anti plastics unite

our new 'anti plastics' subgroup will meet at the story tree at 10am on thursday july 24.

come along if you interested in trying to change our local reliance on single use plastics.

world environment day festival reflection

Our World Environment Day Festival Debrief was originally scheduled for tomorrow june 22. 

This date has now been rescheduled. 

Sadly, our Eat Local Week Market Day event will not be going ahead, due to changes with the Organic Shed.

So, we have decided to get together that day - Sunday July 6 - to reflect on this year’s World Environment Day Festival.

We’re keen to hear more of your feedback and get your valuable contributions to build on the success of the event, and hope members and friends can come along.

We'll be meeting at Unit 3, at the Outlook between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Please bring a plate to share and RSVP if you can make it.

In the meantime, please consider sharing your views in the online survey

Thanks again to everyone who helped make the event such a fantastic day. There's lots of photos online on facebook.

kiribatis world environment day festival address

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Elders of the Traditional Owners of this land past and present.

Citizens of the Planet, and Fellow Australians.

Australians come from all the lands on Earth, and I have come here from the islands of Kiribati, in the mid most heart of the Pacific Ocean.

Kiribati was once the British Colony of the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati is the first nation upon which the sun rises in the morning, the first to see the new day, and now among the first Nations which include its sister Tuvalu, to be lost to Climate Change.

For the people never heard of Kiribati before, it consists of 33 atolls, averaging only two metres above sea level. It has a population of over 112,000 people.

I was born on the island of Tarawa in a village called Betio. 

During the 2^nd World War, Betio was bombarded with tons of bombs such that Coconut trees and other vegetation were totally destroyed, but replanting took place, the trees grew back, and the people survived.

It was a situation brought upon our people by others. It wasn’t our war, but traumatized our nation.

But now the people of Kiribati are finding themselves in a new war of a different and more devastating kind. A war that threatens to eliminate our homeland from the face of the Earth.  Again, a war not of our making, but brought upon us by others.

Because the average height of the islands is only 2 metres above sea level, the rising oceans have now led to salt water seeping into the ground water, making it undrinkable, and poisoning the trees, whose roots have depended on it for thousands of years. Scientists are predicting that it will probably take 50 years or less for the islands to be uninhabitable.

 I’ve seen dead coconut trees, their tops completely missing, so that they looked like twisted Telegraph poles on a desert landscape. But they weren’t just coconut trees. These trees were the framework and walls of our buildings, the mats on our floors, the blinds on our windows, the decorations on our dancing costumes, and a primary source of food; then there were dead pandanus trees, which not only represented a food source, but the thatch on the roofs of our houses, the mats on our floors, and the costumes of our dancers.

Our President reluctantly plans the closure of his country finding options for people to live as dignified human beings elsewhere in the world.

When the time comes for I-Kiribati people to be relocated they want to do so on merit and with dignity. 

Education of children in Kiribati schools is going to need to prepare children for the fact that in their adult life, they might need to work and live overseas. 

To quote the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, the people of Kiribati will not go to the world as refugees, but as World Citizens.  

They have a right to live on this Planet which cannot be denied them by climate change. There needs to be special laws passed in  all the nations on Earth including Australia, and enforced by the United Nations that automatically allow people from countries, wiped off the map by sea levels to live on dry land somewhere as a right that overrides point systems. 

For what people may say about human rights and the like, the most basic human right must surely be the right to live at all.

But abandoning the nation of Kiribati is a very last resort. There are projects underway to preserve the islands by planting mangroves, developing salt resistant plants, building sea walls and boosting rain water harvesting.

Fellow Australians and Citizens of the Planet, the world is at war, and the enemy lies not within in the melting ice caps and the rising seas, but within ourselves.

The trenches within which this battle must be fought do not lie between the borders of nations, or between the major political parties or their factions, but within the heart of every human being on this planet.

During the two devastating wars of the last century, extra taxes were paid, war bonds were purchased, and in too many cases the ultimate sacrifice of lives, and loved ones was made, and made willingly by people the world over to defend their lands from destruction. 

We are not being asked to sacrifice as much as our grandparents did during World War 2, yet the danger we face as millions of people are dislocated around the world and nations lost forever is potentially far more devastating. 

And in the final analysis, combating climate change is a moral responsibility, for if we would not want our country to disappear from the face of the earth through the actions of others, so ought we to strive, to ensure, that the countries of others do not disappear from the face of the Earth because of our failure to do what is right. 

To quote President Anote Tong of Kiribati this problem requires a New World Order, which is based on compassion, humanity, and a long term vision. 

Let us human beings the world over accept the moral responsibility, face the challenges, make the necessary sacrifices. And at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter how you believe Climate Change is occurring, whether by the actions of man, or nature, because the fact is, it is really happening and its impact on my homeland and other people around the world must be addressed. 

Further there are long term benefits to Mankind in less reliance on fossil fuel, and reduction of carbon emissions.  

For Australia to do nothing while we wait for the world to act, is no different to us as individuals, refusing to reduce our own carbon foot prints until every body else does. 

This is very foolish it is time for us to lead and set examples. 

Finally, my fellow Australians, who come from all the lands on Earth, and have cousins in all the nations of the Earth, it is time to acknowledge the reality of the human family, and that The Earth is but One Country and humankind its citizens. 

That is the philosophy; that is the outlook; from which will come the political will to address the issue of climate change.  

We must accept responsibility ourselves, not wait for our leaders who have let us down, but lead the way ourselves and make it absolutely clear to the  members of our parliament that Climate Change is a paramount issue in the hearts and minds of our people.

I thank you for your attention and wish all of you a good day. 

Wanita Limpus
Kiribati Australia Association

For more information, watch this video:

 

 

fractured country screening and paul robert burton concert

The new Lock the Gate documentary ‘Fractured Country’ will be shown for the first time in Boonah at 6.30pm on Friday 13 June at Unit 7 at the Outlook. 

This ground breaking documentary gives the first clear, compelling, factual overview about the impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) mining and coal mining on Australian communities, particularly rural and regional communities, farmers and our natural environment. 

It features the stories of people whose lives have been changed forever by CSG mining on their land as well as highlights the groundswell of grassroots community action to stop the industry from ruining lives and communities across Australia.

The film will be shown within a concert by professional musician Paul Robert Burton.

Paul performs a highly eclectic solo repertoire of originals and unusual traditional musical pieces that blend together blues, Celtic, gypsy, Middle Eastern, gospel, bluegrass, swing, jazz and folk-rock influences together into an evocative musical soundscape. He combines rich vocals, traditional acoustic instruments and modern technology to perform music as the universal language of unity.

Paul said, “Over the past three years I have been travelling to communities affected by corporate mining and industry and using my music to inspire, connect and empower people and communities.

“I have also been promoting local solutions: local enterprise, local food and local economy; health and well-being; resource self-sufficiency and resilience; return to nature; and voluntary simplicity in ways that support Gandhi’s focus of ‘being the change you want to see in the world’.

“I work closely with the Lock the Gate Alliance and “Fractured Country” filmmaker David Lowe and have met and stood alongside many of the people and communities featured in the film.

“My music and stories from these communities will inspire and support the people of the Scenic Rim to continue their vigilance to protect this amazing region from mining and industrialisation,” Paul said.

Lock The Gate Alliance is a national coalition of community groups from across Australia who are uniting to protect our common heritage - our land, water and future - from reckless coal and gas expansions. In a David-and-Goliath struggle of farmers against mining giants, everyday citizens against global corporations, these communities are choosing grace under fire and displaying incredible courage, integrity and imagination.

The ‘Fractured Country’ film and concert will be held at Unit 7 at the Outlook at 6.30pm on Friday June 13. Entry is by a suggested donation of $10 (children are free), and will include light refreshments, but feel free to bring a plate to share.  For further information or to book your seats call Julie Jackson on 0435 992 798 or email boonahboss@hotmail.com 

This event is supported by the Boonah Organisation for a Sustainable Shire www.boonahboss.blogspot.com Ethos Foundation: www.ethosfoundation.org, Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic: www.keepthescenicrimscenic.com and Lock the Gate Alliance: www.lockthegate.org.au

a huge success

The fifth World Environment Day Festival was certainly a huge success.

From the moving traditional acknowledgment to the closing strains of the live entertainment, there was fun, laughter, learning and so much joy in the day, which focused on thinking about climate change and its impact on the small island developing states. 

The Kirabati connection was strong and the moving address by Wanita from the Kiribati Australia Association brought tears to many eyes. She spoke of the plight of the low lying Kiribati island mass, being one of the most isolated countries in the world and one of the most vulnerable to climate change in rising sea levels. Wanita explained how rising sea levels had already affected their land with coconut trees upon which they rely for food, clothing and shelter, no longer able to survive on land which is either underwater or suffering from salinity problems. She told the crowd that in perhaps less than 50 years, their country will not be habitable.

Sally Mackinnon officially opened the festival and presented organisers with the community painting that was created at the 2011 festival as part of The Rim Art and Ecology Project with Sally and artists John Jackson and Dave Groom. Sally also recited the poem that she put together with input from the community.  

There were so many highlights of the day, but certainly one for many was the Junkyard Dogs Upcycled Marching Band. Armed with upcycled blue water containers and wearing helmets decorated with all manner of things such as flowers, old CD racks, and metal kitchenalia, the band marched through the venue grounds beating their drums to the chant of ‘raise your voice, not the sea level’.

The live entertainment was very impressive with songs especially written for the day. ‘The Soundies’, the team who got together to manage the music on the day, wrote ‘Sea Levels Rising’ and ‘Keep it in the Ground’ which were extremely popular. The Babbling Trillbilly’s also performed six incredibly entertaining new songs including a sometimes hilarious focus on recycling and the environment. The Kiribati Dancers were also a huge hit. 

Visitors were impressed with the array of displays and stalls and marvelled at the variety, originality and creativity of the artisans.

Feedback continues to roll in, but my favourite would have to be “thank you for the best day of the year in Boonah”

Organisers are now working on collecting feedback to build on for next year’s event. 

Please see the many event photos online on facebook.







a huge thank you goes out to our generous supporters who provided such a generous array of fabulous prizes. congratulations to all lucky winners.

our stall holders

we welcome this year's stallholders:

FOOD
BOSS Food Stall
Cuppa-Licious Coffee
Kiribati food
Fassifern Gymnastics Burgers and Cold Drinks

PRODUCE / FOODWaywillanwy Farm
Peak Organics
Poppi’s Pantry
Wild Grain
Your Inspiration At Home
The Good Life Club
Jess's Raw Food
Greenlee Farm Macadamias
Pamela’s Kitchen
Farmhouse Cheeses
Les's Honey
Sandy's Hand Made Confectionary

GARDEN
BOSS Plant Stall 
Nathan’s Native Plants
Scenic Rim Lavender
Aquaponics Display
Wicking Beds Display
Worms Display
Sunland Aloe Vera Fertilizer
Far Outdoors
Ipswich Kitchen Garden
Society for Growing Australian Plants, Ipswich Branch
Fairchilds Fruit Trees
Chicken Crossing
Unique Letterboxes

FASHION AND HOME
Fair NOT Square
In a People House with Recycled Pallet Furniture
Little Brown Dog
How to Make Paper
Upcycled Denim Bags
Meekz Contemporary Jewellery
Recycled Spoon Jewellery
Cambodia the Real Experience 
Black Swan Dreaming
Helen Newton's Recycled Jewellery
Spinning demo
Retro Vintage
Soror Tea and Jasz Flowers
Neway
Paradise Nutrients
Body Shop at Home
Absolutely Essential 
Organic Hair Care
Amanda Willmann Norwex
Ross’s Timber Works
Old World Celtic
Michael Tarot Reader
Kiri's Henna Tattoos 
Fassifern Gymnastics Face Painting
Paw Training and Treats

COMMUNITY GROUPS
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Knitting Nanas against Gas
Friends of the Earth 
Animals Australia
RSPCA
Animal Welfare  League
Scenic Rim Wildlife
Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld
Wild Mountains
Vegan Sun
Boonah Hydrotherapy Pool
Stuart Olver and his Scenic Rim book