A separate discussion forum for electric transportation for Maleny and region has been set up by Sustainable Maleny members. Please join up and participate in the discussion. We hope to arrange test rides and a bulk buy program later this year.

http://groups.google.com/group/sm-electric-wheels

Please have a look at this new Sustainable Maleny forum. Please join up and participate.

http://groups.google.com/group/sm-electric-wheels/browse_thread/thread/c...

Saturday 28th June, 10am - 12pm
Hinterland Learning Centre (Downstairs)
38A Coral Street, Maleny

Come and join the hubbub! We have some exciting topics for discussion:

• Photovoltaic bulk-buy: time to act?
• Transition Town Maleny
• Car pooling
• Electric scooters
• Bridge Creek Gardens, Maleny's community garden

PLUS

Making a Difference - Measuring the Difference

Transform your organisation using an accessible 'triple bottom line' framework developed and used extensively in the UK. This approach will make a positive difference to your organisation and the community, including going a long way toward addressing issues of justice, decency and the need for change.

Presenter - Marcelle Holdaway
Marcelle has had 7+ years experience in this field, beginning with Maleny Credit Union in 2000.

Hi all,

Brian Germein and I went on an electric scooter fact finding trip on Tuesday, firstly to a farm west of Kilcoy and then on to Toowoomba. We saw two electric scooters, one being used by the owner (a real character), and the other a demo machine at the home of the Australian importer.

See some photos of both machines and a short video of the Swei scooter here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maleny_steve/sets/72157605065977215/

Sustainable Maleny Public Meeting
2pm 10th May 2008
RSL Hall
Bunya Street, Maleny

This Saturday 10th May, at our next general meeting, Sustainable Maleny will host a demonstration of the Vectrix ZEV electric scooter. This electric motorcycle is gaining popularity in the US and Europe, particularly for short distance travel, such as city driving. The ZEV scooter takes only a few hours to fully charge, has a range of up to 90km and has a top speed of over 100km/hour. However, the most impressive feature of the Vectrix scooter is its excellent green credentials - it produces zero emissions.

Other items to be discussed at the meeting include the community garden on Bridge Creek Road, the proposed bulk buy of solar panels for electricity generation, reskilling workshops, and the establishment of a car pooling system for Maleny.

Fri-Sat 18-19 April 2008
Lake Kawana Community Centre
Sportsmans Parade
Bokarina

Featuring:

• Roberto Perez from the DVD The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
• Frances Michaels (from Green Harvest)
• Bob Cameron (from Rockcote)
• Geoff Lawton (permaculturist)

Plus:

• Cob oven making demonstration
• Sustainable cubby house demonstration
• Talks on Transition Towns, relocalisation, peak oil planning, green roofs, permaculture and home food growing, keeping animals etc, etc

For more info:
07 5442 1555
admin AT futureready.org.au

Let's make this Saturday a starry night!

Earth Hour 2008
8-9pm
Saturday 29th March 2008

Turn off EVERYTHING for one hour

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis.

It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby

Saturday 29 March 2008, 2-4pm
Sustainable Maleny Public Meeting
Masonic Lodge
31 Tamarind Street, Maleny

Featuring "Think Global, Eat Local", directed by Morag Gamble & Evan Raymond
(15 countries over 15 years in 15 minutes)

We've been a little slow in getting started this year, but the date for the next meeting has now been set. Come along for our first big meeting for the year on Saturday 29th March, 2-4pm at the Masonic Hall, Tamarind Street, Maleny.

Now more than ever, it's time to roll our sleeves up and prepare for bumpy times ahead. With oil well over $US100, the US economy deflating like an old balloon, and food prices marching ever upwards, things are becoming rather urgent. We have to start building our sustainable society now, while we still have the resources and economy to do it. And what better place to start than our own doorstep?

Sustainable Maleny's flagship project, Bridge Creek Gardens is having a fund-raising concert at the end of the month. More information below.

FROM WEST TO EAST

"A concert with music from the European Baroque to traditional songs of China and Korea -- with much in between!"

Featuring Maleny musicians:

• Recorders: Nora Julien, Shivanii Cameron, Sue Attrill and Michael Towsey
• Guitar: Marcus Bussey
• Xylophone: Jacinta Foale
• Tuba: Dada from the Ananda Marga River School

Saturday 30th January 2008, 3:30 pm
Venue: White Eagle Lodge, 19 Tesch Road (off Witta Rd, Maleny)
Cost: $15 adult $12 concession $5 under 15 (Free under 10) Family $30
Enquiries: phone (07) 5494 3424

A new short film (15 mins) about local food will be shown at the International Film Festival in Maleny this Saturday, 2nd February 2008. The film, Think Global : Eat Local - a diet for a sustainable society, was filmed, directed and edited by Morag Gamble and Evan Raymond. It will be shown along with a number of other locally produced short films.

Think Global : Eat Local is a celebration of local food systems in communities around the world - farmers markets, food box systems, food coops, community farms, community gardens and school gardens. The film touches on many of the issues caused by and impacting our current unsustainable food system and points to the relocalisation of food systems as a key strategy for working toward sustainability, social justice and well-being.