Archive for January 16th, 2008

Tour of CERES Community Environment Park

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 16th of January, 2008

CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) was founded in 1981 as a four hectare community environment park located in Brunswick East near the Merri Creek. Over time the site has grown to include an animal farm, community gardens, cafe, walking trails as well as exhibits on energy, water and transport sustainability.

This afternoon I attended a tour of CERES, organised in conjunction with local residents, the Croydon Conservation Society and the North Ringwood Community House to learn about the project and to identify the potential for a similar scheme within Maroondah.

The tour, which coincidentally was conducted by a local Maroondah resident, provided a history of CERES, as well as understanding of the community garden and exhibits. CERES has progressed rapidly over the past twenty years, due to a strong partnership with the local council, community groups and businesses. Today, CERES is largely self-sufficient with a $5 million turnover, while promoting social equity and sound environmental practices.

CERES conducts a number of educational programs, including incursions and excursions for schools and other tour groups. The site is visited by over 330,000 people per annum with approximately 15,00 student visits. A partnership has been established by North Ringwood Community House, Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre, Park Orchards Community House, as well as Maroondah and Manningham Councils to investigate the potential of a similar project in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The tour was most informative and provided an opportunity to see first-hand the benefits of a community environment park. While replicating a similar project in Maroondah may take some time it would certainly provide immense benefits to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

• For more information on CERES please visit www.ceres.org.au.

Media Release: Go green at Maroondah Festival

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 16th of January, 2008

A Sustainability Expo to help Maroondah residents ‘go green’ is the latest addition to the Maroondah Festival to be held at Croydon Park on Sunday February 17.

Councillor Alex Makin said the Sustainability Expo is designed to encourage the community to incorporate environmentally sustainable methods into their daily lives.

“The Expo will feature workshops from Enviro Craft which aims to raise environmental awareness through education and hands on experiences,” said Cr Makin.

“Visitors to the festival can have some fun learning to make flags, musical instruments, and fashion accessories from recycled and reused materials that would normally go to landfill,” said Cr Makin.

“There will also be lots of information and environmentally friendly products and services on show, which can be used to conserve resources around the home,” said Cr Makin.

The popular Maroondah Festival Business Expos return again this year with the Lifestyle Expo featuring everything from cosmetics and skincare to photography and professional business advice. The Yarra Valley Nissan Auto Expo is a must see for car buffs and rev-heads alike. And if you are building, buying, renovating or after some home decorating ideas, make a note to visit the RESI Home Loans Homemaker Expo.

The RACV Community Expo is the place to see the largest gathering of Maroondah’s many social and support groups in one spot. Experience the diversity and talents of local performers with a day of live entertainment at the Community Stage and support the work of community organisations by buying a drink, snack or lunch at the DENSO Australia Community Food Court.

“The Kids Korner is the must-do activity for youngsters at the festival. The kids will love a day’s worth of on stage entertainment along with a petting zoo, a live educational reptile display by Snakebusters, face painting, rides and a special cow milking and butter making workshop,” said Cr Makin.

Local businesses and craft market holders are invited to participate in the Maroondah Festival as business exhibitors and craft site holders. Sites are limited and are filling quickly, so contact the Maroondah Festival office to secure your site.

For more information contact the Maroondah Festival office on 9294 5604.