Last Thursday's meeting was a very exciting event, with representatives from some well-known Maleny organisations in attendance. Mark gave an introduction to BRR, our goals and current projects. I was then to give an overview of the Maleny Town Farm concept, but before Mark had even finished his spiel, people were leaping from their seats to ask questions and make suggestions. Some excellent ideas, contacts, and declarations of support were put forward. It appears that there is a great deal of interest in some of our proposals, especially the Maleny Town Farm.

Some attendees expressed interest in forming sub-groups to pursue other projects. Contact us if you are interested in joining a group to develop any of the following ideas:
* Energy Descent Action Plan for Maleny (see Kinsale's plan PDF 1.2meg)
* Sustainability Centre
* Public education programme
* Car pooling

Another meeting will be held this Thursday 2nd November to discuss the Maleny Town Farm proposal. All are welcome. The following week we plan to take the proposal to the Community Keys workshop.

The film night on Thursday was a very successful event. Approximately 20 people turned up, mainly members of the mailing list, but also a good-sized handful of enthusiastic newcomers.

(By the way, if you missed the event, but would still like to see the film, contact me. You are not alone. We may be able to arrange a smaller living-room viewing.)

After the film there was a friendly hubbub as we milled about getting cups of tea and coffee (and bikkies), and engaging with random discussion groups...it was almost like a party! Everyone seemed to find the film quite inspiring; it seems to suggest that while Peak Oil is a crisis, it might also provide wonderful opportunities.

The main thing that struck me however, is that Cuba is an island nation, with a strong central government, able to make sweeping and radical changes (such as import thousands of bicycles from China, or set up food distribution centres to ensure a minimal supply of food to every person). In Australia we are spread thinly over a massive continent, aligned around corporations, governed by free market enthusiasts. Adapting to the changes that Peak Oil will bring may not be so easy for us -- not that it was easy for the Cubans! I think that we'll need to be ready BEFORE the crisis.

We then formed a big circle and brainstormed. It seems that there is no lack of ideas. I'd like to see us form into sub-groups and pursue these various projects. In fact...what are you waiting for?

Some ideas that emerged:
* Reclaiming unused, underused, or misused land for food trees or gardens ("guerilla gardening")
* Start a garden working bee / hands-on-education club
* Contact other groups (eg Permaculture Noosa, Maroochydore, etc) to explore and/or adopt systems which are already successful
* Set up a car pool website for the Range and surrounds
* Contact other organisations to form partnerships
* Tour local permaculture gardens
* Form partnership with Genesis Foundation
* Contact Rob Burse (?) the biodynamicist
* Start a seed-savers group
* Get Shawn to show us how to convert our cars to veggie oil
* Step up our efforts to publicise the relocalisation movement
* Explore the use of bamboo
* etc, etc...my notes are sketchy and our discussions were wide-ranging!

It was generally agreed to meet again soon, preferably in a couple of weeks. If so, perhaps this time we could show one of the shorter films, or even leave out the film and simply try to come up with one or two projects to focus on while we wait for the sea change to kick in!

What think yous? Any thoughts on the next meeting? Any thoughts on a project to pursue? Click reply and free-associate; let's get some online discussion happening.

Last night's film night was an interesting one. 10 people came, almost all of whom had heard of 'peak oil'. After 'End of Suburbia', we pulled our chairs into a circle, filled our teacups and had a fascinating discussion.

We covered water issues, and the apparent inability of our local governments to allow us to do the simplest, most sensible of things, such as fitting our rainwater tanks to internal taps, or processing our own grey water with reed beds. If our system won't allow us to manage our own resources effectively, then not only is it not doing its job, it's actually preventing us from doing it instead.

That shifted us onto two parallel concepts: forming our own 'Hinterland Shire' and Civil Disobedience. I'm sure we'll be talking more about those.

There was an explosion of practical ideas, including:
* Setting up a regular stall at the new Witta Markets (to commence shortly on the 3rd Saturday of each month)
* Asking our elders to teach basic skills such as agriculture, manufacture, etc to us and our children
* Attempting to network with other groups with similar concerns
* Starting a 'grower's table' at the Witta Markets to swap backyard veges and fruit
* Write more letters to The Range News -- get the relocalisation concept out there
* Applying for a grant, or combining funds to start an energy farm
* Assess the suitability of Maleny for various alternative energy sources
* Maleny precinct should be a food production zone
* Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan

...and more. Unfortunately I didn't write em down!

The night went on a little past our booked timeslot, and as we packed up the room, a number of smaller discussion groups formed. I'm sure we could have stood around chatting for another couple of hours.

We seem to all agree that we should hold more film & discussion nights. I'm thinking to show 'The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil', which describes the incredible changes Cuba went through when its oil imports stopped after the Soviet Union collapsed. The average Cuban lost 20 lbs in body weight as the agricultural system went into crisis and was forced to change to organic overnight. See: http://www.communitysolution.org

Next time I think perhaps we book for an extra hour and we take a little cheese and wine?

And don't forget, on Aug 23rd, the wise and well-spoken Richard Heinberg, (author of 'The Party's Over' and 'Powerdown') is teaming up with the great guru David Holmgren (co-originator of the Permaculture concept) and are touring Australia to speak about peak oil and community solutions, starting with Brisbane. Go to the Brisbane Institute to book for the 2-4pm event ($50) or Northey Street City Farm for the 6pm one ($20). But be quick, apparently tickets are selling fast.

On Thursday 10th August, 7.30pm, the Blackall Range Relocalisation will hold the first of a series of film & discussion nights in Maleny, exploring the coming energy crisis and possible local solutions.

The award-winning film "The End Of Suburbia" will be shown, followed by an open discussion. The event will be held at the Senior's Room, at the rear of the Maleny Community Centre. Entry will be by gold coin donation.

Email me (relocalise [at] earsman [dot] com) for more info.

An email list has been formed to discuss and co-ordinate localisation projects for the Blackall Range, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Some members are already meeting to plan the establishment of a large scale community garden in Maleny.

If you are interested in helping to build a vision of a localised, more self-reliant Hinterland, and to develop and execute definite plans for making that vision a reality, please join our email list.

http://groups.google.com/group/blackall-range-localisation

Andrew McNamara will be giving a public lecture on Peak Oil on November 4th, 6.30pm, Montville Community Hall, Main Road (next to St Mary's Church), Montville (Sunshine Coast hinterland). Entry is by donation. For more info, contact Jenny at bottus@powerup.com.au

Please pass on this news to anyone who might be interested.