It’s been a long time since our last newsletter, just before Lucy Marshall went on maternity leave. I came on board in March this year, and have finally cleared up the work backlog to give me the time to spend on the newsletter. We’ve adopted a new format, I hope you like it, it forms part of a new series of e-newsletters put out by Council to inform residents of what is happening in the municipality.

Feedback is very welcome – you can contact me;
Pamela Morgan, Maribyrnong Fruit and Veg for All Project Coordinator
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings
pamela.morgan@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
9688 0169

A Human Rights approach underpins much of the work currently undertaken in the field of food security and food access. 

At the moment there is a community consultation process underway for a National Bill of Rights. You can fill in a submission form online, or attend a group session in your area. More information available here.

And for an inspiring story about implementation of a Human Rights approach to Food Security in Belo Horizonte in Brazil, click here.

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The American First Lady, Michele Obama, and a group of elementary school children have dug out the grass from the South Lawn of the grounds of the Whitehouse to plant an organic vegetable garden, which can be viewed here.

The Mayor of the City of London, Boris Johnson, has announced a new campaign, Capital Growth, with a goal of creating 2,012 new community growing spaces by 2012. Want to know more? 

And rumours are out there that we might hear an announcement soon from our own Prime Minister...

Still in the planning stage, but wanted to alert you to the plans for August – a workshop on getting early seedlings started, and one on growing fruit in the home garden, with some training in grafting in the afternoon. And more tours of local gardens. More details in the next newsletter.

For those struggling with the maths of how much water will be needed for the veggie garden, a new website allows you to type in the size and conditions of your garden and then lets you know how much water will be needed on a monthly basis. You can add a tank to the plan, and see whether or not it will need watering all year round. In my case, I’m going to have to optimise my use of grey water as well, using it particularly on the fruit trees - more information can be viewed here.

The first Permablitz has now been held in the West, at local residents Neesh & Shaun’s place in Yarraville. Paul from Permablitz and Very Edible Gardens (VEG), arrived with a cubic metre of compost, and a keen group of workers helped define the veggie beds, added compost to enrich the soil, mulched the pathways, and installed a drip watering system.

Shaun’s comment: ‘The only way to go - with collective knowledge and collective labour’.

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Westside Winter Wonders @ urban harvest. Luscious lemons and gorgeous greens ... what else will pop up at the first Westside Winter swap meet? Don't let the frost keep you away from the garden. Come and be inspired by perennial eggplant growers and more!
Whatever you've got growing or to share - everyone and anything is welcome - greens, citrus, eggs, honey, manure, companion plants, herbs (think small bunches or root stock) and fruit and veg of course!
Saturday 6 June, 10-11.30am (always first Saturday of every month heading straight through winter too) - 211 Nicholson St, Footscray
P.S. There is a kettle but no water. So if you would like to bring water, mug and tea we can contribute to the warm and fuzzy swap meet feeling!

What would Jesus buy? Follow Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from Shopocalypse: the end of humanity from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
Neesh & Shaun's place: 7 Burns St, Yarraville, 6.30 - 10.30pm Thursday 11 June 2009
RSVP Shaun or more details: westsax@westnet.com.au, 0402 337 077

Red meat, rabbit and roo – what is sustainable?
We don’t talk too much about it, but the single action that would have most impact on sustainability of our food supply is to stop farming meat. What about wild meats as an alternative, or is vegetarianism the way to go?
Monday 15 June, 7 Burns St, Yarraville
RSVP: 9314 7713 or crags@westnet.com.au

A new permaculture group is being formed in the west – the first meeting is this Friday 5 June, at Braybrook Community Centre, Skinner Reserve, 107 – 139 Churchill Ave, Braybrook.
Time: 6-8pm, kids welcome. Please feel free to contact Melanie on 0401 496 424 if you have any questions

A great action to celebrate World Environment Day!

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A new project in the City of Greater Dandenong brings together emergency relief organisations, local businesses, training programs and a new café enterprise, in an innovative response to issues of food security and the wastage in the food system.

We are invited to hear all about it at a forum in Dandenong on Wednesday 17 June. No cost, but you do need to register. For registration, email Kcumine@cgd.vic.gov.au using ‘Food Alliance’ as the subject heading. Please include your name, address, email and any dietary preferences, as well as your organisation and position (by Friday 5 June).

Drum Theatre, Cnr Lonsdale and Walker Street, Dandenong, Registration 9am – 9.30am, Forum 9.30am – 3.30pm

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