Past Events
Film triggers climate action in Samford Over fifty people attended a special Samford screening of "Australia Pumping Empty: The Looming Peak Oil Crisis" in early September. Special guest speakers were the minister for Energy Geoff Wilson and Stuart McCarthy from the Australian Peak Oil Association, with local sustainability advocate Howard Nielsen hosting the show. The film makers, Aquila Productions, stimulated plenty of thought and this was reflected in the insightful discussions following the film. It was inspiring to hear Geoff and Stuart speak about taking action and working on a community consensus for change. The challenge was taken up by a number of people who have put their hands up to get started on a local food co-operative/farmers' market concept for Samford. Reducing our food miles and reliance on commercially produced fresh fruit and vegetables is a fantastic way to curb our reliance on fossil fuels and also to "bring CO2 down to earth". The first meeting of the emerging food co-operative was held on 25 September and the next gathering of interested people will be on Sunday 26 October from 9-11.30am at 203 Wights Mountain Road, Wights Mountain. Samford residents who would like to find out more about the project should contact Kirsten Kennedy from Pine Rivers CAN on 3889 1634 or 0418 870 060 or email to pineriversCAN@gmail.com. Thanks go to our host for the night Howard Nielsen and Peter Kearney (founder of Cityfood Growers) for getting the ball rolling with this great initiative. "Australia Pumping Empty" is produced by Aquila Productions and DVD copies of the film can be purchased through their website. See www.aquilaproductions.com.au for more details.
The
Rally for the Valley 
Solar Neighbourhood
On Wednesday 13th February around 250 people crammed into the CWA Hall in Samford to hear Howard Nielsen outline Pine Rivers CAN's Solar Neighbourhood initiative. Despite the heat and the many questions Howard did a great job of explaining how the plan will work. Beyond Building Energy will be providing the panels, inverters and organising the installation.
Pine Rivers CAN will not only be administering the scheme but also organising a group finance scheme. The $8000 government rebate is not paid until after the solar power system is operational. People unable to pay the $8000 up front will be able to apply to Pine Rivers CAN for a temporary loan and be responsible only for interest charges.
At least 100 households signed up on the night and many more are expected shortly. Rather than the planned single Solar Neighbourhood based round Samford, there will now be several. Howard and Rebecca will be working hard in the weeks ahead to try to arrange the groupings so that as many people as possible will be included.
Read the news articles from the Westerner: Solar shines the way for Samford and the Samford Village Pump: Solar panels through the roof
Walk against Warming
PineRiversCAN! members joined the Walk Against Warming in Brisbane city on Sunday November 11th. Rain kept the numbers down in Brisbane but there were walks at 57 towns and cities all over Australia with huge numbers gathering to show the next Australian Government that they support urgent action on climate change.
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More photos
www.walkagainstwarming.org/
Samford Church Yard Markets
We set up an eye-catching and successful stall at the Church Yard Markets which are held monthly. There was a lot of interest and people were more willing to chat here than when we've set up outside the IGA. The “Plant a seed” activity corner was popular again - not least with Kisten's young daughter Rachel. Many thanks to the organisers of the markets who waived the fee for the stall.
Kumbartcho Festival
PineRiversCAN! members put on a stall at the Kumbartcho Festival on Sunday 28th October. There was a “Plant a seed” activity corner which kept children occupied while parents browsed through the information at the stall. Also there were raffle tickets on sale for 3 eco friendly prizes. (Raffle to be drawn on 22nd November)
Thanks to John Bowden for providing us with 3 signed copies of his award winning book "Living with the Environment in Pine Rivers Shire", to Kim Pantano for presenting us with a cheque for $100 and to Rebecca and Kirsten for organising the event.
Our Candidates on Climate Change
Members of Pine Rivers CAN! hosted a forum on Saturday 13th October 2007 in Samford Farmers Hall to give local people a chance to ask the politicians what they would do about climate change if elected.
Dickson candidates Peter Dutton (Liberals), Howard Nielsen (Greens), Fiona McNamara (Labor) and Sharon Neill (Democrats), with Pine Rivers CAN’s Rebecca Stowe, had their environmental policies put under the microscope at a recent public forum in Samford. Read the full article
Check out the ballot scores.
More photos
Read Rebecca's inspiring speech