Yarra River Keepers 2013 winter news bulletin - their study recommends against prospecting in Yarra Ranges Park

The latest news bulletin
from the Yarra River Keepers
- a valuable organisation keeping watch on
and stimulating interest in the welfare of
the Yarra River

It is filled with good news about the Yarra and success in advocating for its care.  The stories are:

• “Vital win for river landscape” – In response to  objections, VCAT stops an encroaching riverside development
• “Launch of our new patrol boat” – Melbourne’s Lord Mayor launches YRKA's fine new river vessel
• “Waterkeepers across the globe” – getting together with waterway advocates overseas
• “Yarra gets record environmental flow” – the largest ever environmental water release targets fish spawning
• “Pollies inspect the Yarra” – YRKA shows three VIPs our special river
• “Our bike ride beside the Yarra” – book now for YRKA's ever-popular annual ride
• “Honour for yrka committee member” – a valued contributor is awarded an OAM
• “No prospecting in Yarra Ranges Park” – study recommends against damaging activity.

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Dale Hess's Calendar - 2013-02-25

 Monday 4 March and Thursday 7 March: Community Development Course. Learn practical ways of empowering communities; Understand the basic concepts of Community Development; Examine power and change processes; Discuss community development practices; Hold conversations with experienced Community Development workers; Access to further learning resources; Come to understand the field; Use the modes of head (intellect), heart (feelings), hands (practical work with people) and feet (groundedness). Led by Jim Ife,Jacques Boulet and Rob Nabben. Contact: 9819 3239, 2 Minona St, Hawthorn, icd@borderlands.org.au. Cost: $300 full / $250 con. Bookings essential.

Picture from here

Saturday 9 March, 1 pm to 2.30 pm: Reflections of a Fukushima Farmer- the reality of nuclear meltdowns. Japanese for Peace invites you to bring a picnic lunch (or grab something at CERES), a rug/chair, and come and hear about the current situation for those affected by the catastrophic events two years ago. If you think you may come, please email  info@jfp.org.au to give us an idea of numbers. There will also be an optional tour of Ceres afterwards at 2.30 pm. CERES Community Environment Park,At the Village Green, Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets, Brunswick East, Victoria (MELWAYS Map 30 B7)

Thursday 14 March, 6 pm to 7.30 pm: Will foreign investment alleviate poverty in Burma? Recent reforms have seen resource rich Burma become an investment haven. Despite serious questions about human rights impact of foreign investment projects, Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has declared that foreign investment will alleviate poverty in Burma. But will it? Hear Naing Htoo (Earthrights International), Seng Maw (Kachin Association Australia) and U Shwe Thein (Land Core Group) answer the question: Will foreign investment alleviate poverty in Burma? Venue:  AMWU Building, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South, 3053. For more information contact Burma Campaign Australia

on 02 9264 7694 or admin@aucampaignforburma.org.

Friday 15 March, 6.15 pm for 6.30 pm – 9.15 pm: Film Screening:  Rachel.  It was 10 years ago that Rachel was killed by an Israeli bulldozer as she tried to stop it crushing a Palestinian home. This is the story of her tragic death and the people she had come to love. State Library of Victoria, Conference Centre, Entry 2, La Trobe Street, Melbourne. Cost $15 plus booking fee $1.89. Book online: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/4361336876?ref=ebtnebtckt#

Saturday 16 March – Sunday 24 March: Cultural Diversity Week. 

For details, see: 

http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-week

Tuesday 19 March: Following the US to War: Lessons from Iraq. Speakers will include Paul Barratt (Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry); Dr Jenny Grounds(MAPW); Professor Richard Tanter; and Maki Yonaha (Japanese for Peace). Venue details soon!  For more read this. Facebook.

Wednesday 20 March & Thursday 21 March, 9 am – 5 pm, lunch and refreshments provided: Anti-racism Workshop.Refugees,Survivors and Ex-Detainees (RISE) is presenting a series of anti-racism workshops for organisations. The online registration form is up and running! Resisting Racism Victoria project, the first of its kind in Victoria, which will see the running of anti-racism workshops in 2013 for staff/volunteers of organisations that service communities of colour. Register online https://docs.google.com/a/riserefugee.org/forms/d/1lR0d5elFUl-zG_eNgMxin_J79thgPk-lY4pLh6xLFE8/viewform. Spaces filling fast! Find out more http://riserefugee.org/what-we-do/anti-racism. Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3HHEbT9djo.Please contact us at resistingracism@riserefugee.org if you have any questions. Later workshops 24 & 25 April, 22 & 23 May and 26 & 27 June. Melbourne CBD.

Friday March 29 to Sunday April 7:  Friends of the Earth's Radioactive Exposure Tour.  Register your interest now - places fill fast! These tours have exposed thousands of people first-hand to the realities of 'radioactive racism' and to the environmental impacts of the nuclear industry. After travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide we will head through Port Augusta and visit the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Then we'll travel north to the SA desert, we'll visit BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam uranium mine at Roxby Downs, the largest uranium deposit in the world. While the expansion of Olympic Dam is currently shelved, the mine is still an environmental and social disaster in itself. The costs are: concession $500 ($450 from Adelaide); waged $750; solidarity $950. If cost is a barrier, contact the organisers to discuss funding ideas. If you're interested in joining in the 2013 Radioactive Exposure Tour, contact radexposuretour@gmail.com or call Gem on 0421 955 066. Information on Radioactive Exposure Tours in previous years is posted at www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/radtour

Register here- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGxZRUJlZ0xaMkpfU2loYm5INFdBblE6MQ

Friday 5 April and Monday 8 April: Advanced Community Development Course. Feel more confident in practicing community development in your workplace; Examine the issues, challenges and dilemmas of Community Development; Connect theory with practice; Hold conversations with decision makers and other Community Development workers; Access to further learning resources; Use the modes of head (intellect), heart (feelings), hands (practical work with people) and feet (groundedness); Think creatively about your organisational context; Interfacing with the wider context. Led by Jim Ife, Jacques Boulet and Rob Nabben. Contact: 9819 3239, 2 Minona St, Hawthorn, icd@borderlands.org.au. Cost: $350 full / $300 con. Both courses: $600. Bookings essential. 

Friday 19 April, 7 pm to 9 pm; Saturday 20 April – Sunday 21 April, 9 am to 5 pm: Biochar Workshop. As a soil additive, biochar offers numerous benefits. It increases the capacity for soil to hold water & nutrients, greatly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, enhance crop yields and capture and store carbon for the long term. Learn to make and operate a simple biochar reactor; produce a range of different biochars at different temperatures; carry out basic tests on your biochars; make biochar/compost/mineral blends.  Faciltators: Prof Stephen Joseph, University of NSW, Paul Taylor PhD, Author of “The Biochar Revolution”, and Russell Burnet, Biochar Energy Systems. Workshop cost – includes lunch both days & Friday evening intro: $195 before 1st April; $250 regular price. Only $149 for extra family member or partner. Venue: Friday night: Bendigo Bank Theatre at The Capital, 50 View Street, Bendigo; Saturday & Sunday: A1203 Goornong-Mayreef Rd, Elmore. Website: http://kynetontransitionhub.com/home-4/biochar/biochar-workshop/ 

Picture from here

Sunday 21 April – Saturday 27 April: Nonviolent Action from the Strategic to the Prophetic. For young, emerging activists (18-30) who feel deeply that the present order with its emphasis on dominance and economic expansion is unsustainable, and are ready to develop commitment and skills in nonviolent ways to help promote change, this is an opportunity to learn from two very experienced activists, Margaret Pestorius and Simon Reeves.

This course is subsidized and a special application form must be used:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jh2trfcr0dxyn5n/Nonviolent%20action%20%281%29.pdf.  The cost for full board & accommodation, plus materials, is $200. Participants will cover their own travel costs, to and from Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Ltd -1063 Lake Road, Bungendore NSW 2621 Ph: 02 6238 0588 

Saturday 4 May - Tuesday 28 May: The Walkatjurra Walkabout. The walk will continue to be a celebration of Wangkatja country, a testament to the strength of the community who have fought to stop uranium mining at Yeelirrie for over forty years, and a chance to come together and continue to share our commitment to a sustainable future without nuclear.  It is a chance to reconnect with the land, and to revive the tradition of walking for country. Register here to be a part of the walk:http://walkingforcountry.com/registration-to-walk-for-country/

Sunday 12 May – Sunday 19 May: Kanyini Intensive (working with Uncle Bob Randall and his family). 7-day intensive (Sunday to Sunday, plus travel time) retreat located with in the Uluru National Park and surrounds in the Northern Territory. This is a unique opportunity to receive teachings from Bob Randall on the principles of Kanyini and Aboriginal culture. This will be a profound experience towards integrity in cultural counter-flows, a re-alignment of the importance of personal spirituality, and towards acknowledgment of 70,000 years of Aboriginal knowledge and traditions. Uncle Bob will share his wisdom and belief that spirituality is the ultimate answer to reconciliation in Australia. Uncle Bob will share his wisdom on aspects of Kanyini including, connections with the dreaming, place, family relationships and the spirit. Teaching Kanyini and sharing Aboriginal culture, knowledge and spirituality with all Australians and beyond, are an integral part of Bob's vision. Further information: email info@oases.edu.au or call 03 9819 3502.

Environment data refutes Business Council of Australia demands to ease environment regulations and costs

Back in April 10 this year

the Business Council of Australia

issued a Discussion Paper for the COAG Advisory Forum

The document is posted below for Networkers

to read online or download for themselves.

Those concerned for environmental safeguards need to read this.

Across the eastern seaboard of mainland Australia

the natural world on which we all subsist is under grave threat.

It has been under threat for some time 

because of humans going hell for leather.

Now, it seems, that the three Liberal National Party governments

of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland

are going hell for leather as well.

Business is placing demands on all governments,

including the Australian Government.

The demands of business are in the document below.

However, some economists are striking back 

at business arguments at the behest of 

a group of environmental organisations.

That response is also posted below the BCA document.

Please read.

Please make up your own minds, Networkers.

Please comment.

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• The big picture
• Profits embarrass Aust banks- Shepherd

Dale Hess Calendar 2012-07-09

Wednesday 11 July – Sunday 22 July: Olympic Dam & Lizards Revenge Tour. Anti-nuclear & Clean energy's (ACE) Olympic Dam exposure tour 2012. From the organiser's of the Friends of the Earth radioactive exposure tour, join the ACE crew for this years Olympic Dam & Lizards revenge activists.  We will travel from Melbourne along BHP Billiton's proposed path of destruction to the heart of the South Australia's semi arid landscape. Travelling to the precious mound springs, Lake Eyre, the Lizards revenge DIY music blockade, the spectacular Gammon & FlindersRanges, plus much more. Hear first hand from the people who are fighting for their country & the people who support their struggle against the worlds largest mining company. Total cost of tour will include travel, guides, accommodation & all organic vegan/vegetarian, G.F, food provided. Contact: Tully Starr 0410 388 187 or Zin Rain 0408 165 735. Email: ace@foe.org.au. Cost: $400 conc, $750 waged & $900 solidarity.

Saturday 14 July – Friday 20 July: The Lizard's Revenge - Olympic Dam expansion music/art/festival/protest. ... Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard, Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain't so sleepy anymore. BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world. Kalta is angry and wants revenge. Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacott is calling the people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come. The land is being irreversibly poisoned in and around Roxby Downs by the tailings dam causing dust and ground water contamination, and contamination of its workers. Party in a Dangerous Planet with Theatre, Cabaret and Art installations. Over 20 musical acts. Solar Powered sound system extravaganza and wind powered cinema. Location: Olympic Dam, Roxby Downs gates of hell - South Australia. Contact Email: izzybrown@live.com.Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/224524544273924. Hosted by the DLF - Desert Liberation Front in response to the governments decision to expand Olympic Dam mine.

Tuesday 17 July, 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm: Making Peace with the Earth. Dr Vandana Shiva, radical scientist and ecofeminist in conversation with Dr Susan Hawthorne, Publisher, Spinifex Press. In her new book, Making Peace with the Earth, Sydney Peace Prize recipient Vandana Shiva explores the basis of human life on our planet. She finds that a series of wars have been declared against the Earth: wars about land, water, climate, forests and biodiversity. In a searing critique of corporate globalisation, she examines the root causes of these wars against the backdrop of the current crisis in food supply. She imagines a world that could be sustainable; a world in which food security, justice and peace are all aligned. By drawing out the connections between 'growth' and free markets, she argues for a future in which human rights and earth rights become central to the creation of a different kind of wealth, one imbued with democracy and justice. VENUE:  The Barn, Montsalvat, Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham. ENTRY:  $10.00 waged, $8.00 concession. Inncludes chai and samosas. BOOKINGS essential: Eltham Bookshop Tel: 03 9439 8700.elthambookshop@bigpond.com

Thursday 9 August, 6 pm for tea and coffee: then 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm:  Workshop: nuclear risks of Australia'sUS bases. This workshop follows the successful public meeting held in June, and marks Nagasaki Day, the anniversary of the second atomic bombing of Japan. Speakers: Professor Richard Tanter (who spoke at that meeting) will discuss in more detail the possible links between Australia's US bases and shared facilities, and nuclear weapons. Richard is one of Australia's leading experts on this topic; Dimity Hawkins is an anti-nuclear campaigner who has written extensively on international treaties designed to rid the world of nuclear weapons. She will discuss how our growing links with the US military fits with our international obligations to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. There'll be time for questions, and discussion of how to share this information. Venue: Meeting Room 1, Trades Hall (enter from 54 Victoria Street). Organised byMAPW with other members of the Victorian network opposing US bases. Queries: email mapw@mapw.org.auor call MAPW on 0431 475 465.

 

Monday 20 August – Friday 14 September: Walking for Country. Walkatjurra Walkabout is a pilgrimage across Wangkatja country in the spirit of our ancestors so together, we as present custodians, can protect our land and our culture for future generations. Walking for Country is to reconnect people with land and culture. My people have resisted destructive mining on our land and our sacred sites for generations. For over forty years we have fought to stop uranium mining at Yeelirrie, we stopped the removal of sacred stones from Weebo and for the last twenty years we have stoped destruction of 200 sites at Yakabindie. We are not opposed to responsible development, but cannot stand wanton destruction of our land, our culture, and our environment. We invite all people, from all places, to come together to walk with us, to send a clear message that we want the environment here, and our sacred places left alone.  Kado Muir, Traditional Owner, Yeelirrie. This walk will be lead by the Walkatjurra Rangers, in partnership with Footprints for Peace, Western Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA), the Anti Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia (ANAWA) and the Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA).  ALL WELCOME to JOIN for an hour, a day, a few weeks or the whole way. Email: walk4country@gmail.com. Phone: 0421 816 846 (Laura). Website:www.walkingforcountry.com  [Position open for Publicity and Communications Intern to work with the Organising Committee in all matters related to media and publicity.  The Intern would be responsible for liaising with all media in the lead up, duration and immediate period following the upcoming event Walkatjurra Walkabout – Walking for Country.  Any inquiries, 0421 816 846 (Laura)].

Friday 31 August, 7.30 pm: Peace with People, Peace with our Planet A Franciscan Perspective. Joe Rozansky OFM is the head of the OFM Secretariat for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation which co-ordinates and animates the international Franciscan activities for justice and peace. He led the Franciscan delegation at the Rio +20 UN Summit on Sustainable Development this year. Joe is a friar of the Holy Name Province of New York and has worked with the landless of Minais Gerais, Brazil. Joe is interested in meeting people involved and interested in peace, social justice and environmental movements in Australia. Hosted by Holy Spirit Province(www.franciscans.org.au) & Social Policy Connections (www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au). Social Policy Connections, Yarra Theological Union - Study Centre, 34 Bedford Street, Box Hill. For further information please contact the Franciscan JPIC Office. 02 9369 9309 or jpic@franciscans.org.au

Sunday 23 September – Thursday 27 September: Swan Island Peace Convergence 2012. There is no end for this war in sight, and many of us feel powerless to stop it. Join us in Queenscliff, Victoria, for a week of learning about and nonviolently resisting the war: nonviolence training, community engagement, peace vigils, blockade the bridge to Swan Island military base where the SAS troops are trained for active combat in Afghanistan. Further info:http://swanislandpeace.org/ and swanislandpeace@gmail...com

Related articles

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• Tony Abbott vows to clear way for giant mine

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Environment Victoria: news on the Proposed Basin Plan for the Murray-Darling and Water Restrictions status in Victoria

From Environment Victoria

Time to take action on the Basin Plan

You might have seen us on Channel 7 or ABC news on 28 November, holding a funeral for the Murray (you can see the Flickr photos here). The draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan came out that morning, and proposed returning just 2,750 billion litres of water to our rivers and not the 4,000 billion litres our rivers need. The good news is that the draft is just a draft, and you can help change it. Please speak up on the Basin Plan by helping us reach our target of 4000 submissions (one for each billion litres the river needs) – you can do it here in a couple of minutes, or even better, write your own personalised submission. There's plenty of background on the draft Basin Plan on our website.

Speak up on the Basin Plan by clicking here>

More chances to find out about it coming up

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has a series of public meetings scheduled, including one in Shepparton on December 13. Environment Victoria will also be holding a series of workshops in the New Year, so watch this space for more info.
 You can get the details of the MDBA meetings here >

Three ways the Basin Plan fails

So what exactly's wrong with the draft Basin Plan? Read our media release for three key ways it's failed.
Our media release on the Basin Plan >

Water restrictions in Melbourne eased - 

Sending the wrong message?

On Friday, Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh announced that Melbourne is dropping back to stage one water restrictions. We're worried that this sends the wrong message to the community, who have done a great job of reducing their water use over the last few years. As our CEO told the ABC, there's a risk "that people can just forget about the last drought we've gone through".
Watch the ABC's coverage >

Yarra Riverkeepers' Bulletin Spring 2011

Pedals down the Ponds : Yarra Riverkeeper Association : #yarrariver #vicenvironment #rivers&creeks

Tweet

Pedals Down the Ponds

for a  peek  at Melbourne’s “underside”

Come on our bike ride beside Moonee Ponds Creek which has been described as “arguably the most abused tributary of the Yarra River, and part of the true underside of Melbourne.”  

• Ride the peaceful path as it winds through the diverse landscape of concrete and parkland and even goes below sea level!  
• Learn from expert speakers about the creek’s dark and fascinating history, its community gardens and restored wetlands.  
• Hear the latest news about the state of our Yarra.  
• BYO lunch at the riverside Collins Landings in Docklands.

Sunday 10 April 2011

10 am to early pm

Full details and application form are attached.

Best wishes

Ian

Ian Penrose

Riverkeeper

for the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, ph 0409 510 766, emailinfo@yarrariver.org.au

   

Riverkeeper is a registered trademark of                        For contribution to the environment

Waterkeeper Alliance Inc and used

under licence.

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