What a year it has been! 2018 is shaping up as a HUGE year with the Victorian State Election due. Can you help us get get ready for the election and help us show that #VicLovesForests with a donation today?
Northcote Loves Forests! 
Northcote residents overwhelming voted for forest protection by electing Greens candidate Lidia Thorpe. Lidia is the first Aboriginal woman in Victorian parliament and long time advocate for native forest protection.
We congratulate Lidia and look forward to working with her, and we call on Premier Andrews and cabinet Ministers to make declaration of the Great Forest National Park a priority in the coming months.
Polling commissioned by FoE and other groups revealing that more than 81% of Northcote voters support the creation of the GFNP and for more than 1 in 5 voters the protection of forests is their most important issue, as reported in The Guardian.
You can take action and email the Premier and Cabinet calling for the creation of the Great Forest National Park, the protection of East Gippsland's Emerald Link and fair and just transition for workers. Take action now.
Community rallies at COAG energy council meeting calling for ambition on climate change, slams Turnbull's "NEG"
Victoria: A state that works for people, climate, environment, and economy
In 12 months time Victorians will head to the polls. With community concern about climate change on the rise, it's an issue that all political parties must must address in detail.
An election provides all parties with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the interconnected issues of climate, energy, social justice, and the economy.
The solutions Friends of the Earth propose will build sustainability, reduce resource consumption and the creation of greenhouse pollution, create new – and good – jobs in new and emerging sectors, and increase social cohesion and equity. To find out more, support our work, and get involved, please check here.
'Honk if you hate tolls' heats up!
With the potential approval of Transurban's Westgate Tunnel tollroad, Sustainable Cities has ramped up pressure with a series of actions across Melbourne. Getting out and hearing from the community we got dozens of honks in opposition of toll roads. The community concerns haven't been addressed, and so now is the time to make sure the Minister stands with the community and not Transurban.
Make sure you've emailed the Planning Minister Richard Wynne to show your opposition to the plan: http://www.melbournefoe.org.au/say_no_to_westgate
Sustainable Cities meet Monday's at 6pm at the Friends of the Earth, Smith St Collingwood. For more info contact [email protected]
The last four weeks have been massive for forests!
Logging was halted in old growth forest in Kuark, East Gippsland through a legal injunction and following more than 6800 people emailing the Environment Minister. You can read The Guardian coverage of the Kuark forest here and The Age coverage of the Supreme Court case here.
FoE Melbourne made protection of native forests a major issue of the Northcote by-election and a Federal court case was launched by Environmental Justice Australia to stop the logging of threatened wildlife habitat in the Central Highlands.
If you're interested in joining the Forest Collective contact Sarah Day [email protected]
Weekly meetings are held Thursday's at 6pm at Friends of the Earth, Smith Street.
A milestone for Victoria's efforts to tackle climate change 
November 1st was a milestone for Victoria’s efforts to tackle climate change and a big week for Friends of the Earth’s push for a climate budget.
On Wednesday November 1, over one hundred community members gathered on the steps of Parliament House to celebrate the commencement of the strengthened Climate Change Act and call for more action. And on Thursday November 2, we kicked off the conversation about ‘what next’ for climate policy, making the case for a climate budget in the Parliament with an event featuring Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.
You can support the push for a climate budget by making a tax-deductable donation today.
Weekly Act on Climate meetings are held Mondays 6pm at Friends of the Earth, Smith Street Collingwood. If you're keen to get involved contact [email protected]
Give a gift that supports FoE this festive season
Jump online to the FoE shop and get all the ethically sourced and locally made gifts for your friends and family, and also know that you are supporting the FoE family to keep fighting for social and environmental justice in 2018.
A Day of Action on Climate 
On the 1st November, Friends of the Earth Melbourne took over the city with a Day of Action on Climate. At the final of three actions, Quit Coal in collaboration of other groups rallied outside the International Mining and Resource Conference (IMARC) while Adani Australia’s general manager Muthuraj Guruswam promoted the Carmichael coal mine to conference-goers inside.
The protest aimed to highlight the impacts the mine will have on climate, water and reef far beyond Queensland’s borders. But most importantly a display of solidarity and support for the Wangan and Jagalingou people whose land rights will be infringed upon if it proceeds.
To find out more about Quit Coal or to get involved in the campaign contact [email protected]
New Report on Pesticide Free Waterways
In October, Friends of the Earth's Pesticide Free Waterways campaign conducted a project researching pesticide detections in Victorian domestic water supplies over the past decade. Upcoming Events
Trades Hall will be conducting the second instalment of what we hope will be a regular weekly Green Bans Trail. Organisers, Delegates and Activists from unions and other community organisations are welcome to attend.Money raised will go directly to Earthworker.
FoE End of Year Celebrations | 14th December | 6pm until late |Dingos, 310 Smith St, Collingwood Join us for our End of Year Party as we celebrate another epic year of campaigning and ring in the holiday season.
We will be gathering at Dingos Bar on Smith Street (right next door to Friends of the Earth). Bring a plate to share, bring your friends and come enjoy a drink or two with the Friends of the Earth staff and volunteers.
Australia Communities Road Trip | March 16th-25th 2018 | Regional Victoria 
In early 2018 Ceres Global has 2 local journeys planned connecting with alternative, sustainable, and indigenous heritage, and our incredible natural environment.
In March the legendary ecologist, bushman and historian Don Butcher will be joining us to travel into the far west of Victoria on a journey connecting to ancient landscapes and the stories within them.
Later in 2018 (dates to be announced) we will again be joined by Don to spend 5 days in the forests and mountains around the Melbourne vicinity learning the story of our water.
If you would like to find out more about Ceres Global or to join one of their trips contact s[email protected]