Dates for your diary… events at Holden Street

Keep an eye on our events calendar on our website or get in touch for further details on these upcoming events in 2012:

• 08 March, 11:00am: International Women’s Day Morning Tea
• 20 March: Autumn Equinox Picnic in Park
• 11 May, 10:00am – 3:00pm: Neighbourhood House Week Event – Wellness Day

Environment Update: December 2011

• In 2012 the House will become a Recycling drop off point for household batteries, corks, light globes, mobile phones, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and floppy discs, prescription glasses and sunglasses.

• A Permaculture Garden Plan has been developed and we need help with implementation. Do you know people who can help us with cut price/mates rates in the following areas?:
• 2 raised garden beds
• pergola
• specific plants and trees

• Melbourne Water has set a target of 10000 Rain gardens registered across Melbourne. We hope to have a couple of demonstration gardens here soon.

But wait, there’s more…

Here’s some more of what’s coming soon at Holden Street:

• Getting Ready for Work – A course designed for deaf people
• Evening Computer Class
• Healthy Eating and Fitness Program – Run by Yarra Leisure; 2 hours per week for 6 weeks starting Term 4

Details to come, so stay tuned.

Environment Update: July 2011

• We proudly received a “Highly Commended” in the Yarra Sustainability Awards 2011 in the area of Excellence in Sustainability Community Action Award.
• There will be an environment interest and action group starting Tuesday 2nd August 1:30 – 3:30pm.  Contact us for more details.
• Powermate – check your electricity consumption and find out how much standby power your appliances are using. Contact us if you would like to borrow it.

Add these to your calendar…

Keep an eye on our events calendar on our website or get in touch for further details on these upcoming events:

• 04 October: Community Lunch and launch of environmental sustainability works
• 15 November: Annual General Meeting ‘Celebrating 25 years of the Association’
• 26 November: Toy Swap
• 13 December, 12:00pm: Christmas Party
• 22 December: Childcare Christmas Party

Shop to your heart’s (and Earth’s) content!

Did you know that Holden Street Neighbourhood House has a way of helping you to make better choices at the supermarket?  How?

We are selling The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping which is a great little guide (pocket-sized so you can take it anywhere) to help you shop for products that are more Earth and people friendly.  Published by the Ethical Consumer Guide, you get:

• A comprehensive list of products and brands, aisle by aisle, with company and parent company information, fully revised
• Easy-to-use icons to clearly identify company ratings, Australian ownership, and outstanding products — all at a glance
• Five principles to guide a more sustainable purchase
• A new section on global agribusiness — the hidden companies behind our food
• ‘What did you vote for today?’, a summary of all the major issues in a new centrespread
• ‘Supermarkets in Australia’ blurb that includes information on all the main supermarket chains, house brands, and a side-by-side comparison of Woolworths, Wesfarmers (Coles) and Metcash
• A new and improved contents page, index page, and colour-coded categories

Contact us to buy one now.

 

Sustainable Neighbourhood House Open Day is on tomorrow!

Well, the Sustainable Living Festival Event that we have been alluding to over the last few blog posts is finally here!

Drop into Holden Street Neighbourhood House from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday 26 February to…

• Come and see the environmental modifications we have made to the House and get some ideas for your own home. Tours of the House every half hour.
• Free bike checks from Velo Cycles (bring your bikes!)
• Stalls with great ideas and products
• Children’s activities
• And more great ideas for living sustainably.

Download: Sustainable Neighbourhood House Open Day Flyer (PDF, 747Kb)

For those of you into Social Media, check out these sites:

• Sustainable Living Festival Facebook
• Zero Carbon Crew (SLFestivalAus) Twitter

Sustainable Living Festival – for a safe climate

The 12th annual SLF is now on until 27 February 2011. What is “Mission: Safe Climate” all about? Visit the Festival’s Promotions page to find out and to download the Program Guide.

Don’t forget that our Sustainable Living Festival Event is coming soon – drop in and learn how to start dropping out of the race towards a hotter climate!

Fri 20 May 2011, 10:00am – 3:00pm: Neighbourhood House Week Event – Wellness Day

Come along for free health and hearing checks. Find out how you can improve your health, hear about local activities and be pampered with a short relaxation massage.

Going Retro

Water tanks have now been installed and we have already noticed a huge drop in our water usage. Hooray! Shading, draught proofing, natural light tubes, ventilation, solar energy – the house has been well and truly retrofitted.

Check out the details of our Sustainable Living Festival Event.