Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Geelong Sustainability supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart which calls for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

If you’re passionate about reconciliation, we urge you to join us to support First Nations People by acting today:

1. Talk to family, friends, and colleagues about the Voice. Remind them it is fair and practical, and that it is the form of constitutional recognition sought by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people after the largest consultation with Indigenous people in Australia’s history.

2. Share your thoughts – politely and with civility – on social media. Be proud in your support of this important cause.

3. Write to your MP using this tool. Tell them you support constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a Voice.

For more information visit From the Heart and Uluru Statement. These groups urge the Australian public to support the upcoming referendum.

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting and Member Briefing on November 16 was an amazing opportunity to reflect on the year we’ve had. We are so proud of what we’ve achieved this year, and we'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to and supported Geelong Sustainability over the past 12 months. Read our 2022 Annual Report to see our impact for 2021/22. 

Thank you to all our outgoing Board members for their contributions. A highlight of the AGM was outgoing President Vicki Perrett being awarded with a Life Membership in recognition of her years of dedicated committment. You can read more about the AGM here.

Green Drinks: End of Year Celebration

In less than a week we’ll be hosting our final event of the year! Join us as we reflect on the achievements of our organisation, and the achievements of the broader Geelong community. We aim to celebrate the positive impact the region has felt, and we’ll be inviting community members to share their good-news climate stories from the year.

Entry by gold coin donation, drinks at bar prices.

When: Wednesday 7 December, 5:30-7pm
Where: Beavs Bar
Cost: Gold coin donation
Tickets Here

Real Deal Table Talk event

The Real Deal Geelong Table Talk hosted on November 23 was a huge success. The hosting groups included Geelong Sustainability, ACF Community Geelong, Belmont Scouts and Wesley Uniting Church, with participants from the local community as well as Geelong Trades Hall and United Workers Union.

Approximately forty community members attended the evening, and we had some amazing conversations about Geelong’s past transitions, and how we can make Geelong’s future a fair, equitable and climate-positive one.

If you’re interested in participating in a future Table Talk or hosting your own, please let Emilie know at emilie@geelongsustainability.org.au

Solar at Baptcare Coasthaven

Geelong Sustainability is excited to announce that we have secured grant funding with DELWP’s Round 6 New Energy Jobs Fund for 2023. Through the Fund, we are partnering with Baptcare to facilitate the transition of its Coasthaven Community aged care facility to be powered by renewable energy. The project will install 109kW of solar energy generation at the aged care facility in Norlane, with funding provided from our Community Energy Revolving Fund.

Resources for Summer DIY Projects

Geelong Sustainability members have access to an array of additional content through our Member Portal, such as the recordings from this year’s Sustainable House Day seminars. These seminars can help you on your way to building or retrofitting your perfect sustainable home. If you haven’t already, please consider becoming a Geelong Sustainability member.

'Tis the Season to Save the Planet!

The holiday season is a time for sharing love, gifts and food. However, it can also be our country’s most wasteful time of year, with plenty of wrapping paper, plastic, unwanted gifts and food ending up in landfill. In fact, each year we waste enough wrapping paper to go around Australia six times. Yuck!

There’s plenty you can do to show your family and friends that you love and appreciate them this Christmas, without contributing to the waste disaster. We’ve put together an infographic summing up the best ways you can help, which can be found at our Instagram and Facebook - make sure to give us a follow and a like while you’re there!

Geelong Sustainability memberships are a great, local, waste-free gift.

Single-use Plastic Ban Business Engagement

Geelong Sustainability staff member Jess Hobbs has done some incredible work to deliver the Single-use Plastic Business Engagement Project. Jess has spoken with over 800 businesses across the Barwon South West region in a little over three months. We have spoken with a whole range of small businesses, from those who were previously unaware of the ban, to those who cut out single-use plastics a long time ago. We are so pleased with what we’ve achieved throughout the last three months - thank-you, Jess! Read more about the plastics ban here.

Commonwealth Games Village Consultation - closes December 4

The Victorian Government is seeking community input regarding the Waurn Ponds Commonwealth Games village, to be completed before the 2026 Games. This is an opportunity to build a large number of small footprint, environmentally sustainable homes with good public transport access and more community connections possible. We are hopeful that this will be something which benefits the community long-term. Complete the survey before Sunday.

Torquay Community Microgrid Workshop

Monash University and Birdwood Energy are partnering with Surf Coast, Wodonga and Yarra Ranges councils to conduct feasibility studies that identify how a microgrid can best meet the needs of each community. You are invited to attend a community workshop where you can learn more, and provide your input to the project.

When: Wednesday 7 December, 7-8:30pm
Where: The Sands, 2 Sands Boulevarde, Torquay
Register Here

Nature Search website

A collective of local wildlife groups has created Nature Search, for the Bellarine and Surf Coast. This wonderful website is accessible and easy to use, and can help you identify all manner of flora and fauna while you’re out enjoying nature this summer.