Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Irrkerlantye exhibition of bushfoods and medicines

There is a stunning exhibition of paintings of bush food and bush medicine plants by Irrekerlantye Arts artists on at Olive Pink Botanic Garden.

The exhibition is open everyday from 10am-4pm until Sun Nov 11th.

There are many different local plants and 30 different artists represented .

Monday, October 29, 2007

Kanyini

Kanyini is a fascinating story told by Bob Randall, an indigenous man who lives beside Uluru in central Australia.

Based on his own personal journey, Bob reveals why indigenous Australians are struggling in a modern world and explains what needs to be done in order for them to advance.

A tale of indigenous wisdom clashing against materialist notions of progress, this is not only a story of one man and his people but the story of the human race

Watch or download here

Friday, October 26, 2007

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Educational Resources

The USA Department of Energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy section have just released an updated energy education website with over 350 lesson plans covering all ages. http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/

Re-Thinking Waste Launch at the Bowerbird Tip Shop

Where better to launch the re-thinking waste initiative than at the Bowerbird Tip Shop.

Yamba, Wurgle and students from OLSH were at the Bowerbird on Tuesday to look at many alternatives for waste, from landfill to works of art.

Lucy Sneddon of the Arid Lands Environment Centre launched the program with a talk on the choices we have with regard to what to do with our waste. Also there supporting the program were Michelle Walker of the Waterwise Schools program, Kat Taylor from CoolMob and Heidi Groffen from Land for Wildlife.

Many thanks to the staff of the Bowerbird for allowing us to use their inspiring venue.

The re-thinking waste in schools pilot program will run for a year and will culminate in a celebration of artisic performance and waste workshops at the Araluen in August 2008. A workshop for teachers will be held on 30th November at the Desert Park. Teachers interested in being involved are invited to contact Emma.Bliss@nt.gov.au.

Monday, October 22, 2007

The WINNER’S CIRCLE Workshop

The Winner’s Circle is an approach to understanding and working with the different voices and opinions of the self. When this “community of selves” (Miller Mair) is in conflict, it makes decision making and action a struggle, even for the smallest of things.

The Winner’s Circle was devised to open the dialogue between the different aspects of the selves. Through this process, awareness is reached about particular obstacles or concerns, strengths and weaknesses are explored and tools are provided, leading toward harmony and integration. From a centred self, clarity, opportunities and action emerge. The Winner’s Circle symbolically represents all parts as equally important, and therefore crucial in the process and to the outcome.

The Winner’s Circle was first devised by Jasmine Lance in 2002, who incorporated it into her practice as a Creative Arts Therapist and Theatre Director. In 2006 Jasmine and international Torah Telling presenter, Yael Unterman, co-facilitated workshops in Melbourne and Sydney where this methodology and practice were integrated with outstanding results.

Jasmine’s experience and qualifications in the visual and performing arts, community development, counselling and alternative therapies ensures a dynamic, valuable, enjoyable and multi-dimensional exploration and experience.

WHEN: 27 October, 2007
WHERE: 1 McMinn St, Eastside
TIME: 2 – 5pm
COST: $100

Refreshments will be provided. For further information contact Jasmine on 8952 4969.

Council can recycle your cans!

From Monday 29 October people in Alice Springs will be able to bring in their cans for recycling at 5 cents each, as a result of Alice Springs Town Council receiving a $10,000 grant through the EnvironmeNT Grants Programme to undertake a can recycling programme. A maximum of 500 whole or crushed cans per person can be delivered to the collection centre adjacent to the public toilet at the Civic Centre on Todd Street.

“The program is part of a waste management and resource recovery program being initiated by Council. Territory Metals are providing collection bales and will collect them from Council once they are full. This is a one off funding grant, so the recycling will continue for as long as the grant money will allow. Council will be receiving $1 per kilogram for the cans during the duration of the project, and this money will be injected back into the programs to extend it for as long as possible. When people bring in their cans, they will be counted and then the person will be issued with a receipt for the number of cans they have delivered. The voucher can then be redeemed for cash in the Civic Centre reception area by our friendly Customer Service staff,” said Council CEO Rex Mooney.

Alice Springs Town Council has looked into various ways to encourage recycling in Alice Springs over the years, and the receipt of this grant has allowed people in the community be rewarded for thinking green. “Council hopes the community ‘can’ get behind the ‘can’ recycling program. It is a great way for children to make some pocket money, or for individuals to receive some kind of reimbursement for their aluminium cans. It is hoped we can extend the funds for as long as possible, to give everyone the opportunity to seriously contribute to our can recycling program,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

For further information contact:
Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419 376 060
ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 8950 0525 or 0427161956
ASTC Media & Communication Officer Fionn Muster (08) 8950 0546 or 0417884449

Friday, October 19, 2007

Learning with the brain in mind- an opportunity with John Joseph

A Professional Learning Opportunity for Students, Teachers, and Parents

John Joseph author of Learning with the Brain in Mind is coming to Alice Springs to run a set of 3 workshops on Monday 5th November.

If you have never seen John Joseph before get yourself along to one of these sessions, if you have seen him before, I am betting you will be coming back for more!

John Joseph, the Brain Man, will present

One day workshop for Year Six students (limited places available and booking essential)
A Brain Day – Exploring our Brain – modelling, dissecting, learning
Anzac Hill High School Hall, 9.00 am – 2.30 pm, Monday 5th November

90 Minute Information Session for Teachers
The Araluen Centre, 3.30 – 5.00 pm, Monday 5th November
Presentation - an overview of Learning with the Brain in Mind
Bar Available. Snack provided.

2 Hour Session for Parents
The Araluen Centre 7.00 – 9.00 pm, Monday 5th November
Presentation – Parenting with the Brain in Mind
Bar Available. Snack provided.

For more information contact John Cooper at ANZAC Hill High School 8951 3800 or Stewart Moyses at Larapinta Primary School 89550811

International Painting Competition on the Environment

The International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment is organized annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Bayer and Nikon.

It has been held since 1991 and has received over 190,000 entries from children in over 100 countries.

This year's competition will focus on climate change.

The children's paintings can focus on concrete actions such as using renewable energy, introducing energy saving light bulbs at home, sharing vehicles and using public transport, or planting trees.

The competition will run until 15 January 2008. Visit the UNEP website for full details.

Native Plants for Central Australian Gardens

Greening Australia's fabulous new book "Native Plants for Central Australian Gardens" co-authored by Andy Vinter (of the Threatened Species Network) and Felicity Forth is now available.

Beautifully and simply presented, over 100 spectacular arid region plantsand helpful gardening tips and advice, this book will help gardeners and landscapers establish their own Central Australian native gardens. The local plants featured will survive with little water or fertiliser, they are attractive and will bring wildlife into your garden.

You can pick up a copy from the Greening Australia Nursery, open 9-4 on Thursdays, located at Charles Darwin University, off Grevillea Dv (0427775027).

Re-Thinking Waste in Schools Workshop

The challenge invites all NT schools to encompass a broad range of long term sustainable initiatives for reducing all types of waste. What action can your school take in the areas of waste? This might include reducing water and energy consumption, reducing total waste, increasing recycling or reducing litter in your school.

A list of sustainability action project ideas and resources that participating schools may select from is now available on the Keep Australia Beautiful NT website www.kab.org.au/nt

Is your school ready for the challenge?

Come along to the workshop to get things rolling in your school.

Workshop
If your school would like to be involved you might like to have two facilitators attend a workshop to help with the planning of your action project(s).

When: Friday 30 November, 2007 (week 8) 8.30am – 4.00pm

Where: The Education Room, Alice Springs Desert Park

What: This workshop gives participants the opportunity to

  • Find out more about the challenge and the types of action projects that students and teachers could be involved in
  • Find out more about a whole school approach by looking at some examples from some of the NT Sustainable Schools who are part of the national AuSSI (Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative)
  • Develop an action plan for their school projects
  • Develop a funding proposal for the small grants available for the ‘challenge’
  • Talk and plan with representatives from key supporting agencies/departments

    Ø NT Department of Employment Education and Training – Teaching, Learning & Standards Division,
    Ø NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts –Waterwise Schools
    Ø Desert Knowledge CRC Cool MOB
    Ø Arid Lands Environment Centre
    Ø Gardens for Wildlife
    Ø Alice Springs Desert Park

    ERT is available for up to 2 participants per school to attend the workshop. Application forms have been sent to all schools.

Contact Emma Bliss Emma.Bliss@nt.gov.au for more information

The Re-Thinking Waste in Schools Challenge is project managed by Keep Australia Beautiful and funded by NT Government and the Packaging Stewardship Forum

Monday, October 15, 2007

National Youth Roundtable 2008

Applications for the National Youth Roundtable (Roundtable) 2008 are now open!

Follow the link http://www.thesource.gov.au/involve/NYR/ to the Roundtable 2008 application form and supporting documents. Applications for the Roundtable closing Thursday 18 October 2007.

The contact officers in the Youth Bureau - Debbie O’Donoghue (6212 9440) and Sharon Kent (6212 9559).

Whales website for kids

The Australian Government launched a new whales website for kids recently. See www.saveourwhales.gov.au A video on YouTube about the ongoing global fight to stop whaling was also released. It is presented by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Malcolm Turnbull. The video is available at:YouTube global site: http://www.youtube.com/DeptEnvironmentYouTube Japanese site: http://jp.youtube.com/DeptEnvironment The video expresses the strongly held anti-whaling views of Australians. 'Teens Against Whaling's' Skye and Ayesha Bortoli are also in the video, along with a class of year seven students from Sydney.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

ActNow

A website to educate and inspire young adults to take informed action on contemporary issues, a great place to start your research on a huge variety of topics and issues...

What is ActNow?


ActNow is an awesome website for young people. It gives us information on important issues and makes them easier to understand. It’s also a great place for people to get inspired on taking action.’
Melissa 20, ActNow volunteer

How do you use ActNow?

ActNow
knows that the more you understand about an issue the more you’ll feel empowered to do something about it. Use ActNow to find information on social, political, environmental, lifestyle and topical issues for a non-judgemental and factual snapshot of the bigger picture. All the content you find on ActNow is written by ActNow members who are young people just like you.

You can take action on issues any way you like. The important thing is to have a go and let the ActNow community know what you did, how you did it and what you think the impact was. Sign up as a member and you’ll be able to add your own content to the site such as a ‘thing to do’, a story, an interview, a video, a blog entry or a comment. Get published online!

ActNow is also a volunteering hub. Use the site to get in touch with over 200 organisations that are really keen to work with young people.

Who’s behind ActNow?

ActNow is run by The Inspire Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that creates opportunities for young people to change their world. Inspire also runs the Reach Out! and Beanbag programs nationally.


Friday, October 12, 2007

National Science Week Grants for 2008

The 2008 National Science Week Grants Round opened September 17 and will close on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 17:00 AEST. Individuals or organisations can apply for between $2,000 and $40,000 to run a science-themed activity during National Science Week 2008 (16 - 24 August 2008).
For more information about the grants round and the online application process visit www.dest.gov.au/scienceweek.
The Science Awareness Section, who administer these grants, can be contacted via scope@dest.gov.au or by phone (02) 6240 5078 (this voicemail service is checked regularly).
The National Science Week Grants are funded through the Science Connections Programme.
www.dest.gov.au

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Re-Thinking Waste in Schools Launch with Yamba

The Alice Springs Launch of this program will take place

on TUESDAY 23rd OCTOBER
at 10 am
at the Tip Shop

Yamba and Wurgle the water droplet will be there.

Please come along with your class (teachers are reminded that they are responsible for the behaviour of their students at all times, please bring other supervising adults with you to support you in this role)

RSVP:Could all teachers bringing classes please contact Michelle WalkerWaterwise.NRETA@nt.gov.au by Friday 19th October for catering purposes.