Seminars included...

10am - 4pm: Tim Darby and Shani Graham, from The Painted Fish and Ecoburbia shared aspects of their own journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle. As presenters of the award winning Living Smart Program, hosts of popular monthly tours of their home and business, and active gardeners, preservers, community volunteers and rabbit breeders, they explained just how sustainable you can be on a 230 square metre block in the suburbs!
Tim and Shani live on Hulbert Street in South Fremantle.  This little "unintentional community" has over 50% of its residents on solar power, over three quarters of the households are growing some of their own food, and the street owns its own pizza oven which is fired up weekly for pizza and bread making. As well as monthly sustainable movie nights, this community hosts the Annual Hulbert Street Fiesta where over 7,000 people attend, walking through houses, gardens and artist studios - no wonder it is dubbed Freo's "Sustainability Street".
In a presentation especially prepared for Northcliffe, Shani and Tim shared some aspects of their sustainable journey and presented their top ten sustainable tips - from renovating ideas for improving the solar efficiency of established homes, to growing all of your own vegetables.
Following this presentation, two workshops were held that reflected two of Shani and Tim’s great loves. Tim presented a session on improving the solar efficiency of already established homes during which he worked with the audience members who had bought their own house plans and supplied many practical examples and ideas. Shani then took over and the afternoon was spent making solar ovens. Participants can now get unplugged and cook outdoors this summer! It was a day of sharing, inspiration and encouragement – Thank you Tim and Sharni for presenting at You Me and Sustainability!

10am - midday: Bee Winfield is a highly passionate educator. She runs the Merri Bee Organic Farm located in Nannup, and has lived there for 27 years. Her produce achieved certified organic status 7 years ago. Bee facilitated a thought provoking discussion around food: The suppliers and their history, and what is to be found within processed refined food. A very informative and thought provoking seminar which also touched on the dangers of Genetically Modified food and the associated dangers surrounding them.

10am - midday: Paul is a Principal Lecturer at GSIT, has a MSc in Renewable Energy and is chair of the GSIT sustainability committee. Paul also delivers a Diploma in Sustainability to both Institute staff and to members of the local community. Paul is a founding member of Transition Albany, part of the global Transition Network.

Paul facilitated a very interesting session on the physical  foundation of sustainability which examined how human socioeconomic systems do not actually 'produce' or 'consume' anything - only transform energy and material. With increasing global populations and a seemingly global commitment to 'growth' at all costs, these transformations have already had a profound impact on global, regional and local environments. Paul illistrated a clear understanding of this transformational character of economies, which has particular implications for Northcliffians as they seek strategies to mitigate negative effects of living in the modern age.

10am -4pm: Green Skills Denmark is a trailblazing organisation that promotes sustainable practices and knowledge through the south coast community.  It also runs the Centre for Sustainable Living and a host of initiatives in biodiversity conservation, sustainable farming, water, energy, recycling and community  arts and education. See www.greenskills.org.au and www.denmarkcsl.com.au .  Basil Schur is a veteran presenter, speaker and proactive person with amazing energy.  For over 20 years Basil has sought to create new initiatives and practices within the community by taking a hands on, “can do” approach to his organisation’s work.  Basil's unique presenting style saw participants enjoy his interactive, ideas-generating workshop. An exceptionally well presented and interesting workshop which was enjoyed by all. Thank you Basil!