Steiner students keep on planting
National Tree Planting Day (Friday 30 July) was hugely successful again this year at the Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten.
Go to CI’s Education page (now filed under ‘Culture’) to read this and other stories.
A sceptic in the ranks: The Ultranet and education
By Darryl Coulthard, Deakin University
I thought of the teachers working away on the laptops, organising their work, undertaking reports and proformas, filling in spreadsheets and answering emails. Classroom work, real teaching seems so far away. I could imagine myself as a teacher saying, ‘do you want me to teach or piffle away on the laptop’? But then again I thought, everything on a laptop can be monitored.
Farewell Ivy Bean
Ivy Bean, 104, passed away in her sleep last night after being unwell for several weeks. Celebrities and politicians including Peter Andre, Sarah Brown and David Miliband paid tribute to the World’s oldest tweeter.
For the full story go to CI’s Farewells page.
Who voted which way?
By Andrea Ross
Here’s the rundown: Councillor Cropley started the ball rolling quick smart by supporting the closing and demolition of the Chewton Pool. I read somewhere she was quoted as saying that council officers are the ‘experts’ (I think in relation the Maldon bank fiasco) and that councillors need to be guided by their information. So she voted to demolish. Continue Reading »
The Techno Trip to Hell
By Alanna Moore, July 2010.
Are we on a technological trip to hell? (No cats were injured in CI's use of this photograph)
In 1989 I studied a course on Building Biology that had been translated from the German. It warned of the hazards of modern building practices and materials in relation to human health, comfort and wellbeing, as well as any deleterious planetary effects. Penned by architects and health and building professionals in Germany, its dictum is that our homes should be healthy spaces where we can relax and rejuvenate. Unlike homes with Sick Building Syndrome, our homes should protect us and foster our wellbeing. Continue Reading »
Spring sculpture show at Lot 19
Lot 19 is looking for expressions of interest for a SPRING SCULPTURE SHOW.
Expressions of interest sought by the end of August, for exhibition mid-October. Indoor and outdoor, in the sculpture garden!
Please respond by email markanstey19@gmail.com, or snailmail PO Box 937 Castlamaine, and include your idea, construction material and method, photos, drawings, dimensions, special requirements, contact details and anything else which may be of interest to us!
Concerned about the loss, but …
(COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE): Council has been reviewing the future of swimming facilities in the Shire over many years. In February this year, Council released the Mount Alexander Shire Indoor Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study and asked for feedback from the community. The proposal details the feasibility of establishing a new Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre at the Western Reserve in Castlemaine, and also proposed that Council consider the closure of the outdoor pools in Chewton, Castlemaine and Harcourt. Continue Reading »
Live from the oil spill
Green Cross CEO Mara Bun interviewed Beth Galante to discuss the prospects for a sustainable recovery in America’s climate change impact hot spot – find out more about why community grounded optimism persists through the nightmare of mega environmental disasters.
Read the full story here
A bold step for a government?
Friends of the Earth say the Victorian Government has taken a bold step forward and substantially advanced the climate debate with the release of the final details of its White Paper on climate change.
“By announcing an unconditional target of 20% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020 against 2000 levels, the Brumby government is showing that it is possible to start achieving deep reductions” said Friends of the Earth (FoE) campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker. Continue Reading »
Deb Conway in concert at the Theatre Royal July 31
Deb Conway is recognised as one of the country’s most articulate and individual voices, with a career that has encompassed recording, performing and writing songs for over 20 years. In the 1980s she won the ARIA Award for best Female Artist, and Rolling Stone (Australia) named her as Best Female Singer. And she’ll be in Castlemaine this Saturday. Continue Reading »
Produce exchange this weekend
By Bree Rowe
I’m afraid my green thumbs have turned a blue hue. I thought that I would be “clever” in my new garden and follow the planting timetable of Stephanie Alexander. For example plant four leeks every six weeks, three broccoli every four weeks etc, so as you have a constant supply of fresh delicious home veg and no glut. Sounds plausible. Continue Reading »
‘Only fools close pools’
By Rose Darling
At its meeting last night, Mount Alexander Shire Council voted 4 to 3 to close and demolish the Chewton Swimming Pool.
Another deluge: Chinese apples are coming
Drosophila suzukii hard at work on soft fruit
Fruit growers in Harcourt are concerned about biosecurity threats to the local industry following the Federal Government’s recent approval for apples to be imported from China.
The green light was given following a recommendation by Biosecurity Australia, but growers remain concerned that the threat of infestation by the spotted-wing fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii, a pest present in China, was not included in the original risk analysis. Continue Reading »
Tinkers Dam – the only wall between us and the deluge
Successful welding on replacement pot handle
By Tim Preston
Repair, reuse – some cultures, through need, can keep an object or product going for many years, or evolve it into something else useful. Unfortunately we don’t have the need – we just throw it out and go and buy another.
Greens policy to support artists
Last night the Australian Greens launched a policy platform to help young and emerging artists earn an income from their art and reward all artists for their success. The launch took place as Australian Greens Deputy Leader Senator Milne opened an exhibition of Charles Blackman’s work. Continue Reading »
Chapter 13 (at last, the truth about Harold Holt’s disappearance)
CI continues its serialisation of The Illness and the Cure
(START AT THE BEGINNING, CHAPTER 1)
‘I’ll not let him be! He is a bloody ratbag!’ She said it in English and Arabella stared at her.
‘What’s that?’
‘I don’t know, but I’ll curse him until I blow the roof of his house away.’
Arabella said; ‘My first singing teacher taught me to choose happiness.’
‘Paah to your first singing teacher! Your first singing teacher. Thank you for the advice. You who show the scars on your face. You who the fascists nearly killed. You can choose to hide your face behind your hair, to flee to the other side of the world, but I take the other path. I choose vingança. It gives me more pleasure by far.’
Saying the word vingança Isabella pulled the corners of her mouth back and bared her teeth.
‘It does you no good,’ Arabella said.
‘Aaiee!’ Isabella bellowed. ‘Vingança fits me like a glove! You should try it. I’ll not bottle up my poison. I’ll pour it out over this man who takes my boys from me. You! You go upstairs and go to bed. Go hide! Let me alone to fight the Guterres-Bragas’ battles.’
‘No,’ Arabella replied quietly. ‘The Guterres-Bragas don’t hide.’ Continue Reading »
