2021 Environmental Events Calendar is here!
The Environmental Calendar is back for 2021! We’ve got a wonderful line up of events this year to support you to become more sustainable and connect with nature. Come along to one of our COVID safe walking tours, community planting days and online workshops.
Check out our new calendar here for more details on events throughout the year. Upcoming events and how to register are listed below.
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Community Planting Day
Kororoit Creek
Help plant wildflowers alongside the habitat hollow tree.
Deer Park
When: Saturday, 15 May, 10am- 12noon
Where: Meet at playground opposite 66 Milbank Drive, Deer Park
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Edible Weeds Workshop
Join Doris Pozzi, food gardener, speaker and foraging enthusiast, as she takes you on an entertaining and informative journey into the world of edible weeds!
When: Saturday 22 May, 10-11:30am
Where: Online via Zoom (Link provided once registered for event)
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Community Planting Day
Caroline Chisolm Reserve
Help boost the work of the Friends of Maribyrnong Valley and Keilor Primary School to create habitat for local birds, butterflies and lizards
Caroline Chisolm Reserve
When: Saturday, 29 May, 10am -12noon
Where: 46 Flora Street, Keilor
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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North West Communities for Climate Action Online Conference
Help build stronger communities and support each other to take action on climate change. You are invited to join community organisations, school groups, emergency service workers and traditional owners to share the most up to date strategies and actions for reducing emissions and keeping our communities safe in the face of climate change.
The Conference features a special guest key note address by Professor Bruce Pascoe, author of Dark Emu, and Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owner Uncle Dave Wandin.
The Conference features four streams throughout the two days tailored to specific sectors of the community. Click here for more information on the conference.
When:
Friday June 4, 9:00 am- 3:30pm (Schools and Community Organisation streams)
Saturday June 5, 9:00 am- 3:30pm (Victorian Traditional Owners Fire Strategy and Treaty and Community-led initiatives to reduce emissions and act on climate change streams)
Where: Online via Zoom (Link provided once registered for event)
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Planting Day and World Environment Day Celebration
Join us as we celebrate our local environment on World Environment Day at Sydenham Park.
Help us create habitat links for the local fauna in Council’s biggest conservation reserve, by planting locally native plants. Come along on a guided walk into the valley with an ecologist looking at local habitats, specifically hollows and hollow creation along the Maribyrnong River.
The event will conclude with a free barbecue.
When: Saturday 5 June, 10am-1pm
Where: Sydenham Park, Farr Parkway, Keilor North, 3036
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Self-Sufficient Living with Craig Castree
Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival 2021
Join veteran horticulturalist and self-sufficiency author, Craig Castree, as he chats about his two new books Plant Profiles and A Simple Urban Life.
Learn practical tips for turning your garden and kitchen into productive spaces that will feed your family with organic and delicious fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and foods without chemicals.
When: Saturday 19 June, 10-11:30am
Where: Keilor Library
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Uncle Jack Charles in Conversation with Paul Bateman
Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival 2021
Join us for an evening with one of Australia’s most treasured actors, author and Aboriginal Elder Uncle Jack Charles.
Uncle Jack is a member of the Stolen Generation. Raised away from family, the loneliness and isolation he experienced during those years had a devastating impact on him that endured long after he reconnected with his Aboriginal roots.
Uncle Jack speaks about his remarkable life with writer, freelance journalist and former segment presenter on ABC radio, Paul Bateman.
When: Thursday 17 June, 6-8pm
Where: Bowery Theatre and St Albans Community Centre (STACC)
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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My Smart Garden Workshops
My Smart Garden has a jam packed lineup of online workshops at no charge to help you with your garden this May. Please see the links to book your ticket:
Climate Resilient Food Gardens
When: Tuesday, 18 May, 12 noon
Register here
Balcony Diversity
When: Thursday, 22 May, 10 am
Register here
Queensland Fruit Fly Management for Melbourne Home Gardeners
When: Thursday, 3 June, 12:30 pm
Register here
Create your own Edible Native Garden at Home
When: Thursday, 17 June, 1:30 pm
Register here
Additionally, My Smart Garden has developed a video library full of recorded workshops so you can catch up on topics that you've missed. Visit here for the catalogue of recorded events.
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2021 Applications open for Victorian Landcare Grants
The Victorian Government is providing funding to support Landcare and environmental volunteering groups and networks for on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects that protect, enhance, and restore our land and natural environment.
Up to $30,000 is available for on-ground works, capacity building activities, community education and engagement and up to $500 is available for assistance with costs such as insurance, incorporation and operational needs, or communications.
Visit the Victorian Landcare Grants webpage for more information.
Applications close 16 June 2021 at 5pm
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Programs to Help you Save
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Heard about the benefits of composting during Compost Awareness week?
Join over 1000 households and get a rebate for a new compost bin!
Brimbank's home composting program is now in its third year! Brimbank households have been given a one-off rebate of $50 on compost bins for households who want to start composting food waste. Composting at home is a great way to cut your waste in half, reduce your carbon footprint, and make rich soil and fertiliser to grow healthy gardens.
If you're one of the many who have started your composting journey, Compost Revolution are holding a competition to celebrate!
Simply share how composting has made your life better (in words, a poem, a picture, a video, anything!) and tag #compostrevolution or Compost Revolution on your favourite social networks to go in the running for a $500 voucher to improve your garden or upgrade your composting gear.
The competition ends May 31st
For more information on the home composting program including eligibility criteria and terms and conditions click here.
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Are you struggling to pay energy bills?
Home Energy Assist Program
The Victorian Government is providing assistance to households experiencing energy stress to keep energy bills in check. The Energy Savvy Upgrades program will partner with community organisations to offer subsidised energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to a limited number of households struggling to pay energy bills for reasons like living on a low income, living with a chronic or ongoing medical condition or mobility issues, caring for family members or loss of employment.
Eligible households can expect to receive:
- a generous Government subsidy towards the cost of an energy efficiency home retrofit
- free assistance to participate in the Solar Homes package
- free guidance on the use of Victorian Energy Compare
- an in-home energy assessment (cost is credited against upgrades conducted as a result of the assessment.)
The program is being delivered across Victoria between now and July 2021. For more information visit the Home Energy Assist Program website.
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Are your energy bills going up?
Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Rebates
The Victorian Government is investing $335 million over four years to provide efficient, lower cost heating and cooling for 250,000 low income and vulnerable households.
The Solar Victoria rebate and grant program will help low income and vulnerable households, such as concession card holders, to install high-efficiency reverse cycle air conditioners, replacing inefficient heaters.
The program will provide a $1000 rebate towards the cost of installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system that normally costs around $1700. Don’t miss out register your interest today.
These upgrades will provide environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving local air quality. This program will also help to improve the comfort of homes, save money and deliver ongoing health and wellbeing benefits to our community.
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Thinking of installing solar?
Solar Homes Program rebates still running
The Solar Victoria Solar Homes Program is still running, providing rebates of up to:
The Program provides a point of sale discount up to a maximum of $4,174 to install a solar battery.
To further reduce installation costs, householders can apply for an interest-free loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount. The loan is required to be repaid over four years, or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum. Keep yourselves updated with rebate release dates and other important events here.
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Have your say on Council's Annual Budget 2021-2022
Brimbank wants your feedback on the Draft Budget 2021-2022.
Council’s budget covers a range of important areas – including the climate change emergency plan, integrated water management, waste minimisation and the conservation, management and restoration of Brimbank’s natural areas.
Providing feedback gives you the opportunity to have your say on the matters that should be prioritised to help plan future spending needs in the community. Draft submissions can be provided here.
Consultation closes 19 May 2021 at 5pm
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Nominate your Victorian Senior of the Year 2021
The Victorian Senior of the year award is your chance to say thanks - to the many senior Victorians, who have given and shared their skills, experience, time and energy to helping build, restore and maintain our natural environments in Brimbank.
If you know an older Victorian worthy of recognition – for example an Elder in your community, a member of a club you attend, a volunteer in your organisation – nominate them for an award here.
Nominations close on Friday 9 July 2021.
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Share the News: If you know of a friend or colleague who would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please forward it on and ask them to subscribe here.
Want to advertise a local online community event here? Send your June events to environment@brimbank.vic.gov.au by 20th of May, 2020.
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