To be held on Sunday 22nd November at 3.30pm - DIG Cafe
Social Networking - Facebook, Twitter - you know the kind of thing. A panel of three speakers will guide us through the dangers, the delights and the decorum of this new digital world. Facebook for family ties? The computer version of the Village Square? On-the-wire political culture?
Who needs the village square when we have Facebook? Or polling booths when we could, potentially, vote online? And will this new-age social networking on the net kill real-life communing?
Political strategist Ben Hart, human network researcher Associate Professor Barry Golding and lecturer in computer networking Dr David Stratton will form a panel to debate the pros and cons of online networking (Facebook, Twitter etc) versus the real thing at Newstead’s Rocket Science on November 22.
Ben Hart, a chief of staff with the Victorian Government, says Barack Obama’s incredible online campaign was a key to his election and believes online networking is likely to be a big part of our political future.
Education academic Assoc. Prof. Golding, who researches human face-to-face networking, argues that online networking could be another great divider setting new lows in social inequality between those who do and those who don’t.
He says the net has stolen our young people and created a world that locks out the technologically incompetent and ill-equipped and the poor. Is he right?
“Never before have we been able to be more in touch with the world, find out more and hear more, “ Dr Stratton says, “ yet in this new age of Facebook and Twitter there are those who argue humanity is losing a vital dimension, that of being able to commune face to face.
“Our panel will explain what online social networking is, how it works and look at its positives and negatives.”
“We have a skeptic and a devotee and my job will be to keep the conversation on track and make sure we cover all points of view. We’ll use show and tell on a projected computer screen to demonstrate tips and tricks. Online networkers can come and share tricks – and indulge themselves with some face-to-face networking. Those worried about the consequences of this trend are welcome to come and talk about it.”
To download a copy of the flyer click here.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Monday, 7 September 2009
Rocket Science #11 - David Holmgren "Sustainable Energy from Sustainable forests: opportunities in a world of climate change and the end of cheap oil"
This special "Rocket Science" session featuring local sustainability practitioner David Holmgren will be held on Sunday 25th October at DIG Cafe [3.30pm start].
Know locally and globally for his work ton the development and evolution of permaculture, David lives at Hepburn Springs where he lives and works using the principles he developed more than 30 years ago. His talk precedes the world climate treaty talks scheduled for Copenhagen in December and focuses on energy generation from renewable sources.
Bill Mollison and David coined the word Permaculture in the 1970s. Today David explains the word means: “Consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs. People, their buildings and the ways in which they organise themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent or sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent or sustainable culture.”
To read a short article written by David entitled Firewood: Sustainable and Appropriate Energy Source click here. For further information visit www.holmgren.com.au
Know locally and globally for his work ton the development and evolution of permaculture, David lives at Hepburn Springs where he lives and works using the principles he developed more than 30 years ago. His talk precedes the world climate treaty talks scheduled for Copenhagen in December and focuses on energy generation from renewable sources.
Bill Mollison and David coined the word Permaculture in the 1970s. Today David explains the word means: “Consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs. People, their buildings and the ways in which they organise themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent or sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent or sustainable culture.”
To read a short article written by David entitled Firewood: Sustainable and Appropriate Energy Source click here. For further information visit www.holmgren.com.au
Friday, 4 September 2009
Rocket Science #10 - Central Victorian Solar Cities
DIG Cafe on Sunday 27th September at 3.30pm.
Michael McCartney (Project Director of the Central Victorian Solar Cities Program) will tell us about:
The Solar Cities’ visionary energy initiative brings together industry, business, government and communities to rethink the way we produce, use and save energy.
In seven key locations across Australia, the Solar Cities’ vision is to create new partnerships and trial ways to save energy, increase up-take of Australia’s leading-edge technologies, reward energy efficiency and solar power generation, and showcase the economic and environmental benefits of wiser energy choices.
Visit www.centralvictoriasolarcity.com.au for further information
Download a copy of the flyer
Michael McCartney (Project Director of the Central Victorian Solar Cities Program) will tell us about:
The Solar Cities’ visionary energy initiative brings together industry, business, government and communities to rethink the way we produce, use and save energy.
In seven key locations across Australia, the Solar Cities’ vision is to create new partnerships and trial ways to save energy, increase up-take of Australia’s leading-edge technologies, reward energy efficiency and solar power generation, and showcase the economic and environmental benefits of wiser energy choices.
Visit www.centralvictoriasolarcity.com.au for further information
Download a copy of the flyer
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Newstead 2021 Energy Survey - preliminary results
At the June 28th Rocket Science session Ray Culvenor presented some of the preliminary findings of our recent renewable energy survey. The purpose of the survey was:
* to find out about current sources of electricity and water heating in Newstead
* to examine the interest in adopting renewable energy
* to identify barriers to adopting renewable energy systems
To view a copy of Ray's presentation click here or to view the actual survey click here.
A more detailed report is in the pipeline so stay tuned for further details.
* to find out about current sources of electricity and water heating in Newstead
* to examine the interest in adopting renewable energy
* to identify barriers to adopting renewable energy systems
To view a copy of Ray's presentation click here or to view the actual survey click here.
A more detailed report is in the pipeline so stay tuned for further details.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Rocket Science #9 - The Hopetoun Community Sustainable Energy Initiative
Dig Cafe on Sunday 28th June at 3.30pm
The community of Hopetoun in north-west Victoria have been active in exploring alternative energy options for their town and district.
COME ALONG & HEAR:
- How they worked out their current and future energy needs
- About options for solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy production
- How they sought and gained funding for their work
- How we might learn from their experience in pursuing future sustainable energy options for Newstead
Download a copy of the flyer
To book call DIG CAFE on 5476 2744
Rocket Science #8 - Newstead has a new website
DIG CAFE, Sunday 31st May, 2009 at 3.30pm
Over the past few months a group of local folks have been busily rebuilding and updating our community website
COME ALONG & DISCOVER:
- What the new site looks like
- What it will be able to do
- How you can be involved in contributing content and information
- How the new site can support local community groups and businesses
- About opportunities for training
Our developers, DAVE HALL and STEVE PROPOSCH will be on hand to introduce the website with all its “bells and whistles”
To book call Dig Cafe on 5476 2744
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Newstead Water Futures - Tuesday 19th May
NEWSTEAD WATER FUTURES - Sustainable water options for communities and the environment at a time of climate change
A COMMUNITY FORUM featuring:
Gavin Hanlon – Managing Director of Coliban Water
Phil Dyson – Regional hydrogeologist and groundwater expert
Juliet Le Feuvre - Healthy Rivers Campaigner with Environment Victoria
[caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Geoff Park, Phil Dyson, Juliet Le Feuvre and Gavin Hanlon following the session"]
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Newstead Community Centre Tuesday 19th May (7 for a 7.30pm start)
The forum will consider issues such as:
· What is the current state of water supply and demand in Central Victoria?
· What do global warming scenarios predict for future water availability?
· How are our water utilities planning for a future where demand is increasing and supply threatened by drought and climate change?
· What are the implications for maintaining the health of water dependent ecosystems such as our precious Loddon River?
· What is happening to our local aquifers and current resources of groundwater?
· What can we do as a community to explore sustainable water options for farming, rivers and people?
RSVP via email to geoff.park@nccma.vic.gov.au or 54762593
The forum is an initiative of Newstead 2021
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Rocket Science #7: What makes it work in Donald?
DIG Cafe, Newstead on Sunday 19th April at 3.30pm.
The people of Donald in north-western Victoria are renowned for their success in building a vibrant, energetic and innovative community. Faced with ongoing drought, loss of young people to the city and tough economic times they remain undaunted.
In recent times they have initiated a range of great projects including:
· A Group Self Building Scheme
· Use of saline ground water including for production of sea weed, salt water fish and fodder
· Sunrise Industries like Biodiesel, Olives, Farm Forestry, Mineral Sands, Fish Farming and alternative crops.
· Establishing a Sister Council relationship with Hobson Bay City Council.
· Supported new local agricultural Industries - Turkeys, Poultry, Pigs, Squab, Quail, Sheep, Emu and meat processing
· Local action to address climate change and drought
· ……….. and lots of community projects that have enabled their town to thrive socially, economically and environmentally
Join with us and other local communities to find out how they do it ….. and share ideas for maintaining the vitality of small towns and communities.
You can read biographies of our two speakers , John McConville and Leo Tellefson
[caption id="attachment_80" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Leo Tellefson and Jon McConville (Donald 2000) with Geoff Park (Newstead 2021) after their successful Rocket Science session"]
[/caption]
The people of Donald in north-western Victoria are renowned for their success in building a vibrant, energetic and innovative community. Faced with ongoing drought, loss of young people to the city and tough economic times they remain undaunted.
In recent times they have initiated a range of great projects including:
· A Group Self Building Scheme
· Use of saline ground water including for production of sea weed, salt water fish and fodder
· Sunrise Industries like Biodiesel, Olives, Farm Forestry, Mineral Sands, Fish Farming and alternative crops.
· Establishing a Sister Council relationship with Hobson Bay City Council.
· Supported new local agricultural Industries - Turkeys, Poultry, Pigs, Squab, Quail, Sheep, Emu and meat processing
· Local action to address climate change and drought
· ……….. and lots of community projects that have enabled their town to thrive socially, economically and environmentally
Join with us and other local communities to find out how they do it ….. and share ideas for maintaining the vitality of small towns and communities.
You can read biographies of our two speakers , John McConville and Leo Tellefson
[caption id="attachment_80" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Leo Tellefson and Jon McConville (Donald 2000) with Geoff Park (Newstead 2021) after their successful Rocket Science session"]
[/caption]
Friday, 20 February 2009
Rocket Science #6: Natural Hazards - Misconceptions and New Approaches
Coming up at DIG Cafe on Sunday 5th March at 3.30m a discussion to be led by Gary Gibson
Our approach to natural hazards is strongly influenced by our past experience, but often this is limited to recent experience. Natural hazards vary greatly from place to place, and so does our vulnerability to them. They often come up with surprises. Useful information can often be gathered from events that occurred earlier than our personal experience, or even earlier than historical records. Understanding the way that natural hazards occur can indicate the possible variability of the risk.
This discussion will use examples from recent earthquakes, especially from 12 May 2008 in Sichuan, China, to illustrate natural hazard surprises. Recent changes in our approach to reducing earthquake risk may be relevant to dealing with other natural hazards.
Gary Gibson has worked in earthquake seismology for 35 years, mainly concerned with risk mitigation in Australia, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, covering regions from very low risk in parts of Australia to very high risk in Papua New Guinea. He does not think that accurate prediction of earthquakes is feasible, but that by learning as much as possible about how earthquakes occur it may be possible to provide earthquake alerts or forecasts. However, the best way to reduce earthquake risk is to be prepared for the local effects of earthquakes.
To book contact DIG on 5476 2744
Our approach to natural hazards is strongly influenced by our past experience, but often this is limited to recent experience. Natural hazards vary greatly from place to place, and so does our vulnerability to them. They often come up with surprises. Useful information can often be gathered from events that occurred earlier than our personal experience, or even earlier than historical records. Understanding the way that natural hazards occur can indicate the possible variability of the risk.
This discussion will use examples from recent earthquakes, especially from 12 May 2008 in Sichuan, China, to illustrate natural hazard surprises. Recent changes in our approach to reducing earthquake risk may be relevant to dealing with other natural hazards.
Gary Gibson has worked in earthquake seismology for 35 years, mainly concerned with risk mitigation in Australia, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, covering regions from very low risk in parts of Australia to very high risk in Papua New Guinea. He does not think that accurate prediction of earthquakes is feasible, but that by learning as much as possible about how earthquakes occur it may be possible to provide earthquake alerts or forecasts. However, the best way to reduce earthquake risk is to be prepared for the local effects of earthquakes.
To book contact DIG on 5476 2744
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Rocket Science #5: Water - a view from above and below
On Sunday 1st February at DIG Café Phil Dyson led a discussion on the Loddon Deep Lead, aquifers, about how our landscape has evolved and how it is responding in these dry times? There was an animated discussion about interactions between the groundwater, people and ecosystems.
Phil Dyson is a freelance hydrogeologist and geomorphologist with 30 years experience in managing groundwater, salinity, and land management issues throughout southeastern Australia. He is based in Bendigo and has worked extensively throughout North Central Victoria. Phil is co-founder and co-author of the ‘National Groundwater Flow Systems Framework’.
Have a look at our "Thinking about Groundwater" page for some reflections on the discussion.
Phil Dyson is a freelance hydrogeologist and geomorphologist with 30 years experience in managing groundwater, salinity, and land management issues throughout southeastern Australia. He is based in Bendigo and has worked extensively throughout North Central Victoria. Phil is co-founder and co-author of the ‘National Groundwater Flow Systems Framework’.
Have a look at our "Thinking about Groundwater" page for some reflections on the discussion.
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