What’s been happening in our environmental groups?
In this post, we will bring you news about the environmental groups in our region. To find contact details for these groups, go to our Community Links Environmental Groups page here.
Menzies for Climate
Menzies for Climate is one of a number of environmental groups in the local area working to create positive change. Some groups work on the ground, figuratively and literally, planting indigenous plants for our native wildlife; some educate through nature walks to build awareness and appreciation for our plant life and wildlife; some have clean-up days to improve the livability of the environment for people and nature.
Menzies for Climate’s raison d’etre is to inform and educate people about, and advocate for, climate action, renewable energy, and protection of our natural environment.
One of our core values in this endeavour is to bring people together as it provides more hope when we join with others. It also helps us to hear and understand other voices in the world we share.
Kai Lane
Menzies for Climate recently had the privilege of running a film night at Box Hill Community Arts Centre with a focus on First Nations’ connections with nature. The evening started with a Welcome to Country by a young First Nations man, Kai Lane. He then played the didgeridoo (yidaki) for us, replicating sounds we hear in nature. . . the kangaroo in its natural environment, and its baby joey hopping behind to keep up with mother, were two examples.
Clancy Lester
We saw a short film by the “Bees and Blossoms” man, Clancy Lester. The film, entitled 7 Seasons, was an affirmation of the connection of First Nations people to Country and the need to factor in Indigenous knowledge when considering the health of our environment and different ecosystems. Kai and Clancy then talked about their work to an audience that was mesmerized hearing stories of the interdependence of Mother Earth and those who respect and nurture her.
The second half of the evening comprised another short film, More Than a Fish Kill, which reinforced the message. It related the story of the deaths of millions of fish in the Darling (Barka) River near Menindee in 2019 and 2023. The film does not just depict these devastating events but shows how they brought people together, demonstrating connections that bind us. . . between ancient knowledge, science, community, and Country.
We also learnt that the mental health of First Nations youth is adversely affected by climate change events like those shown in the film, and it is at these times they can lose their way.
We are very grateful to Kai Lane and Clancy Lester for taking us on this journey.
Helping Boroondara residents move to all-electric homes
Electrify Boroondara
The volunteer team from Electrify Boroondara have been out and over the last few months raising awareness and answering questions about home electrification. We’re excited to be part of such a vibrant community and we enjoyed having stalls at several local events including the Ashburton Festival, Glenferrie Festival, Melbourne Girls College Pedal Powered Cinema and the Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival.
If you’re just starting out on electrifying your home, want to know about the latest, technical developments or read case studies about how other residents are making changes, our website is a great place to start.
Photo credit : Julian Meehan
Become a Boroondara home energy hero
Electrify Boroondara
Electrify Boroondara is expanding its free home energy assessment program and is looking for ten enthusiastic volunteers to be trained as Home Energy Guides.
As a Home Energy Guide you will:
- Conduct in-home energy assessments for Boroondara residents and
- Provide personalised advice on how to improve energy efficiency, save money on bills and help residents make their homes more comfortable and healthier.
No prior experience or knowledge is necessary. If selected for the program, trainers receive two and a half days of training with a government accredited scorecard assessor during May 2025.
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is a powerful tool and one of the most effective ways of helping people along their electrification journey. You’ll also gain valuable skills and knowledge in home energy efficiency, make a positive impact on the environment, connect with your community and meet new people.
If you’re ready to join the team or interested to know more, click here.
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Together, we can electrify Boroondara.
Doctors lead Kooyong community forum on climate change, its health impacts, and what we can do about it
Carmela Ferraro
As the effects of a changing environment become increasingly apparent, a recent health forum in Melbourne’s east had an urgent community message: ‘For the sake of those you love, this coming federal election vote for candidates who Put Our Health First.’
The Balwyn Health and Climate Community Forum took place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Balwyn Park Centre. It brought together medical experts and policymakers to address the pressing health impacts of our changing climate and to provide a clear roadmap for our leaders and the public
The panel featured Dr Monique Ryan, Federal MP for Kooyong; Dr Kate Wylie, a GP and the executive director of the medical group Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA); and Associate Professor Chris Leung, a gastroenterologist and deputy chair of the board at DEA. Dr Ben Dunne, a specialist Cardiothoracic surgeon and co-chair of DEA’s Victorian State Committee, facilitated the event.
The discussion commenced by emphasising that fossil fuels are a significant health hazard. The importance of renewable energy was a key topic. The panel noted that renewable energy improves community health by reducing air pollution and preventing premature deaths….
The panel emphasised the solutions needed both systemic change and individual action. They called for government policies to support the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices. At the individual level, they encouraged attendees to switch to energy-efficient appliances, use sustainable transport, reduce meat consumption, and engage in climate discussions.
The panel urged attendees to assess political candidates based on their commitment to a number of specific points. ‘We have solutions now that are better for our health, can protect our environment, can ease the cost of living, and give us, our children, and our grandchildren a safe future,’ Dr Wylie added.:
This is an extract from an article that reports in more detail the discussion that occurred at the Kooyong Health and Climate Community Forum held on 4 March and sponsored by the Doctors for Environment Australia. To read the full article, click here.
Out of bounds in Gardiners Creek
Moira Tobin
Local environment group 3147 Love Our Street aims to bring people together as a community to look after our environment, to keep our streets beautifully clean and to stop litter reaching Gardiners Creek and the ocean.
One way we do this is collecting golf balls from Gardiners Creek. Volunteers have retrieved over 3000 golf balls from Gardiners Creek near the Solway Bridge. We are meeting to wash them and will (attempt to) sell them thereby raising funds to support the group.
This has prompted us to ask the question, ‘If residents were polluting Gardiners Creek in this manner, they would be fined? Why are authorities turning a blind eye – why don’t golf courses incur penalties for polluting our local creeks and destroying habit?’.
We are only collecting the golf balls we can see. How many end up in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay?
3147 Love Our Street is not the only group collecting golf balls and litter. On Clean Up Australia Day, 11 supermarket trolleys were removed from Gardiners Creek (just upstream from the Solway Bridge). On the day this group collected 110 additional golf balls.
We call on public bodies such as Melbourne Water and local Councils to join with us in addressing the high levels of pollution in our beloved local waterways.
To learn more of the work of 3147 Love our Street and to attend our monthly meetings, go here: www.beachpatrol.com.au, www.litterstopper.com or 3147 LOS Facebook Page