Transition Town Eudlo

Next get together

2012-01-10T07:04:00.002+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo's first meeting for 2012 will be on Sunday February 5th from 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe, Rosebed Street, Eudlo.

Join us for coffee, breakfast (if you like - the cafe does a wonderful breakfast) and conversation.

Eudlo Seed Savers meet at the same time.

Anyone interested in living locally, permaculture, seed saving, organic gardening and community connection is more than welcome.

Cheers,
Sonya
(Transition Town Eudlo Coordinator)

Transition Town talk at Woodford Folk Festival

2011-12-16T12:49:00.002+10:00

Interested in finding out more about Transition Towns?

Visit the GREENhouse at Woodford Folk Festival on Tuesday December 27 at 11am for the presentation;

Making the Transition to Local Food
Celebrate Transition Towns around the world who are getting out there, seeding, creating and building resilient, localised food systems in all their shapes and forms.

Presented by Sonya Wallace of Transition Sunshine Coast and Transition Town Eudlo.

2012 - first meeting for the New Year

2011-12-07T09:41:00.004+10:00

Our next meeting will be on the first Sunday of February in the new year. We've skipped the January meeting - its normally too hot and everyone is too busy / tired post the Christmas break.

You're welcome to join us at Sweethearts Cafe (Rosebed Street Eudlo) between 8.30am and 10.30am on Sunday February 5th if you'd like to find out more about Transition Towns, permaculture, seed saving or just what's happening around the place...

Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year

Cheers,
Sonya

December get together

2011-12-01T07:47:00.003+10:00

Its our final get together for 2011 this Sunday.

Join us at Sweethearts Cafe for breakfast or coffee from 8.30am.

Our meetings are casual affairs, between 20-30 people turn up to chat, catch up and share information. Eudlo Seed Savers meet at the same time, so if you have seeds for processing and adding to the community bank, please bring them along.

Its a great place to find out what's on and what's happening around the place.

Sweethearts Cafe is on Rosebed Street in Eudlo, easy to find Eudlo isn't a big place!

If you're interested in Transition Towns, relocalisation, permaculture and community, you're welcome to come along and join us.

Cheers,
Sonya

Transition Towns on SBS

2011-11-11T14:20:00.000+10:00

Series starting tonight (Nov 11) on SBS at 7.30pm, Towns with Nicholas Crane - features Transition Towns, might be worth a look.

December get together

2011-11-10T08:16:00.002+10:00

We'll have our final get together for 2011 on Sunday December 4th at Sweethearts Cafe, Rosebed Street, Eudlo.

If you're interested in Transition Towns, Permaculture or Seed Saving, you're welcome to join us.

We meet from 8.30am and support the local cafe with coffee and breakfast (if you like).

It's all very informal and whoever turns up on the day turns up.

Meeting this Sunday

2011-11-03T14:20:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo and the Eudlo Seed Savers Group are meeting this Sunday (first Sunday of the month) at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

You're welcome to join us for coffee, breakfast and some seed processing. If you have seeds to process bring them along and you can take some others home in exchange.

Always a relaxed, informal get together our Seedy Sundays' are a great place to catch up, chat, ask questions (and hopefully get them answered) and tap into local resources and local knowledge.

We meet from 8.30am and usually wind up around 10.30.

cheers,
Sonya

November meeting + facebook

2011-10-12T11:09:00.004+10:00

Great turn out at the October meeting with about 25 people turning up, lots of good ideas and great information shared among members.

Next meeting will be Sunday November 6. We meet at Sweethearts Cafe on the corner of Rosebed and Anzac in Eudlo.

You can't miss us, we are always at the long table outside under the pergola.

Anyone interested in Transition Towns, permaculture or seed saving is most welcome.

And if you're on facebook, head over to Transition Town Eudlo's page and like us - then get involved in the conversation. Here's the link to the page.

Cheers,
Sonya

Transition Town talk

2011-07-20T11:24:00.002+10:00

Upcoming Transition Town talk in Mullumbimby NSW. Presented by Sonya Wallace, founder of Transition Town Eudlo and Transition Sunshine Coast.

August Get Together

2011-07-04T11:10:00.002+10:00

Thanks to everyone who turned up yesterday - not our biggest turn out, but certainly lots of really in depth interesting discussion and ideas bounced around.

Our next gathering is on Sunday August 7 - and we may be looking at changing the date of our meeting to the fourth Sunday of each month - what do you think?

But we'll be there on August 7 from 8.30am for coffee, breakfast and catching up.

cheers,
Sonya

July get together

2011-06-06T07:50:00.001+10:00

Diary date - our next gathering will be on Sunday July 3 - 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

All welcome, come along and find out what's happening and what's on.

Get together June 2011

2011-05-27T10:44:00.001+10:00

Diary date; Sunday June 5th, 8.30am-10.30am at Sweethearts Cafe - Transition Town Eudlo get together - all welcome, see you there!

Transition Town Nambour

2011-05-17T08:12:00.002+10:00

If you live on the Sunshine Coast you might be interested in visiting Transition Town Nambour - here is a link to their blogspot. They are also in the process of supporting the start up of a community garden in Nambour, which is great news for the community.

Permaculture Eudlo site

2011-05-06T11:04:00.001+10:00

Visit Permaculture Eudlo's website here

Come along to one of our meetings

Permaculture Eudlo

2011-04-29T07:23:00.002+10:00

One of the outcomes of our Transition Town group is the start of a local permaculture group.

Permaculture Eudlo had their first meeting last month with 30 interested locals coming along and having their input into this new group.

There was a definite interest in wanting to learn more about permaculture - so this week on Tuesday evening, there will be an Introduction to Permaculture session.

If you're interested in permaculture you're welcome to come along - starts 7pm with a made it grew it market, then 7.30 permaculture presentation, followed by a plant profile (Lemon Myrtle this month) and then we'll all decide what happens at the next meeting. We meet in the Eudlo Town Hall on Rosebed Street in Eudlo.

Gold coin entry to cover hall hire, gold coin donation for supper - there will be plenty of time to chat and catch up with others on the Coast who are interested in permaculture.

May meeting

2011-04-26T11:36:00.002+10:00

Hi,

This Sunday is our regular meeting day for Transition Town, but there is a lot happening around the place, so not sure just how many people will be at Sweethearts.

Some members will be at the Maleny Wood Expo and others will be at the NATIONAL PERMACULTURE DAY at Yandina Community Gardens - where Costa will be a special guest.

Whatever you choose to do this Sunday, have fun,

Cheers,
Sonya

Regular Meetings

2011-03-30T10:28:00.001+10:00

We meet on the first Sunday of each month from 8.30am at Sweetheart's Cafe in Rosebed Street, Eudlo.

April Meeting

2011-03-10T17:27:00.000+10:00

Sunday April 3

Sweethearts Cafe

8.30-10.30am

Meeting this Sunday

2011-03-03T08:32:00.002+10:00

Usual first Sunday of the month get together at Sweethearts Cafe this Sunday between 8.30-10.30am - all welcome

March 2011 get together

2011-02-09T08:02:00.004+10:00

We didn't get to do much seed saving at the last meeting, but we did engage in some interesting conversation... so we'll try again for some seed saving at the March get together.

Join us on Sunday March 6 from 8.30am for interesting discussion, networking and some seed saving.

If you have any questions about Transition Town Eudlo in the meantime, just send us an email at tteudlo@yahoo.com

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Next get together

2011-01-19T07:40:00.004+10:00

Eudlo Town is well and truly back on track - in fact that water cleared the next morning with no damage thanks to some pro-active sandbagging.

Our first get together is Sunday February 6 at Sweethearts Cafe 8.30-10.30am.

All welcome, come along for a coffee, breakfast if you like, a chat and to catch up to see what's happening in 2011.

cheers,
Sonya

Eudlo Town

2011-01-13T08:19:00.004+10:00

Eudlo General Store a couple of days ago. Luckily the store reopened the next day, the water kept at bay with sandbagging.

Sweethearts Cafe was closed yesterday due to flooding, so it would be great to get some people there in a few weeks time for our February gathering (Sunday the 6th 8.30-10.30am) to help support them and to enjoy some great coffee.

Many farms in crucial food productions area have been affected by these floods, so it will be more important than ever for each home and family to start growing some food in their backyards until our farmers get back on their feet, so our Seed Saving group will be more important than ever.

cheers,
Sonya

First get together for 2011

2011-01-04T13:27:00.002+10:00

Join us on Sunday February 6 between 8.30-10.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

There you'll find;
Eudlo Seed Savers Group (part of the national Seed Savers Network)
Transition Town Eudlo
Permaculture Eudlo
And people interested in doing what they can about climate change and peak oil.

Cheers,
Sonya

Next get together

2010-12-23T09:50:00.001+10:00

Our next get together will be on the first Sunday of February 2011 at 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

Transition Town Eudlo and Eudlo Seed Savers' Group.

cheers,
Sonya

December meeting

2010-12-04T11:26:00.002+10:00

Sweethearts has reopened - good news for Eudlo.

So we can go back to meeting there - which means organic coffee too!

Our December meeting is tomorrow (December 5) at Sweethearts from 8.30am.

Will also include the Eudlo Seed Savers Group.

See you there,
Sonya

December meeting

2010-12-04T11:26:00.001+10:00

Next get together

2010-09-20T14:41:00.000+10:00

Sunday October 3 - from 8.30am at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo

Next get together

2010-06-26T14:01:00.001+10:00

Sunday July 4 at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo - 8.30-10am. See you there!

Eudlo Winter Markets

2010-06-08T12:05:00.002+10:00

Don't miss the Eudlo Winter Markets on Sunday June 13 8am-1pm in and around the Eudlo Town Hall in the main street of Eudlo.

Next Transition Town Eudlo and Eudlo Seed Savers Network meeting will be on Sunday July 4 at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Next get together

2010-06-02T14:34:00.002+10:00

Next Transition Town Eudlo get together is this Sunday June 6 from 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

A few of us won't be there as we'll be attending the Advanced Permaculture Principles course at Eumundi with David Holmgren.

The July meeting will be Sunday July 4, same time, same place.

Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Transition Town get together with David Holmgren

2010-05-12T10:41:00.000+10:00

A Transition Towns Gathering

~ for information and inspiration ~

A very special Transition Town event proudly presented by Transition Sunshine Coast

Thursday June 10 at Eumundi

Join world-renowned sustainability leader David Holmgren at Eumundi on Thursday June 10 for a day full of information and inspiration.

As part of his Sunshine Coast tour in June, David Holmgren and Su Dennett will be Transition Sunshine Coast’s very special guests at a day full of inspirational stories and wonderful opportunities for Transition Town networking.

Building on his visit to the Sunshine Coast in 2006, which sparked the beginnings of Transition Sunshine Coast and Australia’s first Energy Descent Action Plan, this is our opportunity to pause to celebrate just how far we have come and how much we have achieved.

Transition Towns from the Coast and our surrounding neighbours are invited to deliver a short presentation of what they’ve been up to and what they have achieved in their communities.

We will spend the day and evening together acknowledging and honouring the work we have already done, celebrating our successes, learning from each other and being inspired and energised to go back to our communities and achieve even more.

To cover David’s and Su’s time and travel expenses cost is: $75 per person

Accommodation: contact Janet Millington on 5442 7200 for a range of Eumundi accommodation options to suit your needs if you would like to stay overnight

Places are strictly limited, to secure your place: email Sonya Wallace
or call04 08 013 012

Meeting this Sunday

2010-04-27T14:37:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo will be getting together at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo between 8.30-10am this Sunday May 2. We will be doing a little seed saving and catching up with what's been happening and what's coming up... all welcome,

What is a Transition Town?

2010-04-09T08:34:00.003+10:00

So just what exactly is a Transition Town?

A Transition Town is started by a small group of people (you only need four people to get started) who are concerned about climate, energy, oil, resource, economic and food issues and want to do something constructive and positive about it. They are sick of the gloom and doom and want to be part of something positive, something that offers real solutions.

It comes out of permaculture - which is a grassroots movement of people who study and practice the design and implementation of sustainable systems.

While permaculture is well-known as a food production method, those very same principles of sustainability, energy saving, waste reduction and functional resource use can be applied to any system - a transport system, waste system or a regional food supply system.

So Transition Initiatives take those same principles and start looking at their local area - whether its a town, village, city, street, workplace, church, school or an organisation and look at how they can start turning their supply and production systems into resilient systems.

What does this look like on the ground?

Well, using Eudlo as an example, we discussed what we needed here and the idea of an organic food co-op came up and attracted a lot of interest.

A local food co-op would reduce food miles, reduce costs for customers, reduce packaging and waste... so the idea fitted very well with those sustainability principles.

In a nutshell and based on what we've seen happen here on the Sunshine Coast over the past three years that this idea has been out there, a Transition Town is really a catalyst.

A catalyst for bringing people together, specifically people who want to live more simply, more locally and step a little (or a lot) off the consumer treadmill. People who want to be inspired by others in the community and who want to make meaningful community connections. Transition Towns are also a catalyst for reskilling the community and equipping them for a future with less oil.

So whether you want to learn how to knit, how to preserve food, how to grow your own food, how to build a chook tractor... a local Transition Town can help you.

If you want to see if other people in your area are interested in bikeways and walkways, whether people would like to share in a bulk buy of rainwater tanks or solar panels... a local Transition Town can help you.

If you want to learn how to seed save, about permaculture, or about Local Energy Transfer Systems (LETS), what to do with a glut of mangoes... if you can teach a skill or learn a skill... Transtion Towns can be the catalyst for that to happen.

If you want to find out if there is a local organic food box system or Community Supported Agriculture near you, how to start a community garden, where to buy native trees, where the best local produce markets are and when they are on... a local Transition Town can help.

In Eudlo a lot of people come to our meetings to find out what is happening and what's on in the community... Transition Towns don't just make things happen, they let people know what is already happening in their local area.

We sit around, have a coffee, catch up with what's happening both in the community and in our groups and we'll probably be doing some seed saving too, just to keep busy!

Our groups include;
Eudlo Permablitz Team
The Eudlo Food Co-operative
The Eudlo Steam Team
Eudlo Seed Savers' Group
Eudlo Beekeepers' Collective
Waste Busters
Eudlo Transport Solutions
Permaculture Eudlo
Eudlo Market Team
Solar Cooking Group
Eudlo Health Hub
What's On? Eudlo Networking Group
Energy Descent Action Planning Team
EGG (Eudlo Growers' Group) (coming soon)
Community Harvest Project (coming soon)

We meet on the first Sunday of the month at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo.

Other Transition Towns on the Sunshine Coast are at;
Nambour
Cooran
Eumundi Markets
Maleny

If you're interested in starting a Transition Town in your local area, we have a weekend workshop on how to do just that coming up in June at Eumundi. If you'd like infomation on that, please email us at transitiontowns@yahoo.com.au

cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Autumn Markets

2010-03-28T14:16:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo were at the Eudlo Autumn Markets today. We had a lot of interest in our produce and information with more of a focus on local food this time and seed saving.

Our next markets are Sunday June 13.

cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Autumn Leaves Market + Seed Saving

2010-03-23T06:19:00.004+10:00

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not visit the Eudlo Markets?

Our seasonal markets are only held once every three months so catch them while you can.

Transition Town Eudlo will be there so drop by and say hello. We'll have some seed saving happening, so if you'd like to find out more about our seed saving group and how to get involved, pay us a visit.

You'll find the markets in and around the Eudlo Town Hall in the main street - very easy to find - they start at 7am and run until noon. You can enjoy a great organic coffee and a meal at Sweethearts Cafe or the General Store.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Organic Food Collective

2010-03-21T07:37:00.005+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo's Food Collective is working on a variety of projects to help localise our food production, supply and distribution.

Projects include: the Eudlo Organic Food Co-op, supporting local produce, supporting our local markets, permablitzes, our seed saver group, EGG (Eudlo Growers Group) and the start of a Community Harvest Project. Live local, eat local.

Our Food Co-op is a major project and this year it's set to really ramp up its activities.

You can find out more about the Eudlo Food Co-op and all our Transition Town activities at the Eudlo Autumn Leaves Market on Sunday March 28 at the Town Hall from 7am-noon.

cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

WOEIE postponed, Markets still on

2010-03-19T11:38:00.002+10:00

Unfortunately the annual WOEIE Festival has been postponed until later in the year.

With the threat of a major cyclone looming off the Queensland coast, the decision was made to postpone the event. It's a shame and a hard call to make, but safety and comfort must come first.

The Eudlo Autumn Markets are still on though - Sunday March 28 from 7am to noon.

Transition Town Eudlo will be there with fresh local produce for sale including Eudlo Raw Honey - BELOW

There will also be plants, seeds, fresh produce, herb books and much more for sale.

We'll have our Talking Tent there - with some people busy seed saving, so drop by for a chat.

The first steps toward a Eudlo Community Plan are underway, so if you're interested in being part of that, let us know and we can let you know how to keep in the loop.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Events and a couple of new ideas...

2010-03-13T09:13:00.003+10:00

It's coming up to a busy time in Eudlo... next Saturday - March 20 - is the WOEIE Festival (Where On Earth Is Eudlo?) in the school grounds from noon.

Then the following week it's time again for the Eudlo Markets - this will be our Autumn Markets. Transition Town Eudlo will have a 'talking tent' there where you'll be able to sit and chat about what's happening and we'll be doing some seed saving there too.

Following on from our last meeting, it was raised that our regular Sunday mornings are a great time to find out what's on, so perhaps we need a Eudlo Network Group.

Some people who are in the loop and know what's happening - workshops, tours, guest speakers... any type of local community events that fit the theme of building resilience - and sharing that information with everyone else.

Another group worth considering could be an arts and crafts group. We need skills kept alive for the future - do you have a secret talent? Do you know how to make something really useful? Would you like to teach others?

I was reading No 62 edition of the Permaculture Magazine and found a story in their about a Transition Town group in the UK who have revitalised a much-loved eighteenth century annual event - the Montpelier Bean Feast to celebrate local hertiage, local harvest and local genius.

Maybe Eudlo could create a special annual event to celebrate local harvests and heritage?

Hopefully the weather will clear up by next weekend and WOEIE will be a huge success and then it stays clear for the markets the following week - fingers crossed.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Seedy Sunday success

2010-03-08T06:37:00.005+10:00

Our first Seedy Sunday was yesterday - and it was a great success.

Anne organised equipment and seeds and explained how best to process the seeds for saving

Everyone enjoyed it, sitting around the table chatting and bagging up the seeds.

We also found we had two people who work in health who are interested in starting the Eudlo Health Hub - early days yet, but they had some great ideas on how to get started.

Also, a couple of Eudlo diary dates - the WOEIE Festival (Where On Earth Is Eudlo?) is on at the school grounds on Saturday March 20 from noon and the next Eudlo Markets are on Sunday March 28 from 7am.

Our next get together falls on Easter Sunday, so we'll skip that one and move straight to May (can you believe how quickly the year is going?) on May 2nd.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

TT Eudlo featured in Australian Geographic

2010-02-24T10:23:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo (and Transition Sunshine Coast) are featured in the Australian Geographic magazine (issue number 96).

The article is titled 'when the oil runs out'

And ABOVE - it even features our dear friend Yukari Desjardins who sadly passed away last August.

Sonya

March meeting - a Seedy Sunday

2010-02-20T12:45:00.006+10:00

Our next meeting - in March - will be our first official Seedy Sunday with our focus being on seed saving.

So if you have any seeds lying around that need to be processed, bring them along and we'll go through them and sort them out together.

The day is all about building important seed saving skills in our community.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo... now on Facebook

2010-01-14T10:02:00.001+10:00

Become a fan of Eudlo Village Community on Facebook - see button on the right...

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Community meeting Jan 11, 2010

2010-01-12T08:26:00.004+10:00

As mentioned in a previous post, there was a get together of locals last night to discuss a few ideas for Eudlo and how we might get them started and out into the community.

There are a number of things happening in Eudlo already and we looked at how we might start linking them together and create opportunities for people to meet.

We already have;
A Town Hall association and the lovely Town Hall itself
Transition Town Eudlo
The Tennis Club
The Old Mill Site
Recreational grounds (skate park and play equipment)
The Eudlo Markets
The Rural Fire Service
Local shops - the General Store, hairdresser, beautician and Sweetheart's Cafe
Local Primary School and it's P&C
The Post Office
The Pony Club
The Bike Club
Numberous B&Bs and lots of other home businesses
and Chenrezig Buddhist Institute

We talked about how we might start contributing to Council's Town Planning process, how we could create a Vision and Plan for Eudlo, and ways we could share information and communicate better with each other.

Most importantly, we also talked about how we could retain the character and heritage of Eudlo, the things we love most about it, the reasons we moved here in the first place.

So outcomes were;
looking at how we can create a 'get to know your neighbours' area at the next markets
Setting up a facebook page for Eudlo Village so people can stay up to date with what's happening
and setting up a follow up meeting

For Transition Town Eudlo it's the start of the Energy Descent Action Planning process and we also identified some opportunities for how we might get the Eudlo Food Co-operative up and running.

We'll also hopefully have a talking tent at next markets in March and we might look at having family film nights in the Town Hall too.

And the idea of Eudlo being Carbon Neutral by 2020 was floated too...

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

The Eudlo Energy Descent Action Plan

2010-01-04T08:45:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo and the Eudlo Town Hall Committee are about to begin work on creating a community plan for Eudlo to be delivered to Council.

We aim to work together to create an energy descent action plan (EDAP) - one that puts forward what the community would like to see happen in Eudlo. A plan that factors in climate change mitigation strategies and peak oil preparedness. A plan that helps keep Eudlo unique and retains the things we love about Eudlo.

On January 11 at 7pm in the Eudlo Town Hall, a few of us will be getting together to discuss how we might go about doing this - if you have an interest in putting forward positive, constructive ideas for the town of Eudlo, please come along.

The EDAP will cover things like; local food, water, energy, waste, built environment, transport, health, arts and culture, environment, emergency preparedness and much, much more. You're welcome to be part of this, the Sunshine Coast's first town led EDAP.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Summer Market and our Christmas Break

2009-12-13T15:16:00.004+10:00

The Eudlo Summer Market has been and gone for 2009 - here is a photo of our stall just after we'd set up.

First time we've had our lovely new banner on display too - kindly made by Maria - thank you.

There will be no Transition Town Eudlo meeting for January - it's just too hot and too close to Christmas, New Years' and Woodford.

First meeting for 2010 will be on Sunday February 7 at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo from 8.30am.

Over the Christmas break there will be the start of community planning to put forward to council for the Eudlo Energy Descent Action Plan, so if any of you would like to be included, please email me on tteudlo@yahoo.com and I'll add you to the mailing list.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Markets

2009-12-12T07:44:00.002+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo will be at the Eudlo Town Markets this Sunday December 13.

Visit our stall for a chat, we'll have herb and self-sufficiency books and permaculture calendars for sale, and we'll be running a worm farming workshop at 10am.

I'll have information about the sustainability workshop I run from home too.

The markets are held in and around the Eudlo Town Hall, easy to find in the main street of Eudlo, and run from 7am to noon.

Food and good coffee available too, do your Christmas shopping locally.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Get together this Sunday

2009-12-02T08:49:00.002+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo is having its monthly get together this Sunday morning (December 6) at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo at 8.30am.

Everyone is welcome, particularly people living locally who are interested in be part of and contributing to the Transition Town movement.

We'll also discuss our stall at the Eudlo Summer Market on Dec 13.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo Coordinator

Transition Town Training February 2010

2009-11-26T11:28:00.011+10:00

Transition Sunshine Coast is running a Transition Towns workshop on 6 and 7 February (begins on the evening of the 5th) at the Bamboo Forest at Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast.

The two-day intensive workshop is for people interested in starting or joining a Transition Town initiative.

Learn how to go about it in a way that will create a successful, long-term initiative. Benefit from others' experience and discover how to become part of this rapidly evolving network of people creating real change in our communities.

The Bamboo Forest at Eumundi offers a great space for learning and networking with comfortable accommodation options nearby if needed.

This popular and proven Transition Town course is one not to be missed.

Spend time immersed in learning about Transition Towns and how others are Transitioning to a better future with like-minded people.

We kick the course off on the evening of Friday February 5 with a shared organic meal as we get to know each other a little better, then its straight into two full days of intensive learning, sharing, activities, games and discussion at the end of which you will leave with a toolbox of new skills, a list of contacts and most importantly a plan of action tailored to meet your particular needs.

If you are interested and would like to find out more - email Sonya at info@seac.net.au for a flier.

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Sunshine Coast
Transition Town Eudlo

Feeling Seedy on a Sunday

2009-11-02T07:27:00.005+10:00

Following yesterday's get together there definately seems to be enough interest in holding a seed saving day in Eudlo - our first official Seedy Sunday.

It would involve people bringing seed from their own gardens and then we all chip in to get it cleaned, processed, packaged, labelled and then shared among the group.

There will probably be a small fee per person, just to cover the costs of seed envelopes and plastic bags.

If you're interested in coming along and learning by doing - you're more than welcome. Email tteudlo@yahoo.com and I'll add you to the mailing list.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Meeting this Sunday

2009-10-27T06:26:00.004+10:00

A reminder that Transition Town Eudlo is getting together this Sunday 8.30-10am at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo.

Cheers,
Sonya

Transition Town Nambour anyone?

2009-10-17T11:37:00.008+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo isn't limited to people living in Eudlo, in fact people come from far and wide to see what all the fuss is about this thing they call 'Transition Towns'.

People who live in neighbouring areas come along regularly to get a feel for what it's like and to see if they'd like to start a Transition Town in their own town.

We have people from Palmwoods, Mooloolah, Ilkley and Keil Mountain regularly attending and contributing to what's going on in Eudlo.

Others come because they're not sure if there is enough interest in their own home town to get one started yet.

Which leads me into (finally) this post...

Over time there have been people who've asked, "Is there a Transition Town in Nambour?", to date there hasn't been and unfortunately, these individuals haven't turned up on the same day.

So I'm putting the idea out there - would some Nambour folk like to start Transition Town Nambour?

I'm happy to help and you're still very welcome at the Eudlo meetings - but if there is enough interest in Nambour itself, and I suspect there would be, why not take the plunge and jump right in?

It fits very nicely with the whole revitalisation of Nambour after the loss of the sugar mill in town too. I think local council would be supportive of the idea as part of that whole project.

Contact me at tteudlo@yahoo.com or come along to the next Eudlo meeting on November 1 and meet face to face.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo

November meeting

2009-10-17T06:59:00.003+10:00

The next get together for Transition Town Eudlo is Sunday November 1st.

We meet at 8.30am at Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo.

It's an open meeting, whoever turns up on the day turns up. If someone from one of the groups (see the list on the right) is there they might give an update on what's happening, otherwise it's a time to get together, welcome new people and generally chat about transitioning and all that means.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Beekeepers' Collective update

2009-10-12T14:45:00.004+10:00

The Eudlo Beekeepers' Collective has acquired a two frame hand driven honey extractor, some hive tools, gloves and veils.

We also have The Bee Book - as recommended by, and available from the DPI.

Things are moving forward, slowly but surely.

Cheers,
Sonya
The Eudlo Beekeepers' Collective

Eudlo Seed Savers

2009-10-04T11:18:00.005+10:00

We're pleased to announce the start of the Eudlo Seed Savers Group. Officially kicked off at this morning's meeting, the group will work within the national seed saving network to promote seed saving, plant propagation and non-hybrid, organic, open pollinated seed saving.

There was also a lot of interest in local bulk buying groups that already exist - whether organic meat, biodynamic milk shares or community supported agriculture, there is already a lot happening that we can tap into.

Our next meeting will be on Sunday November 1 at 8.30am at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo. If you are interested in being involved or finding out what is happening in Eudlo, please come along. We also welcome visitors and guests from neighbouring communities:

Nambour
Palmwoods
Kiel Mountain
Mooloolah
Buderim
and beyond

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Get together this Sunday

2009-10-02T17:49:00.003+10:00

Hi,

Transition Town Eudlo is having a get together this Sunday morning (Oct 4) at 8.30am at Sweetheart's Cafe in town.

We discuss;
our new seed saving group
Permablitz Team
the Food Co-operative
Steam Team
The Beekeepers Collective
Waste Busters
Transport Solutions
Permaculture Eudlo
Eudlo Seasonal Markets - next one is in December
Solar oven group
EGG (Eudlo Growers' Group) (coming soon)
Highlanders' Goat Dairy (coming soon)
Community Harvest Project (coming soon)

Cheers,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

A little taste of Eudlo

2009-09-28T10:01:00.006+10:00

A little bit about our town of Eudlo. The picture above is by local artist, Kristen Tiver Cutlack. We bought this card at the local markets which are held every three months in and around the Eudlo Town Hall - next one is on December 13. We have the photo in our profile to the right.

Our town has about 850 people living in and around it. We have a primary school, general store, coffee shop, hairdresser, tennis courts, rural fire service and a train station with a direct line to Brisbane.

We also have the Chenrezig Buddhist Institute just out of town too. The first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the Western world and still one of the largest. Chenrezig is open to the public for teaching, meditation which has the Big Love cafe too. Visit their website at www.chenrezig.com.au to check schedules and make sure they are open before you visit.

Chenrezig is home to many Buddhist nuns and monks.

Here is a photo of the Gompa.

We also have a local Swiss Cheese Maker - Fromart - in town too.

Most people who live in Eudlo have acreage, while homes in town are average sized blocks.

We are located in the foothills of the Blackall Range half way between Palmwoods and Mooloolah. If you haven't been here before it's worth the drive and you can enjoy a coffee and a meal at Sweethearts Cafe and visit Chenrezig - they are open to the public between Wednesdays and Sundays.

As I said, our next Market Day is on the 13th of December starting at 7am - drop in and say hi!

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

In memory of Yukari

2009-09-26T09:15:00.006+10:00

Our little community of Eudlo recently lost one of its driving forces and an inspirational leader, my dear friend, Yukari Desjardins (that's her on the right, me on the left in the photo above taken in June this year at our local World Environment Day celebrations). Photo courtesy of our local paper the Sunshine Valley News.

Yukari passed away suddenly late last month in Japan and her death has left a huge gap in many people's lives, most of all her young family and husband.

We had many things planned to do together such as starting the Eudlo food co-operative, running permaculture courses, studying for our Diploma of Permaculture together and much, much more.

She will be greatly missed. But we can take a lesson from how she lived her much too short life.

I thought I'd publish a copy of what was handed out at her memorial service last weekend, which by the way was absolutely packed with people whose lives she had touched and influenced. She was involved in so many things; school gardens, permaculture, transition towns, cooking, healing, health, teaching, dancing, and working within her community to improve things and to more toward a more caring world.

Yukari had had so much to offer the Transition Network. I was particularly interested in how she came to permaculture following the Kobe earthquake in the late 90's. This experience led her to permaculture and then onto Transition Towns - she knew what it was like to wake up one morning and have all services (water, electricity, gas, food) cut off and she also knew how important community was to surviving these events.

Fortunately, her story is recorded in the 2010 Permaculture Diary if you are interested in reading about what she learned.

So here it is - Yukari's guide to the best game of Earth - life.

To create peace, health, prosperity and justice universally on Earth by the year 2012.

1. Speak the truth
2. Acknowledge the truth when others speak it
3. Come from love and respect
4. Leave the trail better than you found it
5. Expect miracles
6. Do what gives you joy and create joy in what you do
7. Be generous with who you are and what you have
8. Be a good friend and teammate
9. Clean up your messes, learn the lessons and move on
10. If you have an idea for how to improve the game, share it!

Forgive
Appreciate
Celebrate
Respect

Thank you for being who you are and LOVE...
Yukari

I hope we can carry on with Yukari's vision for Eudlo and create the type of community she wanted to be part of.

Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo

What we're up to

2009-09-15T13:48:00.003+10:00

Transition Town Eudlo has a few projects underway - and you're welcome to get involved. We'd appreciate your help no matter how much time and energy you can put in - it all helps.

EUDLO SEED SAVERS NETWORK
We have the start of a seed saving group happening in Eudlo. A few people had done the Seed Savers workshop and others are already seed saving. We have registed with the official Australian Seed Saving Network and we'll learn as we go. Now is a bumper time in the vegie garden with lots of plants setting seed, so a great time to start seed saving.

EUDLO BEE KEEPERS COLLECTIVE
A few of locals headed off to Conondale last weekend to learn about bee keeping - so there is a great opportunity to for a Bee Keepers Collective. We can all have our own hives, but share in the major purchases such as an electric honey extractor... discussions are continuing.

EUDLO FOOD CO-OP
The Eudlo Food Co-op is on the backburner at the moment... sadly one of the key people involved in this great idea passed away suddenly and the job of starting the co-op seems a little overwhelming at the moment... more on this later when energies are right.

EUDLO STEAM TEAM
The steam team are still meeting regularly exploring how we might be able to use small-scale decentralised steam engines to provide energy in the future.

We're also working on waste solutions (managing putrecible waste on-site at home rather than it going to landfill), water solutions (best practice waterless composting toilets) and much more.

Our next meeting is on the morning of Sunday October 4 at 8.30am at Sweethearts' Cafe.

See you there,
Sonya Wallace
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Upcoming events for spring

2009-08-24T11:02:00.004+10:00

The next Eudlo Seasonal Market is on September 6 - celebrating the arrival of Spring - although it already feels like summer here!

The markets are proving popular with locals and visitors - and are held in and around the Eudlo Town Hall. Sweethearts Cafe will be open as will the Eudlo General Store.

Transition Town Eudlo's next meeting coincides with the markets, so we won't be meeting at Sweethearts, instead we are busy trying to russle up a stall at the market, so hopefully you can see us there.

OCTOBER
The Transition Town Eudlo get together for October will be on the 4th at Sweethearts Cafe at 8.30-9.30am. We usually get a lot of visitors there, so it's much more social than a formal meeting. You're welcome to come along and meet some of the locals, but it is more about information than action. Our sub-groups meet seperately to work on projects.

NOVEMBER
November meeting will be on Sunday November 1.

Events for May and June

2009-05-19T14:13:00.002+10:00

If you're interested in learning more about how you can personally prepare for peak oil and climate change and how to work with others in your community, there are some workshops and events coming up in May and June you might be interested in.

May 23 or 30 - beginners' guide to growing your own food - course held at Eudlo
June 6 - beginners' guide to compost and worm farms - at Eudlo
June 13 & 20 - Introduction to Permaculture - held at Eudlo and includes a section on Transition Towns
June 14 - Eudlo Winter Markets at the Town Hall - starts 8am
June 28 - World Environment Day a the local university - Transition Towns will be there.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo Coordinator

Transition Talk...

2009-05-05T14:53:00.002+10:00

Things are developing here and nodes are starting to form.

If you are interested in any of the following, please let us know by emailing raintreeorganics[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au we are looking for people with an interest in these areas, either a passion or expertise to help get Transition Town Eudlo off and running.

Our next meeting is the first Sunday in June

Food Co-operative - taking part in the running of the new Eudlo Food Co-op
Seed Saving - join the seed saving group
Waste - working on local waste solutions for Eudlo - compost toilets, worm farming, reducing waste etc
Energy - interested in being part of the energy group - help set the agenda for energy resilience in Eudlo
Steam Team - interested in steam engines? So are others, let's get our collective genius together and come up with some solutions.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Eudlo Food Co-operative

2009-04-28T08:05:00.004+10:00

Following the overwhelming interest in creating a community food co-operative we've been busily working behind the scenes to make it happen.

In June we will hold a get together and invite all the people who have already expressed interest - and anyone else who is interested to come along.

We'll kick start the ordering and explain how it will all work. We'll start with non-perishables, dried and canned goods, all organic and as local as possible.

Keep an eye on this blog for details of exactly when and where the Eudlo Food Co-op event will be.

Also, mark Sunday June 14 in your diary. That's the date of the Eudlo Winter Market - again at the Town Hall. We'll be there with fresh produce, plants, food, lots of information about what's happening and all things Transition Town.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo
Coordinator

Seedy Sundays Set to Take Off!

2009-04-18T18:05:00.005+10:00

Welcome to Seedy Sundays - an idea shamelessly ripped off from the good people of Transition Towns UK, and it's probably one of the most important things we can do for the future.

Seedy Sundays are when people get together and bring seeds from their gardens, cuttings, plants, produce etc and swap them with each other.

Why is this so important?

Seed saving is probably one of the most important skills you can learn. For many years many of us have relied on buying our organic, non-hybrid open-pollinated seed from places like Green Harvest. But this may be changing in the near future. Now lots more people are wanting to grow their own food and they are also now turning to organic seed suppliers for stock.

But if we all keep just buying our seeds without replenishing the capital of our seed banks we will only continue to go into deficit - something we can not afford to do.

So being able to seed save means - we can replenish what we take out of the system, we can continue to support organic seed suppliers and savers and even help them maintain and increase their stock supplies.

We can grow true to type, heirloom, organic, real food in our own gardens. We can save our seeds and not be beholden to any non-organic (chemical) based seed company who modify their seeds to be infertile so we CAN'T save seeds (they want us to go back year after year to buy their latest varieties - not be self-reliant and grow and save our own).

So we have to get seed saving out their in the community, and it sits perfectly with Transition Towns.

The idea is to promote a time and place where we can all meet and encourage people to bring their seed from their garden, we can sit around and process the seed together then share it back among ourselves. This also increases the genetic diversity of the stock.

What you can do - learn to seed save (there are courses available), seed save at home, then start some type of seed saving group in your community, then link up into the national network of seed saving.

Keep an eye out for the first Eudlo Seedy Sunday event.

Cheers,
Sonya

Creating a culture of local food

2009-04-12T13:07:00.009+10:00

The recent Eat Local Forum at Palmwoods attracted 150 people - a lot of people for a small town and considering the event didn't receive a lot of publicity.

It does show a shift in people's thinking though. For whatever reason, whether its cost, quality, environment, health or ethics, there seems to be a distinct shift toward local food.

Local, organic, in-season food. The renaissance of a local food culture.

So how do you go about creating a local food culture?

Plenty of people around Australia are doing it already - food box systems, community supported agriculture, school gardens, community gardens, permablitzes, farm gate sales... supporting local growers and importantly local food distribution points - including restaurants that support local organic growers.

I found a really interesting and inspiring site from Victoria the other day - the Community Harvest Project -

The Community Harvest Project exists to:
Help individuals and groups to grow or access healthy, sustainable, affordable, locally produced food.
Connect individuals and groups to share skills, knowledge, resources, and create a vibrant, cooperative and resilient community.
Help your community deal with climate change, peak oil and the rising cost of living.

Sounds like a great foundation for a Transition Town food sub-group.

It provides a framework for small scale growers to sell their surplus. For many of us, particularly here in Eudlo where we mostly have acreage, going full time into commercial food production is out of the question, but having a viable outlet to sell our chemical free, high-quality surplus is really appealing.

The Transition Town Eudlo Food Group has decided to start out with dried organic goods to kick off our Eudlo Food Co-operative. We chose dried goods because we have access to them at wholesale prices and because they don't need refrigeration. We also chose dried food as a lot of us already grow most of our fresh food, so there isn't a need for that.

Once we have the dried goods part of the co-op working well, we'll branch out into honey, tahini, tamari, oils... and then ultimately fresh produce: salad greens, vegetables, herbs, sub tropical perennials etc. We may even develop a market for preserves: jams, stewed fruit...

So far, we've had more than 30 - yes, 30! families in the Eudlo and Ilkley area sign up to be involved in the co-op. Another 30+ families in neighbouring towns also want to be part of it.

Sixty families in total to start our co-operative. That's fantastic and very heartening. It did come as a surprise for us, so we're going to rethink how we do this so it is successful, innovative, ethical and economically viable.

It's not to late to join in either, if you live in Eudlo, Ilkley, Palmwoods, Mooloolah or Woombye, get in contact - leave a comment here and you can be part of this exciting adventure!

[Some of these images were sourced from US websites]

Meetings, tours, workshops & courses!

2009-04-10T14:09:00.009+10:00

Next meeting of Transition Town Eudlo is Sunday 3 May at 8.30am at Sweethearts' Cafe in the heart of Eudlo. All welcome, drop by for a coffee and chat, and to find out more about Transition Towns.

Also coming up in Eudlo - learn how you can become more self-reliant and start living more sustainably.

Sunday April 26 - Beginners' Guide to growing your own food. As more people choose to grow their own food at home, this one day workshop will take you through the basics of organic gardening and how to do it successfully. Turn your lawn into lunch. Covers how to get started, no-dig gardens, raised beds, where to source seeds and seedlings, how to get your soil right, organic pest management and much more. Cost is $70 includes handouts, morning tea, coffee and hands on practice.

Sunday May 3 - Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week - compost workshop at Eudlo. Discover the secrets to successful compost - Cost is $20

Monday May 4 - Permaculture Garden Tour - Visit one of Eudlo's well-known permaculture gardens. Two hour tour cost $5, limited places filling fast.

Saturday May 9 & Sunday May 10 - Introduction to Permaculture - at Eudlo once again. Learn the basics of permaculture and a heap of skills and ideas to help you start living more sustainably. Redesign and retrofit your home and garden to be more efficient, more cost effective and more productive! See permaculture in action. Includes lots of theory and hands on practice. Cost is $130 includes handouts, morning tea, coffee and hands on practice.

Sunday May 17 9am-12pm – ½ day workshop – Beginners’ guide to compost & worms
Discover the wonderful microbial world of compost and worms. Learn how to turn waste into garden gold. Soil is the secret of growing healthy food at home – learn how to do it the chemical free, natural way working with nature to create abundant fertility in your vegie patch and home orchard. Cost is $40 includes handouts, morning tea, coffee and hands on practice.

All workshops and courses are held at Permaculture Pathways, two acres of well-established food gardens. Learning in our living classroom.

For bookings or more information about any of these workshops, tours or courses email permaculturepathways [at] yahoo [dot] com or call 0408 013 012.

Permablitz!

2009-04-07T11:16:00.019+10:00

We've been working on creating a Permablitz network on the Sunshine Coast. Permablitz is a concept created by Adam and Dan and many, many others in Victoria, who are making an impressive impact on backyards in Victoria with this very successful model of turning lawns into lunch. The photos above are from the Victorian Permablitz website.

While many other groups do working bees and energy exchanges, the Vic Permablitz people have been bringing in a whole new audience to permaculture - something we really need to focusing on at the moment. No use preaching to the converted! Time to venture out into the mainstream and get them gardening and more self-reliant!

This is how it goes; They organise a 'blitz' in someone's backyard. Now this is NOT like those terrible TV 'blitzes' where they make over a garden and fill it with useless plants that aren't good for anything except composting (I even saw one the other day where they had an outdoor waterproof big screen TV! - I couldn't believe it). You won't find a white pebble or an agave in site at a Permablitz, instead you'll find fruit trees, broccoli, spinach, asian greens, globe artichokes, cabbages, beans, edible flowers, edible water plants, eggplants and herbs... you get the (edible) picture.

The Permablitz team visit the site beforehand and come up with some permaculture solutions that meet that particular person's needs. They then advertise the blitz and people can just come along - the owner organises all the resources needed and puts the word out about anything people can bring on the day. Everyone brings a plate of food (preferably local and organic) to share and the work begins under the friendly supervision of some Permaculture designers.

They often get a particular expert - eg a top tree pruner or a herb expert - in to do a workshop so the blitzer can learn even more about food.

They are going great guns in Vic and deserve a great big huge edible medal! Well done!

There aim is "... to make the suburbs edible enough such that should food become unaffordable, we don't even notice."

Oh, by the way, you need to go to three Permablitzes and be actively involved, then you get one at your place - they (and we) aren't a volunteer team of people who do your garden for you, you have to put energy into the system before you can take out - that's nature. There is no such thing as a free lunch, even if it's from your own garden.

While Permablitz is grounded in fun, play, sharing and informal learning, it's really playing a much, much deeper role at a very important time.

Permablitzes take food production right into backyards. This is crucial. While it's great to have community gardens and school gardens, people need to do this at home to back up the whole system. No point having 200,000 people nearby thinking they are all going to decend on your place or your community garden when the shit hits the fan.

They also make organic food accessible to all, not just those who can afford to buy it in the shops. Everyone has the right to fresh, healthy, chemical free food.

It allows people to move away from being dependent on industrial agricultural system and the multi-nationals who supply a lot of our food.

It brings food back to a local level, increases your appreciation of good food, reduces food miles and cuts carbon emissions in your household dramatically.

Teach people how to do it themselves, then encourage them to teach others and so on. A fantastic model for our present times.

Here in Eudlo we've done a few Permablitzes through Transition Town Eudlo. While the Vic people have the people, we have the acreage it seems. In our photos the people are pretty light on, but we've got plenty of room to play in!

So, here are a few photos of our Permablitzes.

Starting with [BELOW] discussing the plan of action BEFORE we start! Always a good idea!

[ABOVE: many hands make log move]

[ABOVE: keeping the kids amused and safe]

[ABOVE: by the end of the day, these new raised beds were planted out with vegies and salad greens - we used a no dig recipe to get them done in a day]

[ABOVE: learning how to plant out vetiver grass around the new water feature]

"Permablitz is a social enterprise committed to improving the sustainability of our cities and suburbs. We use a sustainable design system called permaculture to help communities move away from denial and depdendent consumerism to engagement and responsible production. Our core focus is helping people sustainabily grow food where they live, building healthy community in the process. Rather than depressing people with the bad news, we empower them with the good news - that the solutions are at hand - and get on with having fun rolling them out." Dan Palmer - Permablitz Vic.

If you are intrested in contributing toward the development of Permablitz Sunshine Coast, please get in touch I'm very keen to get this up and running here.

Cheers,
Sonya
Transition Town Eudlo Coordinator

April Meeting

2009-04-06T08:01:00.000+10:00

We had a great meeting this month. Although Sweetheart's was closed! We could have done with a coffee, but oh well, can't have everything.

Lots of new faces and people interested in both gardening and the bigger picture Transition Town approach of looking at all systems under pressure from oil and climate issues.

Food is a great starting place, but Transition Towns are so much more. Looking forward to getting groups started in waste, energy, transport, education and all those sectors.

There are a few activities on locally between now and the next meeting - April 20-23 there is a Dynamic Groups for Transition Workshop on at Cooroy with the wonderful Robin Clayfield.

All these events are detailed on the SEAC website at www.seac.net.au under events - costs, booking details etc.

April 26 - Beginner's Guide to growing your own food on at Eudlo. Full day of learning how to start and maintain home food production systems - vegie beds, compost, worm farms... all the good stuff.

May 3 - the day of our next meeting, but also International Compost Awarness Week - there will be a compost workshop at Eudlo to celebrate - 10am-noon Cost $20.

May 4 - Labour Day Garden Tour - visit a permaculture garden and see the fruits of its Labour! Tour runs from 9-11am and costs $5 per head. Numbers are strictly limited so book early.

See www.seac.net.au for all the details

Next meeting Sunday May 3 at 8.30am at Sweetheart's - if they are closed again, we'll be over in the school yard under their shelter.

Cheers,
Sonya

Sunshine Coast weather

2009-04-04T13:28:00.000+10:00

Eudlo has certainly had more than its share of rain the past few days. This is a photo of the town end of our road taken just this morning.

The meeting is still on for tomorrow, particularly if we don't get anymore rain, this should clear quickly and travel will be back to normal.

We can all get together and share rain stories and see how we're all coping with the soggy conditions.

Sonya

Meeting this week

2009-04-03T06:45:00.000+10:00

[Above: a display of the types of foods we'll be ordering through our food co-op]

This Sunday is our regular meeting for Transition Town Eudlo. Hopefully it won't be too rained out - we've had some localised flooding overnight and yesterday.

We meet at Sweetheart's Cafe in Eudlo at 8.30am for a coffee, a catch up and a chat. You're welcome to come along if you are interested in Transition Towns.

We'll also be able to talk about the very successful Local Food Forum we had last weekend at Palmwoods. I've attached some photos here.

[A photo of the crowd, about 140 people turned up, and a photo of some sweet potato plants we have for sale]

Our Sunday morning meetings are very social, often with new people turning up wanting to know about the group or Transition Towns in general.

Some people also come to our meetings because they are thinking about moving to Eudlo and want to get a feel for the town.

There aren't many community groups you can turn up to and find out such things, so that's yet another need that TTs fill.

[Below: a photo of the mind map I put together on local food solutions]

Local Food Forum

2009-03-16T12:31:00.000+10:00

Growing Your Own Food - From Backyards to Small Acreage - forum at Palmwoods Hall Saturday March 28 1-5pm.

Growing our food is a daily part of life on Earth. It is a practice that is both art and science, one which joins communities, sustains health and well being and lifts the spirits. Out of patient toil and from the seeming chaos of Nature, we can receive abundance.

In recent times, many of us have reclaimed this activity in our own backyards, within community plots and on smaller acreage.

Many more of us want to know the best way to create a robust food garden using sustainable means.

Uncertainty about economic prospects, ill health brought on by modern farming practices, environmental pollution and a simple need to eat fresh, health giving food has brought us to the realisation that we can achieve a positive change through our gardens that benefit the community.

On Saturday March 28, from 1pm until 5pm, the forum 'Growing Your Own Food - From Backyards to Small Acreage' will be held at the Palmwoods Hall.

Guest presenters include Janet Millington and Sonya Wallace Permaculture Educators and Transition Town Coordinators, Dave Hofman Biodynamic Educator and Soil Remediation Consultant, Kathryn Alexander Naturopath Gerson Therapist and author of Dietary Healing, Liz Hanson self reliant Permaculture Gardener, Bob Lewis Worm Farmer and Worm Industry Consultant and you, our notable audience.

This forum will look at the reasons for growing our own food, ways to network to secure access and how to go about it all.

Information about local resources and support/learning networks will be provided as will an afternoon tea.

Palmwoods Hall. Doors open at 12:30pm for a 1pm start and 5pm finish.

Admission is a gold coin. Refreshments will be available at a reasonable cost.

For more information ring Monique @ 5478 9364 or Robyn @ 5445 9923.

And here's some local food from my garden to get your imagination going...

Eudlo Autumn Market

2009-03-15T13:38:00.000+10:00

Here are some photos from today's very successful Autumn Market - hot off the press!

Our stall was a combination of fresh local produce from our own gardens, cooked local goodies, hard to find food plants, information on cooking and bread making courses and permaculture and transition town courses, plus lots more.

Lots of people signed up to join the Eudlo Food Co-operative, so that looks like taking off!

And Ann and Bill's beautiful Gypsy Wagon attracted a lot of attention too.

Cheers,
Sonya

Market this Sunday

2009-03-11T17:07:00.000+10:00

The Eudlo Market is looking like a great day. It's on this Sunday March 15 from 7am in the Eudlo Town Hall. Transition Town Eudlo will be there with information and resources about Transition Towns, climate change and peak oil.

We'll also have some local produce to sell - local organic home grown food, plants and other goodies.

Hoping the weather holds off and we get lots of visitors. Will take some photos and let you know how it all goes.

Cheers,
Sonya

Eudlo Town Market

2009-03-04T13:02:00.000+10:00

Eudlo will host a market day on Sunday March 15 from 7am at the Town Hall.

Transition Town Eudlo will be there with information about what we're up to, how you can be involved and we'll also have some yummy local organic fresh food for you to buy.

The markets have given Eudlo a new dimension in community. People swarmed to the last one proving these types of events, where people get to meet their neighbours are popular.

About Eudlo

2009-02-18T14:46:00.000+10:00

Eudlo is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia. It's a small town with about 850 residents. It used to be a cattle and timber town, but now has a train station, general store, tennis courts, rural fire service, post office, school, town hall and a new coffee shop.

Eudlo is indigenous Australian for 'eels' and we have eels in our dams here. We are located between Mooloolah to the south and Palmwoods to our north. We also have Chenrezig Buddhist Institute here.

Our rainfall averages about 1500mm and climate is subtropical.

Not many people work in Eudlo, most residents have to commute to work although there are many people working from home here too.

Eudlo doesn't have any town water or sewerage, so it is unlikely to be developed in the future.

Eudlo is also the Sunshine Coast's first Transition Town within the Transition Sunshine Coast regional structure.

This year we will be working on community projects and starting work on our Energy Descent Action Plan.

New Transition Handbook!

2009-02-11T14:34:00.000+10:00

Available February 25th - how exciting! The newest Transition Handbook is due out and the Sunshine Coast is in it.

Here is a summary from Finch Publishers

Around the world, societies are facing the prospect of a future with dwindling oil reserves, an unstable climate and unpredictable food production. What are the ways we might move away from our dependency on oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and still enjoy a good quality of life?

The Transition Handbook provides accounts of how individuals have responded with their local communities to the twin threats of Peak Oil and Climate Change. This practical book explains how we can ‘transition’ from fossil-fuel based communities to ones that are more self-reliant and generate less carbon emissions. The Transition Handbook shows how such changes will result in a greater development of local food, local economies, local water harvesting and energy generation – and so create more sustainable communities in the longer term.

The Transition Handbook includes detailed accounts of Transition initiatives in the UK (where they now number more than 100) and profiles of Australian and New Zealand initiatives currently underway. This inspiring guide shows the necessary steps to establishing a transition town in a local area and provides an achievable model for people who would like to transform the life of their community.

‘This is a rare book. Not only does it educate and inspire you on the path to sustainability, it also shows you how to get their by being a great “how to do it” manual. It has already had an impact even before it’s release here. Towns from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains of Australia to Nelson on the coast of New Zealand are amongst the many communities already influenced by Rob Hopkins’s work. This local release is sure to inspire many more.’ PAUL KLYMENKO, Planet Ark

‘The Transition Handbook clearly sets out the unprecedented and looming challenges climate change and peak oil pose for our civilization, and makes it clear that a concerted community response is our only option. And yet, the book is a profoundly positive – even joyous – read because it tells us how working together as communities and facing these challenges head-on will give us the capacity not just to survive but to actively build a future that is better than our alienated and oil-fuelled present. ... [It] is your invitation to join a clear-eyed, community-based, worldwide movement of grounded visionaries who choose hope and action over denial and apathy.’ NICK HEAP and DAVID SUZUKI, The David Suzuki Foundation

‘The Transition Towns process is one of the most exciting outcomes of permaculture thinking and action in the world today. ... It promises to be the guide for peak oil and permaculture activists everywhere who are taking action in the their local communities.’ DAVID HOLMGREN, co-originator of the permaculture concept and author of Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability

‘The Transition concept is one of the big ideas of our time ... it is inspirational, harnessing hope instead of guilt, and optimism instead of fear.’ PATRICK HOLDEN, director of the Soil Association

‘This book, by the visionary architect of the Transition movement, is a must-read. Growing numbers with their microscopes trained on peak oil are convinced that we have very little time to engineer resilience into our communities before the last energy crisis descends. This issue should be of urgent concern to every person who cares about their children, and all who hope there is a viable future for human civilization post-petroleum.’ JEREMY LEGGETT, author of The Carbon War and Half Gone

About the Author

Rob Hopkins is a co-founder of the Transition Network. He has been a teacher of Permaculture and natural building for many years – and has a background in creating practical solutions to environmental problems. Having successfully devised an Energy Descent Plan for Kinsale in Ireland (which was later adopted as policy by the town council), Rob initiated Transition Town Totnes, the first UK town to address the issues of life after peak oil. He publishes www.transitionculture.org.

Specifications

MARCH 2009
RRP $34.95
Trade Paperback 288pp
ISBN 9781921462009

If you have any further questions please click here to email us.

What is a Transition Town?

2009-02-11T14:27:00.001+10:00

Good question. People ask me that all the time. But I must admit it is hard to define in a neat sentence or two. But here goes.

Transition Towns…

Support community-led responses to both climate change and peak oil. They do this by building community resilience through positive action.

They (a group of committed people who want to do something for a positive future), look at all the vulnerabilities and opportunities pertaining to their particular ‘transition area’ however that is defined.

They look at
how they can reduce their carbon emissions,
how they can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels,
how they can move away from dangerous climate change levels
how they can wean themselves of being so reliant on fossil fuels
and how they will cope after peak oil.

They look at food, water, energy, waste, transport, education, legislation… you get the picture. And then they find ways to build resilience into those production and supply systems.

Transition Towns also trust that a lot of these solutions lie in the community. They facilitate the unleashing of the creative genius in the community.

They understand that the type of thinking that got us into the vulnerable position is NOT the type of thinking that will get us out.

They also acknowledge that we are all in this together. No one gets away from the effects of climate change or peak oil.

So for example, they might decide self-reliance in water is a good starting point and organise a rain water tank bulk buy for their group. They might also arrange a guest speaker to come and talk about using grey water, or reed beds. Or perhaps someone who can talk about waterless toilets.

They might also be interested in local waste management and organise a composting workshop focussing on how householders can be manage putrescible waste (kitchen scraps and the like) on site in their own backyards, keeping it out of methane producing landfill site and instead turning it into useful fertiliser for their gardens.

They might then decide to start a local worm farm, or a compost group at their local school, or whatever best suits their community’s needs.

Looking at how to make their lives more resilient, most groups quickly come to the conclusion that diversity (different ways of getting the same thing – or ‘not putting all your eggs in one basket’) and localisation (having the majority of things that you use and need every day available from within your local area) are the best ways to go. Local goods have a lot less carbon emissions generally because they haven’t travelled so far. Local goods also keep your money in your local economy and support local jobs.

So, Transition Towns support these ideas by creating opportunities for increasing diversity and the localisation of systems.

Let’s take food as an example.

Most people rely on the duopoly of the two major supermarkets for their food supply. They assume that to some degree the shelves will also be full, the choices varied and the doors open.

But – what if a significant climate event shuts your local store. What if it cuts roads to your local store? You can’t get there and neither can the trucks. What if a fuel crisis cuts supplies to your local store? What if fossil fuel depletion dramatically affects the prices of the food at your local store?

What back up plan do you have to feed your family? Relying on the government to do something is out of the question – if these events are affecting your community, chances are they are affecting a lot of other communities and government just won’t have the resources to cope – that is fundamental to Transition Towns – it’s about taking responsibility for yourself and your family and becoming more self-reliant. (Not self-sufficient, this isn’t about creating isolation, its about creating communities).

A Transition Town might build resilience, diversity and localisation in their food systems by; holding organic gardening courses for residents, running working bees and permablitzes (where permaculture people come in and make over your ornamental garden and lawn with edible plants), they might start a community campaign for a farmers’ market, they might start a food bulk-buy, co-operative or food box system.

They might start a community garden, or approach the local school to start a garden the community can use on the weekend.

They might start a program to deliver fresh organic food to people who are struggling financially. They might run cooking classes showing new mums how to prepare healthy food for their families on a budget. They might bring in guest speakers to talk about genetically modified food, they might lobby for food miles taxes to be added to food… you can begin to see how far and wide Transition Towns can reach.

Now all of these ideas are already happening in Transition Towns around the world.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you just need to tap into what is already there and happening.

Visit www.seac.net.au for more information on Transition Towns.

A slight change of focus

2009-02-07T09:06:00.000+10:00

I've revised the ideas on our flier - just to ensure people understand that Transition Towns are not 'gardening' clubs. While there is a focus on food, it's not our only focus and we need to balance it with transport, waste, water, energy, economics and employment.

Transition Town Eudlo

Are you interested in;
• Growing healthy organic food at home
• Reducing your household bills
• Switching to solar or wind energy
• Composting toilets
• Worm farming and recycling
• Local businesses, local employment & LETS
• Transport solutions
• Finding creative ways to live better on less $$
• Seed saving & plant propagation
• Permaculture solutions
• Being part of permaculture working bees
• Bulk-buying food and garden materials
• Setting up a Eudlo Food Co-operative
• Establishing other community collectives
• Working with others on climate change & peak oil
• Local community resilience as a Transition Town

Then why not join us, we meet on the first Sunday of the month at 8.30am at Sweetheart’s Café in Eudlo.

visit: transitioneudlo.blogspot.com
email: raintreeorganics@yahoo.com.au

2009 Plans...

2009-02-02T16:08:00.001+10:00

We had our first meeting for 2009 on the first Sunday of February with an excellent turn out of people. New faces from neighbouring towns - Palmwoods, Mooloolah and Keil Mountain.

We've decided to keep Sunday morning get togethers as a social catch up and we'll start a core group of initiators working on projects that will meet separately. That way we can spend time meeting new people, talking to others and still have a formed group who work together to get projects done in the community.

Interest of the group lies in food, energy, water, waste and heart & soul, so that is an excellent foundation for us to start from.

A great starter project is a food co-operative.

Other passions include biodynamics, permaculture and homeopathic remedies for gardens, seed saving, herbs and alternative medicine.

Event ideas include local market and local film nights.

Core group will be meeting February 24th at 7pm at our place to start work on projects and who can do what.

And we're off...

2008-10-28T08:07:00.000+10:00

Time to get serious now... next meeting first Sunday of November at 8.30am in the park opposite the Eudlo General Store. Or if Sweetheart's Cafe is open, we might head over there.

A local market, the Eudlo food co-op, seed saving group activities and our next permablitz will be on the agenda.

Transition Town Eudlo

Are you interested in;
• Relocalisation (becoming less reliant on fossil fuels)
• Growing healthy organic food at home
• Permaculture & organic gardening
• Seed saving & plant propagation
• Helping out at Permablitz working bees
• Reducing your food and energy bills
• Bulk-buying dried organic goods
• Setting up a Eudlo Food Co-operative
• Establishing other community collectives
• Community orchards & edible landscapes
• Creating a stronger & more resilient community
• Working with others on climate change & peak oil
• Finding out what’s going on in Eudlo
• Moving from oil dependency to local resilience as a Transition Town

Then please join us and together we'll move from oil dependency to local resilience.

We're official

2008-10-20T08:07:00.000+10:00

Well, we've made it! Eudlo is officially a Transition Town. Next step - starting to document what it is we're doing and working on things like establishing a food co-op, more permablitzes etc.

Exciting times indeed. Numbers are building too, with more and more people wanting to get involved.

Our next meeting is Sunday November 2 at 8.30am in the park opposite the General Store.

Cheers,
Sonya

Criteria sent off!

2008-07-20T14:05:00.001+10:00

Well, today I sent off the criteria we needed to meet for Eudlo to become a Transition Town. Here is the list direct from the Transition Town WIKI site.

These criteria are developing all the time, and certainly aren’t written in stone.

1. an understanding of peak oil and climate change as twin drivers (to be written into constitution or governing documents)

2. a group of 4-5 people willing to step into leadership roles (not just the boundless enthusiasm of a single person)

3. at least two people from the core team willing to attend an initial two day training course. Initially these will be in Totnes and over time we'll roll them out to other areas as well, including internationally. Transition Training is just UK based right now, but that's going to have to change – we're working on it.

4. a potentially strong connection to the local council

5. an initial understanding of the 12 steps to becoming a TT

6. a commitment to ask for help when needed

7. a commitment to regularly update your Transition Initiative web presence - either the wiki (collaborative workspace on the web that we'll make available to you), or your own website

8. a commitment to make periodic contributions to the Transition Towns blog (the world will be watching)

9. a commitment, once you're into the Transition, for your group to give at least two presentations to other communities (in the vicinity) that are considering embarking on this journey – a sort of “here’s what we did” or #here's how it was for us" talk

10. a commitment to network with other TTs

11. a commitment to work cooperatively with neighbouring TTs

12. minimal conflicts of interests in the core team

13. a commitment to work with the Transition Network re grant applications for funding from national grant giving bodies. Your own local trusts are yours to deal with as appropriate.

14. a commitment to strive for inclusivity across your entire initiative. We're aware that we need to strengthen this point in response to concerns about extreme political groups becoming involved in transition initiatives. One way of doing this is for your core group to explicitly state their support the UN Declaration of Human Rights (General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948). You could add this to your constitution (when finalised) so that extreme political groups that have discrimination as a key value cannot participate in the decision-making bodies within your transition initiative. There may be more elegant ways of handling this requirement, and there's a group within the network looking at how that might be done.

15. a recognition that although your entire county or district may need to go through transition, the first place for you to start is in your local community. It may be that eventually the number of transitioning communities in your area warrant some central group to help provide local support, but this will emerge over time, rather than be imposed. (This point was inserted in response to the several instances of people rushing off to transition their entire county/region rather than their local community.)

In exceptional situations where a coordinating hub or initiating hub needs to be set up (currently Bristol, Forest of Dean, Brighton&Hove) that hub is responsible for making sure these criteria are applied to all the initiatives that start within their area.

Further criteria apply to initiating/coordinating hubs – these can be discussed person to person.

16. and finally, we recommend that at least one person on the core team should have attended a permaculture design course... it really does seem to make a difference.

Once you can demonstrate to us at Transition Network that you're on board with these, you open the door to all sorts of wonderful support, guidance, materials, webspace, training and networking opportunities - not all ready right now, but we're working on it.....

Welcome

2008-07-03T13:57:00.000+10:00

Hi,

Welcome to the blog of Transition Town Eudlo. We are one of the first Transition Initiatives in Australia and we are looking forward to moving our community from oil dependency to local resilience.

We'll post all the happenings, what's on, how it is all developing... whatever unfold from our transition experience.

There has been an active group of people working on positive solutions to climate change and peak oil in Eudlo for the past year, we are now morphing into a Transition Town.

Sonya - Co-ordinator

The town of Eudlo

Eudlo, [Indigenous Australian for fresh water eels], is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, about half way between the towns of Palmwoods and Mooloolah. Settled in 1891 as a timber and cattle town, Eudlo now consists of a primary school, general store, post office, tennis courts, a volunteer rural fire service, a town hall and an enthusiastic and active relocalisation action group that will celebrate its first birthday this month (July 2008).

Eudlo lies on the national rail line, so we are well positioned for a future using less energy. We have access to fertile soil, good rainfall, established local food growers and experienced and active permaculturists living in the area. Eudlo does not have any town water or sewage systems, so has avoided the population and development explosion currently happening in surrounding Sunshine Coast towns.

Existing group
Eudlo started a peak oil/climate change/relocalisation group in July 2007. Since then we have developed many successful initiatives including;
Bulk buying dried organic goods, oil, tahini etc etc
Seed saving group
Share/swap/barter excess fresh produce from our gardens
Bulk buying/delivery of things like mulch, mushroom compost
Permablitz working bees at member’s homes- helping others establish home food gardens
Emergency support phone list (in case of cyclone, storm, flood)
Car pooling (happening informally among members)

Exciting new initiatives just started;
Establishing a co-operative based on the Maleny (Sunshine Coast, Queensland) model

Initiatives in the pipeline for Transition Town Eudlo;
Working with the local town hall committee to establish social gatherings for the community
Establishing the Eudlo Grain Growers Group (EGG) – researching suitable grains to grow here in the community, growing and distributing them
Buying a community grain mill (engineering a pedal powered one)
Establishing an edible landscape plan for the local park
Working with the local Buddhist Centre (Chenrezig) to develop meditation/discussion groups on change in the context of peak oil and climate change – offering support through change process
Working with council on bikeways, pathways, and a paved town centre for pedestrians
Exploring ways to create a social hub – eg through a co-operative, café, guest speakers, music etc in the heart of the town

The Eudlo group is very active and we have been working well for the past year. People have taken on individual projects they feel confident doing and passionate about. We have permaculture educators, alternative health therapists, home birth and home schooling people, a dietitian, and a regional Transition Initiative Coordinator in the group, which has a vibrant multicultural mix of Spanish, Japanese, Canadian, Swiss, English, Australian, and Creole/Mauritius. We have a lot of relevant expertise in our community.

2006 census – Eudlo statistics
Size 17 sq kms
Population 852
Vehicles - number of cars 303
Household numbers - Predominantly one or two people households
Housing - Predominantly separate houses – owned or being paid off
Religion - Buddhism followed closely by Christianity
Average annual rainfall (over past three years) – 1550mm
Closest major town – Nambour – pop 9774 – 20 minute driveHeight above sea level – rail station in town centre is 27 metres above sea level