Sustainable LIving Festival: Showcasing Castlemaine Press Release

Showcasing Castlemaine: Local Sustainable Living Festival

Thursday 19 February 2009

Showcasing Sustainable Castlemaine – is it all green? Great sustainability ideas, enormous fun, learning for recycling in YOUR homes and communities.

Come to the Ray Bradfield Room, Victory Park, Castlemaine at 9.15 am till 1pm on Thursday 19 February for the official opening of this new event by Mount Alexander Shire Council Mayor, Cr Philip Schier. Then to participate in a 'sitting tour' interactive panel conversation assessing our transition to sustainable resilience: engage with community agencies, businesses, Shire buildings and see displays in the areas of sustainability, wellbeing, resettlement of East African Refugees.

At the informative morning session in the Ray Bradfield Room, there will be panels interspersed with music talking about sustainable impact of the core 'business' of each group/agency/in the Shire – and beyond (e-businesses, produce/products, tourism etc). The panels will be of Mount Alexander people working towards: safe climate and landscape; water, and food relocalisation; ensured livelihood; community well being for ensured lifestyles.

Be surprised as the event spills over into Victory Park at lunch time; performance artists will delight. Community members are invited to see great live performances from hip hop, didg, drum to flutes.

Our United Nations World Environment Day Awards 2008 and the Sustainability Group 'Carbon Heroes' posters will be on display. Pick up a wide range of regional sustainability and history resources including a leaflet of self-directed afternoon activities which showcases further examples of shelter (sustainable housing, cluster housing, eco- communities), 'closed loop' local water systems, organic food production and sales, community arts hub, town mural, market information centre and ipod walking tours (ipod refundable $20 deposit).

Buy lunch in our many cafes and restaurants or BYO lunch where speakers will be available to talk further with participants. To participate in this exciting Sustainable Living Festival Regional Event, we suggest you book at our bookings hub and project partner The Down to Earth Store at 227 Barkers Street, Castlemaine www.thedowntoearthstore.com.au 5472 5032, or come on the day. Gold coin donation. http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/interactives/2095

The complete timetable/ program will shortly be available from The Down to Earth Store info@thedowntoearthstore.com.au or from transitionma@gmail.com

Supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council, hosted by Transition Mount Alexander, we thank our partners and participants who include Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, Castlemaine Community House, Castlemaine Library, Castlemaine Police, Mount Alexander Business Network members: The Down to Earth Store, The Bike Vault, Good Foods, Council staff. Melbourne City Council is major sponsor of The Sustainable Living Festival, Melbourne creating local and regional partners in 2009, www.slf.org.au; http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/interactives/2095

Contact Carol McDonough event coordinator for Transition Mount Alexander on 0427 204 524.