Lara writes about J.B. Shackleton's and their award-winning marmalade
You may remember that, in March, J.B. Shackleton's, a local marmalade maker from Wonga Park, won two Gold medals in the 2015 World's Original Marmalade Competition. Well, Lara McKinley has now interviewed the person who makes the marmalade, Lachlan Shackleton-Fergus, and published the interview in the Warrandyte Diary.
Lara writes regularly on food-related matters for the Warrandyte Diary, with recent, previous articles including Warrandyte families take the locavore challenge and the 'Food is Free' initiative at The Rotary Club of Warrandyte Donvale Op Shop.
New Facebook group: Food Swap / Share Banyule, Nillumbik & Surrounds
Food Swap / Share Banyule, Nillumbik & Surrounds is a new Facebook group. It is a closed group so you have to join it and be approved. As the page description says: “There are a lot of people struggling to put food on the table. Do you have spare tins or packaged food, fresh fruit & veg, etc that you won’t use? Let’s help others in need. Nothing is too big or small … someone will use it.”
Edendale now has a Facebook page
Edendale Community Environment Farm Facebook page will keep you in touch with their upcoming activities and what the animals are up to.
Review of Banyule’s public open space strategy
Banyule Council is currently preparing an updated public open space strategy to cover the period 2015 to 2030 and beyond. Population growth has serious implications for public open space and the role it is likely to play in future. See the Banyule Council website for more details. If you would like to have input and influence Council’s direction on public open space over the next decade or two, you can do so:
Online.
At a public workshop on Wednesday 29th July, at 7pm, in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe.
At a public workshop on Thursday 30th July, at 7pm, in meeting rooms 2 & 3 of the Watermarc Aquatics Centre, 1 Flintoff Street, Greensborough.
Darebin Community Leaders in Sustainability Course
Darebin Council are now recruiting participants for the next round of the Community Leaders in Sustainability course which will begin in October 2015 and run to April 2016. If you live, work or study in Darebin, and are interested in making a positive difference to the environment and your local community, then this free course might interest you. For further background information, click here (pdf). For an application form, click here (pdf). Aapplications need to be return by email or post (Sustainable Homes and Communities Coordinator, PO Box 91, Preston, 3072) by Monday September 7, 2015.
Government announces new labelling system for Australian food
Read about the planned, new labelling system on the ABC website. According to the article, the labels will initially be voluntary, but manufacturers will be forced to use them from next year if the states and territories agree to the proposal.
New events
Handmade pasta
What: Tutor – Maria from My Green Garden. Handmade pasta is not so difficult to make once the basic techniques are mastered, and you can introduce the wow-factor by producing pasta of different colours and shapes, using all very natural ingredients. In this workshop, you will make several types and shapes to take home and enjoy with your family and friends. Some tips on good sauces to use with the pasta will also be discussed. Bookings essential. BYO apron. Not suitable for gluten-intolerants.
When: Thursday, 13th August, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Alphington Community Centre.
Cost: $25 (includes all ingredients).
Enquiries/Bookings: Becca Smith by phone (9499 7227) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Sourdough bread making
What: Tutor – Kylie Moppert from Kylie’s Slow Dough. Suitable for novices and those who want to expand their bread making repertoire. Making bread is as much about the pleasure of the experience as the delight of eating the product. Includes the theory, hands on and take home.
When: Saturday, 15th August, 10am-1pm.
Where: Living & Learning Nillumbik at Panton Hill.
Cost: $45 or $40 concession.
Enquiries/Bookings: Living & Learning Nillumbik website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Beekeeping – a taster
What: Obtain answers to your questions on the practical aspects of beekeeping and discover why keeping bees is a relaxing and a rewarding hobby for all the family.
When: Sunday, 16th August, 2pm.
Where: Edendale.
Cost: $15.
Enquiries/Bookings: Edendale website.
Further information: Edendale website.
Advanced composting
What: Rachel Bishop, from Edendale, will cover different composting methods, types of bins and liquid fertilisers.
When: Tuesday, 18th August, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Diamond Valley Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Thai cooking
What: Chef and owner of local Thai restaurant, Vanilla Orchid, Duncan Robertson will demonstrate some of the delicious recipes from his new cookbook, Duncan’s Thai Kitchen. Duncan will also share with you some of his travel adventures in Thailand.
When: Thursday, 27th August, 2-3pm.
Where: Warrandyte Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Grow your own summer veggies from seed
What: Starting early means that you can save lots of money growing your summer vegies from seed. This workshop focuses on which veggies are suitable to grow over summer and how to get them started from seed. There will be plenty of opportunity for some hands-on practice.
When: Thursday, 27th August, 6.30-8pm.
Where: Doncaster Library.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Eventbrite.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Upcoming events from previous LFC News
Over the next week
Save our citrus from gall wasps: Wednesday, 22nd July, 7-8pm.
Save our citrus from gall wasps: Thursday, 23rd July, 7-8pm.
Save our citrus from gall wasps: Saturday, 25th July, 11am-midday.
A winter garden: Tuesday, 28th July, 7-8.15pm.
Save our citrus from gall wasps: Wednesday, 29th July, 7-8pm.
Over the next month
Pale Ale Mania: Sunday, 2nd August, from 9.30am.
Grow your own – summer veggies from seed: Saturday, 8th August, 2-4pm.
Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 8th August, 2-4pm.
Handmade pasta: Thursday, 13th August, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Sourdough bread making: Saturday, 15th August, 10am-1pm.
Living soils and the new NPK (nutrients, physical structure, key biology): Saturday, 15th August, 1-4pm.
Beekeeping – a taster: Sunday, 16th August, 2pm.
Advanced composting: Tuesday, 18th August, 11.30am-12.30pm.
Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.