RCE-GWS Latest News and Events

Our Place Forum 2

Our Place community forum is open to residents of for community members from Penrith, the Hills and Blacktown local government areas to find out what places matter to you and how we can help you to care for them. This forum is organised by the University of Western Sydney to give local residents the opportunity to network, share resources, learn more about local services, identify local priority issues and learn new skills.

A tenative date has been set for the 30th March in the Penrith area. 

Our Place Forum

Our Place community forum is open to residents of Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury Nepean to find out what places matter to you and how we can help you to care for them. This forum is organised by the University of Western Sydney to give local residents the opportunity to network, share resources, learn more about local services, identify local priority issues and learn new skills. See the full details about the Our Place Forum (PDF, 625.13 KB)

Click Hawkesbury Photo Competition

Young people aged 12-19 years are invited to take part in a digital photographic competition. Entrants need to capture “culture in the Hawkesbury” and tell us in 200 words or less why they chose their subject.

Selected entries will be showcased in an exhibition by the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. It will be held 11 April – 26 May 2013 and will be opened at 6pm on Thursday 11 April 2013 to coincide with Youth Week 2013. All entries will be uploaded to the competition website for community viewing.

Prizes (1st and highly commended) will be awarded to 2 entries in each category: junior 12-16 years old, senior 17-19 years old. More information and entry forms for the competition can be found on Hawkesbury City Council’s website (opens in a new window).

Hawkesbury Bushcare and Landcare Awards and Christmas Party

The Hawkesbury City Council invites you to come and say g’day to your Bushcare & Landcare buddies. Awards will be presented to Volunteer Bushcare & Landcare Groups and individuals for outstanding achievement throughout the year. There will also be free pizza, pavlova and pancakes, as well as prizes and giveaways.

When: Sunday 2 December 2012, from 9am
Where: Hawkesbury Community Nursery, 10 Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave
Cost: FREE!
Food: Please specify particular dietary requirements if required by RSVP date.
RSVP: RSVP to Martin Gauci by Tuesday 27 November via email martin.gauci@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au or 4560 4525.

To help make this a sustainable event, BYO cups & cutlery (plates provided)

Earth Building Talk

With rising fuel costs transportation of materials to a construction site can greatly increase the cost of a finished building. Earth is probably one of the most efficient building materials available.

Come along to a talk by Ray Trappel who will pass on tips about using mud bricks and ways to make them economical, considering weather protection, detailing, thermal performance and humidity control.

When: Saturday 3rd November
Time: Arrive at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start
Where: Hawkesbury Earthcare Centre. Corner of Campus Drive and Science Road, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus at Richmond.

For more information phone 4567 8424 or 0438731712

Global Sustainability Jam

One weekend in November creative, passionate people will meet, form teams & get to work in an energetic, global, face-to-face event. You'll have fun creating brand-new real-world designs, projects and initiatives which might make a difference!

When: 2nd to the 4th November
Where: Sydney (venue still to be decided)
How to get involved: To partake in the Sustainability Jam please contact Selena Griffith for further information selenagriffith@gmail.com

Find out more on the Global Sustainability Jam website (opens in a new window).

The Hungry Tide Film Screening

The Provost Penrith Campus, Office of Sustainability and School of Humanities & Communication Arts presents a free film screening of Tom Zubrycki’s 'The Hungry Tide'. The film is about the Pacific nation of Kiribati which is likely to be the first country in the world to disappear as a result of climate change.

When: Thursday 8th November
Time: 5.30pm includes canapes
Venue: Building BB, Lecture Theatre BB.G.13, Werrington South Campus, UWS. Use the Great Western Highway entrance.
Parking Free: Park at P8 for free parking. All other locations are pay to mark areas.

Watch the trailer (opens in a new window)

Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition

The Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition is for C-level executives, business leaders and sustainability mangers, the interactive and multi-stream Australian Sustainability Conference & Exhibition will leave delegates and exhibition visitors armed with...

• Strategic insights into sustainability best practice
• Practical, cost-effective and sustainable solutions
• Sustainability thought-leadership from over 50 industry experts

When: 8 & 9 November 2012
Where: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre

How to Register
Visiting the Australian Sustainability Exhibition & Seminars is free of charge and open to all company representatives seeking sustainable products and solutions for business. Register your interest in attending and we'll keep you updated.

Visit the Australian Sustainability website (opens in a new window) for a full list of speakers and conference details

ParraCAN Eco Fest

Come along and enjoy the rose gardens with fresh food and refreshments, free music, poetry, face painting and exciting displays. There will be giveaways, workshops, cooking demostrations and a 7 Bridge Heritage bike ride and BBQ.

When: Saturday 13th October
Where: Rumsey Rose Garden, Parramatta Park, NSW
Cost: Free entry

This event is run by ParraCAN, a partner in the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE-GWS). For more details visit the ParraCAN website (opens in a new window).

Penrith City Council Water Week Photo Comp

To celebrate National Water Week, we’re calling all amateur photographers to take part in our 4th ‘Water in Penrith’ photography competition. Simply snap your photo on the theme: Valuing Our Water in Penrith.

Prizes include

• Open: $500 Photography Gift Voucher PLUS a double pass to Penrith Whitewater Stadium valued at $188.
• 12-18: $250 Photography Gift Voucher PLUS a double pass to Penrith Whitewater Stadium valued at $188
• Under 12: $250 Photography Gift Voucher

To download an entry form and for the competition terms and conditions, go to the Penrith City Council website. Email your photo to photocomp@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au in JPGE form. Competition closes 22nd October 2012.

Calling Film Makers - Love Food Film

Love Film? Love Food? Love Sustainability? Hate Food Waste? The Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney in conjunction with the City of Sydney and UWS, have launched the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ short film competition this week. Make a short film of either 30 seconds or 3-5 minutes in length and be in the running to have your film shown as part of the Australian Film Festival. Deadline for entries are 16th December 2012 5pm AEST. More information about the competition, T&C, entry forms and prize details available at the competition website Love Food Film (opens in new window).

EarthCare Lao Vegetarian Cooking Workshop

Come along to our Lao Vegetarian Cooking workshop at Hawkesbury Earth Care Centre. Prepare delightful Asian dishes from Laos that will enchant your family.

When: 'Marlvern Specials', Saturday 20th October 2012.
Time: 11am to 2pm (Sat)
Cost: $25 (we share the lunch we cooked)
Where: Hawkesburry Earth Care Centre / Community Garden, corner Campus Drive & Science Rd, UWS Hawkesbury Campus

Bookings: Ling 0410 688 499 / Email ling300ppm@gmail.com

Hawkesbury City Council Shaping our Cultural and Arts Future Survey

Hawkesbury City Council and the community have developed a vision regarding where we would like to be 20 years from now, titled “Shaping our Future”– Hawkesbury Community Strategic Plan.

Now we want to hear your opinions and hopes for the Hawkesbury’s cultural and arts future. The community’s visions and aspirations will help create a ‘cultural and arts plan’ for the Hawkesbury.

If you are between 8 and 100 plus years of age, a resident or a visitor to the Hawkesbury Local Government Area, we encourage you (and your friends and relatives) to please complete the survey.

The survey can be filled out online (opens in a new window) where you will find more information.

Hawkesbury Nepean River Adventure

Alive! is partnering with Willow Warriors and Catchment Management Authority for Landcare Week in 3rd-9th September.

Come and join us on the Houseboat as we make our way from Wisemans Ferry, stop overnight near Sackville and go onto Windsor the next day.

Along the way you will get to paddle in the kayaks, go for some guided tour/bushwalks, plant some trees and learn about the river and take in its beauty!

We start on Monday 3rd September and finish in the afternoon on Tuesday 4th September. This is free for you to join in and all food is provided. All you need to do is bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

If you are interested let Zhan know asap, as there are very limited places available. Contact Zhan on 0423 046 755 or zhan@ecoeducation.net.au

Celebration of our Waterway

Come along to an afternoon filled with dance, art, culture and conversation as we celebrate the rivers, creeks and streams that are the life force of our environment in Western Sydney.

This is a FREE event for the Western Sydney Community. Places are limited and seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Where: Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith
When: 18th August 2012
Time: 1pm - 3.30pm (Be sure to arrive early to secure your seat)

For more information please contact Zhan Patterson, Project Manager on zhan@wsroc.com.au or 02 9671 4333

Water in the Landscape Photo Comp

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, a member of UWS RCE-GWS, is holding a photo competition for their Water in the Landscape program. The competition runs from June 18 – July 31 2012.

This competition is all about water and Western Sydney, whether it is natural or urban (excludes household water). There are three categories you can enter your photo in:

• Schools (entries must be submitted by the school and list a teacher as a contact)
• Individuals 16 yrs and over
• Individuals 15 yrs and younger

There are a stack of great prizes to be won! Before you get started be sure to read the Terms and Conditions page and register to enter at the Water in the Landscape website (opens in a new window).

For further information please email info@waterinthelandscape.org.au or call (02) 9671 4333.

Caring for Redbank Creek Day

Come along to an inspiring and informative day about Redbank Creek’s habitat for native platypus, fish and birdlife.

The day will include:

• Lunch and refreshments
• Live displays and family activities
• Specialist panel and informative film footage
• Stream walks with expert guides
• Future planning discussions/workshops

Where: North Richmond Community Centre, 33 William St, North Richmond
When: Sunday, June 24 2012, 9am–3.30pm
Cost: Free, however donations are accepted

Bookings are essential before June 21st.

Contact Robin: phone 02 4572 1635, mobile 0414 672 014 or email robin@hen.org.au

Mens Health Week at Earthcare

In celebration of Mens Health Week, Hawkesbury Earth Care and UWS are holding a number of workshops in June. Come down and share our passion of vegetarian food and celebrating healthy living in style at our cooking workshops.

Open Day
Where: Earth Care Centre
When: Tuesday, 12th June 2012
Cost: Free parking and entry

Protein Power Cooking Workshop
Where: Earth Care Centre
When: Saturday, 16th 2012
Cost: $25 (free parking)

Download the Earth Garden flyer (opens in a new window) (PDF, 128Kb) for more information.