Saltgrass

This is the final episode of the three about the housing crisis and what my local community is doing about it. In this episode we hear about some of the creative solutions including community groups building housing specific for their needs, Council utilising existing sites to build affordable housing, adjusting council laws to allow more flexibility for tiny homes on wheels, working out how to use existing houses and how to keep people in their homes in ways that work for everyone. For links go to the Saltgrass website.

In these three episodes we will explore how housing is a key climate issue and we'll look at how the housing crisis is impacting where I live, in regional Victoria. In this second episode we are looking at what deliberative development is and how co-housing and community building can be a part of our housing solutions.  In the next episodes we'll explore what the local community is already doing about housing and at some innovative solutions that may be helpful.  For links go to the Saltgrass website.

How is the housing crisis linked to sustainability? In the next three episodes we will explore how housing is a key climate issue and we'll look at how the housing crisis is impacting where I live, in regional Victoria. In this episode we will look at how the land lies, what is the problem? In the two following episodes we'll explore what the local community is already doing about it and also at some other innovative solutions that may be helpful.  For links go to the Saltgrass website

I know it has been a while since there was anything new on Saltgrass, so here is a quick (6 min) update for you.  In summary: There will be 5 new episodes coming out soon which will wrap up season 5 of Saltgrass and then we will get stuck into season 6.  Also, Saltgrass won some cool awards :) Yay!  

This is the full audio from the Connecting Country event called ‘Revegetation Success in a Changing Climate' The event featured presentations from Sasha Jellinek from the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Water, Oli Moraes - Project Manager at Djaara and Tess Greives from the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA)  

Connecting Country is a not for profit organisation which works closely with landcare groups and others in restoring neglected and damaged ecosystems. Hadley Cole and Bonnie Humphries from Connecting Country join Allie to discuss how landcare groups contribute to various restoration efforts, and how the unprecedented nature of climate change and its impact on existing ecosystems makes the task complex and unpredictable. Various strategies are being tried, including mixing plant provenances to achieve a higher genetic diversity and boost ecosystem resilience.  In this episode are excerpts from an event  called 'Revegetation Success in a Changing Climate' featuring Sasha Jellinek from the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Water, Oli Moraes from DJAARA and Tess Greives from the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), The full recording of the event will be shared in upcoming weeks.   Guests: Bonnie Humphries – Connecting Country – Landscape Restoration Specialist Hadley Cole – Connecting Country – Landcare Facilitator Sasha Jellinek - the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Water Oli Moraes - Djaara Tess Greives - North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA)     Summary: 00:00 Introduction 02:28 Acknowledgement of Country 03:22 Hadley Cole and Bonnie Humphries in conversation about Connecting Country and Landcare 17:30 Excerpts from event: ‘Revegetation Success in a Changing Climate' 17:53 Sascha Jellinik – climate impact and importance of genetic diversity 21:14 Oli Moraes - The Role of Djaara in landscape restoration and climate strategies 25:36 Tess Greives – Climate ready Reveg projects 28:07 Bonnie and Hadley on the Importance of Genetic Diversity in Ecosystems 31:35 The Role of Climate Future Plots in Ecosystem Restoration 43:09 The Importance of Community Involvement in Ecosystem Restoration 46:03 Conclusion and Final Remarks   LINKS: Connecting Country Djaara's Healing Country Plan   Related Episodes: Wilderhoods Walking Together Caring For Country

Today we are going to Village Dreaming Farm and Orto cooking school. Mara and Ralf live on about 15 acres just outside of Daylesford – about a 30min drive south of where I am in Castlemaine. They have been there since 2015 and in that time have transformed the empty paddocks of former grazing land into a small farm that follows regenerative and permaculture principles, with a kitchen garden, orchards and wetlands.    Links: Village Dreaming   Ceres - environmental park in Melbourne Natural Tucker - sourdough bakery Damian Cook - who Ralf worked for for many years  Critical Mass - cycling protest   Related Episodes: Youth are Rising Redbeard Bakery Ilka White on her art practice and  Ethical Apparel

Are you good at composting? I certainly haven't been in the past. But with the help of a community composting group called YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) I have become a kitchen scrap saviour, a leaf collecting ninja and I make steaming hot compost.  In today's episode I talk to Lucy Young, Joel Meadows, Mikaela Beckley and Claudia Lang about what this group is all about and why they are passionate about compost. (Spoiler: reducing greenhouse gasses, connecting community, building beautiful soil)    

Recent episodes have been looking at the farmers out at the Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative. We've been out there to explore how farming and agriculture might be done in a way that is earth, biodiversity and humanity friendly. Each and every one of the farmers talked about how important the support of the local community has been, and how much enthusiasm they have received from people who get what they are trying to do, even if it costs a bit more and is not as convenient as shopping at the supermarkets. But it isn't just individuals buying for their families that support these farmers and so this week we're looking at small businesses who prioritise locally produced food, these are people who go to the extra effort and often spend extra time working with the farmers through the ups and downs, wins and losses of seasons and years and changing weather.   This episode features: Mel from Gung Hoe Growers Alex Perry from Bar Midland Paul and Patricia from Sprout Bakery Sas Allardice - co-founder of Gung Hoe Growers   Links: Gung Hoe Growers HOFC – Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative Sprout Bakery and their Instagram Bar Midland   Other Related Episodes: S4 E17 Djakitj Larr – Eating Country Healthy part 1 S4 E17 Djakitj Larr – Eating Country Healthy part 2   S5 E11 An Incredible Octopus – with Katie Finlay S5 E12 The Orchard Keepers S5 E13 Micro Dairy S5 E14 Love and Garlic   S1 E06 Gung Hoe Growers with Sas and Mel S1 E05 Mount Alexander Fruit Garden   S2 E13 Food Security and Farmers Markets S5 E07 Root to Tip with Duang

It has been almost a decade of effort and love and garlic from Gung Hoe Growers – supplying our local community through the local farmers market, selling to cafes and restaurants and providing boxes of veg to seasonal and annual subscribers. Many have felt sadness on hearing that Gung Hoe will not be renewing their lease out at the Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative. This episode is a big chat with Mel about how and why this has happened and how this reflects on our farming and food production systems.   Listen back to the start of the Gung Hoe story: Saltgrass Season 1 Gung Hoe Growers with Sas and Mel   Links: Gung Hoe Growers HOFC – Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative

We are heading back out to the Harcourt Farming Cooperative – this time to talk to Tess Sellar who runs a herd of 10 or so dairy cows and supplies organic milk and yoghurt to our local community. Tess uses regenerative farming practices, re-usable glass containers and does countless other things to make her micro-dairy as low impact as possible. Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode contains conversation about suicide. If you feel vulnerable or at risk please reach out for help. If you are in Australia you can go to Lifeline or call 13 11 14   Resources and Links: Sellar Dairy Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative   Food Not Bombs Holy Goat Cheese  

Following on from the last episode about the Harcourt Farming Cooperative, today we are looking at The Orchard Keepers.  They are part of the  grand experiment of this farming cooperative, having taken over the orchard management a couple of years ago.  They are using organic and regenerative practices and they are not just farmers, but they are visionaries and committed activists through the work they do on and in the soil.  Listen as we discuss the challenges and joys of taking on a mature orchard and trying to make a go of farming with young kids and extreme weather. The Orchard Keepers are: Ingrid Phyland  Alex Kelly  Yoann Le Guen  Megan Roberts  Brian Morris  Rachael Cilantro    Resources and Links The Orchard Keepers Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative   World Wildlife Fund – Innovate to Regenerate fund     Related Episodes: S5 E11 An Incredible Octopus - with Katie Finlay S1 E05 Mount Alexander Fruit Garden S1 E06 Gung Hoe Growers S2 E13 Food Security and Farmers Markets

This is the first of four episodes that will be released about the Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative. Long term listeners may remember two episodes from season one that captured conversations with farmers from the cooperative as it was just beginning back in 2018.  I've been following the process of this cooperative with interest since it began because it is a fascinating case study of alternative farming... that is, an alternative to large scale, monocultural farming which contributes to climate change rather than helping mitigate it. Listen to Katie talking about what it has been like to open her family farm up to young farmers and the co-op - what she affectionately describes as an incredible octopus!   Links: Project Drawdown on climate and farming   HOFC Grow Great Fruit Fruit Tree Nursery Gung Hoe Growers Sellar Dairy Indigenous native food – Murrnong Mummas  The Orchard Keepers   World Wildlife Fund – Innovate to Regenerate fund AFSA – Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance Farming on other people's land  - FOOPL Grounded – community land trust  Farmer Incubator This Farm Needs a Farmer (Facebook link) Growing Farmers   Related episodes: Saltgrass Season 1 Katie and Ant Saltgrass Season 1 Gung Hoe Growers with Sas and Mel Saltgrass Season 2 Regenerative Farming

Plastic Free July had humble beginnings in back in 2011 when Rebecca Prince-Ruiz had the idea of refusing to buy or accept single use plastics for the month of July, just to see if she could.  She asked people around her if they wanted to do it too and now it is a global movement with an estimated 140 million people from 195 countries participating in 2022.   I wanted to Talk to Rebecca, not only because she is amazing, but also, Plastic Free July is truly a grassroots movement that has made a global impact. And I was so curious to hear how it started and how it grew. Rebecca is also overflowing with stories of people making change at all levels of society and business and she happily delves into discussions about balancing personal responsibility with demanding action from corporations and governments and we also had some great questions from the audience as well.    Links: Plastic Free July   Book: Plastic Free By Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and Joanna Atherford Finn (Published 2020)   Global plastics treaty Zero Waste Victoria BYO Containers   Some other plastic education media pieces:   Climate Town: Plastic Recycling is a scam DW Planet A: Recycling Myth The Story of Plastic    

How can local councils and Traditional Owners work collaboratively towards climate and environmental goals? Today's episode explores one way to get things going. Back in November 2022 Djaara – the Traditional Owners in Central Victoria where Saltgrass is made – invited representatives from local councils to gather on Country and workshop how Djaara and councils can co-design climate strategies and manage environmental issues together. Along with the audio from the workshop there is an extended interview with the organisers of that event that includes Oli Moraes from Djaara, Melanie Marshall, Climate Change Coordinator at Mount Alexander Shire Council – my local council and Dr Alexander Saeri – or Zan – from Monash University and Behaviour Works Australia. Resources and Links   About Djaara: Djaara Djaara's settlement agreement Djaara's Healing Country Plan   Waa   Guests: Oli Moraes from Djaara Dr Alexander Saeri from Behaviour Works Australia Melanie Marshall from Mount Alexander Shire Mount Alexander Shire Climate Change Strategy  

Tim Hollo is many things, musician, politician, anarchist and the author of Living Democracy – An ecological manifesto for the end of the world as we know it. He was in conversation at the Taproom in Castlemaine with Jim Buckell and introduced by Alex Kelly with an extended Q&A with the audience.   Links: Living Democracy Book There is no time left not to do everything – an article and now a chapter in the book The Green Institute                                                                    Green Music Australia Fourplay Jim Buckell Democracy for Dinner Democracy for Dinner Substack   Tim Low's book ‘Where Song Began' Half of our body is not human  Nobel Prize winning economist Eleanor Ostrum ‘Defender of the commons' Philosopher Hannah Arendt who escaped Nazi Germany and dedicated her academic life to exploring totalitarianism and the nature of power Fearless Cities as exampled by Barcelona Murray Bookchin Democratic confederalism as seen in Kurdish communities   Related Episodes: Democracy for Dinner Futures

Duang moved to Castlemaine just a few years ago, but is already an integral part of the fabric of our community. She sells delicious Thai cooking at the weekly farmers market and came here, as you will hear, in part because she knew about the Harcourt Farming Cooperative and the community supported agriculture (CSA) method that they employ. Duang was so keen to support the farmers that she offered a free zero waste cooking class to CSA members at her own home – a way to offer more value to those who subscribed. It was a fun class with Duang peppering the cooking advice with stories of her life. We made pesto out of carrot tops and talked about what makes a good life. Allie then went back later to have a longer chat with Duang.    Links: SBS episode about Duang's life Duang's cooking school Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative   Related Episodes: Gung Hoe Growers Mount Alexander Fruit Garden Food Security and Farmers Markets  

Following on from the last episode about the Castlemaine Currency Project, this episode shares audio from a panel discussion that was part of the original exhibition and social experiment.  Featuring: Warwick Smith, Castlemaine Institute Karl Fitzgerald, Prosper Australia Merryn Tinkler, Mount Alexander Shire - Manager of Economy and Culture Anitra Nelson, University of Melbourne

Local currencies and alternative money systems... what is that all about? Is it really a helpful thing to be thinking about in the middle of the climate crisis? A group of artists in Castlemaine have created an art project and social experiment in the form of a local currency they called The Silver Wattle to explore just these questions. The audio in this episode was recorded at a live event that was held as part of the Castlemaine fringe arts festival – one year after the Castlemaine Currency Project was launched back in May 2022   LINKS: About the Castlemaine Currency Project: Castlemaine Currency Website Castlemaine Currency Facebook Film “Conversations from the Castlemaine Currency Project“ by Lisa Mills at Storyland ABC article from time of exhibition Article in garland magazine About the Artists: Jodi Newcomb Carbon Arts The Castlemaine Institute Dale Cox Ann Ferguson Other Links: Get Lost – funded the Currency project in 2022 Castlemaine Pay The Rent Transition Towns Wikipedia Transition Network Local Lives Global Matters conference The film Tomorrow Rob Hopkins – his book ‘from what if to what is' Totnes Transition Town Totnes Pound Wararak Initiatives Josh Durum  - Design by Committee Indigenomics Regen Melbourne Brixton Pound – Bowie's head on the note Anitra Nelson – Beyond Money

Anna and Matt run the Salvage Yard in Castlemaine. They rescue building materials that would otherwise go to landfill, clean it up and sell it on. It isn't hoarding if you turn it into a business is it? This episode is exploring waste again, but this time we are looking at the building industry and how we can construct and dismantle buildings better. Another example of how 'Reduce, Re-use and Recycle' can be applied to almost anything! Go to saltgrasspodcast.com to see more about this episode, including a full transcript.   

Tiffany Inglis started an op shop (AKA opportunity shop - known as a thrift store in the USA) and all she wants to do is save the world one pair of very cheap second hand jeans at a time.  Not only is the Good Op shop keeping A LOT of stuff out of landfill, but money raised there is then given to worthy environmental causes. If that is not enough to convince you it is a 'good' op shop - then wait til you hear about the educational programs and recycling initiatives they have started.    Good Op Shop (Facebook) Good Op Shop (Instagram) The Salvage Yard Wettenhall Environment Trust Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group Robyn Annear book on op shops La Loba – Meri (Instagram) Fundraiser for the machines (funding goal achieved!!!) No such thing as a Hero article: https://lithub.com/rebecca-solnit-when-the-hero-is-the-problem/

Cassia Read and Ada Nano are both ecologists who have been working within a local climate focussed hub called The Castlemaine Institute.  They have been developing a program called “Wilderhoods” that helps neighbours come together, learn about the land they are on and how to turn their nature strips and yards into places that birds, bees and lizards would want to hang out in. This is all while connecting with neighbours and creating climate resilient spaces that work for humans, plants and animals.

Are you worried about waste? If so, join us on an epic adventure of plastic reduction, waste management and letting your wheelie bin get dusty from neglect! In this episode you can hear all about one inspiring local who has tackled this challenge head on. Gemma has set herself the incredible challenge of putting her landfill wheelie bin out just once per year! Hear all about how she managed to reduce her waste through making different shopping decisions and lifestyle changes.  What can and can't be recycled is in constant flux and local landfill is a big pain in the council's arse. It is becoming clearer and clearer that when we want to throw things away, there is actually no such magical place as ‘away'… it is just ‘over there'.   Inspired by Gemma, Allie is up for this challenge and her first goal is to reduce the frequency of putting her bin out to once every 3 months. Follow her journey with this across this new season of Saltgrass and how she reduces what needs to go to landfill. We are inviting you to join us and challenge yourself to reduce your waste and measure this by how many times you put out your kerbside bin.  If you normally put it out every week, see if you can put it out once a month.  If you put it out once a month, see if you can put it out every three or six months.  Join us to swap notes, resources and tips and ideas. Find out more https://saltgrasspodcast.com/wheelie-bin-challenge/  

Back in March 2022 Zoe Scoglio joined Allie live on MAINfm and shared some interviews she had collected for a Castlemaine Commons Collective project. Beautiful conversations about community, connectedness and resilience.   Episode 4 includes interviews with: Allison Nye from Country Womens Association (CWA) Carolyn Neilson about the Murnong Community

Back in March 2022 Zoe Scoglio joined Allie live on MAINfm and shared some interviews she had collected for a Castlemaine Commons Collective project. Beautiful conversations about community, connectedness and resilience. Episode 3 includes interviews with: Madz from Community Lunch and Growing Abundance and Lorraine from MASDAG

Back in March 2022 Zoe Scoglio joined Allie live on MAINfm and shared some interviews she had collected for a Castlemaine Commons Collective project. Beautiful conversations about community, connectedness and resilience. Episode Two includes interviews Zoe did with two locals; author Robyn Annear and ecologist Karl Just. Song referenced: Sunset Village by Beverly Glenn-Copeland (Sound quality starts out with some interference, but improves through the episode)

This is the first of four episodes created in collaboration with The Castlemaine Commons Collective and artist Zoe Scoglio. They were recorded live at MAINfm in March 2022.    Zoe had been collecting local stories of community organising and collective care. Each episode in this series includes short edited excerpts from some of the conversations held by Zoe. We hope this can inspire further conversations, and so we can learn from each other about how to navigate these increasingly precarious times together brought on by the pandemic and climate crisis.

Allie and some other podcasters got together last year at the NonfictioNow Conference and had a long chat about what it is to make media and try to communicate about climate change. In this second part of the discussion we explore why we make our shows and the various problems we grapple with as we try to make the complexities of the climate crisis accessible.    Featuring: Allie - Saltgrass Jess and Ash - Heaps Better Tessa - The Nature Between Us Mark - Climactic  

Allie and some other podcasters got together last year at the NonfictioNow Conference and had a long chat about what it is to make media and try to communicate about climate change. In this first part of the discussion we interview each other about our shows - what our shows are, how they came about and what we hope to achieve with it.    Featuring: Allie - Saltgrass Jess and Ash - Heaps Better Tessa - The Nature Between Us Mark - Climactic  

A short message from Saltgrass host and producer Allie to close season four including some clues about what is coming soon. 

This is part two on Djakitj Larr - Eating Country Healthy.  Please listen to the previous episode first to hear the full story.    In 2019 Bendigo was designated a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy. In early 2021 about 100 people gathered at a winery just outside of Harcourt. Djakitj Larr was an afternoon of food, performance and creative conversation that allowed people to connect and reflect, and generate ideas for building sustainable food systems on Djaara Country. In this two part podcast Allie shares audio from the day and also an interview with the creators.   Djakitj Larr creative team: Jodi Newcombe, executive producer and director Sam Thomas, creative development, sound design, stage manager: animate objects Will Tait, co-producer, performer and MC Rebecca Phillips, creative development, performer, advisor on Djaara knowledge Charlie Ahrens, creative development, stage manager: inanimate objects Anna Knight, Bendigo City Council Alex Perry, Situate Dining Ira Barker, Murnong Mummas Mitch Boney, sound scape in performance

In 2019 Bendigo was designated a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy. In this episode we discuss what that means and also deep dive into an event called Djakitj Larr which explores all the reasons why our region was chosen for this. In early 2021 about 100 people gathered at a winery just outside of Harcourt. Djakitj Larr was an afternoon of food, performance and creative conversation that allowed people to connect and reflect, and generate ideas for building sustainable food systems on Djaara Country. In this two part podcast Allie shares audio from the day and also an interview with the creators. Djakitj Larr creative team: Jodi Newcombe, executive producer and director Sam Thomas, creative development, sound design, stage manager: animate objects Will Tait, co-producer, performer and MC Rebecca Phillips, creative development, performer, advisor on Djaara knowledge Charlie Ahrens, creative development, stage manager: inanimate objects Anna Knight, Bendigo City Council Alex Perry, Situate Dining Ira Barker, Murnong Mummas Mitch Boney, sound scape in performance

Today I'll be taking you along for the ride as my 14 year old Nephew Oliver and I head into Melbourne and take part in the student strike for climate that happened on the 25th of March. It was a global day of action so there were similar events not just around Australia, but around the world. We joined a huge crowd in the city and marched several city blocks, we disrupted traffic and made a lot of noise. I chatted to some of the young people there to hear what made them want to join the march. Then later in the episode you will hear from another student strike, this one happened just this week in Castlemaine. The student strike movement in Australia was rallying again as they wanted to make sure that climate is an election issue, with just days to go before our federal election. So again strikes were organised right across the country.

Today we are going to be chatting with Castlemaine local Bryn Davies and a group he has been a part of called Democracy for Dinner. I thought it was a very pleasant sounding enterprise and an example of how we can, where ever we are, get together in a grassroots kind of way and start to take it upon ourselves to understand all of the above mentioned complexities and opportunities. Because, just like with climate change, it is easy to feel like it is way bigger than us and way beyond our control.   Links coming soon    

The Castlemaine Seed Library has been running for over five years with people 'borrowing' seeds to plant and grow food, and then 'returning' seeds once the plants have run their course.   In this episode Seed Library founder Grace McCaughy and coordinator Eliza-Jane Gilchrist talk about the value of seeds and all that we can learn from them.   We discuss how the seed library began and how it works as well as big ideas like the value of local seed banks in a changing climate, multinational seed trade, the resonances between seed collecting and art, and how we can foster a love of gardening and appreciation of all the cycles of nature in the next generation. Resources and Links The Castlemaine Seed Library                                           Eliza-Jane Gilchrist – artist              Castlemaine Library               The Hub Foundation                                                Castlemaine Community House Community garden                   Growing Abundance                           International peasants movement          Useful seeds Bendigo                             CSIRO soil science book for children        Entangled Life – book        Lost Seeds NSW seed company                       Scale Free Network                        

I was lucky enough to have a wonderful conversation about possible climate futures, not through a lens of disaster and doom but gritty possibility, radical hope and extraordinary courage. Alex Kelly and John Wiseman joined me recently to talk about their futuring practices. John has just published a book called Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis and Alex is a co-creator of The Things We Did Next.   Links: The Planting The Things We Did Next West End Resilience Group The Orchard Keepers In My Blood It Runs The Next Economy This Changes Everything The Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination and their book Tim Hollo essay “There's no time left not to do everything” Jennifer Mills -Dyschronia Nancy McDinny - digging up parliament house Darwin Victor Steffenson N.K. Jemison - The Broken Earth Trilogy  Kim Stanley Robinson - Ministry for the Future  Refuge   Robin Wall Kimmerer - Braiding Sweetgrass  Rebecca Solnit - A Paradise Built in Hell  “Hope with teeth” China Miéville “New stories” George Monbiot Claire G Coleman Occupy Sandy Station 11

Hello podcast crew, I haven't forgotten you  even though there has been a bit of radio or podcast silence over the last month. This very short message is just to explain what has been going on and what is coming up soon. Hope all is well in your world! Allie

Steve Healy is Executive General Manager of Climate and Population Adaptation at Coliban Water.  Climate change predictions for our region point to hotter and drier weather patterns and when it rains it is going to be more extreme, big dump kind of events. So water is on a lot of people's minds when they think about how we might be able to keep living here through climate change. We discuss how water works in our region, in the past, in the present and into the future. 

Kathryn Coff is a committed community leader and she joins us to discuss race, privilege and power, which are themes that she lives with and grapples with every day of her life. She shares a beautiful way of getting to know people that opens us up so much more than 'and what do you do?'   Links: Kathryn's speech at the Black Live's Matter rally in 2020   Kathryn is the CEO of Nalderun   Introduction method was borrowed from the work of Mishel McMahon and Leroy Little Bear 

Today's episode is a series of interviews collected in Mildura at the local eco village.  We had heard they were having a working bee and thought we might get a sense of the site and what goes on there. Interestingly the site is managed by council, so I wasn't sure how community driven it was. However, as you will hear, every person there that day was volunteering their time to help out, and also involved in other local action groups.   Links: The Mildura Eco Village The Christie Centre Ceres (Melbourne) Greening Mildura Out of the Box Sunraysia Plastic Free Sunraysia Organisations and groups mentioned with no links available: Sunraysia Sustainability Network  

This episode was recorded and first released in May 2020. This is an updated version with a new intro. The interview remains exactly the same. In this episode we speak with a family of activists and we take a closer look at what is going on with the Adani Coal mine.  A hotly contested mine that is still in construction in Queensland.  Long term residents of Castlemaine Ben and Jacinta have spent a lifetime living with the earth in mind, from building a sustainable house to participating in protests and activism.  Ben travelled on the Adani convoy a couple of years ago, as lead by renowned greens leader and activist, Bob Brown.  Ben is a visual artist and is known locally as something of an agitator, often providing cheeky and provocative takes on the current political issues. Jacinta has studied a masters in social ecology, trained in facilitation and participated in the transition towns movement. At the time of recording Rilka, their daughter, was heavily involved in the activist groups trying to disrupt the Adani coal mine from going ahead.   The reason I have chosen this one to replay right now is that Jacinta has, in the last week, moved from being the proud parent of an activist to taking action herself.   LINKS: The Traditional Owners in the Galillee Basin where the Adani mine is happening and what they have been doing to stop the mine. Protest groups mentioned in the show: Blockade Australia FLAC – Frontline Action on Coal Stop Adani Galilee Rising Extinction Rebellion Galilee Blockade FOE Climate for Change Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance (WACA) Latin American Solidarity Network (LASNET) Knitting Nanas

The climate related news media has been saturated over the last few weeks in reactions, reflections and commentary about COP26. For a show about grassroots climate action it has been hard to know what to say about it all. Enter Cam Walker, who you might remember from a past episode about Friends of the Earth, he has just released an article with reflections about COP26 and what it means for Australia.  So I popped over to his place to have a chat about what the hell it's all about.    Links:  This is the article Cam wrote that inspired this episode The COP26 website Info about COP26 from Australia's Climate Council Australia wins ‘colossal fossil' award Info about Aussie political donations and the fossil fuel industry and the Big Deal series on ABC     

Following on from our last episode with Rob Law we head up to Mildura, over 400km to the north of Castlemaine. My interest in Mildura has been growing lately. It is a regional city sitting right on the mighty Murray River, and at the heart of a region called the Mallee. I have been up to Mildura twice this year and have collected interviews each time. Why Mildura? According to climate projections my town may have a climate more like Mildura's within decades. I'd also heard about the huge solar farms going in up there and was curious about these developments. This interview was conducted in March 2021, with Mildura's mayor, Jason Modica and councillor for environment and sustainability Jodi Reynolds. We talk about the environmental and social issues specific to the region, with water and solar power obviously up the top of the list.   Find links and more at saltgrasspodcast.com  

Rob Law, Executive Officer of the CVGA – or the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance – joins us to talk about alliances and collaborations between local councils, its not as boring as it sounds, I promise. After years of careful and persistent efforts the CVGA has been instrumental in helping numerous councils in Victoria come together and commit to 10 years worth of renewable energy AND install electric vehicle charging stations to connect small towns to the ever increasing cohort of EV drivers.   Find out more at saltgrasspodcast.com  

'Don't treat your soil like dirt' is a motto today's guest Dr Jess Drake lives by. Soil scientist and science educator Jess tells us how soil plays a vital part in healthy ecosystems, carbon sequestration and life itself.

Recorded at a live, online book launch of Trace Balla's latest creation Cycling Together. Trace is a multi award winning author, illustrator and creates the most beautiful graphic novellas, including Rivertime, Rockhopping and the Thank you Dish. This is a beautiful book with a very important message. Trace has created this book to support the work her brother Mark Balla is doing in India to help girls stay in school with his charity Operation Toilets.  We are joined today by both Trace and Mark. We are also joined by Jane Bennett, menstrual educator and agent of cultural change around how women and girls think and feel about their monthly cycle. The event happened on Sat 18th September 2021.   LINKS:   How to get the book:     https://traceballa.com/cyclingtogether   Trace Balla website: https://traceballa.com   Mark Balla: TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3xr13xFfto Toilet Warrior: https://www.toiletwarrior.net/ Operation Toilets: https://www.operationtoilets.org.au/   Jane Bennett: Chalice Foundation: https://chalicefoundation.org/ Celebration Day For Girls: https://celebrationdayforgirls.com/   Topics we've discussed: Drawdown – educating girls: https://drawdown.org/solutions/health-and-education United Nations goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/  

Recorded at a recent town meeting this episode shares the Q&A session that followed the presentation by Deane Belfield of MASG  This is our second episode looking at the contentious bioenergy plant proposed for Castlemaine. (hear the presentation in our last episode) For many who are worried about climate change this kind of renewable energy project seems like a great idea, but those living at its doorstep have some serious reservations.  Find out more about the proposed project at bioenergy.net.au

This episode is the first of two that looks at a contentious issue in Castlemaine at the moment, the proposed bioenergy plant. For many who are worried about climate change this kind of renewable energy project seems like a great idea, but those living at its doorstep have some serious reservations.  Allie starts the episode by providing a bit of context and then we hear a presentation given by Deane Belfield at a town meeting. Deane is explains as much as he can about the proposed bioenergy facility. Next week we will hear the Q&A session that happened after Deane's presentation and also hear from people as they left the hall to see what they thought about it all.   Find out more about the proposed project at bioenergy.net.au 

This episode looks at the implications for human health as the climate changes. Vanora Mulvenna joins us from the DHHS (the Victorian State government's Department of Health and Human Services) to discuss how our state government is already planning for the possible health impacts of climate change.  Before the interview Allie takes some time to reflect on the latest IPCC report and celebrates Saltgrass being a finalist in the Jackson Wild Awards.  Fellow finalists are The Hopecast, by Jane Goodall and a National geographic project called The Guardians of the River.    

What is saltgrass?  This show was named after a real plant and we wanted to know more about it... but it actually isn't very well known.  In this episode we chat with Karl Just, local ecologist, who is one of the few people we were able to find who knows about the plant.  We discuss its properties, both biological and metaphorical.  We also discuss a rare species he has been involved in monitoring and protecting for some time now, the Eltham Copper Butterfly, as mention in our episode Caring for Country

The final episode for Season 3 has a plethora of voices all asking for the same thing: fund our future, not gas. The Australian School Strike for Climate crew have struck again.  Just before our state was locked down due to another covid outbreak thousands of students walked out of school and gathered in major cities and country towns.  Allie went to the train station early in the morning to chat with some of those travelling into Melbourne for the strike and also recorded the support rally that happened in Castlemaine later that day. For links and more information click here