Posts filed under ‘Upcoming Events’
What’s On in Late March
Note: We currently plan to have all our events run as normal. We’re currently monitoring the situation with regards to the coronavirus, and will update you if we make changes to our plans, in order to keep our people safe and healthy.
Food Swaps
Reservoir
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 10 to 11 am. This week it will be held in front of the library on Edwardes St Reservoir, due to the Level Crossing Removal works.
Fairfield
The next Fairfield food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 11 to 12 noon. It can be found at the corner of Gillies and Duncan Streets, Fairfield. It will be in the side garden facing Duncan St.
Darebin Repair Cafe #12 (UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19)
We have been advised by the International Repair Cafe Foundation to cease running repair cafes at this stage, and our venue has been closed to the public. As such, the repair cafe this Sunday has been cancelled.
Food Swaps – Preston/Thornbury
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 28, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the corner of High St and Pender St, Thornbury.
Fix-It Monthly Session – April
It’s Back! Our Newlands fix – it mend it Monthly session. Come Join Us.
This is an informal session, where people can bring their own items that need mending (and whatever supplies they need for it) and mend them themselves in good company.
How great will it be to be able to use those things in the back of the cupboard!
When: Thursday April 2, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where: Preston – contact 0468 963 868.
We will start as a lounge room event & then see if it moves to a different venue.
Note: We LOVE Repair Cafes where volunteers fix things for you. This is different – this is where we make the time to fix/mend our own things – to make it a priority 🙂
Food Swaps – Northcote
The next Northcote food swap will be on Saturday April 11, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the Northcote Library Food Garden – 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote.
Food Swaps are an occasion to meet your community, talk about gardens and sustainability and swap excess produce from your garden, or something you made in your kitchen. You bring some and get to take some away as with all good swaps.
Ideas of what to bring:
- seeds from your garden
- seedlings
- fruit
- vegetables
- herbs
- preserves
- cordials
- sour dough starter
The list goes on…
What’s On in March
Fix-It Monthly Session – March
It’s Back! Our Newlands fix – it mend it Monthly session. Come Join Us.
This is an informal session, where people can bring their own items that need mending (and whatever supplies they need for it) and mend them themselves in good company.
How great will it be to be able to use those things in the back of the cupboard!
When: Thursday March 5, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where: Preston – contact 0468 963 868.
We will start as a lounge room event & then see if it moves to a different venue.
Note: We LOVE Repair Cafes where volunteers fix things for you. This is different – this is where we make the time to fix/mend our own things – to make it a priority 🙂
Food Swaps
Northcote
The next Northcote food swap will be on Saturday March 14, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the Northcote Library Food Garden – 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote.
Reservoir
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 10 to 11 am. This week it will be held in front of the library on Edwardes St Reservoir, due to the Level Crossing Removal works.
Fairfield
The next Fairfield food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 11 to 12 noon. It can be found at the corner of Gillies and Duncan Streets, Fairfield. It will be in the side garden facing Duncan St.
Darebin Repair Cafe #12
DATE HOLDER. Booking details available later this month.
When: Sunday March 22, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Reservoir Senior Citizen’s Centre – 2-4 Wright Street, Reservoir.
We endeavour to fix household items and test and tag electrical equipment to save items from landfill. 472 kilograms saved so far.Last items seen at 12.30. Always looking for electrical and other fixers.
Preston/Thornbury
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 28, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the corner of High St and Pender St, Thornbury.
Food Swaps are an occasion to meet your community, talk about gardens and sustainability and swap excess produce from your garden, or something you made in your kitchen. You bring some and get to take some away as with all good swaps.
Ideas of what to bring:
- seeds from your garden
- seedlings
- fruit
- vegetables
- herbs
- preserves
- cordials
- sour dough starter
The list goes on…
What’s On in Late February
Moon Rabbit Bulk Foods Launch Party
New year’s resolution: Be part of a bulk-buy collective!
Darebin’s low-waste cafe, Moon Rabbit, is launching a Bulk Foods Collective in February and is celebrating with a zero-waste party, free babyccinos and a day full of activities and live music.
Moon Rabbit’s Bulk Foods Collective will offer affordable, everyday pantry items in bulk – doing our bit to achieve a plastic-free Darebin and create a more sustainable community. Buy only what you need, BYO containers and avoid unnecessary packaging.
Discounts are available for collective members, concession-card holders and pensioners.
Where? Moon Rabbit café – Preston
The Bridge, 218 High St, Preston
When? Saturday, 22 February from 09:30-14:00
Transition Darebin will have a general stall, a boomerang bags stall with children’s activities, and the Thornbury food swap will be in residence at The Bridge for one day only (bring some food to swap from your garden) – so why not come and join us!
Boomerang Bags as part of the Sustainable Living Festival
Come and ‘sew sustainable’ with Boomerang Bags Thornbury/Northcote. They’ll bring sewing machines and fabric, so you can help sew a bag for a good cause and learn about what it takes to start your own chapter! Boomerang Bags is a grassroots, community driven movement tackling plastic pollution at its source. Re-useable ‘boomerang bags’ are made using recycled materials as a sustainable alternative to plastic bags.
When: Thursday 27 February, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Northcote Library – 32-38 Separation St, Northcote, VIC 3070
Book here.
Fix-It Monthly Session – March
It’s Back! Our Newlands fix – it mend it Monthly session. Come Join Us.
This is an informal session, where people can bring their own items that need mending (and whatever supplies they need for it) and mend them themselves in good company.
How great will it be to be able to use those things in the back of the cupboard!
When: Thursday March 5, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where: Preston – contact 0468 963 868.
We will start as a lounge room event & then see if it moves to a different venue.
Note: We LOVE Repair Cafes where volunteers fix things for you. This is different – this is where we make the time to fix/mend our own things – to make it a priority 🙂
Food Swaps
Northcote
The next Northcote food swap will be on Saturday March 14, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the Northcote Library Food Garden – 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote.
Reservoir
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 10 to 11 am. This week it will be held in front of the library on Edwardes St Reservoir, due to the Level Crossing Removal works.
Fairfield
The next Fairfield food swap will be on Saturday March 21, from 11 to 12 noon. It can be found at the corner of Gillies and Duncan Streets, Fairfield. It will be in the side garden facing Duncan St.
Preston/Thornbury
The next food swap will be on Saturday March 28, from 11 to 12 pm. This time we’ll be at The Bridge Preston – 218 High Street, Preston – as part of the launch of Moon Rabbit’s bulk buy co-op offering.
Food Swaps are an occasion to meet your community, talk about gardens and sustainability and swap excess produce from your garden, or something you made in your kitchen. You bring some and get to take some away as with all good swaps.
Ideas of what to bring:
- seeds from your garden
- seedlings
- fruit
- vegetables
- herbs
- preserves
- cordials
- sour dough starter
The list goes on…
What’s On in February
Fix-It Monthly Session – February
It’s Back! Our Newlands fix – it mend it Monthly session. Come Join Us.
This is an informal session, where people can bring their own items that need mending (and whatever supplies they need for it) and mend them themselves in good company.
How great will it be to be able to use those things in the back of the cupboard!
When: Thursday February 6, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where: Preston – contact 0468 963 868.
We will start as a lounge room event & then see if it moves to a different venue.
Note we LOVE Repair Cafes where volunteers fix things for you. This is different – this is where we make the time to fix/mend our own things – to make it a priority 🙂
Food Swaps
Northcote
The next Northcote food swap will be on Saturday February 8, from 11 to 12 pm. It can be found at the Northcote Library Food Garden – 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote.
Reservoir
The next food swap will be on Saturday February 15, from 10 to 11 am. This week it will be held in front of the library on Edwardes St Reservoir, due to the Level Crossing Removal works.
Fairfield
The next Fairfield food swap will be on Saturday February 15, from 11 to 12 noon. It can be found at the corner of Gillies and Duncan Streets, Fairfield. It will be in the side garden facing Duncan St.
Preston/Thornbury
The next food swap will be on Saturday February 22, from 11 to 12 pm. This time we’ll be at The Bridge Preston – 218 High Street, Preston – as part of the launch of Moon Rabbit’s bulk buy co-op offering.
Food Swaps are an occasion to meet your community, talk about gardens and sustainability and swap excess produce from your garden, or something you made in your kitchen. You bring some and get to take some away as with all good swaps.
Ideas of what to bring:
- seeds from your garden
- seedlings
- fruit
- vegetables
- herbs
- preserves
- cordials
- sour dough starter
The list goes on…
Boomerang Bags as part of the Sustainable Living Festival
Come and ‘sew sustainable’ with Boomerang Bags Thornbury/Northcote. They’ll bring sewing machines and fabric, so you can help sew a bag for a good cause and learn about what it takes to start your own chapter! Boomerang Bags is a grassroots, community driven movement tackling plastic pollution at its source. Re-useable ‘boomerang bags’ are made using recycled materials as a sustainable alternative to plastic bags.
When: Thursday 27 February, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Northcote Library – 32-38 Separation St, Northcote, VIC 3070
Book here.
The Croxton Commons
In 1649, in response to government disharmony and infighting, Gerrard Winstanley and a group of local residents began to plant vegetables in common land on Saint George’s Hill, in Surrey. This coincided with a time when food prices had reached an all time high and the government was showing inability to respond to the needs of the citizenry. Winstanley invited all to “come in and help them, and promise them meat, drink, and clothes” and thus the original diggers were born.
We may not be in the 1600’s but our current situation feels remarkably similar. It is becoming blatantly clear that governments of all stripes are struggling to keep up with both the pace and the scale of the changes that will be required for the future. With peak oil either here or nearby and a rapidly changing climate it is also highly likely that our food systems will be disrupted to at least some extent. Back yard agriculture can take up a great deal of the slack but we need more to grow the things that either can’t be grown in small spaces or are inefficient in a private context.
We need to reclaim the commons!
In times gone by commons were shared public spaces that were held for the public good. Whether it was a place that goats and cows could graze or a grove of nut trees that would be harvested by the whole village, the common filled the gaps of food production and also provided a focal point for the community. The Croxton Common is envisaged as just such a place (though maybe without the cows!). But we know that waiting until such a place is required will make it ten years too late we have to start now! This is why Transition Darebin is mobilising and inviting all residents and citizens of Darebin and beyond to get involved with the Croxton Commons, the development of the land surrounding Croxton Railway station (an coincidently on a hill near St. Georges Road).
But what will it look like?
Exactly what the C
roxton Commons becomes will depend on the will and the energy of the people attached to it. But the aim is for it to include urban fruit and nut orchards, community and enterprise spaces, recreation areas and social focused spaces. It will be a truly multi-use space that will aim not to reduce the current amenity of the area but add to it through careful design and inclusive forward planning. It will also make use of the most efficient form of transport (the train line) to promote hubs for food sharing, markets and maybe even tool and skill sharing.
This is a project that has been in the wings for some time but thanks to some help from Victrack and Darebin Council we have finally got to a stage where the real planning and working can begin. That’s why we’re putting out the call for thinkers, designers, doers and coordinators; for permies, horti’s, gardeners, handypeople and local folk; for anyone who wants to chip in and help bring this plan to fruition.
We’re kicking off by teaming up with local community garden Our Apple Tree to have a ‘Clean up Australia Day’ event. We’ll be meeting at Our Apple Tree (corner Herbert Street and Beavers Road) at 10am and then walking (and cleaning) up through the Commons finishing at Spencer Reserve, our first site for a barbecue (12:00-1:00). If you can’t make this event but want to be part of the Croxton Commons Group then please email us at transitiondarebin@gmail.com.
We’re only a month into 2015 and already Transition Darebin calendars are starting to fill up. We’ve have a couple of great events including the years first food swap and a ‘fun-raising’ berry picking trip but there is loads more coming.
Transition Darebin Needs You!
Transition Darebin is built on initiatives and project that help build a ready and resilient Darebin. All programs are run by a group and we have two groups who are looking for new members to help coordinate them.
Learning Together: The Convivial Kitchen
One of the surprising things about starting to move to a lower energy lifestyle is realising how separated from food we’ve become. Using things in season, preserving those things that we have too much of and making the best use of what we do have are skills that are less and less common. The convivial kitchen is an initiative that brings people together with cooking, preparing and preserving skills into a fun and collaborative environment where we learn by doing. This group has kicked off with a ‘how to kimchi’ session but needs people who are interested in learning and sharing. So if you have a skill, an interest or just want to be involved and help this group grow and thrive then let us know at transitiondarebin@gmail.com.
‘Transition In The Pub’
Transition Darebin is an inclusive, open and welcoming group. But how do you get people past the first stage of getting out of their house and comfort zone, to join the conversations and actions that will influence us all eventually? The answer my friend is beer (or wine, soft drink etc etc.). For a number of years TD has been running Transition in the Pub but we need somebody to coordinate these in the future. These are sessions based around either a local project (like reclaiming curbs or living lightly), local people or just topics like ‘How to we build a resilient Darebin?”. Whatever the focus, the aim is to bring people together to engage in discussion in a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We’ve already got all of the resources required and great speaker contacts but need an organised individual (or group) to bring it all together. If pubs and people are your thing and you think you can help then send us an email at transitiondarebin@gmail.com
Of course we’re also always on the lookout for new ideas, enthusiasm or projects. If you’ve got something you would like some help getting moving in Darebin then let us know or come and have a chat at the monthly coordination meetings.
Do you want to share your knowledge in a community environment?
Alphington Community Centre Sustainability Program is always looking for Darebin residents to help to spread the word about sustainability, share a skill or guide others to learn more. This centre already has a great verge garden, commercial kitchen and is looking at setting up composting hubs, community gardening groups and lots more.
It’s summer so they’re particularly looking for some people with knowledge around seed saving and propagation as well as a somebody to help guide a passata making day.
If this sounds like you or you have any other questions contact Bryony on 9499 7227.
What is ‘Fun_Raising’
Building community, whilst raising funds for local projects is what this group is all about. Whether it’s tours, workshops, stalls or just an activity to take advantage of a local resource or a sunny day, the fun_raising group are always out and about.
Youngberry pickers
We have already kicked off 2015 in grand style with a visit to a ‘u-pick’ berry farm in Silvan where TD’ers as young as four went to town on fresh strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. It was an amazing morning, not just because of the sheer amount of delicious fruit but that some of it actually made it into the baskets and back to Darebin and didn’t all get chomped on site.
This was a great day and just the first of many ‘Fun-Raising’ events. But we need your help to build the activities, the diversity and the numbers. So if you’ve got an idea, or just like the idea of building community through enjoyable activities then let us know at transitiondarebin@gmail.com.
Environment Sessions @ SPAN.
Our friends at SPAN have been busy preparing for the sustainable living festival and are running a couple of events in collaboration with TD on the 8th of February
Community Shed Design Jam @ SPAN (11-4pm)
Come along to a facilitated workshop to generate ideas and design our community shed!
Enjoy a site analysis tour and integrating community views including accessibility, saving water and energy and leaving spaces for a rocket-cobb oven and aquaculture.In collaborative design style, everyone will select their favourite design aspects to create an ultimate design! This is only the beginning. Our design will lead to more skills sharing activities — gaining a permit, sourcing materials and building the community shed!
Upcycling Wooden Pallets @ SPAN (10-1pm)
Come along to a facilitated workshop where we will convert wooden pallets into chairs, planter boxes and a wicking bed for our neighbourhood. The facilitators from Urban Bush Carpenters will guide you through the process of deconstruction, design and build.This workshop is not complicated, will be relaxed and fun for the whole family!!
For more information contact SPAN on 9480 1364
Clean Up Our Apple Tree
As part of Clean Up Australia Day, Our Apple Tree (a Transition Darebin Initiative) will be hosting a clean up site on March 1st. We’ll be starting from the Apple Tree at the Corner of Herbert Street and Beavers Road and plan to work north into the ‘Croxton Commons’ space which will give us a great chance to check out the progress on this TD ‘coming soon’ space. The day will culminate in a ‘waste free barbie’ at Spencer Park so will be a great day. For those further south our friends at the Northcote station group will also be hosting a site and will meet at the Herbert Cafe.
For more information check out Our Apple Tree Herbert Street on Facebook.
Explaining the Why of Transition
Sometimes it’s hard to explain why Transition Darebin is working towards a lower energy future. We hope this infographic (courtesy of transitionnetwork) helps.
Hint of the Week.
Have you got lemongrass. Next time you need to tie up a rogue tomato or raspberry, rather than reaching for the twine or material why not pluck a lemongrass leaf instead. They make great ties and just get composted with everything else when the plant has had it’s day.
Regular Events
There is lots happening over the next couple of weeks including the TD food swap on the 14th and the Sustainable living festival. For all the information about what’s going on in Darebin check out the calendar on the website.
Got an event and want TD to spread the word? Let us know what’s going on and we’ll be happy to help.
Transition Velcro: Opportunities to stick to
Saturday 13th December: Transition Darebin Food Swap
Melbourne’s event that stops the nation – Transition Darebin’s Food Swap is on Saturday 13th December 11-12 at Chalice garden, 251 High St Northcote. We will swap and give away edible and plantable materials – leaves, fruits, roots, seeds, seedlings, cuttings, ideas, techniques, observations, plus recipes and crafts to utilise what we grow. All welcome, so tell all your friends and neighbours, and see you at the garden!
Sunday 14th December: Our Apple Tree: Crafternoon and Working Bee
Last month we had a great session channelling ‘Bob the Builder’ as we constructed seats and a table for the tree. This month ‘we’re getting crafty’ with our very first Apple Tree Crafternoon.
The highlight will be a paper making demonstration as well as a craft table to upcycle your old cards into mini-works of art. We’ll also be livening up the seats with as much bright outdoor paint as we can find, making a handprint sign for the space, searching for berries and just generally getting into the real festive spirit of being part of a community.
Of course we don’t have a patent on creativity so if you have a skill or something that you think would add to the garden then please come on down and show us how it’s done!
When: 14th December 2014 2:00 – 5:00
Where: Our Apple Tree (corner of Herbert Street and Beavers Road)
What to bring: clothes to get dirty, old Christmas (or any other) cards, any leftover bright outdoor paint and whatever else you’d like to spend an afternoon crafting. If you’d like to something to share for afternoon tea would also be appreciated (but not essential)
Transition In the Pub: Goodbye 2014 Drinks
3 December, 2014 at 10:22 pm transitiondarebin Leave a comment
TD Cycle Outing Brighton Beach to Port Melbourne – Sunday 9 March
Come and join our TD members for a cycling adventure! We will catch the train from Darebin via the city to Brighton Beach station. From there will ride along the beautiful bayside trail to the big ship at Port Melbourne. We will stop along the way for look outs and breaks. After an ice-cream at Port Melbourne we will cycle up the bike trail parallel to the 106 tram track to Southern Cross Station and then head home. This outing is suitable for family groups as well as individual cyclists. To register interest contact ecoze@ixa.net.au
7 January, 2014 at 6:28 pm johnnyrutherford2 Leave a comment
Transition in the Pub – Tuesday 25th of February
Come along to the Thornbury Local to discuss all thing sustainable. There will be 2 for 1 yummy Pizza’s available for purchase and a suitable discussion topic will be chosen shortly. Watch this space for more details. If you want to be really organised, mark down the last Tuesday of the month for TD in the pub 2014. Social drinking has never been this good!
7 January, 2014 at 6:16 pm johnnyrutherford2 Leave a comment
TD Co-ordinator meeting
The first TD Co-ordinator meeting of 2014 will be on Monday 17 February from 7:30 – 9:30. BYO nibbles to share. Location: 2A Station St, Fairfield. This is an open meeting and new people are very welcome to attend.
7 January, 2014 at 6:06 pm johnnyrutherford2 Leave a comment
Transition Darebin 