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Community Grants Now Open
Applications for Council’s annual community grants round are now open, and close on 20 April, 2020.
These grants are the main opportunity for not for profit community groups and organisations to obtain funding for community-based projects, and there is a dedicated medium grants stream for Environment and Sustainability projects.
Grant categories for groups include:
- Small grants (up to $3k)
- Medium grants (up to $15k) – either for Environment and Sustainability or Equity and Wellbeing projects that benefit the community
- Venue Hire Support Grants (up to $8k) – provides grants to cover the hiring of council nominated venues
- Youth Projects Grants Program (up to $5k)
There is also a separate medium grants category (up to $15k) for Creative Projects – Artist Led which can be applied for by an individual working on a community-based arts project.
There are two information sessions on community grants coming up in March:
1. Thursday 19 March 10am-12pm, Council Chamber (Upstairs), 350 High Street, Preston
2. Thursday 26 March 6-8pm, Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street, Preston
All information on these grants can be found here, or contact Roberto Malara on 8470 8504.
Fuse Fund
The Fuse Fund supports the presentation of arts & cultural projects and events from Darebin based artists and community organisations within Darebin’s brand-new festival FUSE. There is $50,000 in this fund and a limited number of grants will be awarded in the following categories:
- Up to $1000
- Up to $5000
- Up to $20,000
This grant round operates separately and closes on 14 April, with an information session to be held on 17 March at 6pm at the Thornbury Picture House. All information on the Fuse Fund can be found here.
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Climate Emergency Update
1. National Climate Emergency Summit 2020: Wrap up
Darebin was a major supporter of the National Climate Emergency Summit at the Melbourne Town Hall (Feb 14th and 15th) which was attended by over 2000 people, with many more joining via the live stream. Sessions ranged from the latest climate science, to political analysis, drawdown solutions, building engaged communities and how to communicate effectively about the climate emergency.
The Summit concluded with the presentation to delegates of a Safe Climate Declaration.
The summit website remains live. You can co-sign the Declaration, and video and podcast recordings are available of the plenary and breakout sessions.
2. Darebin council taking action
As the first government in the world to declare a climate emergency (watch the story here), Darebin has continued to show leadership by convening a workshop on climate emergency action for local government staff from around Australia at the recent NCE Summit. More than 160 people attended. That group endorsed the formation of a national network of local governments committed to delivering climate emergency action and advocacy.
You can read about other actions Council is taking here, as well as tips for us all to take action.
3. Climate Change Bill
The private members bill introduced by Zali Steggall, Member for Waringah, seeks to establish a clear framework for reaching the Paris Agreement target of zero net emissions by 2050 that can cut through the politics of the current national debate. The Bill will be debated on March 23rd, there is a website that provides details of the Bill and enables people to register their support.
Darebin Council is calling on the Victorian and Australian Governments to achieve zero net emissions by 2030. This shorter timeframe reflects council’s position that the scale of the climate emergency requires an urgent response.
Information about Council’s position and calls to action by the State and Federal governments is available here.
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Autumn bike skills workshops
Did you know that riding your bike is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to travel?
If you’d like to feel empowered on your bike and gain peace of mind while riding on roads, our Autumn bike skills workshops are for you!
Sessions are designed for new or returning bike riders who need a skills or confidence boost. You’ll learn more about your bike and how you can ride safely on roads and bike paths.
Sun 15 March Basic Bike Maintenance (1.30 to 4.30pm)
Sat 21 March Women on Wheels (1pm to 5pm)
Sun 22 March On-road Bike Confidence (1pm to 5pm)
Sun 19 April Basic Bike Maintenance (1.30pm to 4.30pm)
Click here for more information and Eventbrite bookings.
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Nominate your favourite local garden or environmental project to win $5,000 from the Back to Earth Initiative
The compost and mulch created from the food and green waste you put in your green bin at home helps farms, gardens and parks bloom.
Now the Back to Earth Initiative is giving you the opportunity to help a community space do the same with up to $5,000 for your favourite garden or environmental project. One runner up in each participating council will win $1,000.
Perhaps your school could benefit from a composting system or worm farm, your kinder needs a veggie patch or you’re keen to kick off a community garden?
Nominations open Monday 2 March and close Friday 27 March.
You get to decide which project wins. Voting by the community will take place between 16 April and 11 May.
Nominate, vote and support your favourite project here.
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Mums in Darebin Clothes Swap
Time to go through your wardrobe and swap some good quality clothes with other local parents! There are no limits of what you need to bring or take home with you. All we ask is for the items to be something you would gift to a neighbour or friend.
Examples include: tops, dresses, jackets, shoes and active wear. All remaining items will be donated to local op shops in Preston.
When: Saturday 21 March 2020, 10am - 12pm
Where: Preston City Hall, 284 Gower Street, Preston
Entry by gold coin donation.
For more information see the MiD Facebook group.
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Darebin Slow Fashion Bus Tour
Did you know that the fashion industry contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions?
Join Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald, and Jenna Flood (aka ironic minimalist) for a Slow Fashion Bus Tour around Darebin, to learn practical ways to reduce our fashion footprint.
When: Saturday 28 March 2020, 10am - 3pm
Where: TBA upon confirmation of registration
Delicious vegetarian lunch by Moon Rabbit included.
About the presenters:
• Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald (@erinlewisfitzgerald) is Australia’s leading clothes-mending practitioner. Her mending has been displayed in art exhibitions in Melbourne and Adelaide and she teaches workshops across Australia.
• Jenna Flood (@ironicminimalist) is a slow fashion stylist and op shop queen. She will take us to her favorite op shops in Darebin and share her styling tips.
Click here to register.
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Darebin Op Shop Map
We have teamed up with the fabulous local op shops to develop a handy Op Shop Map. Op shopping is a great way to reduce fashion footprints, while supporting local community.
To celebrate the launch of the Op Shop Map, Sacred Heart Mission Preston Store is holding a party with late night shopping and guest DJs. Come along and pick up the Op Shop Map and a treasure.
When: Saturday 28 March 2020, 10.30am - 9pm
Where: Sacred Heart Mission Store, 311 High Street, Preston.
Click here for more information.
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Zero Waste Cooking with the Social Food Project
If you have recently started using our new food and green waste recycling service, you may have been struck by how much food waste you produce. Victorians throw away around $2000 a year in wasted food, almost two thirds of which could have been eaten.
Darebin City Council is partnering with The Social Food Project to give you the know-how to save time, money and stress in the kitchen, as well as eliminating food waste.
Join for a fun and inspiring zero-waste cooking demonstration. You’ll learn how to plan, buy and cook to get the most out of your food, and eliminate food waste!
When: Thursday 26 March 6.30-8.30pm
Where: Melbourne Polytechnic (Building K) 77 St Georges Road, Preston.
Bookings are essential – book now.
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Moon Rabbit’s Bulk Foods Collective
Moon Rabbit’s Bulk Foods Collective officially launched with a bang on Saturday 22 February.
The Bulk Foods Collective shop offers affordable, everyday pantry items in bulk, so we can all do our bit to achieve a plastic-free Darebin. The shop will be open on alternating Saturdays and Thursdays.
For upcoming shop dates, how to shop and how to join, visit Moon Rabbit’s website
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Backyard Harvest Festival March 2020 - tickets now on sale
This year’s Backyard Harvest Festival is not to be missed!
22 garden tours and workshops are available to inspire the novice and the expert alike. Topics include permaculture, aquaponics, backyard quails and chicken keeping, organic pest and disease management, propagating, composting and fruit tree maintenance.
Family friendly workshops on growing vegies, biodiversity and creating a bee hotel are also available.
Tours and workshops run from one to two hours.
Ticket prices for single events are $12 ($6 concession) or take advantage of our $8 ticket ($4 concession) offer when you buy tickets to three or more events in the one transaction. Children under 16 attend free.
To view the full Backyard Harvest Festival program and buy tickets, please click here. You can also see the events on Facebook here.
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Keeping Merri Creek Beautiful
Join Friends of Merri Creek for a clean up of the Merri Park Wetland.
When: Saturday March 7, 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
Where: Meet near the corner of Winifred St and Sumner Avenue, Northcote. Follow the bluestone and granitic sand pathway up the hill as if heading for the footbridge.
Equipment and light refreshments provided. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.
For more information, please contact Irena on 0415722653.
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Home Composting Workshops by The Compost Depot
Want to home compost but not sure how? Confused about what can and can’t go in your compost bin? Not sure there is a solution for you because you’re renting or don’t have much space?
Join the Compost Depot for a series of workshops in March and April ranging from home composting for beginners to small space composting.
Workshops are free but registration is essential. Check out the Compost Depot event page for a full list of events and to register.
Please bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle with you as all workshops are held outside.
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