Sustainable Neighbourhood News

Big eco day at the bay - this Sunday!
The Warners Bay Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group is organising a massive day of fun community events. Come along and join in the fun, or just pop in for a chat.
Sunday 15 March
Warners Bay Performing Arts Centre, Lake Street, Warners Bay

Repair Cafe, 10am-1pm
Bring your clothing, bikes, hand tools, small electrical items or small furniture in need of repair and let our expert volunteers help.
Or simply pop in for a cuppa. Repair Cafe Lake Mac is a place to socialise, learn new skills and give your broken things a new lease on life.
Free
Lake Mac Repair Cafe Facebook page

Kids' deconstruction zone, 10am-1pm
Bring your kids along and let them have some fun in our deconstruction play zone!
Free

Eco cleaning workshop, 2-4pm
Do you know how toxic cleaning chemicals can be for both our family and for the environment?
Low -Tox Cleaning doesn't have to be difficult or expensive! And it doesn't mean spending hours scrubbing with ineffective alternatives.
Come along and let Mardi Lee from French for Tuesday, show you how making the switch to low toxic cleaning products is easier than you think!
Cost: $10. Buy your tickets here.

Movie night - NaturePlay: Taking childhood back, 6-8.30pm

Do you want your child to thrive? Maybe a little more nature time is the answer. Join us for an wonderful evening, movie & Q and A discussion panel.
NaturePlay portrays the Scandinavian method of teaching, living and enjoying nature, juxtaposed with the high stakes testing/high stress Edu culture of "rigor". Tea and coffee provided.
Cost: $10. Buy your tickets here.

Autumn is the perfect time for a picnic!
Enjoy some time outdoors and connect with your neighbours at one of these upcoming picnic events. Take the opportunity to meet other members of your community, and enjoy the social, emotional and mental benefits of connecting with a social group.

Celebrate Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March at the Toronto Foreshore. Have fun with giant lawn games, face painting and a free sausage sizzle.

Celebrate Neighbour Day on 29 March with at a morning tea, 9.30am-noon at the Holmesville Community Garden, or at Reay Park Dudley with ball games on the oval and afternoon tea from 4-6pm.

Join with other Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers for our first citywide network event of the year.

Climate change empowerment workshop
How are you feeling after a summer of extreme drought and bushfires?
Come together with Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers to workshop how we can maintain our energy and be active in solutions.
We will be working through the Climate Change Empowerment Handbook developed by the Australian Psychological Society, and encouraging reflection and discussion.

Wednesday 25 March, 4.30-7.30pm
Council Administration Building, Speers Point
All welcome. RSVPS essential via eventbrite.

Waste to Art 2020
Registrations are open

Explore and share your ideas about waste, litter and overconsumption and showcase your artistic ability.
Community members, artists, groups and school students from across the region are invited to create an artwork for our exhibition in October.
To register, and for more information, visit sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au.

Responsible cat care

We've recently updated our brochure encouraging residents to protect our local wildlife and responsibly care for our feline friends.
Copies are available to distribute around your neighbourhood or at local vets or pet stores. Please let us know if you can use some. The brochure is also available to download.

Frog pond and pollinator workshop
Sorry this workshop is booked out already! You can add your name to the waitlist.

Precautions for upcoming events
As you will be aware there is a current risk of spread of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus.
Please take the following precautions into consideration when planning your upcoming events, including group meetings and other public gatherings.

Ask participants to stay home if they are unwell, or have been advised to self-isolate.
As usual, ensure participants register and sign in and out of your event so they can be contacted if required.
Encourage participants to wash their hands often during your event. Provide facility for hand washing with soap where possible, or hand sanitizer as an alternative.
Ensure good hygiene practices are in place, particularly in relation to food handling and shared equipment or workspaces.
Visit the Health NSW website for further information.
Stay up to date with current advice as circumstances change, and review your activities and risk management accordingly. Visit www.health.nsw.gov.au.

A palette of possibilities

The new guide, developed through the Australian Association for Environmental Education - NSW Chapter is available.
The guide was developed with behaviour change guru Les Robinson to create this resource which covers a range of tools and examples to research, design and deliver action projects that aim to influence peoples' choices and actions.
You’ll find insights and examples for social research, theories of change using behavioural and systemic strategies, field testing and much more.
The guide is available to download at aaeensw.org.au.

Community Environment Grants
Do you have a community project idea to improve our local environment and inspire environmentally sustainable behaviour in Lake Macquarie City?
Not-for-profit community organisations such as groups, clubs and school parents and citizens associations are eligible to apply for Council's Community Environment Grants.
Grant guidelines have been recently updated. Key changes include that grants are now available up to $5000, and applicants can now apply for funding for environmental education and training workshops (eg to engage expert presenters).
Applications close 23 March.
For more information visit lakemac.com.au.

Bird feather hunt
Help the Hunter Community Environment Centre collect bird feathers from around the Lake Macquarie shoreline. The feathers will help expand research into how heavy metal contamination from coal ash dumps and power stations is affecting Lake Macquarie's ecosystem. BYO water craft.
Saturday 21 March, 9am-noon; 1pm BBQ and report back
Find out more.

Myuna Bay and Coal ash update
The Coal-Ash Community Alliance is holding an information evening about the Myuna Bay camp and the ash dams at Eraring and Vales Point.
Find out more.

Save the date - the Seeding
Members of not-for-profit community environment groups and First Nations folks are invited to attend this day of conversations and networking. Come and meet groups from across the greater Newcastle area (and beyond) to collaborate, discuss, network, and share.
27 June, 10am-5pm
The Croatian Wickham Club, Albert St, Wickham
Find out more.

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