Contents
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Welcome
Welcome to the June 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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Sustainable garden says “Tanks John!”
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Stonnington Primary school’s productive garden now has a ‘sustainable’ water supply. After recent rains there is now water in the tank!
The 1000 litre tank catches water from the tool shed roof and gravity feeds to the hose or watering cans. The tank overflow feeds a rain garden.
EcoCentre volunteer, John Gilcrist, made the finishing touches to this catchment system by plumbing the tank to the roof. John’s effort, and the cost of a few bits of pipe saved the school many $$$, and he managed to teach EcoCentre’s Education and Projects Officer, Caroline Packham, a few plumbing tips too! Thanks John!
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Eco Funding Success
By Julia Muniandy
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| We’re happy to report recent successes on the funding front. Of the many grants applied for, we've secured the following project grants:
- $140,000 from the Sustainability Fund - EcoCentre Road Map / Guidelines and toolkit for Eco - Living Centres.
- $25,000 from Holden - to support garden education at schools.
- $9,500 from Albert Park Rotary - St. Kilda Youth Services kitchen garden planning and construction.
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- $10,000 from the Hamer foundation - EcoCentre website rejuvenation.
- $6,000 from the Hamer Foundation - Wildlife Discovery Pilot Program.
A big thanks to all our financial supporters, who enable us to continue to work with the community to improve and protect the natural environment and ensure good living for future generations.
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Keeping Australia Beautiful
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The EcoCentre was recently awarded the Community and Government Partnership Award at the 4th Annual Sustainable Cities Awards.
The award celebrates the achievements of the Environmental Partnerships (EEP) program, including collaborations with government, agencies, local community and schools. Project sponsors are GM Holden ($25,000), Department of Sustainability and Environment ($80,150), Reichstein Foundation ($30,000) and Melbourne Community Foundation ($10,000).
We have 14 school partnerships, including a range of primary and secondary local and not so local schools.
In the past year, other practical project partners include; Central Bayside Community Health Services, Blue Wedges Inc,
Boon Wurrung Foundation, St Kilda Historical Society, Parks Victoria, City of Port Phillip, Park Community Association, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Middle Park), Alternative Technology
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Association, Earthcare St Kilda, Good Shepherd Youth & Family Services, Coast Action Coast Care, City of Port Phillip ‘Community Pulse’ Project Officer, Swinburne University Community Development student placement, Friends of Westgate Park, Conservation Volunteers Australia.
Care to join us on the journey?
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Sustainable
Jewish Living Expo
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29 June, St Kilda:
Jewish Ecological Coalition (JECO) presents exhibits and information on practical steps to save water & energy and to reduce waste from a Jewish perspective.
At The ADELE SOUTHWICK HALL, Charnwood Crescent, St Kilda (behind the Jewish Museum).
Doors open at 11am and close at 5pm
Donation requested of $2 per adult, $1 concession.
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www.jexpo.org.au
Join in and see how you can
make a difference.
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Port Phillip Urban Fresh Food Network gains momentum
By Wendy Van Dort
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The Port Phillip EcoCentre, in collaboration with the City of Port Phillip, is organising quarterly public Food Security Network Forums to increase local food production as a way of improving food security.
The definition of food security is:
“the state in which all persons obtain nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable, safe foods regularly through local non-emergency sources.” 1.
Many people at risk of food insecurity in our community including children, young people, the elderly, people with disabilities and people from non-English speaking backgrounds. A 2006 survey conducted by the Department of Human Services found 30.7% of persons aged 18 and over regarded fresh fruit and vegetables as too expensive2, and were therefore more likely to omit them from their diet. The rising cost of food (highlighted in the media recently) has occurred because of factors such as rising oil costs, on-going drought and increased overseas demand for Australian produce. These factors have impacted the price of grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, putting more pressure on people at risk of malnutrition.
PPUFFN encourages people to set up or get involved in urban food gardens in private residences, community centres and public spaces. Since the forum began late last year, plans for several community gardens are already underway. A network that will link urban food gardens and provide information about gardening tips, resources, recipes and events is also being developed.
Col's veggie garden at a Port
Phillip
Rooming House
With the population of Melbourne growing at unprecedented rates, the idea of urban food production is gaining popularity as a means to create a sustainable future both in terms of the environment and personal well-being.
Growing your own food significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to commercially grown produce because there are minimal food miles, packaging and processing involved. A recent study by CERES Community Environment Park found the total distance of road transportation in a typical food basket was 70, 803 kilometres, equivalent to traveling nearly twice around the circumference of the Earth3. It is a similar picture when comparing water consumption. David Holmgren, one of the forefathers of Permaculture, states “the small holding (garden) uses about one-fifth of the water used by a market gardener or orchardist”4.
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Urban food gardens save water through using grey water systems and harvested rain water.
Col's homemade grey water system
Moreover, food gardens improve soil quality. Cities are rich in organic matter, which is mostly transported to landfill as waste. Transportation and breakdown of this matter in landfill contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Organic matter is a precious resource that can be composted and returned to the earth to nourish plants. Better soil means plants are healthier and more resistant to disease, reducing or even eliminating the need to use chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
Finally, being involved in an urban food garden promotes a healthy lifestyle, outdoor activity, enhanced social connections and fun. Vegetables are more nutritious, tastier and are available within walking distance. There are also many opportunities to share food with others in the community either through swapping excess produce or by eating a meal together.
Growing food is a lost skill art from generations past and it’s wonderful to discover the joy that picking your own veggies. Urban food production is a way to take collective responsibility for looking after the environment and ensuring that all people have daily access to affordable, nutritious food throughout their lifespan.
Anyone can get involved! The greater diversity of participation will be reflected in the amount and diversity of food grown, enriching our community and general well-being.
All are welcome to the next PPUFFN forum at
Port Melbourne Uniting Church
(Cnr of Nott and Bridge Streets)
Wednesday 25th June, 12-2.30pm
Free lunch and admission
1. Community Food Security Coalition. Community Food Security Empowerment Act. Venice, California: Community Food Security Coalition; 1995; 2002
2. Department of Human Services, 2006 Victorian Population Health Survey. Melbourne
3. Abraham, A.B, Gaballa, S., 2007 Food Miles in Australia: A preliminary study of Melbourne, Victoria. CERES Community Environment Park
4. The Age December 5, 2007 Kizilos, K., Where to water. p.15
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REPTILE RAMBLES
by Ian R Levy
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I've written about dragon lizards before when I introduced the magnificent Gippsland Water-dragon. However, there is another lizard in the dragon family sometimes encountered in the Melbourne area and that is the Jacky Lizard.
Jacky Lizards (Amphibolurus muricatus) aka Tree Dragons, are quite small, reaching a maximum length of about 30 centimetres including the long tail and because of their greyish patterning they are perfectly camouflaged as they perch on stumps or on the rough bark of trees. If one is disturbed it runs off very swiftly; often too quickly for the casual observer to really get a good look at it.
Jacky Lizards inhabit dry woodland and heathland. I've found them north and west of Melbourne, and on the Mornington peninsula. Last summer I photographed a lovely specimen in Braeside Park, and I saw several others on
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the same day. Like all dragon lizards, Jackies are egg-laying. The female buries several eggs in sandy soil in early summer and the miniature dragon babies hatch out a couple of months later.
Both adults and juveniles are insectivorous; feeding on any moving insects which attracts the lizards attention as it surveys its territory from its favourite perch. As with most other reptiles in Victoria, they are active during the warmer months and dormant over winter. Jacky Lizards require fairly large reserves of woodland or heathland to maintain viable populations. They’re not found in suburban gardens except those that adjoin wooded reserves.
I think the Jacky Lizard is an absolutely marvellous little Australian that is easily overlooked. My supporting photographs portray its unique perky character.
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Antarctica photo exhibition
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Don’t miss taking a look at Angela Wylie’s amazing photographs from Antarctica.
Now showing at the Port Phillip EcoCentre until the end of June.
Viewing times are 10 - 2 pm on Saturdays, or by appointment during the week, phone 9534 0670 to ensure that the exhibition can be viewed.
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The framed 11 x 14 inch prints will be for sale for $150 with all proceeds going towards the EcoCentre’s CarbonCut (climate response) program.
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Praying Mantids - EcoWarriors
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Local resident, Kura Crichton, is undertaking a local biological control project with the Praying Mantids. Mantids are carnivorous insects that eat almost all insects except ants. They eat both harmful and useful insects in your garden. In turn, they are preyed upon by birds, bats, cats and lizards. Camouflage helps them survive.
Praying Mantid adult
Pic by Greg Sujecki
Over winter Kura will care for a couple of hundred Mantid eggs, in preparation for a spring hatching, and then release them in local leafy gardens. The Mantids, cared for in this way will have a good chance to re-emerge as a fighting force in the local shrubbery.
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Eggs are laid in autumn in clusters of 10 - 300 in a casting that is surrounded by a frothy mousse like substance that dries quickly into a hard, crispy, papery shell that covers the eggs. The baby Mantids (nymphs) hatch in spring. They are a replica of the parents, except they don’t have wings and are vulnerable to predators - especially ants. Many don’t survive. Cared for until they are adults, the Mantids will have a better chance of survival.
To give a home to a Praying Mantid (or a few) you need a garden area with plenty of leafy shrubs and trees. Please contact the EcoCentre on 9534 0670 to participate in this project. At this stage names and contact details will be collected in preparation for relocating after the spring hatching.
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Eco Products for sale @ EcoCentre
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| Winter is here! Now is the time to make your home warm and cozy.
An easy cheap way to double glaze is by using the Clear Comfort system - simply attach a transparent film to your existing window frame. Clear Comfort reduces heat transfer by about 30% (double glazing reduces heat transfer by about 40%).
Clear Comfort
SAVE ENERGY
SAVE MONEY
heating and cooling your home
CLEAR COMFORT
has the effect of double glazing
at a fraction of the cost
EASY TO INSTALL
$19.50 for a MiniKit
$180.50 for the SuperKit
Available from the EcoCentre
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Other products for sale at the EcoCentre include:
Gray Water Diverters - $8.00.
Indigenous Plants of the Sandbelt
(a handbook to planting local, drought tolerant plants) - $25.
Dr. Beth Gott, Growing Local Knowledge DVD - $10.
Come down to check out the products, we also have an easy online payment system.
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Some Relief from the Drought
at Westgate Park
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Like the rest of Melbourne, Westgate Park has felt the affects of the lack of rainfall over the last few years. One only has to drive over the Westgate Bridge and look down to see the low water levels in the park’s lakes.
Imagine the excitement when the Friends of Westgate Park leant that Vic Roads were testing the fire hydrants on the bridge and would have around 200,000 litres of surplus water they could truck into the park.
Working with Parks Victoria, the Friends configured a way for the water tankers to discharge direct into one of the Red Gum Woodland lagoons. Twenty four hours later, the
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lagoon was full and already the bird population around the water’s edge was enjoying the improved environment.
But the Friends are quick to realise that this was a one-off opportunity and have already developed plans to install water tanks to catch storm water run off from roofs in the park. This will supplement the storm water that is already piped in from the Herald Sun printing works on the park’s northern boundary and from our neighbours in the adjacent Wharf Road.
Every little bit helps!
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EcoCentre volunteers make a
marvelous contribution!
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A big thank-you to everyone who has contributed to the operations, creations, plannings and inspirations at the EcoCentre. Many volunteers work on regular projects and are here weekly. Others are on call, providing
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input into particular projects. Everyone’s effort makes it possible for the EcoCentre to carry out a number of diverse activities in the community.
Thank - You!!!
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Many happy tax returns!!
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Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Your gift will be used to maintain the health of our planet and our sustainable future. You can donate online by clicking on the Pay Pal Donate
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button at www.ecocentre.com - the rest is easy! Of course cheques made payable to "Port Phillip EcoCentre Public Fund" are also welcome.
Mail to:
55A Blessington Street St, Kilda, Vic 3182.
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Mother’s gardening group
@ the EcoCentre
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First Wednesday of the month 11.00am.
For more info call us on 9534 0670
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An Orchid Viewing:
Local and Cambodian Orchids
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Catherine Nelson will show photographs of her most recent studies of these beautiful and fascinating flowers.
Thursday 26th June
7.30 pm
@ the EcoCentre
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QUESTION:
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Like to become an EcoCentre member?
Please call 9534 0670 to join now!
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Individual membership $16.50 per year.
Household membership $22.00 per year.
Affiliate membership $22.00 + $1.10 for each member (ceiling of $200.00) per year.
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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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