Trentham Sustainability Group has been active since 2008. Read our story.
Trentham Sustainability Group started with several ‘issues for action’ put forward at the first meeting of the group. These initiatives were – Energy; Water; Transport; Reduce-Reuse-Recycle; Food Sustainability; and, links with other like-minded groups. A small working group was formed to address each area and implement these through informative and engaging activities, events and projects to connect with our community, raise awareness on critical issues and determine a way forward for a secure and sustainable future.
TSG’s first big public event was a Sustainability Day held in November 2008, showcasing many ideas for transitioning to a low carbon future, including exhibits and information stalls by local businesses and ‘clean energy’ organisations. Our first Sustainable House Bus Tour was held that day. Further Sustainable House Tours were held in 2011 and 2013 – very popular and successful events. The Energy Efficiency-Sustainable House information brochure was launched at TSG’s first Celebration of Local Food shared meal held at the Neighbourhood Centre in October, 2012.
A successful Hepburn Shire grant enabled our “plastic-free” campaign of 2,000 orange string bags being made available to locals and visitors through town traders. A special “launch” was held at Trentham Farmers Market in October 2009 and every child attending the local Primary School was given an orange string bag full of ‘green’ goodies. The bags were also used as a “Welcome Kit” by the Neighbourhood Centre for newcomers to our town.
The Local Renewable Energy project conducted research on opportunities to transition our town and surrounds to 100% renewable energy by conducting house audits and energy upgrades, implementation and financing options. The significant work carried out provided important information for Trentham’s participation on the future Z-NET shire-wide Community Action Plan.
The Future Food & Farming – Keeping it Local initiative became Trentham Food Hub, hosting sell-out annual Growers, Cookers & Eaters – a celebration of local food dinners for seven consecutive years from 2012 to 2018. The Veggie Box scheme, offering weekly regional seasonal fresh produce to local people, for four years from 2016 to 2019. The popular Produce Exchange began in January 2014, held on 3rd Saturday every month at Trentham Farmers Market and continues as a great place to meet and swap our incredible local edibles.
Other notable activities are: twelve sustainability-themed book donations to Trentham Library; Film Screenings including – ‘A Compass for Turbulent Times (Nicole Foss)’, ‘Food Inc’, ‘Fair Food’ and ‘2040’; Community Energy Forums; a Waste and Resource Recovery Forum, Community Conversations on important issues, Guest Speaker nights and Workshops, a tour of Eaglehawk Recycle Shop; and a tour of Coliban Water’s Lagoon Rd Reservoir.
We have also made group submissions to the Enquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria, the VEAC Central West Investigation, several Hepburn Shire strategies including ‘Hepburn Together’ Shire Vision and Town Plan and Trentham Community Plan.
We also like to acknowledge significant days, such as World Environment Day and Earth Hour, by joining with the world-wide community and hosting our own special event. A wonderful gathering and dinner to celebrate WED in 2014 was held at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, when the CEO of Environment Victoria, Mark Wakeham, gave a compelling presentation on climate change.