Category Archives: Energy

September movie night – The Power of Community

Transition Town Guildford September Movie night – The Power of Community

Power of community poster

The September movie night will be a special night on food and Kitchen Gardeners – The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil – It’s an oldie, but a goodie, a must see if you haven’t seen it!

“The documentary, “The Power of Community – How Cuba Survived Peak Oil,” was inspired when Faith Morgan and Pat Murphy took a trip to Cuba in 2003. When they learned that Cuba underwent the loss of over half of its oil imports and survived, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, the couple wanted to see for themselves how Cuba had done this. During their first trip to Cuba, in the summer of 2003, they traveled from Havana to Trinidad and through several other towns on their way back to Havana. They found what Cubans call “The Special Period” astounding and Cuban’s responses very moving.” IMDB rating 7.6/10

As usual, the second Tuesday of the month – Tuesday 9th September

@The Stirling Arms Hotel, 117 James street, Guildford

6 pm onwards for food and drinks, Movie starts 7 pm

Entry by donation

Please RSVP via Eventbrite, so we can let the kitchen know how many to expect.

Gasland II and Fracking in WA

Last week we screened Gasland II, all about how ‘Fracking’ (hydraulic fracturing) has polluted water and politics in the USA, and it was pretty scary!

This industry is looking to take off in WA with test wells planned in two locations in regional WA in the next few months. You can watch a 7:30 WA report on it from the other week here: Mid West community unhappy with fracking plans

But here’s the fantastic news, over the weekend, Central Greenough (south of Geraldton) just became the first ‘Gasfield Free Community’ in WA! Over 96% of the community said no to unconventional gas.

Celebrating the first WA Gasfield Free Community! (Photo Jaime Yallup Farrant)

Celebrating the first WA Gasfield Free Community! (Photo Jaime Yallup Farrant)

Great work Greenough, we support regional Australians protecting their land and water! Make sure you tell your MP that you support protecting our land and water via Clean Water, Healthy Land.

Greenough gasfield free

Over 96% of the local community said no to unconventional gas (Photo Jaime Yallup Farrant)

You might also like to watch this recent Australian Story on how fracking is bringing together unlikely allies, Greens, farmers and shock jock Alan Jones. Available on Iview until 9 pm tonight

Celebration time (photo Jaime Yallup Farrant)

Celebration time
(photo Jaime Yallup Farrant)

Local article in the Geraldton Guardian

Local article in the Geraldton Guardian

Community Energy forum wrap

On Monday night we held a Community Energy Forum in Midland. It was short notice, but great to have the opportunity to hear from visiting Community Energy researcher Jarra Hicks. She outlined some of the inspiring community energy projects she’s visited around the world.

You can download a copy of Jarra’s slides here. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough battery to record all her presentation. So if you have video/camera expertise and would like to help in the future, please let us know. Thanks to Michelle Kwok for the Iphone videos below!

Barb’s take away messages from the Congress:

Jenny’s summary from the Congress of different community energy models:

 Download a PDF copy of Barb and Jenny’s slides

To finish the night, Tom Tolchard also presented a summary of the feedback we received at the Guildford Energy launch earlier in the year. Download a PDF copy of Tom’s slides

Following the Community Energy Forum on 21st July and our previous launch, we’re hosting two opportunities for people to come discuss what direction they would like Guildford Energy to take?

  • What should Guildford Energy focus on and aim to achieve?
  • What business model / financial arrangement / governance structure appeals to you?
  • Do you have any ideas for specific projects?
  • Are you interested in investing in such a project?

Join us for one of two facilitated discussions:

Opportunity 1:

Date: Tuesday, 19th August
Venue: Stirling Arms Hotel
Time: 7 pm start

More details and please RSVP

Opportunity 2:
Date: Saturday, 23rd August
Venue: Mechanics Institute
Time: 1 pm start
More details and please RSVP

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