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Contents
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Welcome
Welcome to the January 2008 edition of "The Eco", the newsletter for Friends of the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Our aim is to provide an informative and entertaining snapshot of the activities, achievements and interests of all the wonderful people who contribute towards the goals of the EcoCentre, inspiring us to take
'local action for a global future'.
Do you have some news for The Eco? Contributions are always welcome.
Email info@ecocentre.com with your contribution and contact details.
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There’s a lot happening in and around the EcoCentre in February.
Check out the new ‘Beach Buddies’ program, take the St Kilda Indigenous Heritage Walk, road-test our fabulous new self-guided tour of the EcoHouse, or attend the Creative Community Responses to Climate Change forum.
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Several ‘Beach Buddies’ ecotours for families were run in January. By popular demand, the program is likely to be extended over the whole summer.
The tour draws on the years of involvement with the flora and fauna on the St Kilda foreshore and turns it into a fun and educational two hours of activities. The aim is to improve community understanding of the impacts of their behaviour on the publicly accessible area of the breakwater; the breakwater is a popular penguin viewing point attracting hundreds of people on warm summer evenings, unfortunately some bring dogs, climb on the rocks with torches and take flash photos.
Tours are on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, and start around an hour before sunset. Bookings are essential, as numbers attending each tour is limited. Start location and time is confirmed on booking.
Phone 9534 0670 or visit www.ecocentre.com
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We hope the tour becomes self-funding rather than reliant on grants which may not be repeated. Consequently there is a cost (comparable to a trip to the movies). Each group of three people receives a free Beach Buddies bag with a choice of the following educational materials: ‘Penguin Panic’ board game, a DVD of amazing underwater Port Phillip Bay, ‘Alfreda the City Penguin’ (children’s book), Coast Care Coast Action activities book, and Earthcare booklets and activities.
This pilot is possible with support from the Reichstein Foundation, Melbourne Community Foundation’s ‘Ballandry’ Fund and Coast Action/Coastcare.
All profits go to further community education and protection of Port Phillip Bay.
For more info about St Kilda penguins: www.stkildapenguins.com.au
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Dolphin Researcher for a day
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With the support of Coast Action/ Coast Care, the Dolphin Research Institute conducted two free events at the EcoCentre in January: a great opportunity for people from around the top end of Port Philip Bay to get an insight into these fascinating marine mammals.
Ever wondered if dolphins chew, how they are identified? All was revealed by the Dolphin Researchers who keep tabs on who’s who in the dolphin families in the bay. While our dolphin friends keep playing in the bay where they live you can learn about them in our theatre. The event featured fun for kids of all ages with great games to understand more about how the dolphins use echo-location to find dinner.
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Further info : contact the Dolphin Research Institute on 1300 130 949 or email admin@dolphinresearch.org.au
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EcoHouse features speak for themselves
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Finally! We’ve created an easy to follow self-guided tour of the sustainable features of the EcoCentre.
This makes it easy to get around the building and the garden at your leisure, understand how it all works and glean some handy tips for action at your own place.
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January and February are trial months, so please come down and give us your two cents worth!
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2007… the very Brief Wrap
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A busy, fun filled year of local action partnerships.
The Indigenous Heritage Trail Walk was successfully launched and well received, celebrating connections with Our Rainbow Place and the Boon Wurrung Foundation.
‘Love the Bay’ beach activities were created and launched in collaboration with Earthcare members.
The Integrated Environmental Partnerships program has grown rapidly, delivering more sustainable water systems, productive gardens and now energy audits in schools.
The EcoCentre garden has become a productive and peaceful space, demonstrating several experimental crops and a range of sustainable gardening practices.
New Environmental Directions group continued to visit and the Better Environmental Action Team program, which engages with adults with disabilities to learn about the
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environment through garden and creative activities, experienced a successful first year.
A local Food Security forum generated much interest and an action plan.
Sustainable living workshops were delivered in partnership with the City of Port Phillip.
Over 40 members and friends put their heads together in a collaborative workshop - the resultant three-year strategic plan has set a clear direction for the EcoCentre.
Many new partnerships have flourished, as old ones strengthen. We thank the City of Port Phillip, Central Bayside Community Health Service, Holden, Landcare, the Reichstein Foundation and others who have made the year possible.
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COMING UP!!!
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Beach Buddies Ecotours: Saturdays, Feb 9 & 23.
Bookings online or phone 9534 0670. Cost $18 adult & $12 child (currently being reviewed following pilot program).
Fri Feb 1, 6.30 – 9 pm: Indigenous Heritage Trail Walk.
A Day in the Life of the Yalukit Wilam. Featuring Indigenous Elder, cultural dance, local natural history,
Sat Feb 2, 10am: Indigenous Balcony Garden Display @ Veg Out Farmer’s Market. Peanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda.
Local native pot plants for exposed sites.
Sat Feb 2, 3pm –10pm:
Yalukit Wilam festival, O’Donnell Gardens St Kilda.
Community stalls/displays. Great bands and food.
Sat Feb 9, 10am—11.30am: EcoCentre working bee.
Your chance to help keep the place in tip top-shape, and find out how to get involved.
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Sat Feb 23 & 24, 9am: @ EcoCentre, Introduction to Permaculture.
Topics covered will include an introduction to Permaculture Ethics and Design Principles, urban animals, water catchments and use, companion planting, caring for soil and more...
Facilitators will include permablitz veterans Paul Fogarty, Adam Grubb and Kim Tyson. The cost for the two days, including food, is on a sliding scale from $75-$140, with participants paying the amount that suits their budget.
Full details at www.permablitz.net
Sat Mar 1, 12 noon - 3pm: @ EcoCentre, Creative Community Responses to Climate Change, Exhibition & Forum.
Featuring spectacular images by Ron Eden (multi-media communicator). Presenters: Rob Youl (CarbonSmart), Martin Mulligan (Global Cities Institute), Julian Donlen (CoPP). Learn about positive local and global initiatives to tackle Climate Change and how you can help! To view Ron Eden’s work visit
www.edendewpics.com
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EcoCentre Membership
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The Port Phillip EcoCentre is a not-for-profit organisation that supports groups, individuals, schools and businesses in the City of Port Phillip and the wider region. Our mission is to protect/enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable living and to hold fun and inclusive events while we do it!
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Our members - Individual, Household or Affiliated - help us to grow and involve more people in sustainable activities.
Contact us, or drop in for a cuppa to see if membership is for you!
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Donate to the EcoCentre
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Ahhh yes! We do need donations. While our core running costs are proudly sponsored by the City of Port Phillip, our programs and activities are funded via grants, partnerships and an increasing amount of fee for service. Your
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donation will help keep the costs low for the community, and keep us on the map! Donations via traditional means welcome, we now also have a donate button on our website!!!
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Be the news!
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The newsletter is emailed to EcoCentre members and is on our website. Keep up to date with Eco happenings, or post a message from your group. Please send news articles for
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inclusion in the next newsletter by the 15th of the month.
Email Contributions to info@ecocentre.com
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