Sunday, March 6, 2016

Transition Bellingen becomes a project of Centre for Ecological Learning

Transition Bellingen started in  February of 2008, as part of an international network of Transition groups that are working to create resilient and strong communities by RE-LOCALISING production of food, energy and other resources, RE-LEARNING old skills that can be used in our modern way of life, and RE-CONNECTING all sectors of the community.
       From 2008-2012, Transition Bellingen was very active in the community, holding educational events,  creating a Shire wide visioning process that was included in Bellingen Shire Council's 2030 Strategic Plan, and supporting many initiatives to flower and grow, such as the Bellingen Seed Savers, the Free Market, and the Bellingen River Festival.
       In the past few years, the members of the core group of Transition Bellingen have had a bit of a rest from facilitating major TB events (while at the same time continuing to pursue many other amazing activities), although there were a few wonderful events such as the "Economics of Happiness" workshops. But how to proceed from there was the question!  After quite a bit of processing, it seemed a logical decision that Transition Bellingen fold its "incorporated not for profit" status and become a project of the Centre for Ecological Learning.The Bellingen Seed Savers, who were a project of Transition Bellingen, have also become a project of CEL. A win-win situation for all - less paperwork, but the same opportunity to bring the Transition Bellingen tradition of forums and re-skilling workshops, and the amazing services of the Seed Savers, to the community.
       So welcome, Transition Bellingen and Bellingen Seed Savers, we are thrilled you are with us! Watch out for more info about both groups on our website soon.
        With heartfelt thanks and huge appreciation to all the Transition Bellingen members, past and present - you continue to be inspirational.
-       Lisa Siegel


Centre for Ecological Learning http://www.cel.org.au

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Edible Streetscape Celebration at Connell Park on 10 June 2012

Edible Streetscape celebration

media release


"The Edible Streetscapes celebration at Connell Park Sunday the 10th of June was a wonderful community event, attended by over a hundred people of all ages. Funky music created the perfect atmosphere; our citrus trees got a good dose of weeding and mulching and everyone enjoyed the delicious food provided by Number 5. A football game followed - adults versus children, as per what has now become tradition, which ended in the children winning. The Edible Streetscapes team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers and participants for contributing  to create a fun and very successful community event."



Sunday 10 June 2012




























Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Council Lunch Box garden in Maam Gaduying May 2012

Council Lunch Box Garden

Council Staff and Northbank Community Garden Volunteers at completion of the initial planting of the Council Lunchbox Garden.



Northbank Community Garden
Media Release
Date for Release: 14 May 2012
Contact:                Guy Saddleton (Edible Streetscapes spokesperson) - 0411 229 300
                                    Nic Denshire (Northbank Community Garden President) - 0410 532 272
                                    Zoe Moore (Bellingen Shire Council Sstainability Officer)  (02) 6655 7305
Lunch can’t get more local than this!!
The Edible Streetscapes project took another leap forward this week with the creation of the Council Lunchbox garden in Maam Gaduying.  The Garden will provide fresh greens to Council staff and community members and was installed as part of the Edible Streetscapes project. It complements existing projects under the Edible Streetscapes banner including the edible gardens out the front of Guy Saddleton Real Estate, Number 5 Church St (Installed by Bellingen Solar), the old Kombu Site and Alchemy. Bellingen High School students also helped to plant citrus trees in Connell park as part of Edible Streetscapes. 
Guy Saddleton (Bellingen Chamber of Commerce president) said, “The Edible Streetscapes Project is a great example of us achieving more together.  This collaboration between Northbank Community Garden (NCG), Transition Bellingen and the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce and the help of numerous community members has achieved more than any one organisation could have achieved on their own”.
The Council Lunchbox garden was instigated by Councils internal sustainability team; the BATS. Council’s sustainability officer, Zoe Moore, said, “The BATS team were incredibly keen to start the Lunchbox Garden as one of their sustainability actions.  Working in with the Edible Streetscapes project is a logical partnership. We want this garden to be used by our local community so people should feel free to pick some salad for their lunch. We hope this will be the first of many similar local food projects to come throughout the shire,” she added.
In 2009, Bellingen Shire Council resolved to support a community target of ‘one earth living’ by 2015.  ‘One earth’, in this context, relates to the aim to embrace a lifestyle that could be adopted by all humans in the world, without permanently depleting earths’ resources.  Northbank Community Garden President, Nic Denshire, explains, “A significant proportion of an individual’s ecological footprint is accounted for by food. This initiative is a meaningful progression toward increasing the proportion of local, low impact food consumed in the Shire.  NCG has been building our capacity to deliver local food to the community for over four years.  This collaboration between Edible Streetscapes and Council is a symbolic but significant move in the right direction”.
For further information on the Edible Streetscapes project contact Guy Saddleton on 0411 229 300.For the Council Lunchbox Garden contact Zoe Moore on (02) 6655 7305





Monday, March 28, 2011

Edible Streetscapes in Bellingen

 Edible Streetscape update


A number of local businesses, such as Kombu Wholefoods, Alchemy in Bellingen and Bellingen Solar (project still in process) have already joined the initiative by planting an edible garden outside their premises.

Future plans and dreams include building planter boxes on  Bellingen’s main street, planting an edible garden at Maam Gaduying, outside the Council chamber, sponsoring fruit trees to be planted all over town and creating a vegetable garden to replace or complement the abandoned tennis court in north Bellingen.
Olivia e zucchina












 Scroll down to see past activities

Edible Streetscapes celebration on 26 March 2011
Edible Streetscapes have planted a large number of citrus trees in Connell Park. see photos below.


Saturday, March 26, 2011

Celebration in Connell Park Bellingen on 26 March 2011 from 4pm

We will be celebrating the success of "Edible Streetscapes Bellingen " in Connell Park on Saturday the 26th of March from 4 p.m.

- kicking off with a football match - a serious one, organised by the Bellingen Football Club, and a mellow one, for those who just want to have a kick around

- followed by a three course local food dinner by chef Nathan Walker from True Local and live music.
Booking essential - tickets from Hearth Fire or Kombu Wholefoods 

We will also be mulching the recently planted citrus trees, everyone will be welcome to help care for the trees.

Please come along with your football shoes – or just a rug to sit on, enjoy watching the game and find out what Edible Streetscape has in mind for the near future.

When: Saturday the 26th of March from 4 pm
Where: Connell Park – bring rugs, chairs, football shoes or/and dancing boots, friends and family

True Local Three Course Dinner for $15

Entrée
Mixed bean and herb salad
Le plat principal
Goat curry served with chunky vegetables (vegetarian option available)
Dessert
















Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Fresh fruit at half time

With the help of Bellingen High School students and support, and funding from the Coffs Coast Local Food Futures Alliance, Edible Streetscapes planted a large number of citrus trees in Connell Park. Future soccer teams, as well as other sport groups, such as cricket and AFL players will be able to enjoy very fresh fruit at half time in the years to come.