Bike Week 2014

by Tom Fisher | 18 Feb 2014 | Transport

Bike Week will be on again in Armidale in September 2014. SLA Transport Group is keen to run a huge Commute Challenge after its initial success in 2013. We’re looking for your input! Get involved in Bike Week 2014 – come to the 11 March meeting or contact...

Hey there, from the new camp!

by editor | 13 Feb 2014 | AACSGaM | 1 comment

Just writing to let you know what’s been happening at the Front Line Action on Coal camp and Maules Creek blockade. In the last couple of days, the bulk of camp FLAC has moved from the edges of the Leard State Forest to Cliff’s property, just 15 minutes away. ...

The Galway pub with free beer for those who lend a hand

by editor | 13 Feb 2014 | SLAM | 1 comment

A new moneyless pub will rely on donations of energy and time to create a business that is tied to the people and land that support it What holds your business back from truly reflecting how much you care about the world? What stops you making decisions based on...

Follow up: Is SLA living a small town fantasy?

by editor | 7 Feb 2014 | Event

After another stirring forum, where nearly everybody spoke, Annette encouraged people to respond to this green paper. From Annette: There is an opportunity right now to have input to the design of the Direct Action policy, by responding to the consultation on the...

Open Forum – Is SLA living a small town fantasy?

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | Event, Monthly Forum | 3 comments

There seems to be a lot of unrest lately; frustration that not enough is being done on the environmental protection and climate change fronts by Australia. Locally SLA is making positive moves to put sustainability at the front of the public mind. This is all well and...

CANCELLED: AURG Working Bee Sunday 9 February

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | AURG | 2 comments

UPDATE: This event is cancelled but there will be more. The AURG is holding its first working bee for 2014. This will be with the Bishops Court Reserve Group and involve some work with chainsaws to clear out woody weeds in the area as well as woody weed control...

Calling all Protectors of the Pilliga and Leard Forests

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | AACSGaM, Event

You are invited to hear the latest updates from the Pilliga and Leard Forests, share personal stories and discuss plans to protect our land, our water and our future from 7pm on Monday, 10th February, at the Armidale Bowling Club, 92/96 Dumaresq St. We can all make a...

Armidale Protectors stand up for the Pilliga and Leard Forests

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | AACSGaM | 1 comment

Local support is growing as the campaigns to protect the Pilliga and Leard Forests intensify. Armidale Action on Coal Seam Gas and Mining (AACSGaM) invites members of the community to join the meeting on Monday, February 10 at 7pm at the Armidale Bowling Club to...

Discussion Forums – NSW Framework for Sustainability Action and Engagement

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | Event

UPDATE: This is on in March not February. Do you engage your community in environmental issues? Are you a teacher, an academic, a community member or volunteer with an environment group? Are you from local or state government, a community organisation or a business?...

‘Frakka Hakka’ protest song from West Sussex

by editor | 4 Feb 2014 | AACSGaM | 1 comment

Filmed in Balcombe at the controversial Cuadrilla fracking site in West Sussex, Seize the Day’s ‘Frakka Hakka’ song is performed by the band and protestors at the Balcombe Community Defenders Camp. Let us know what you think and share it far and...

Knitting Nannas against Gas (KNAG) Knit-ins every Thursday at 11.30am

by editor | 30 Jan 2014 | AACSGaM, Event

Hi, there will be ongoing knit-ins that will occur most Thursday’s 11pm at ANZ, politicians’ shopfronts, and whom ever is involved in the fossil fuel industry. Recently we established the New England North West loop of the Knitting Nannas against Gas...

Our Ecological Footprint infographic

by editor | 30 Jan 2014 | Starfish

Australian wind power cheaper than new coal or gas

by editor | 30 Jan 2014 | Energy, Starfish | 1 comment

Unsubsidised renewable energy is now cheaper than electricity from new-build coal and gas-fired power stations in Australia, according to new analysis from research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance. This new ranking of Australia’s energy resources is the product of...

Local group works to protect our water, our land, our future

by editor | 16 Jan 2014 | AACSGaM

Members of Armidale Action on Coal Seam Gas and Mining (AACSGaM) are joining peaceful protests and blockades at the Maules Creek coal mine in the Leard State Forest and at Santos’ coal seam gas mining operations in the Pilliga Forest. Twelve people from Armidale...

Leard State Forest Public Forum

by editor | 16 Jan 2014 | AACSGaM, Event

You are invited to Leard State Forest Public Forum Thursday, 16th January, 2014 @ 7-00 pm Heritage Room – Darling Street Community Centre, Tamworth Come and hear about why people are protesting to save the Leard State Forest Speakers: Phil Spark will explain...

Earth Hour 2014 – Saturday 29th March 8.30pm

by editor | 15 Jan 2014 | Event

This is just a heads up Armidale, with a meeting planned of interested parties next week. Let me know if you want to be involved through the contact page. Message from the Earth Hour team, We are hoping you’re as excited as we are for the potential to involve the...

The Future of Work

by editor | 15 Jan 2014 | Starfish

Kevin Wheeler from the Future of Talent Institute talks about this rapidly changing world and what that means for the future of work. Top-heavy hierarchical and centralised structures are breaking down. The era of the big organisation is on the way out. Kevin sees a...

Climate Change Science in Haiku

by editor | 15 Jan 2014 | Starfish

Reports released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) can be daunting, even for science and policy insiders. The full Physical Science Assessment, the first installment of the Fifth Assessment Report (pdf), released in manuscript form earlier this...

Scandinavian-style Sustainability

by editor | 15 Jan 2014 | Starfish | 1 comment

This is a really good opinion piece by Dan Haugen on sustainability. It highlights the tensions, the paradoxes and the complexities of sustainability. While it shows that there are certainly solutions and successes there remains a great deal of uncertainty as we...

CORENA installs first crowd-funded solar power in Australia

by editor | 15 Jan 2014 | Energy, Starfish

CORENA have completed the installation of a 7kW solar power system which is probably the first crowd-funded project of its kind in Australia. The installation is for Tulgeen Disability Services in Bega on the far south coast of NSW. The solar power will be used for...

Leard forest Act-up 14-16 December

by editor | 11 Dec 2013 | AACSGaM, Event

Dear friends. It’s time: construction of the Maules Creek mine is about to begin, and we need your help. Over the last four years, the campaign against the Maules Creek mine, near Boggabri, has severely delayed the project, despite support from the State and Federal...

The world is probably better than you think

by editor | 11 Dec 2013 | Starfish

This presentation is by the statistical extraordinare Hans Rosling from Gapminder. Hans particularly dispels the myth about the global ‘population bomb’ however tours the viewer through a roller coaster ride of powerful statistics which highlight the profound progress...

Thursday Forum: End of Year Party in the Garden

by editor | 4 Dec 2013 | Event, Monthly Forum

Thanks members and volunteers, SLA has had another wonderful year, and will gather at the next Forum to celebrate and party, and everyone is welcome to come along, bringing some finger food and drink to share. The festivities will happen at Uniting Church Community...

AURG Christmas party

by editor | 4 Dec 2013 | AURG, Event

The AURG Christmas Party is on Sunday 8 December. Everyone is invited and the details for the evening are as follows:- Time From 5.30pm Date Sunday 8 December 2013 Location Imi & Bea’s Place Imi & Bea’s...

National Day on Climate Change Armidale follow up and video

by editor | 4 Dec 2013 | Event

GetUp! are running a follow up petition to the National Day of Climate Action. To: Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition leader Bill Shorten CC: Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Shadow Minister Mark Butler We demand that our government respects the science and...