Turning Over A New Leaf
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday January 16, 2008
Don't know how to start being green? Fran Molloy does the legwork for you.
The pressure is on - we are all expected to start changing our lives to combat climate change. But the bombardment of enthusiastic information from government and community groups has caused many would-be environmentalists to retreat in confusion.Signing up for a course is a great way to kick-start your new eco-role, says Trish Stewart, who recently decided to change the way she lived - but didn't know where to start. "I wanted to tread more lightly on the planet, but I had no idea how." Stewart, who works in corporate administration, started buying organic food and then did a worm farming course with her local council.She recently completed a permaculture course and now grows herbs and vegetables in tubs in her townhouse, where she has made lots of changes to live more sustainably. She is also involved in community gardening at the Macarthur Centre at Mount Annan, where she has done several courses. "There are some things you can't learn from books," she says. "I wanted to be with other people, see how they do it - and learn how to use a spade."She plans to try a cheesemaking course next.Local councils, community groups and colleges and private operators offer a huge range of sustainability courses. We've rounded up a selection; contact your council for information about other courses in your area.GROW, PICKLE, BUILD AND MAKE CHEESE AT MACARTHURWho: Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living, Mt Annan, a community education centre and a demonstration site for sustainable living.Where: At the Mount Annan centre. Courses more than three hours long include lunch.Courses: Cheesemaking: One day, 9am-3pm, $80 February 9, July 26: Fetta, ricotta and mascarponeMay 3, October 11: Camembert, ricotta and yoghurt Growing food: February 23, 9am-4pm: Month by month, $80 April 12, 10am-1pm: Bush foods, $30June 14, 10am-3pm: Backyard chooks, $80July 12, 10am-1pm: Propagation techniques, $30August 23, 9am-3pm: Sustainable gardening, $80September 6, 10am-1pm: Simple seed-saving, $30November 8 and 9, 9am-4pm Permaculture intro, $150A fine pickle:March 8, 10am-3pm: Pickling and preserving, $70April 5, 10am-1pm: Green tomato chutney, $30Building:March 15, 9am-4pm: Making rustic furniture, $90October 4, 10am-2pm: Building a frog pond, $60October 18 and 25, 9am-4pm: Earth oven building, $150Contact: www.mcsl.org.au Ph (02)46479828WORMS, DETOX, WATER AND WASTE IN NEWTOWNWho: The Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre is a joint initiative of City of Sydney and Marrickville councils and provides an advisory and referral service on all aspects of sustainable living.Where: 218 King Street, Newtown; Newtown Library; Tom Foster Community Centre; Rosebery Community Centre.Cost: All workshops are free.Courses: Workshops each quarter with details updated on councils' websites. Most are one session lasting two to three hours. Worm farming: February 2, March 1, 10am-noon: The WatershedFebruary 5, March 4, 6.30-8.30pm: Newtown LibraryJanuary 27, February 24, March 30, 10am-noon: Rosebery Community CentreNatural cleaning and home detox: January 19, February 16, March 15, 10am-noon: The WatershedJanuary 22, February 12, March 11, 6.30-8.30pm: Newtown LibraryRainwater and greywater at home: February 2, 10am-noon: Tom Foster Community CentreGrowing food in containers: February 2, 2-4pm: Tom Foster Community CentreNatural personal care: February 9, March 8, 10am-noon: The WatershedEco choices for sustainable living: February 19, March 25, 6-9pm: Newtown Library February 23, March 29, 10am-noon: The WatershedContact: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/TheWatershedSustainabilityResourceCentre.asp Ph: 9519 6366 Email watershedinfo @marrickville.nsw.gov.auECO-DIALOGUESWho: Sydney Mechanics' School of ArtsWhat: Eco-dialogues are hosted sessions with occasional films and guest speakers. Dialogues are "more a communication of the heart than of the intellect". First Monday of each month, from 6.30 pm. Finishing times vary.Where: The Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney. Cost: Free Contact: http://tinyurl.com/2tee9v or www.sydneymsa.com.au Ph (02)92627300PERMACULTURE AND SOILWho: Milkwood Permaculture - private education What: Co-ordinate short courses on permaculture, keyline sustainable landscape design, soil fertility and drought-proofing; courses range from two days to two weeks.Where: Central Sydney and on Milkwood Farm near Mudgee; next course starts February 9.Cost: from $150 for two-day course to $1300 for two weeksContact: www.milkwoodpermaculture.com.au Ph (02)63737763 GARDENS AND BIKES Who: Eastern Suburbs Community College, Randwick and Waverley councilsWhat: Sustainability courses - free workshops through the Eastern Suburbs Community College. Gardening with native plants:February 5, March 4, 6.30-8.30pm: Waverley Council ChambersFebruary 16 and 23, 9.30am-1pm: Randwick Community CentreSustainable gardens:Five three-hour sessions from February 16, 2-5pm on consecutive Saturdays at Randwick Community Centre Bike maintenance:March 12, 6.30-8.30pm: Mill Hill CentreCommute by bike:February 23, 10am-1.30pm: Waverley Public SchoolComposting and worm farming:February 16, 10am-noon: Eastern Suburbs Community GardenFebruary 24, March 30, 10am-12.30pm Rosebery Community CentreLiving with less chemicals:February 20, 6.30-8.30pm: Waverley Council ChambersContact: http://tinyurl.com/2pvyy7 SUMMER COASTAL ECO-ACTIVITIES Who: Sydney coastal councils - a joint venture by 15 local councils. What: Check their websites for times and dates of more than 50 summer activities, many environmentally based, including green cleaning for kids, guided bush tucker walks, sustainable fishing clinics, rockpool rambles, wetland tours, sea kayaking and art and education sessions. Where: All over Sydney Cost: FreeContact: www.sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au or email info@sydneycoastalcouncils .com.au EARTHWORKS AND COMPOSTINGWho: Department of Environment and Climate Change - EarthWorks Program What: A 25-hour course for volunteers to learn waste minimisation, recycling and composting. Where: Through Sydney councils and community groups. Check with your local council for dates.Cost: Some free for local residents, others have a minimal charge Contact: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/earthworksMORE INFORMATION:Check the offerings at your local community college; there is a directory of community colleges in NSW at http://www.community colleges.nsw.edu.au.The Australian Conservation Foundation will offer its green home program during the year; meanwhile you can do its online green home challenge at www.acfonline.org.au. For accredited private permaculture teachers and courses consult www.permaculture.org.au .
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald