Hey Inner Westies!
We thought it might be nice to put a newsletter together, letting you know what is on in our ‘hood’ and beyond. Some of the info gathered here may interest the growers and makers, other stuff (like the upcoming Indian street festival) is really just about getting out and having a beer and a samosa in the sun. And, as always, I will be on the lookout for activities that are good for kids. Because I don’t want to see that Wiggles video ever again, if I can help it.
Saturday Sept 26th, 10am – 4:30pm : Blitz in North Fitzroy
For those who, like me, just can’t get enough. Check out: www.permablitz.net
for details.
Residential Permaculture Design Course (Seymour) Oct 3rd to Oct 17th
Immerse yourself in permaculture! An annual two week residential Permaculture Design Course (PDC) held at Commonground, near Seymour. Offering a range of experienced and inspiring tutors including permaculture co-founder David Holmgren and Permablitz’s Adam Grubb. Classroom work plus field trips to working permaculture properties. For more information and registration details please visit: http://www.cydoniapermaculture.com.au/PermacultureDesignCourse.html
And Scott’s very own local workshops…what a legend!
Sunday 20 September 11am – 3pm (Scott) (includes lunch)
Cook pizzas in a wood fired oven – Use simple recipes and homegrown herbs and veggies from the garden and participate in this delicious lunchtime session, including dessert! Learn hints and tips for making similar pizzas in your own kitchen. Suitable for vegetarian and halal requirements.
Maidstone Community Centre – 21 Yardley Street, Maidstone Melway Reference 41 F1
Sunday 27 September 10.30am – 12.30pm (Scott) (suitable for 2-13 years olds)
Edible gardening for kids and their parents – Get kids active in the garden! This workshop teaches kids to grow their own veggies and small fruits, explores the roles of bugs and worms in the garden and gets their hands dirty having some good natural fun! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Braybrook Community Garden
Sunday 4 October 10.30am – 2.30pm Amanda and Angie (Barbecue lunch supplied)
Mosaic art for the garden – Design and decorate your own mosaic pot, learning skills and techniques that are transferable to a whole range of art pieces for the garden. All materials supplied. Note: to allow for drying times, a session will be held the following Sunday 11 October 9.30am – 10.30am to apply the final grout to the pot.
Braybrook Community Garden
Sunday 11 October 11am – 1pm (Scott)
Summer salad garden – Learn more about growing seasonal summer salad ingredients that will transform your dinners and barbeques. Includes lettuces, basil, coriander, capsicums and other delicious veggies. All this and some great drought beating organic growing tips.
Braybrook Community Garden
Sunday 18 October 10am – 4pm (Scott) (Barbeque lunch supplied)
What is this thing called Permaculture? – Permaculture design is about working with, rather than against nature. This workshop will show you how can you get the best out of your garden for you and the planet. Held in conjunction with “Permaculture Out West.”
Braybrook Community Garden
Sunday 25 October 10.30am – 12.30pm (Scott)
Planning your Autumn / Winter veggie garden – Does your winter veggie patch look more like an unmown lawn? In this workshop, we look at what veggies are suitable to plant in Autumn to see you through the cooler months and to entice you out into the garden.
Braybrook Community Garden
Sunday 8 November 1pm – 4pm
Local Edible Gardens Tour – Following the success of the inaugural Open Garden Day Tour in 2008, this local tour gives a sneak-peak into what locals in Maribyrnong are doing with their backyards and front yards. From the traditional patch beyond the Hills Hoist, to the edible urban jungle in a recycled wonderland – you’re bound to see gardens that are full of ideas to inspire you to dig-up your lawn and plant you own piece of sustainable paradise. Bookings are essential. Departure details provided upon booking. Limited bus-seats available.
For more information contact:
Fruit and Veg for All Project Co-ordinator
9688 0169
email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
And you may also be interested in….
Diwali In the West – A massive Indian Festival!! Saturday 3rd of October, 9am til late (Barkly St West Footscray and Whitten Oval)
If you are up for the full Indian/Bollywood Festival experience, this is the event for you. Check out Indian Orchestras, Bollywood Music and Dance performances, loads of Indian food, Street Stalls, Face Painting, a Celebrity cricket match (no idea who the celebrities are meant to be), and fireworks after sundown. Phew!
Maribyrnong Council : Water and Energy Expo at Quang Minh Temple – Sun 15th of November 10am – 2pm.
The expo aims to bring the Vietnamese and Chinese Communities into the ‘water/energy’ fold. Expected attendance is 600 to 1000 people, including about 100 members of the youth club that operates out of the centre. They will be hiring a number of interpreters to verbally translate presentations, chats with exhibitors and written information – for those who do not speak English OR those who don’t speak Chinese.
If you have never been down to Quang Minh Temple then you should definitely check it out! It’s an awesome, amazing Buddhist Temple in Braybrook, run by an absolutely lovely Vietnamese Abbot who is very involved in the community in positive ways. If you can’t make the Expo, why not go down any Sunday morning? There is also a big Vegetarian cook up every Sunday at Quang Minh, with stalls and a market, and it is LOTS of fun. It’s also very kid friendly. They start winding it all up around 1pm, so get down any Sunday morning.
Storytime at Maribyrnong Libraries – great for those of us with Rugrats!
11am Tues and Fri at West Footscray
11am Wed at Footscray
11am Thurs at Highpoint
Footscray Community Arts Centre
If you haven’t already, check out Footscray Community Arts Centre (www.footscrayarts.com). FCAC is great for free performances, kids programs, and it has a lovely outdoor café with a play area that is ace for entertaining kids. A really nice walk along the maribyrnong runs along the front of FCAC.
The City of Maribyrnong green e-newsletter. Subscribe to receive green info, or use it to promote your own activities.
http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/eNewsletter/eNewsletterList.asp