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Social Enterprise Grants opportunity
Darebin City Council is excited to announce the launch of its first ever Social Enterprise Grants program.
Social enterprises are businesses that trade to intentionally tackle social problems, improve communities, provide marginalised people access to employment and training or help the environment.
A total of $40,000 will be made available across three streams - Start Up, Expansion and Quick Response.
Darebin City Council’s Social Enterprise grants program seeks to support our local social enterprises and help them to establish and grow through investment in equipment, projects, infrastructure and capacity building.
Applications open Monday 7 October and close midnight Wednesday 6 November 2019. Read the eligibility criteria then apply online at SmartyGrants.
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Streets for People in Croxton West
The Streets for People Project creates streets that are safe, practical and inviting for those who live, work, study or play in a local area.
This October, Council is seeking feedback for first phase of the Croxton West Place-making Project.
Feedback is open through an interactive map from Monday 30 September to Sunday 20 September 2019 at www.yoursaydarebin.com.au/croxtonwestplacemaking.
The map allows you to drop a pin to tell us about a location in the study area. You can also ask a question on the Your Say page, or drop in to our community engagement information session. Visit the Your Say page for more information.
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Food waste recycling is launching in Darebin!
From 7 October 2019, you can recycle food waste - including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and bones, bread, cheese and even leftovers - as part of your existing green waste bin service.
We know that many Darebin residents are already passionate food waste recyclers. That’s why we are recommending this service as a great option to support your existing compost bin, worm farm or Bokashi bin.
Simply add your food scraps in amongst your normal garden waste, and the contents of your food and green waste bin will be transformed into compost and used on farms and gardens across Victoria. Remember – no bags or liners of any kind can go in the food and green waste bin.
To find out more about this service, or to see if you’re eligible to apply for a food and green waste recycling bin for your household, visit www.darebin.vic.gov.au/foodwaste
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Discover the frogs of Edwardes Lake
Ever wondered what that croak by the creek was you heard in the quiet of night? Which frog is it? A Common Spadefoot Toad? An Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog? A Growling Grass Frog (pictured)?
Learn to identify different frog croaks with Waterwatch. Come down to Edwardes Lake on for a guided walk and frog discovery adventure around the wetlands and Edgars creek on Wednesday 6 November from 6.30 to 8pm (meet in front of Reservoir Scout Hall, Leamington St Reservoir). The Waterwatch crew will teach you to recognise different frog calls and help you collect important data for the frog census using Melbourne Water’s Frog Census App.
By getting involved in your community frog monitoring program you are helping manage frog populations and raising awareness of waterway health issues.
Hope for rain to get the happiest frog songs! Remember to bring weather appropriate clothing and shoes. Registrations are essential, so book your place now.
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Recycling update
Last month we were pleased to let our community know that Darebin Council’s recycling service was restored on 6 September.
After weeks of negotiations, Council has secured a recycling service contract with VISY, following the collapse of our previous provider SKM as a result of the statewide recycling crisis.
We will continue to advocate for State and Federal Governments to come up with more sustainable long-term solutions for processing recycling locally.
To celebrate the National Recycling Week on 11-17 November, we will be ramping up our Recycle Right campaign to let our community know what can and can’t go in the recycling bin. We will be visiting community hubs with our Recycle Right educational resources and organising a community excursion to the Material Recovery Facility.
For more information, visit www.darebin.vic.gov.au/recycling
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Buy Nothing New this October
One of the ways to reduce waste is by decreasing consumption. In 2011 the Sydney Morning Herald ran a poll asking, “is Buy Nothing New Month a good idea?”. Over 10,000 people voted and 82% said "yes”.
This October you are invited to take a one month challenge to Buy Nothing New with the exception of essentials like food, hygiene and medicines.
It’s a great opportunity to take a step back, think about our consumption and ask - do I really need it? Can I get it second hand, or borrow, or rent?
Give the Buy Nothing New challenge a go! Find out more at www.buynothingnew.com.au
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Detox your Home at a free household chemical drop off event
A reminder that unwanted chemicals from your shed, bathroom, kitchen and laundry can be safely disposed of with Detox your Home.
After you register, all you need to do is turn up on the day with your unwanted items and the expert Detox your Home team will do the rest.
The next Detox your Home event is in Reservoir on Saturday 19 October 2019.
Register here and the location will be provided upon registration. This event is not held at the Darebin Resource Recovery Centre. For more details and to register for these free events visit https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome
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Council partners with Environmental Film Festival Australia
Darebin Council is proudly partnering with the Environmental Film Festival Australia to host both feature length and short films, panel discussions and workshops at the Westgarth Cinema in Northcote. The Festival, now in its ninth year, will entertain, educate and encourage community environmental action.
EFFA KIDS SHORT FILMS AND SEED PLANTING WORKSHOP | Sunday 27 October, 10.30am
Children can learn about the environment with a dash of creativity through this series of carefully curated short films, and then enjoy a hands-on seed planting workshop led by CERES in the cinema courtyard.
EFFA YOUTH – YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE | Sunday 27 October, 1.00pm
Be inspired by young filmmaker and environmental activist Slater Jewell-Kemker, as she follows the stories of youth activists from around the world in her debut documentary, Youth Unstoppable. Then have your say at the EFFA Youth Forum, sharing your ideas about our future and the changes you’d like to make and be part of. This session is open to students of secondary school age and will be delivered by, and for, young people.
TITIXE | Wednesday 30 October, 6.45pm
What do we all stand to lose when connection to land and agricultural techniques handed down over thousands of years are threatened to disappear? This intimate, moving film captures the last attempt of a Mexican family to cultivate their land following the death of a beloved patriarch, in a country which has forsaken its rural origins. This screening will be followed by a discussion on local Indigenous connections to country and the importance of sharing agricultural practices across generations.
AUSTRALASIAN SHORT FILMS | Thursday 31 October, 6.45pm
A series of Australian shorts, spanning a range of important environmental issues from a local perspective – from drought management and conservation, to food waste and plant-based fashion. This session will be followed by a panel discussion.
INTO THE JUNGLE | Friday 1 November, 6.45pm – Closing night film
When newlywed Australian zookeepers Jim and Jean Thomas pack up their suburban Melbourne lives and travel to remote Papua New Guinea to save one of the world’s rarest animals – the Tenkile tree kangaroo – they quickly realise that improving human welfare is key to achieving animal conservation. A triumph of will, passion and determination – and featuring powerful tributes from Sir David Attenborough and Jane Goodall – Into the Jungle reminds us of what is possible in the fight to save threatened species from extinction, and why this has never been more important. This film will also screen with short film, Maybe Just a Fairytale. This session will also be followed by a Q&A with the film makers.
To book tickets and view the full festival program visit www.effa.org.au
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Connect with your creek - become a Waterwatch volunteer
Do you love taking a stroll down the Merri, Edgars or Darebin Creeks and find these green corridors an oasis from the hustle and bustle? Why not give back to our creeks and help monitor the health of our waterways by becoming a Waterwatch citizen scientist.
Merri Creek Management Committee and Waterwatch are hosting a free training session for new Waterwatch volunteers on Friday 15 November from 10am to 3.30pm.
Never collected water quality data before? No worries! No previous experience is needed to become a Waterwatch volunteer. You will be provided with all the necessary monitoring equipment, technical support and advice along the way. You’ll also be connected with existing Waterwatch groups so you can put your new skills to use with fellow volunteers.
Registrations are essential, so book your spot today
Lunch is provided so please let us know any dietary requirements when registering.
WHEN: Friday 15 November, 10.00am-3.30pm
WHERE: Darebin Parklands Environment Centre, Alphington (map here)
This workshop is proudly supported by the City of Darebin, Moreland City Council and Yarra City Council
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