page 1 newsletter - gawler environment centre...upcoming: saturday 18th may and tuesday 4th june...
TRANSCRIPT
‘Repairing our Rivers’ Film Launch was held at the Hewett Centre on March 13
2013. The evening began with nibbles and drinks (including yummy pistachios and organic wine from The Food Forest!) The DVD was launched by the Hon. Tony Piccolo, and after the viewing, lots of interest was sparked and praise expressed to Graham Brookman and all involved for the amazing work that has been done in repairing the Gawler River. The night was a great success and it was encouraging to see so much support from the public & local community groups.
‘REPAIRING OUR RIVERS’ DVD LAUNCH A SUCCESS!
Congratulations to Emily Griffiths on her new position as NRC Co-ordinator! We also wished farewell to Vanessa Freebairn back in January, all the best to Vanessa and her family. Emily has been busy getting the website updated and planning the years workshops and events.
Newsletter Autumn 2013 Issue 10
Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre Inc
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CO-ORDINATOR
With the help of the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board and the Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre the Food Forest has produced a 40 minute film demonstrating effective ways of restoring the seasonal rivers that flow into Gulf St Vincent.
Left: Graham Brookman, Emily Griffiths, Hon. Tony Piccolo & Kathryn Martin
Repairing Our Rivers DVD Launch
1
Sustainable Garden Festival
2
Wicking Beds 2
Transition Gawler
2
Understorey
Project
3
Coming Events 4
Inside this issue:
Hon. Tony Piccolo & Graham Brookman
Above: Graham, Tony, Leonie, Rob, Julie & Emily
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Wicking Beds - A waterwise solution for your backyard! Due to the popularity of our workshop held last year, we are again holding a ‘Wicking Bed Workshop’. It will be held on Saturday May 25th in Willaston (see upcoming events). For more information check out the Wicking bed section on our website www.nrcgawler.org.au
WICKING BED WORKSHOP COMING UP
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SUSTAINABLE GARDEN FESTIVAL 2012
The Sustainable Garden Festival was held on November 11th last year and was a great success for the second time! It was well attended and the guest speakers inspired many people to get stuck into their own garden! After Lolo Houbein’s popular appearance in 2011, we invited Sophie Thomson to be the key note speaker. Sophie talked about sustainable gardening, organic pest control and “planting a $1 plant in a $10 hole”; the health of your soil being the most important part of your garden.
Topics covered by other speakers included backyard self sufficiency, permaculture, wicking beds, butterfly gardens, nest box construction, keeping chickens, worm farms and bush tucker. There was also a discussion on invasive plants and weed identification. The Rotary Club of Gawler Light offered a BBQ lunch, and GEHA
held a native plant sale. There were children’s activities, garden produce & vegetable seedlings for sale.
Watch out for details of our next Festival to be held later this year!
Wicking bed at the NRC
Neville Bonney and his ‘Bush Tucker’ stand
The crowd gathered to hear Sophie Thompson
GEHA native plant sale
TRANSITION GAWLER
Transition Initiatives around the world have inspired Gawler residents to start a local group – Transition Gawler. The group will be a positive solutions-focused way of gathering those around us together to start exploring community-scale responses to
peak oil and climate change. Discussion of these important issues in the community began on February 28th at the screening of In Transition 1.0 at the Gawler Arms. The group was well received by those who attended and many ideas (community gardens, more bike lanes etc) of what locals want to see in Gawler were recorded. The next film night showing In Transition 2.0 is to be held at The Prince Albert Hotel on 30th April. To find out more visit transitiongawler.org or email [email protected]
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UNDERSTOREY PROJECT IS ON AGAIN!
PEPPERMINT BOX GRASSY WOODLAND
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The Urban Biodiversity Unit (UBU) in conjunction with Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre (GRNRC) and Gawler Environment and Heritage Association (GEHA), are holding the Understorey Project again this year after receiving a huge positive response from local residents who embraced the idea of planting locally indigenous plants. The first Understorey Project held in 2012 proved a great success with over 300 packs of 20 native
plants purchased. The project aims to restore the endangered Peppermint Box Grassy Woodland by providing Gawler and surrounding communities with easy access to locally indigenous plants. Orders for plant packs can be placed with the Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre NOW! To place orders please contact the centre on 85237715 or [email protected]. If you would like to make a specific plant pack order visit www.nrcgawler.org.au to access a list of available species.
Peppermint box or Eucalyptus odorata, is the dominant species of a nationally threatened community called the ‘Peppermint box grassy woodland ecological community’ which is unique to South Australia. This large tree can grow up to 15 m tall and 3 m wide. It prefers sunny areas and is drought and frost resistant. The flowers are white and grow in dense clusters during autumn and summer. For more info - http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/pubs/peppermint-box-iron-grass.pdf
The main plant pick up day will be held on Sunday June 23rd at the Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre. Plants will be available to order until September.
For more info,
including
order forms and a
complete
species list, check
out the NRC
website www.nrcgawler.org.au
Gawler Regional NRC
8 Adelaide Rd Gawler
Phone: 85237715
Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre Newsletter
April 23rd - As part of the Vacation Care program at the Gawler Sport and Community Centre the centre is running educational recycling activities. April 2nd - Understorey Project orders begin (plant pick up day June 23rd) May 19th - Volunteer recognition ‘Walk and Talk’ event to be held at the Barossa Bushgardens. May 25th - Wicking bed workshop to be held in Willaston. Limited places! To book please contact Emily Griffiths at the NRC 8523 7715 [email protected]. June 23rd - Understorey Project plant pick up day held at the NRC Gawler River Riparian Restoration (GRRR) - planting days held monthly @ the Food Forest. All welcome. Upcoming: Saturday 18th May and Tuesday 4th June 930am to 12pm, Meet at the Food Forest, Clifford Rd, Hiller. Please contact Emily at the NRC or Graham Brookman from the Food Forest on 8522 6450. GEHA meetings on second Thursday of the month at 42 Finniss Street. Please contact Adrian Shackley on 0429 004 363
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market - every Saturday @ the Showgrounds visit: www.mpnrc.org.au
Local Produce Market - every Sunday morning at the Gawler Park Shopping Centre Main North Road. Gawler Show - Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September
COMING EVENTS!
8 Adelaide Road (cnr 7th Street)
Gawler South SA 5118
Phone: (08) 85237715 Fax: (08) 85237701
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.nrcgawler.org.au
Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre Inc
Upcoming Workshops at The Food Forest
Sunday April 14 - Open Day Info session on Strawbale Building @ 10am - 1pm Permaculture walk of property @ 2 - 5pm Short Courses June 22nd & 23rd - Building with Straw-bales July 6th - Fruit and Nut growing July 7th - Organic Vegetable Growing and Free Range Poultry July 21st - Sustainable House Design November 10th - Permaculture Design For further info and to register, contact The Food Forest | PO Box 859 Gawler SA 5118 Phone/Fax: +61(0)8 8522 6450 [email protected] or www.foodforest.com.au
Find us on facebook!
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Produced by Sara Bisak and Emily Griffiths