June 29, 2012

A New Game? Electricity Demand Down Nearly 10%

Today RenewEconomy writes about the energy market game-changer, falling demand – saying: “Developers and network operators can tear up their business plans. And so can some renewable hopefuls too – the era of solar PV and price-conscious consumers is here.” […]
June 29, 2012

Want To Contribute To A Blueprint For Australian Agriculture?

Twitter has just led me to the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture which aims to bring together all those with an interest in, or involvement with, agriculture to help shape its future direction – farmers, transporters, retailers, consultants, rural businesses, agribusinesses, […]
June 28, 2012

Grey Nomads: A Katherine Caretaking Job Aug – Sept 2012

For two dry seasons Tina and Will Visser have worked as volunteer caretakers at O’Keeffe House in Katherine NT – a job they highly recommend. They say it’s a wonderful place to work but now they are both unwell and […]
June 27, 2012

Julian Burnside On Fair Processing Of Refugees In Indonesia

WHY is there NO discussion about processing asylum seekers in Indonesia before they get onto leaky boats? Last Christmas, before the latest boat tragedies off Christmas Island, barrister Julian Burnside AO QC – an advocate for human rights and fair […]
June 21, 2012

Refugee Community Homestay Option …For You?

I heard a flash about ‘Refugee Homestay’ as I flicked through TV channels last night and followed it up. The Australian Homestay Network has started up a Community Placement Network (CPN) with the goal of offering short-term, homestay accommodation to […]
June 11, 2012

Solar PV Rollout 10 Times Forecast…Energy Retailer Reaction?

Giles Parkinson of Renew Economy writes that the greatest barrier to the rapid deployment of solar in Australia will not be about cost or a lack of demand – it will be the ability to get connected. A Common Theme […]
June 11, 2012

Our High Cost Economy..What Co-Ops Are Doing..And Government?

Is our $921 billion capital investment project pipeline real or is it a pipe dream in our purportedly high-cost, low-productivity nation? A new report from the Business Council of Australia requests a conversation about a workplace relations system that: (i) […]
June 11, 2012

Progress Is More Than Economic Growth – Look To Communities

The Fairfax Herald/Age Wellbeing Index indicates that despite ‘temporary stumbles and confusing contradictory trends’ there is solid evidence for optimism about our future as there has been 2% ‘good growth’ in the value of Australia’s human capital. The Index Findings […]
June 11, 2012

Local To Local – International Community Development

The not-for-profit, non-governmental International Association for Community Development (IACD) is the only global network that works towards social justice through community development approaches. It connects people and makes the world a bit smaller. Members think globally and act locally. Local […]
June 7, 2012

Govt Agencies Sharing Info And Saving Money?

VicHealth and other state government agencies are finding that sharing information when developing an app can save money, writes Liz Tay. Cross-jurisdictional Discussions CeBIT Conferences/Trade Shows showcase digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments and at the […]
June 6, 2012

Supermarkets, Food Security And ‘Doing SOMEthing’

Our powerful supermarkets and their ‘be big, be cheap’ thinking is pushing food production into remote areas. Craig Pearson from the Sustainable Society Institute at Melbourne Uni writes that we need urban agriculture as well as bulk farming in remote […]