Hepburn Weather on the HDS Website

A Davis Vantage Pro2 weather station has been installed at Melliodora. The data is now automatically uploaded via the Davis server and available from the Holmgren Design Services website (would have been good to check out during the recent wind and rain storms!).

The weather icon (left) on the home page banner links to a clear graphic display of current temperature, wind direction and speed, humidity, daily rain and pressure as well as high and lows for the day. A further link provides full weather data in table format including inside temperature and humidity that show the thermal performance of the passive solar mudbrick house.

For locals in the Hepburn shire, our nearest Bureau of Meteorology weather station is Ballarat, 45km to the west. That information is updated hourly and is not as comprehensive as our data which is updated at 3 minute intervals.

With increased concern about precise local weather conditions during the fire season, the Melliodora data complements another recently installed Davis Vantage Pro2 at Daylesford CFA fire station that can be accessed via the Davis Weatherlink webserver. www.weatherlink.com (note that the location of the icon on the map for the Daylesford CFA is misplaced at Yandoit).

Have a look at the photo gallery of the installation, it shows the use of a high density 20 year old radiata pine pole to get above the very sheltered garden. The pole was harvested from a suppressed wild stand behind the Hepburn Primary school.

Films on Thursday at the Savoia

Hi folks, our next film evening this Thursday is an animation feast. The first is about Jean Giono, the man who planted trees. There are others and we will finish with the guerrilla gardening short film from Adelaide. You may like to bring the kids as all films are inspiring for adults and kids alike. We are starting at at 7.30pm and since there a few short films, this will give you the possibility to leave if the kids are getting restless.

Hope to see you there

Also, Saturday was certainly an exciting weather event and for those who were trusting enough, the rain and wind died down in time for us to have a very rewarding 'edible weeds' walk around the Hepburn Primary School area. The next workshop with Alexis will be on gathering and cooking with weeds.

Vivien Hodgins, Wife of Rod May

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of the late Vivien Lorraine Hodgins is appointed to take place at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, 1220 Howitt Street, Wendouree on TUESDAY, October 13, 2009 commencing at Eleven (11.00) am.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Vivien Hodgins Samoan Appeal, PO Box 1194, Wendouree Village 3355

Equinox Dinner

Hi everyone, if you wish to come to the dinner on Thursday night, please book by tomorrow evening otherwise we will cancel as we only have 3 bookings.

Packaging

Hello good folk, I have a request.

If you have any used A5, A4, A3 envelopes or any sized padded bags that you don't need, could you keep them for me?

I use them all the time. Many thanks.

Hepburn Wind Offer

As most HRN members will be aware, the minimum investment in Hepburn Wind for locals is now only $100. In addition they are now offering a special deal to HRN members. For each new HRN member who joins Hepburn Wind in September, Hepburn Wind will donate $25 to us. If you have been planning to buy Hepburn Wind shares for yourself, your partner, children or grandchildren, do it now and be an HRN supporter at the same time.

To qualify for this offer, download the application form from www.hepburnwind.com.au by either going to the members page or filling out the "register your interest" form. You can invest any amount from $100 upwards. Make sure you tick the box "A member of HRN".

For further information ring Jack Gilding on (03)5348 6760 or email info@hepburnwind.com.au.

More Bushfire Preparation Workshops

Hello all, yesterday saw a fine group of stoic folk enjoy the first of these information sessions with practical application take place at Hepburn Hollow. David H was in fine form and attendees seemed to go away better informed about the many faces of fire preparation and management of the bush for multiple values. Many used a rake hoe for the first time and found it a very useful tool. I have made an order with Hewitt and Whitty in Ballarat (for a good price) for some rake hoes for those who wanted them. They will let me know when these are available.

There are monthly working bees and shared lunch at the Hollow to continue to make the area both fire-safe and beautiful for our enjoyment on the fourth Sunday of the month 10 - 1pm. Come and join us if you have the time and enjoy working together for our mutual benefit and pleasure. This event is the perfect opportunity for the kids to enjoy learning new skills and being part of a community project: they really shine in this situation.

The second bushfire preparation workshop will be below Su & David's place in the gully towards Spring Ck in a slightly different environment so techniques will be a little different The time is 10am - 1pm again on Sunday, September 13th and costs $15/adult. Please book and we will give you more detail about what to bring and where to meet. Also, it would be good to have an idea of numbers to help with planning.

There will be five workshops in all in different locations.

And still on the theme of fire; put Friday, October 2nd at 7.30pm in your diaries for another Fire Forum at the Daylesford Town Hall. More details coming soon.

Bushfire Preparation Workshop

The first of a series of Fire Preparation Workshops in Hepburn Springs, hosted by HRN (Hepburn Relocalisation Network) is scheduled for Sunday 30th August. It will be a morning of hands-on work, instruction and discussion; a working demonstration of how to prepare for the imminent bushfire danger period.

David Holmgren will give practical instructions in the use of low-impact techniques for fuel reduction as alternatives to burning. His approach to prepare for the coming summer includes sustainable, long term solutions, improving amenity and environmental values. Residents are also encouraged to join in the Community Fireguard Program provided by the CFA to develop personal and street strategies for dealing with fire. Jay Gardiner will be at the Hollow between 12 and 1pm to talk to you and make bookings with those interested to have a street meeting.

The workshop will deal with assessing fire hazard and implementing two main fire preparation techniques:

1. Creating contour swales to reduce flame height. Compacted and damp gorse, tree heads and ground litter is raked into rows to accelerate the decomposition of fuel during the wetter season and to build up soil.
2. Improving the health of the forest by removing overcrowded and stunted trees, and so reducing the long-term risk of crown fire. Moving and stacking firewood from thinned trees for seasoning and later use. Marking further trees for future thinning.

David’s approach is explained in his Bushfire Discussion Paper (available on request). It aims to strengthen community links and is a zero-emission solution to fuel reduction. It is also an improvement strategy for soil and water values, is non-threatening to wildlife, and will produce firewood for the winter.

Where: ‘The Hollow’, a small area of crown land at the west end of Fifteenth St.
When: 30th August, 10 – 1pm, followed by discussion over lunch (please bring a lunch contribution to share)
For more information, or to book (costs $15), call 5348 3636 or email hrn@internode.on.net

Also, to enter in your diary now: HRN will host a Fire Forum on the 2nd October (7pm) at the Daylesford Town Hall with Joan Webster, David Holmgren and others.

Bushfire Preparation Workshop; what to bring:

• Slash hooks, Rake-hoes, rakes, loppers, axe or heavy splitter (as slash hooks are fairly rare)
• Sturdy clothes, and foot-ware are essential,
• Gloves, goggles
• Hard-hat for those doing the heavy work,
• Notepaper and pen, $15
• Personal drink
• Lunch contribution to share, personal crockery and cutlery

Vegie Boxes

Rod May's vegie boxes are available weekly over summer and sporadically during winter.

When you join, you pay for 2 weeks (for the box you are picking up and the following week's box) and then you pay weekly after that. Hence you are always a week ahead with your payment to ensure a box for that week.

You may want to share a box or get one fortnightly or you may even not want one for a particular time. This can be arranged by email but you must always have $35 in kitty.

If you have a simple recipe using any of the veg in the boxes, why not leave it as a comment below so we can all try it.

The boxes have variable content based on what is available at different times of the year and are a bargain at $35 for a box of yummy local vegies!  Pick up is after 3pm on Wednesdays. Please park in the street to keep the driveway car free and safe for people (especially kids)

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an important way to:

• guarantee our food supply
• support a local farmer
• make sure that the soil is cared for without synthetic fertilisers and pesticides
• reduce refrigeration and transport needs
• substantially lighten your environmental footprint by getting your food locally

To join the box scheme please email Su.

Film: In Transition

Our next film night is coming up on Thursday 27th August, 7:30pm at the Savoia. The film will be In Transition, on the transition movement, so it should be very interesting and inspiring! You can see a trailer for the film here.

Dinner is available at the Savoia from 6pm, book directly with them on 5348 2314.

Sustainability, Leadership and Change

"Sustainability, Leadership and Change" - Social Ecology Workshop with Prof Stuart Hill - Sunday 26th July.

Join Professor Stuart B. Hill for a day Workshop in Daylesford. Short focused presentations will be followed by experiential learning designed to enable you to focus on YOUR specific situations, hoped for outcomes and the means for achieving them


Where: Daylesford Town Hall
When: Sunday 26th July 2009, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Cost: $40 (includes lunch)

Bookings or for more information: Call Su on 5348 3636 or hrn@holmgren.com.au

HEPBURN RELOCALISATION NETWORK, with the assistance of the Hepburn Shire Council and HDS

HRN Events

The Solstice Dinner was a great night and those who came all did a wonderful job of sourcing local ingredients (At around 200km the rice I brought probably wins the booby prize for the greatest food miles). Thanks to the musicians (the Silly Sausages) and everyone for really getting into the spirit of the event.

Our next film will be on Thursday 9th July at the Savoia Hotel 7.30pm and we will show the film Escape From Suburbia ... sequel to The End of Suburbia.

Also, you may have seen the posters, we are hosting Prof Stuart Hill for two workshops ... one for all of us on the Sunday 26th July 9.30-5.30, and one for Farmers/ Food producers on Thursday 23rd .. for both there is a small cost and you must book.

April Update

Adam Grubb's workshop on the Nature of Energy last Thursday evening was enjoyed by those 27 who attended. We all gained a graphic understanding of the way energy changes form, with some entrophy over time, and many surprises with a comparison of the energy needed for various common activities. If you have any feedback Adam would be interested to hear it and so would we.

Re future Reloc Network (HRN) nights: We are wondering if people are interested in having a night looking at local financial options and a speaker from the Bendigo Bank. Please let us know if this is something that interests you and if there is enough interest it could run on 23 April. We will also be offering a film night on 28 May, at the Savoia, so put this in your diary (details of the movie in the next email).

A group of us have been working on creating our food survey for local producers and we are now looking at collecting names and phone numbers or emails for local food producers. If you have any contacts please let us know. If you are (or know of someone who is) producing just a small amount but are keen to trade or intend to produce larger quantities in the future, we are keen to hear from you also.

Adam Grubb, Permablitz