CARING FOR THE PLANET

Welcome to my new column about taking care of the environment and little things we can do to help.

This month is all about plastic pollution and its effect on our reefs and oceans.

Leaving rubbish on the ground can affect the ocean because it can blow onto the beach then into the water with the wind. Sea creatures such as turtles, fish, dolphins, seabirds, oysters and mussels can be affected if they digest these plastics. It will end up in their digestive system clogging everything up, causing sickness and possibly death.

Seabirds and fish mistake plastic for small creatures or plants that they eat, meanwhile turtles often mistake it for jellyfish.

What can we do to help reduce plastic pollution? Pick up plastics and rubbish whenever we can and put it in the bin or recycling. Try to make sure not to drop any plastic or other rubbish and try to put your rubbish in the correct bins.

We can also try to reduce the amount of plastic we produce and use. At the supermarket, an easy way to reduce plastic is to put your apples and other fruit and vegetables straight into the trolley or basket instead of into the small plastic bags, whch are thin and can blow away easily.

Try to buy recycled products and avoid single-use plastics, and try to find groceries and other items that are in paper bags or glass jars instead of being wrapped in plastic.

Another thing you can do while shopping is bring your own reusable material bags, instead of buying cheap plastic bags that end up in the garbage or clog up your space at home.

If we all try to reduce our plastic use it will help sustain our beautiful oceans and reefs, and our marine animals and creatures can live in a healthy plastic-free environment.

Sustainable houses open on 19 March

Sustainable House Day helps people make their homes more comfortable, more energyefficient and cheaper to run. On Sunday 19 March, the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group presents an Open House event featuring four homes across the Ranges. South Gisborne: A small off-grid home created from an old portable school building with added insulation, secondary glazing, draughtproofing, worm farm wastewater treatment, food gardens, solar, batteries and solar hot water.

Woodend North: Lucy and Robin’s house. Solar, battery and electric vehicle saving the owners about $3000 a year on electricity and petrol. The solar system, battery and EV will be available to view.

Lancefield: Artist House. A 120-square-metre modular home built for $250k (2018). Features uPVC windows and doors, ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation, recycled and reused materials.

Kyneton: Hempcrete Cottage. The builder will be in attendance to explain construction methodology and the benefits of hempcrete.

See the homes, talk with their owners and pick up some tips to improve your own home. Free admission, booking required. For tickets and more information, see the group's website (mrsg.org.au/eventscalendar/2023/3/19/sustainable-house-day).

Get involved! We are looking for volunteers to welcome and direct visitors on the day. If you can help out for a couple of hours, please contact us by email at susthomes@mrsg.org.au

Submitted by Sue Barker, MRSG Sustainable Homes Action Group

MEMBER'S MESSAGE

Here we are in autumn in the gorgeous Macedon Ranges!

Some fantastic grant and leadership opportunities are open right now and seeking applications.

A reminder that the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program which helps sport clubs and eligible organisations with up to $10,000 grants to run initiatives that promote participation by women and girls is open until March 6. Visit changeourgame.vic. gov.au.

The 2022-23 Country Football and Netball Program is open too and I encourage local clubs to liaise with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council about opportunities to apply. We love our football and netball in Gisborne and surrounds, and it’s important to support clubs to meet demand and welcome new participants. Grants of up to $250,000 are available to redevelop and build new ovals and netball courts, install LED sports lighting, and build new or redevelop existing pavilions. Visit sport.vic.gov.au.

The amazing women in our community bring experience, expertise and energy to so many of our local organisations. Giving women tailored governance training and mentoring for roles on community and government boards, the Women’s Board Leadership Program is a fabulous scholarship opportunity to enhance skills and have impact in the community. Details are at vic.gov.au/womens-board-leadershipprogram

Have a wonderful month of March.

Documentary on women's homelessness available

The Under Cover docunentary on homelessness in women mentioned in the October 2022 Gazette article on Robert Pradolin titled 'Shelter Seeker' is now available on ABC iview at www.iview.abc.net.au/show/under-cover.

We were excited to list with Rhys’s new company and knew instantly that we would be in good hands. We can’t say enough about Rhys as a person and agent that we trusted wholeheartedly. Rhys’s integrity and honesty is second to none and he supports you every step of the way, including tips that made a huge difference to our property. His enthusiasm and passion were as though he were selling his own home. Sale in 3 weeks, happy vendors, happy purchasers. Don’t look anywhere else, Rhys is the best!”