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February 2024 Update 40

We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer season. I bet your garden, or a friends, is also having a wonderful summer and is now bursting with food and zucchinis! For recipe ideas, scroll down to 'take climate action'.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter combining climate action and renewable energy events, grants, tips and news.

Climate Ready Hume is committed to supporting Hume, Goulburn Valley and North East communities to adapt to climate change.

Click here to see the Strategy

We acknowledge Victorian Traditional Owners and their Elders past and present as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters and commit to genuinely partnering with them and Victoria’s Aboriginal community to progress their aspirations.

Events and workshops

Community Energy Congress
6 to 7 March
Cost: see website for costs.
Location: Eora / Sydney

Join communities around Australia looking towards a renewable powered future.

The Community Energy Congress will bring together leaders from communities, government, infrastructure providers and business to focus on how community participation can speed the urgent transition to renewable energy.

Click here to find out more.

Find out more

Become a changemaker
29 to 30 April | 8:30am to 4:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Euroa Football Club

The themes include becoming a changemaker, starting community conversations, caring for your community
and shaping your community's future.

This is a face-to-face session. All catering and stationery provided.

This event is hosted by Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. Click here for more information.

Climate adaptation for biodiversity
2024 Calendar
Cost: Free

The Natural Environment Science Program has released their events calendar on climate-effective management for threatened species and protected places.

Each month shares stories of those on the frontlines of tackling climate challenges in biodiversity conservation.

Find out more

Find environmental events near you

Eco Portal
Communities in Albury Wodonga, North East Victoria and Southern NSW

North East Catchment Management Authority
North East Victorian communities

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
Benalla, Mansfield, Shepparton, Yea and more communities

Gecko Clan Landcare
Yarrawonga, Benalla, Euroa and Seymour communities

Community Energy Network
North East Victoria (in-person), Victoria (online)

Grants

Circular Economy Innovation Fund: Round 4 – Capability Building

Closes: 11:59pm 31 March 2024

Projects must improve awareness and understanding of circular economy and enhance circular economy business innovation in Victoria.

This grant is coordinated by Sustainiblity Victoria and funded through the government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

Find out more

Where to find grants

Strengthening rural communities grants
Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

Community funding
Bendigo Bank

GrantConnect
Australian Government

Community Energy Grants list
Community Energy Network (Indigo Power Foundation)

Energy Grants
Victorian Government

Grants and funding
Sustainability Victoria

Take climate action

Do you have oodles of zucchinis?

Have you tried pickling, mashing and baking? Last week, a friend stuffed zucchini flowers with soft feta and shiso leaves. Delicious!

Here are some great recipe recommendations

Pickling - see recipe here
Stuffing flowers - see recipe here
Traditional slice - see recipe here

Growing food or sharing with neighbours is a great way to take climate action.

News

The sun powering community projects

Congratulations to the 11 community groups in the Wangaratta area for being successful in the Glenrowan Solar Farm Community Benefit Sharing program. The program provides a total of $50,000 annually for 10 years to support initiatives that demonstrate direct local benefit, support the natural environment, promote health and wellbeing and improve energy literacy.

To learn about the fantastic proposed projects, click here.

Why is it so wet? I thought it was El Nino.

El Niño doesn't automatically mean it won't rain. Weather is complex and has many drivers.

Professor Andrew Dowdy from the University of Melbourne said "Warm Sea Surface Temperatures can sometimes lead to increased water vapour in the air that can cause more rain and increased moisture for thunderstorm occurrence. In turn, that can cause very intense rainfall and flooding in some cases,"