This gallery contains 4 photos.
I was down south on the weekend, and happened to see that Transition Town Margaret River was having a Swap Shuffle and Share on Saturday. Was lovely to check it out and hear what they’re up to. The Swap Shufle … Continue reading
Cycling through Hazelmere yesterday we saw smoke from a backyard. What idiot would be burning off in this weather we thought!? We were just about to leave it, but we thought we better check everything was OK.
As we arrived we could see long grass burning in the backyard of the house and it became clear it wasn’t planned. With a tap right in front of us we asked the owner ‘Where’s your hose?’, ‘I’m looking for it’ was the reply.
I ran and grabbed the neighbours hose and pulled it out, but there was no pressure. No one was home and we later found out he has a bore, hence no pressure. So without hoses or buckets there wasn’t much we could do but wait for the fire brigade. And by the time they came, the small grass fire was producing thick black smoke and threatening the house.
A timely reminder to tidy the yard and prepare for the summer season, especially with the scorching weather this weekend! It’s very difficult to find things and think clearly under stress, so a prepared plan of action and ready gear is vital.
Check out the government website Are You Ready?
When we see something unusual, it can be easy to be distracted by the bystander effect, as we nearly were. To assume that everything is under control, or that someone else will help out. Indeed, several cars stopped, and one was ringing the fire brigade when we arrived, but many more drove by. So it’s important that we always check with our neighbours and community -‘Are you alright?’.
And if emergency preparedness interests you, contact our Be Prepared group coordinator Chris Hogan – Christine@hogans.id.au or phone 9279 8778
Posted in Be Prepared, Community, Take Action
Tagged Bushfire, Emergency Preparedness
Following our very successful workshop on ‘The Economics of Happiness’ we held a debriefing workshop on the movie ‘Chasing Ice’.
Chasing Ice graphically but beautifully presents us with the chilling reality of climate change by showing heart-rending footage of rapidly retreating glaciers. It makes it very hard to ignore or deny what is happening to our planet. See this short video for an amusing and heart-warming testimonial from a new convert!
We used the time to share our personal reactions to the movie, our thoughts and feelings about its messages, the state of our climate and its implications for our future. We got to express and release some of the feelings that make it hard for us to face the scary possibilities the movie presents.
Then we got to think about what to do about the things we had learned, about the climate and about ourselves. One member suggested that we can’t truly do transition without doing internal transition!
It was a powerful session and we have decided to meet monthly from now on – our next meeting will be on Tuesday 14th Janurary, 7 pm at my home in Guildford. Please email me at rod.mitchell5@gmail.com for the address.
Posted in Climate Change, Community, Hearts and Minds, Movies
Tagged Chasing Ice, climate change, Internal transition
Community Garden in Glen Forrest Western Australia
Cultivating a strongly connected community and a healthy environment
Cultivating a strongly connected community and a healthy environment
The Economics of Happiness
We are the ones we've been waiting for
Transition Town Guildford 