Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Sustainable Consumer? Panel of experts to explore. Why don't you come along? Should be a hoot!

Expo gets underway with your questions

Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay will chair the panel of experts with widely differing views at the UNE Education lecture theatre at 6pm on September 25.The panel includes well known comedian Rod Quantock, Armidale retailer Gai Brennan, local resident and environmental advocate Francesca Andreoni, ABC gardening personality Jerry Coleby-Williams, UNE Professor of Environmental Biophysics Iain Young and horticulturalist, journalist and author Meredith Kirton.

Mr Torbay said he was anticipating some divergent and interesting views from the panel.

“It’ll be more orderly than the bear pit and I have not asked for a mute button,” he quipped.

SLEX spokesperson Adam Blakester said the issue of sustainable consumption was not only topical but likely to produce opposing views.

“Some people might say there is no such thing as a sustainable consumer,” he said.

“Others may interpret it as a necessity for consumers to become sustainable through buying more sustainable products and services.

“Or the argument might be that Australia’s comparatively smooth ride through the global recession was through the strength of government-induced consumerism.”

Mr Blakester said members of the panel would bring a variety of perspectives to the subject and should generate stimulating and entertaining discussion on the night.

http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/expo-gets-underway-with-your-questions/1625056.aspx











Sustainable living Expo in Armidale this weekend !!!


Our second Sustainable Living Expo is very close now. 
After the huge success of last year, the Armidale community has once again got behind this event.  So much happening:

Our koala update

Thanks to those who asked about our koala. He's had a rough time and underwent surgery a few weeks ago. His eye infection was too severe to treat with anti-biotics and TLC alone. He was transferred to the koala hospital at Port Macquarie. We are still waiting for more news, hopefully good...

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Goodbye Blinky-Bill


Why did the koala fall out of the tree? ... Because it had chlamydia. No, its not a joke. We have never seen a koala on our 25 area block of aussie bush, until this week. The kids found this male koala at the bottom of a gum tree, shaking feverishly on its back, having vomited on itself. Very distressing! Dave carried it into the house and we called WIRES (wildlife rescue service). Our friend, Flo asked about his eyes that were all bloated with skin and pus - yuk!

It had chlamydia, a highly infectious disease affecting many koalas. We took him to a local koala care specialist. She was amazing. So committed, with 7 koalas already. This one, she said, would be OK after 10 days of antibiotics and constant eye baths. We look forward to getting him back next week and letting him go back into our nearby bushland. Nice to think that in desperation, he followed his nose to us and we could find such wonderful people to help. Thank you to all WIRES folks and all who support them. for more on caring for injured koalas, see http://www.koalasincare.org.au/index.htm