Permaculture Townsville, Australia

Have you been thinking about composting, but aren’t sure how to start? Or perhaps you’ve heard compost piles are smelly, or attract bugs and mice? Whatever your excuse is, give it up and come down to The Plot for a compost workshop and ask all those questions you’ve been dying to ask. Join the group for an energised arfternoon as we run the first Permablitz of the year.

Wear your best gardening gear to get in on the action and help us turn The Plot’s compost pile while we discuss the benefits of composting and the setback that are often faced.

Where: Permaculture Townsville Community Garden Plot

When: 14 April 2-5pm

What to bring:  sun protection, insect repellent, water bottle, plate of food to share, and something to donate to for the raffle. (this can be anything from seeds, pots and plants to glass jars or shredded paper)

There will also be a SLIP ‘N’ SLIDE set up for the kids, with lots of family fun for everyone, so bring the whole troop along!

This is a FREE event hosted by Permaculture Townsville.

For those who don’t already have a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) this 2 day course, running at JCU on Saturday 9 March and Saturday 16 March 2013, (9:00am-5:00pm) also counts as Unit 1 of the PDC course Brett Pritchard will be running mid-year. Those people who attend will not have to attend the first two days of the PDC, and will also have the cost of the 2 day course deducted from their PDC course fee. This is to try to make the PDC more accessible for those who can’t afford to take a 2 week block off from their life to do a residential course.

Cost to the general public: $144,

OR

Permaculture Townsville Members:  $120

Brett will also be offering another 2 day course in April, this one on Permaculture Methods of Design and Pattern Understanding. This will count as Unit 2 of the full PDC. Those who attend both 2-day courses will be able to miss the first 4 days of the mid-year residential PDC course. Currently the mid-year PDC is planned to be a residential course to be held at JCU from 8 till 20 July. He also plans to hold another PDC at the end of the year or next January.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up for any of these courses, please contact Brett directly at brett.pritchard@yahoo.com.au

After the screening of In Transition 2.0 at the last Movies That Matter, people are inspired to take action!
So it seems to us like a great reason for another picnic! Imagine, a lovely breezy Sunday afternoon picnic at Pallarenda. Those of you who came to the last Food for Thought picnic told us you had a great time. In addition to the food and fun, the conversation will be turning to creating a LETS in Townsville.

What’s LETS? It is a community based non-profit trading system that enables members to exchange a wide variety of goods and services using little or no cash. It is a method of trading which depends on energy, skills and time instead of money, exchanging a unit of modern currency, not as an alternative to conventional money, but to complement the current system of trade.
The concept of LETS (Local Energy Trading System) is exciting and it is working in hundreds of towns and cities around the world, including Australia. It is all about community though, so the more people that join in and contribute, the better it works.
Of course, you can just come for the picnic, but it will be a fascinating discussion with Permaculture Townsville and Food for Thought and hopefully some other interesting groups around town joining in. Kuranda, the Tablelands region and Charters Towers are already using LETS and we will be looking to connect the whole of North Queensland into one Transition Alliance.

When? 3rd March 2pm

Where? Park at the end of Cape Pallarenda Road, Directions found here

What to bring? Bring a rug, hat, sunscreen and picnic food to share. You may also want to bring a notepad and pen to exchange details and ideas

This is a family friendly event in the shade of the sheoak trees in the park, if your new to the group please don’t be shy, we are always happy to see new faces. looking forward to seeing everyone on the day.

Any other queries please email us at info@permaculturetownsville.org.au or phone 0408 555 368

another useful link

Hosted by Permaculture Townsville and Food for Thought, this is the first event of the amazing Movies that Matter series for 2013.

Saturday 9th February at Riverway Arts Centre -Kirwan

Please bring along a plate of supper to share at the Food for Thought feast in the foyer from 5.30 pm.

In Transition 2.0 movie starts on the big screen at 7.00 pm.

Free for members of Permaculture Townsville. $5 for non-members.

In Transition 2.0 is the second film production by Transition Network, which focuses on the global movement of localised transition groups. Filmed over 7 countries, it follows the many ways that these initiatives are reviving community, challenging business and fostering resilience to the vulnerability of the global environmental and economic crisis. It is a heart warming story that shares a message of hope and more importantly action that inspires people to become involved in positive change in their own lives. The film managed to capture stories from around the world without a single flight being taken. Local camera people were enlisted to film each sequence, which makes In Transitions 2.0 one of the lowest-carbon international films ever produced.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKN3RLkEGfM

 “In Transition 2.0 is an inspirational immersion in the Transition movement, gathering stories from around the world of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. You’ll hear about communities printing their own money, growing food everywhere, localising their economies and setting up community power stations. It’s an idea that has gone viral, a social experiment that is about responding to uncertain times with solutions and optimism. In a world that is awash with gloom, here is a story of hope, ingenuity and the power of growing salads in unexpected places.”

Wow! 2012 has been a fantastic year for Permaculture Townsville!

The ball that was started rolling by the 2012 committee continued throughout the year with a variety of informative workshops, regular working bees (both at the plot and around town i.e. establishment of a suburban verge garden and mandala beds at the Townsville Flexible Learning Centre), monthly meetings at various members’ houses and, of course, the ever-fun permablitzes. Membership increased exponentially and we aslo received some good media attention. Additionally, we worked closely with our sister group, Food for Tought Townsville, to bring you Movies that Matter, a venture we will be continuing next year.

On that note, the incoming committee extend their heartfelt thanks to the 2012 committee for all their hard work and dedication to permaculture. The team that was Jay, Tonielle, and Blake was integral in creating momentum and energy for the group. Please know that we are all so very proud of your efforts, and go forth with our sincerest gratitude and resounding support of your future endeavours.

The 2013 committee sees the effervescent Jay staying on as President, with Gavin sworn in as his trusty sidekick. The analytical Kirk has volunteered for the position of treasurer, with Freddie as his accomplice. Two gorgeous ladies have been sworn in as secretary and vice, being Bec and Eschelle, repectively. Viv continues to take care of memberships (thanks!) and Melinda has put her hand up for the role of webmaster. The team has big shoes to fill, but we look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to work with you all.

Now, as the sun begins to set over 2012, we pause and reflect on both Permaculture Townsville’s achievements and those of our own. Take this time to rest, relax and re-energise.

Looking forward to sharing our permi knowledge in the new year and keeping the ball rolling!

Is the world speeding up? 2012 flashed by and our group’s growth by diversity of people, interests and events has flourished like our community garden. From humble beginning in August last year and infinite possibilities, we have sprouted into something very special that the wider community of Townsville is noticing.

Imagine if Permaculture was widely integrated into our community to reach all aspects of holistic living…

This is the final event of amazing Movies that Matter for 2012. Please come along with friends and family to enjoy!
Saturday 24th November at Riverway Arts Centre – Kirwan
5.30 pm start for the Food for Thought Feast in the Foyer
7.00 pm DIRT! comes to the big screen

You may have already heard about this seminar but as the date comes closer, we would like to remind you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible to ensure your place. Sarah Lantz is coming up from Brisbane to share such important information with the people of Townsville about our health.

She was one of the research team that found over 200 man-made chemicals in the cord blood of newborns which led her to study the sources of exposure and the impacts of this on the human body. Sarah found that many of these chemicals are found in everyday personal care products, household products, pesticides and as a by-product of industry.

She also found that the health impacts of many of these chemicals are wide-ranging and can mean the difference between a vital, healthy, enjoyable life and a lacklustre, exhausted and sick life.

If you have a body of your own, you need to come to this seminar!

Please reply to this email and book now!

Sarah Lantz: Mission and Vision Our mission is to raise awareness of the hidden dangers of environmental chemicals and their impact on human health and in particular, the health and wellbeing of our children and young people.

Our vision is to impact the health and wellbeing of all Australians and raise generations of chemical free kids. We are committed to positively impacting the lives of our kids and young people and have partnered with a number of Australian organisations who share our passion for making a difference for our children and young people.

About Dr Sarah Lantz: Dr Sarah Lantz is a university lecturer, researcher, writer and a mother. She has an academic and professional background in public health and mental health, and specialises in the area of child and youth health and wellbeing. She has written and spoken widely on the issue, and continues to be an invited speaker in the media on the subject of youth health and wellbeing. Dr Lantz was awarded her PhD from the University of Melbourne, Youth Research Centre in 2003. She has 9 years of research experience, managing a number of multidisciplinary research grants, has delivered over 50 conference papers; and published numerous articles. This research experience is mirrored by her clinical work, in a number of women’s, child and youth health services. She is currently employed as a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland. She passionately believes in conscious, compassionate parenting and is committed to organic living and developing a sustainable, natural environment for future generations. Dr Lantz currently lives in Brisbane, Australia with her family.

LIVING CHEMICAL FREE is on Saturday 3rd November from 1-4pm at the CWA Hall on the corner of Sturt and Denham Streets in Townsville City. Tickets are $10 each and there will be raffles on the day.

You can buy your ticket in-store at Plant Essentials in Flinders Mall or you can pay by direct deposit

(Westpac Account name: Diana Condylas, BSB 732064, Acct no: 532050.

Use your name as reference and email your payment confirmation through to us with the names of attendees and an address to mail your tickets to).

Please share this email and help to spread the word! Looking forward to seeing you there

Warm regards Diana Condylas Ph: 0414 228 050 — Cheers from THE FOOD FOR THOUGHT TEAM

ChemicalFreeSeminarFlyer

A controversial film – PlanEAT is the story of three men’s life-long search for a diet, which is good for our health, good for the environment and good for the future of the planet.