smartphone app that allows renters to rate rental properties according to their environmental sustainability features.
WeCycle A scheme to collect, repair and distribute bikes to people in need. More than 100 bikes have been donated and 30-plus distributed after six months. For more info visit the WeCycle website.
Fodder trees for Bundoora Park Farm Fodder trees (edible by stock and other animals) and landscape trees planted at Bundoora Farm by volunteers.