Friends! Tax time is upon us and now is the time to dig deep and help us as we gear up for the November State Election. We have 5 key asks this election:
- Victoria's first climate focused budget, delivering investment in climate change solutions and protects communities from climate impacts.
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Powering Melbourne’s train network with solar and wind power to ensure
Victoria’s transport system is clean, modern and non-polluting while creating
sustainable jobs in regional Victoria and metropolitan areas.
- The creation of the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) and East Gippsland Emerald Link Reserve, delivering a transition plan for workers in the forestry industry.
- Commitment to a community focused transport plan for the future of Melbourne and shift funding from roads to critical public transport infrastructure, such as Melbourne Metro 2.
- The creation of a publicly-owned retailer, backed by 100% renewable energy, to ensure Victorians have access to clean, fair and affordable electricity.
Can you help us make this a reality? Please make a tax deductible donation here - together we can do this!
Our state election campaign is go
Last week around 100 FoE members, supporters and allies attended our launch for the state election, which will be held on November 24.
Although we have been in campaign mode for months, this was a chance to broaden out possibilities for our members to be involved in our work.
We had a great welcome to Country from Wurundjeri elder Colin Hunter and a presentation from Kate Auty, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and Environment. Each of our campaign staff then gave a short ‘elevator pitch’ outlining our campaign priorities for the election.
It was a great, high energy evening. Many thanks to Reverend Alex Sangster for MCing the evening.
There is a great set of photos from the talented Julian Meehan available here.
You can read about the campaign here.
If you haven’t done so yet, please sign on to our campaign vision >> melbournefoe.org.au/victoria2018
Friends of the Earth’s winter speaker series
During winter we will be hosting a range of forums for our members, supporters, and allies. These will cover a range of topics, from the long campaign to protect the forests along the Murray River, to green economics, and climate change and grief.
They are free events and will be held downstairs at the Friends of the Earth café.
The first one will be on June 7 and feature the story of the decades long campaign to see the Barmah forest on the Murray River protected in Victoria’s first jointly managed national park.
The next one with be on June 14 and feature Greens MP Ellen Sandell, who will outline the Victorian Greens policy agenda for the state election.
For full details on the series, please check here.
Victoria’s biggest wind project!
FoE is supportive of the proposal to develop the state’s first offshore wind energy project. It would be built offshore from the 90 Mile Beach. The Star of the South project has recently started a feasibility study to further develop the proposal to build about 250 wind turbines. It is expected that it will produce 18% of Victoria's energy needs and will provide great employment opportunities in the region.
There may be blockages in getting approvals from the federal government. If you would like to be kept up to date on the campaign, please contact Pat - [email protected] or Cam - [email protected].
Energy Justice Victoria Road Trip
On the 11-13th May Quit Coal’s new Energy Justice campaign took a tour of Gippsland trying to connect Melbourne people with some regional communities that are affected by the design of our energy system. We thought it really important that we listen to the perspectives of regional communities to help build a collaborative vision of a cleaner, fairer and more affordable energy system.
We first visited Earthworker’s Eureka Factory in the Latrobe Valley, the first worker-owned factory in Australia that’s building renewable energy parts while boosting local jobs and community ownership. We heard from Chris Barfoot, an ex-Hazelwood worker who shared the importance of building a consolidated future vision for the transition to the green economy. We heard many more inspiring perspectives in the afternoon at our Just Transition Q+A in Morwell.
The next day at the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine Museum we learnt about the big plans for powering the area with Renewable Energy through the Energy Innovation Cooperative - showing how you can pay tribute to the history of coal while celebrating the future of energy. At our afternoon community forum in Wonthaggi we heard about the struggles of power prices and climate impacts in small towns. Various local groups shared the many ways we can support their plans for community clean energy projects.
We captured a lot of the road trip through film and recording so watch the Quit Coal Facebook for podcasts and films. If you would like to support our work and allow us to mobilise more people in regional communities then please support us at www.quitcoal.org.au/donate.
Or you are always welcome to join our meetings 6pm @ FoE on Wednesdays.
State Government Reserves 1600ha of Key Strzelecki Ranges Old Growth and Rainforest
After a 20 year campaign, the first portion of the Strzelecki Cores and Links Rainforest Reserve, was added to the State's Reserve System on May 10th. 1600ha of key rainforest and old growth catchments in the Agnes River, Franklin River, Jack River and Dingo Creek were included. College Creek which was made a Special Protection Zone earlier in the year, was not included in the May 10 announcement due to land tenure complications. FoE expects College Creek to be included in the Reserve system over the next couple of weeks.
The Agnes River and Franklin Rivers contain approximately 6km's of cool temperate rainforest and some of the biggest trees on mainland Australia. FoE wants to re-commence fauna surveys in the Strzeleckis over the next few weeks. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Wild Elements with GECO
A special event is being held this Sunday to raise funds for the protection of East Gippsland's forests. Wild Elements is an exhibition of stunning photos from East Gippsland's forests taken by Tasmanian wilderness photographer Rob Blakers.
Rob is one of Australia's greatest nature photographers and has kindly donated his East Gippsland collection to the campaign. The opening event will be held on Sunday June 3 from 4:30pm at the Friends of the Earth Food Co-op and Cafe, 312 Smith st. The photos will be hung for two weeks, so drop in to the FoE Café and check out some amazing images of forests that the GECO and FoE campaigns are fighting for.
Proceeds from sales go towards the campaign to protect forests from logging.
FoE Forest Collective lending a hand
Whilst continuing their advocacy for the protection of native forests in key electorates, the FoE forest collective is busily lending a hand to regional groups fighting logging in their back yards. We’re helping to organise a huge day of action in the Rubicon Valley on June 9th. Come and visit the beautiful forests of the Rubicon and take part in a spectacular video and media opportunity to help protect all of Victoria's forests. We hope this will be the first day of action in a series of events supporting regional communities across Victoria fighting to protect their forests from logging.
Visit the Facebook event here for more details.
World Environment Day Forum: Eco-Art, Collaboration + Activism for World Environment
WHERE: Loop Project Space and Bar
WHEN: June 5th 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne (closest train, Parliament Station)
Facebook event here - please share!
Join artists and activists at Loop Project Space & Bar to explore virtual reality worlds, watch environmental shorts and eco-art projections on our big screens, meet like-minded activists, and have a fundraising drink for the environment.
The Wilderness Society, Bob Brown Foundation, Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Sea Shepherd Australia have united for LOOP’s World Environment Campaign to make the collaboratively call for action.
Every day from 5-7pm from the 28th May to 5th June, LOOP Project Space & Bar’s interior jungle will transform into an artivist (art+activism) hub where you can answer the call to action and actively support and rally for environmental protection for our forests, land and oceans. Finishing the week with a forum and panel discussion on World Environment Day, June 5th
Adnyamathana woman, Jillian Marsh will be talking about the plans to dump Australia's Radioactive waste on Adnyamthanha country in the stunning Flinders Ranges, and her long history of anti-nuclear campaigning and protecting country.
The event will also feature 'We Say NO' - a short film bringing together voices from South Australia and beyond presenting clear and united opposition to the Federal government’s proposal for a Radioactive Waste Management Facility in the State.
Join River Country for a night of stories from our 15 year history and our plans to protect the Murray in the 2018 Vic Election.
Earlier this month the Federal government changed the Murray Darling Basin Plan meaning wetlands, forests and flood plains are set to lose more than 20% of the water they were promised to bring the rivers back to good health.
This change puts the environment, cultural heritage and the health of the river at risk. We are working with communities and building momentum to protect the forests and water ways.
Come along to our info night and sign up to help River Country make a difference
Thursday June 7
Friends of the Earth Coop
6.30 - 8pm
See Facebook event for more details & RSVP here
It's time to power Melbourne's trains with renewable energy
In 2017, Victoria's Andrews government announced that Melbourne's iconic trams will soon be powered with solar.
This means every time you tap on a tram, you'll be helping cut greenhouse gas emissions and create regional jobs in renewable energy.
But Melbourne's trains are the second largest energy user in the state, and still source their electricity from polluting coal stations, contributing to climate change and ill health.
If Melbourne is to remain a healthy liveable city, Victorians deserve a clean, 21st century transport system powered by renewable energy.
Now that Melbourne's trams will be powered by solar it's time to power the trains with renewables too! Sign the open letter today, and if you want to get involved contact @[email protected] today.
A Tale of Two Sustainable Cities
Are you angry at the continuous investment in mega roads, while sustainable public transport gets left behind?
What about the corporate greed that has resulted in long-term increases in road congestion, increased cost to commuters, and increased air pollution?
Now is the time to do something about it. Join us at the Sustainable Cities Fundraiser Movie Night on June 12th. A night of documentaries exploring the power of community activism and the good we can do when we stand together.
Proceeds go towards a continued effort to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and healthy future for transport in Melbourne.
Get your tickets here before they all run out!
Walking for Country film fundraiser
WHEN: July 10, 2018 at 6pm - 8pm
WHERE: Loop Cinema and Bar, 23 Meyers Pl, Melbourne / Naarm 3000
Join FoE's ACE Nuclear Free Collective for the opportunity to see the inspiring documentary film. 'Walking for country' - a celebration of Wangkatja country and a testament to the strength of the community who have fought to stop uranium mining at Yeelirrie, Western Australia for over forty years.
It's also a chance to hear directly from Aunty Vicky Abdullah, Traditional Owner from Yeelirrie, who will be speaking at this special screening. Aunty Vicky is one of three Tjiwarl Native Title holders who, along with the Conservation Council of WA, are taking a supreme court action to challenge the state government decision to approve the mine at Yeelirrie.
Tickets available at https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/walkfilmfundraiser
Concession $10 / Waged $15 / Solidarity $20
Profits from the screening will go to the WA campaign to protect Yeelirrie.
Note: Tickets for First Nations people available at no cost (pay the rent tickets), and tickets also available for those who need them for free or at reduced price (no one turned away for lack of funds).
Please get in touch to reserve these tickets - email [email protected] or call 9419 8700
Postcard Petition to Minister Canavan - Don't Dump on SA
postcard petition that will be delivered to Minister Canavan later this year. Please go online to sign the online postcard or pick up a bundle to distribute from The Joinery, 111 Franklin Street, Adelaide.
Postcard Petition to Minister Canavan - Don't Dump on SA
The government is aiming to make a decision on whether to proceed with a nuclear waste facility is SA later this year.
Communities of the Flinders Ranges and Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula are working hard to make sure the decision makers hear a clear no - and we want them to hear from you too!
Conservation SA have started a postcard petition that will be delivered to Minister Canavan later this year.
Please go online to sign the online postcar.
FoE put climate action on Labor' agenda + launch wind energy day event
Friends of the Earth Act on Climate collective were out in force at the Victorian Labor party’s conference at Moonee Ponds at the weekend. We distributed 1,000 flyers to brief ministers, MPs, party members, and unionists about our push for Vic’s 1st Climate Budget--a plan to create jobs and protect communities.
With the Federal government failing on climate change, it's essential to see Victoria show greater leadership. We'll be ramping up our campaign for climate action in the lead up to the November state election. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to get involved.
Are you a big fan of wind energy?... Are you proud of the contribution Victoria's wind farms make towards tackling climate change?
Then how about joining us for a Global Wind Energy Day celebration at the Ararat wind farm on Friday June 15.
Act on Climate support climate leadership in Hepburn Shire
Renewable energy has gone mainstream. There's strong public support for solar and wind and the need to shift to 100% renewables.
Now’s the time to expand the conversation around climate change solutions and look beyond the electricity sector. We must get a grip of emissions associated with transport, land use, and industry, and start reining them in.
Friends of the Earth are proud to support the Hepburn Shire's Z-NET Community Transition Pilot. Hepburn Wind and local sustainability groups have joined forces to plan for the Shire to achieve zero-net emissions by 2025.
You can get involved and learn more about the initiative by attending upcoming open house events across the shire.
READ MORE INFO here.
Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in getting more involved with one or more of our campaign collectives. Let's make 2018 a year of action!
Tax Time is coming soon. Please consider making a tax deductible donation here or by calling 03 9419 8700.