Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — September 2025 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — September 2025 |
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We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and waters we now call Darebin. We affirm that Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lived on this land for millennia, practising their customs and ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present. We pay respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darebin. |
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and waters we now call Darebin. We affirm that Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lived on this land for millennia, practising their customs and ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present. We pay respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darebin. |
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| NEW Darebin TravelSmart Map Get your hands on the latest Darebin TravelSmart Map, packed with useful information to help you get around Darebin using sustainable transport. The local knowledge in this map won’t be found in the apps, so grab your copy today! Hard copies of the new Darebin TravelSmart Map are now available at libraries, customer service centres, neighbourhood houses, bike shops, some local businesses and schools. |
NEW Darebin TravelSmart Map Get your hands on the latest Darebin TravelSmart Map, packed with useful information to help you get around Darebin using sustainable transport. The local knowledge in this map won’t be found in the apps, so grab your copy today! Hard copies of the new Darebin TravelSmart Map are now available at libraries, customer service centres, neighbourhood houses, bike shops, some local businesses and schools. |
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| Free community advice for electrifying your home One of the most impactful ways you can reduce your contribution to climate change is to reduce the amount of gas used in your home. Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) has put together a simple guide supported by the offer of free advice from a local resident to get you started on your journey. Graham Moore, retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Melbourne is a volunteer advisor with DCAN offering one-on-one support to renters and homeowners. Whether you are unsure where to start, need help understanding energy bills, or want guidance on appliance choices and solar installations, Graham can help. |
Free community advice for electrifying your home One of the most impactful ways you can reduce your contribution to climate change is to reduce the amount of gas used in your home. Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) has put together a simple guide supported by the offer of free advice from a local resident to get you started on your journey. Graham Moore, retired Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Melbourne is a volunteer advisor with DCAN offering one-on-one support to renters and homeowners. Whether you are unsure where to start, need help understanding energy bills, or want guidance on appliance choices and solar installations, Graham can help. |
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| New $100 Power Saving Bonus From 25 August 2025, eligible concession card holders in Victoria can apply for their $100 Power Saving Bonus by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website and checking they’re on the best energy offer. Anyone can check they’re on the best energy deal using the VEC website, even if you’re not eligible for the $100 bonus. You’ll need a copy of your most recent energy bill. Want to choose GreenPower? Use the GreenPower filter to find the best offers that include GreenPower |
New $100 Power Saving Bonus From 25 August 2025, eligible concession card holders in Victoria can apply for their $100 Power Saving Bonus by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website and checking they’re on the best energy offer. Anyone can check they’re on the best energy deal using the VEC website, even if you’re not eligible for the $100 bonus. You’ll need a copy of your most recent energy bill. Want to choose GreenPower? Use the GreenPower filter to find the best offers that include GreenPower |
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| Financial assistance for Energy Upgrades Do you need some financial assistance to install solar, batteries or electric appliances at home? The Federal Government Household Energy Upgrades Fund is a specialist $1 billion fund focused on helping homeowners switch to cheaper, cleaner energy – while lowering their carbon footprint. The fund partners with lenders to offer discounted green loans to homeowners, aiming to lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable and sustainable. |
Financial assistance for Energy Upgrades Do you need some financial assistance to install solar, batteries or electric appliances at home? The Federal Government Household Energy Upgrades Fund is a specialist $1 billion fund focused on helping homeowners switch to cheaper, cleaner energy – while lowering their carbon footprint. The fund partners with lenders to offer discounted green loans to homeowners, aiming to lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable and sustainable. |
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| Rethinking your hard waste Want to help keep valuable resources out of landfill? Before you book a hard waste collection, first consider whether you can repair, rehome, donate or sell your items: Check out our website for more tips on reducing waste. |
Rethinking your hard waste Want to help keep valuable resources out of landfill? Before you book a hard waste collection, first consider whether you can repair, rehome, donate or sell your items: Check out our website for more tips on reducing waste. |
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| Go Electric one step at a time Darebin resident Quimby and her family are transforming their 1935 Edwardian home one upgrade at a time. They started with a 5KW solar system and double-glazed windows to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Their next task was getting off gas and going electric, so they replaced their gas oven with an induction cooktop. “We felt strongly about removing gas because of health issues and its impact on the environment. Our new cooktop is safer, easier to clean, and pots don’t get scorching hot.” Be inspired by more local electric heroes or create a personalised plan to go electric. |
Go Electric one step at a time Darebin resident Quimby and her family are transforming their 1935 Edwardian home one upgrade at a time. They started with a 5KW solar system and double-glazed windows to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Their next task was getting off gas and going electric, so they replaced their gas oven with an induction cooktop. “We felt strongly about removing gas because of health issues and its impact on the environment. Our new cooktop is safer, easier to clean, and pots don’t get scorching hot.” Be inspired by more local electric heroes or create a personalised plan to go electric. |
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| Queensland fruit fly – get your traps out Did you know that Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) affects gardens in Darebin? QFF is a significant pest that lays its eggs in many common homegrown fruit and vegetables, making the flesh inedible. You can take steps to control QFF in your garden and help stop it from establishing in Darebin. The first step is to check whether you have them using a trap. You can make your own trap or buy one from a local gardening supply shop. |
Queensland fruit fly – get your traps out Did you know that Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) affects gardens in Darebin? QFF is a significant pest that lays its eggs in many common homegrown fruit and vegetables, making the flesh inedible. You can take steps to control QFF in your garden and help stop it from establishing in Darebin. The first step is to check whether you have them using a trap. You can make your own trap or buy one from a local gardening supply shop. |
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| Stop draughts Want to find out how to stop drafts, make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy costs? Check out this case study from Solar Victoria about a Melbourne family who are draft proofing their home. Now, the house is “very pleasant to live in” with energy bills of around $160 per quarter. They renovated it to one of the highest international standards for airtightness and insulation. The internal temperature is around 22 to 24 °C year-round, with very little heating and no cooling. |
Stop draughts Want to find out how to stop drafts, make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy costs? Check out this case study from Solar Victoria about a Melbourne family who are draft proofing their home. Now, the house is “very pleasant to live in” with energy bills of around $160 per quarter. They renovated it to one of the highest international standards for airtightness and insulation. The internal temperature is around 22 to 24 °C year-round, with very little heating and no cooling. |
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| Feel-Good Gift Shop at Jika Jika Community Centre Want to pick up a sustainable, home made gift? The creative folk at Jika Jika have transformed a small space into a Feel-Good Gift Shop. It’s full of handmade, sustainable goodies – from wheat bags, tote bags and T-shirts made from re-purposed materials to winter woollies, olive oil soap and more. All products are made by local makers through Jika Jika’s creative programs, and nothing costs over $10. All proceeds support Jika Jika’s weekly free community lunch. Visitors are welcome to drop by and explore the shop at 1B Plant Street Northcote. They're open Monday – Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. |
Feel-Good Gift Shop at Jika Jika Community Centre Want to pick up a sustainable, home made gift? The creative folk at Jika Jika have transformed a small space into a Feel-Good Gift Shop. It’s full of handmade, sustainable goodies – from wheat bags, tote bags and T-shirts made from re-purposed materials to winter woollies, olive oil soap and more. All products are made by local makers through Jika Jika’s creative programs, and nothing costs over $10. All proceeds support Jika Jika’s weekly free community lunch. Visitors are welcome to drop by and explore the shop at 1B Plant Street Northcote. They're open Monday – Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. |
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| Fairfield Library Reusable Cups Display Australians throw away 1.8 billion disposable cups every year. That’s enough to fill 584 Fairfield Libraries or 1.5 libraries every day. During August, Village Greening set up a display at Fairfield Library designed to shock and inspire. They filled the windows with disposable cups and asked some friends to write some thought provoking poems about disposables and their effect on nature. They aim to make reusable cups the social norm in our community. You can become a reusable cup champion by bringing your own and encouraging others to do the same. |
Fairfield Library Reusable Cups Display Australians throw away 1.8 billion disposable cups every year. That’s enough to fill 584 Fairfield Libraries or 1.5 libraries every day. During August, Village Greening set up a display at Fairfield Library designed to shock and inspire. They filled the windows with disposable cups and asked some friends to write some thought provoking poems about disposables and their effect on nature. They aim to make reusable cups the social norm in our community. You can become a reusable cup champion by bringing your own and encouraging others to do the same. |
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| Free goods market Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes free markets are about sharing resources among our local community, keeping household goods in circulation and ensuring usable items stay out of landfill. You can donate your unwanted but usable items, visit the market to find something you need, or do both! Visit the DHRH Markets webpage to keep updated. When: Sunday 21st September 10am – 2pm. Where: Old Preston Courthouse, 59A Roseberry Avenue Preston. Supported by Darebin City Council's Community Grants Program |
Free goods market Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes free markets are about sharing resources among our local community, keeping household goods in circulation and ensuring usable items stay out of landfill. You can donate your unwanted but usable items, visit the market to find something you need, or do both! Visit the DHRH Markets webpage to keep updated. When: Sunday 21st September 10am – 2pm. Where: Old Preston Courthouse, 59A Roseberry Avenue Preston. Supported by Darebin City Council's Community Grants Program |
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| Planting on Darebin Creek Want to plant seedlings, connect with community and nature, build a ‘fish motel’, and share a morning tea? Join Darebin Creek Management Committee, OzFish and City of Darebin at one of 9 RESET Festival planting events. Then join Fed Square’s free Planting Party! Presented by Fed Square and Creative Climate, supported by partners including Landcare Victoria, Bupa, Melbourne Water, OzFish, Microsoft and The Australian Government. When: Sunday 7 September, 10am – 1pm Where: CT Barling Reserve, Reservoir (SE of the cricket practice nets) |
Planting on Darebin Creek Want to plant seedlings, connect with community and nature, build a ‘fish motel’, and share a morning tea? Join Darebin Creek Management Committee, OzFish and City of Darebin at one of 9 RESET Festival planting events. Then join Fed Square’s free Planting Party! Presented by Fed Square and Creative Climate, supported by partners including Landcare Victoria, Bupa, Melbourne Water, OzFish, Microsoft and The Australian Government. When: Sunday 7 September, 10am – 1pm Where: CT Barling Reserve, Reservoir (SE of the cricket practice nets) |
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| Project Stationery Pop Up Do you have usable stationery that you don’t need anymore? Bring it to this Project Stationery September Pop Up. Your stationery will be redistributed to children who need it. When: Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September, 11am – 3pm
Where: Alphington Community Centre, 2 Kelvin Road, Alphington |
Project Stationery Pop Up Do you have usable stationery that you don’t need anymore? Bring it to this Project Stationery September Pop Up. Your stationery will be redistributed to children who need it. When: Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September, 11am – 3pm
Where: Alphington Community Centre, 2 Kelvin Road, Alphington |
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| Conservation - The Web of Life Join this heart-warming celebration welcoming the Spring Equinox. Experience an interactive and sensory dance performance promoting care for our waterways. Facilitated in English and Spanish and welcoming families from all cultures. When: Tuesday 23 September, 11am – 12pm or 2 – 3pm Where: Darebin Intercultural Centre - 350 High St, Preston 3072 Ages: 5-12 years old. |
Conservation - The Web of Life Join this heart-warming celebration welcoming the Spring Equinox. Experience an interactive and sensory dance performance promoting care for our waterways. Facilitated in English and Spanish and welcoming families from all cultures. When: Tuesday 23 September, 11am – 12pm or 2 – 3pm Where: Darebin Intercultural Centre - 350 High St, Preston 3072 Ages: 5-12 years old. |
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| Wurundjeri Storytime Story time for 3-5 year olds, about Woi-wurrung language, Wurundjeri seasons and caring for land and waterways with Wurundjeri storyteller, Rebecca Axford. When: Wednesday 24 September, 11.30 – 12.30pm
Where: Intercultural Centre Ages: 3-5 years old |
Wurundjeri Storytime Story time for 3-5 year olds, about Woi-wurrung language, Wurundjeri seasons and caring for land and waterways with Wurundjeri storyteller, Rebecca Axford. When: Wednesday 24 September, 11.30 – 12.30pm
Where: Intercultural Centre Ages: 3-5 years old |
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| Discover Nature with iNaturalist Calling all young explorers! Join us at Keon Park Children’s Hub for a playful introduction to the iNaturalist app for kids aged 5 and up. Learn how to spot and record local wildlife, contribute to real biodiversity science, and meet other nature-loving families. When: Thursday 25 September, 9:30–10:30am Where: Keon Park Children’s Hub |
Discover Nature with iNaturalist Calling all young explorers! Join us at Keon Park Children’s Hub for a playful introduction to the iNaturalist app for kids aged 5 and up. Learn how to spot and record local wildlife, contribute to real biodiversity science, and meet other nature-loving families. When: Thursday 25 September, 9:30–10:30am Where: Keon Park Children’s Hub |
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| Merri Merri Wayi Community Day 2025 Join in this special event at CERES, including: - Storytelling with Wurundjeri Elders
- Fireside Yarns
- PlaybackTheatre & Nature Play
- Learning about Indigenous knowledge, ways to connect and care for nature, and thriving in healthy communities.
- Yummy local eats
When: Saturday October 25th, 10am - 2pm Where: CERES Community Environment Park (Village Green) |
Merri Merri Wayi Community Day 2025 Join in this special event at CERES, including: - Storytelling with Wurundjeri Elders
- Fireside Yarns
- PlaybackTheatre & Nature Play
- Learning about Indigenous knowledge, ways to connect and care for nature, and thriving in healthy communities.
- Yummy local eats
When: Saturday October 25th, 10am - 2pm Where: CERES Community Environment Park (Village Green) |
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| Poorneet Tadpole Season We're moving from Guling season towards Poorneet Tadpole Season according to the Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar from Bunjilaka Culutral Heritage Centre. Temperatures are rising but the rain continues. Flax-lilies are flowering. Pied Currawongs call loudly and often. The flowering of plants such as Myrnong, (Yam Daisy), indicates the tubers are ready for eating. Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males have finished displaying. Days and nights are of equal length. The star Arcturus is seen on the northwestern horizon soon after sunset. Gurrborra (Koalas) begin mating. Males bellow at night. Source - Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar - Bunjilaka. |
Poorneet Tadpole Season We're moving from Guling season towards Poorneet Tadpole Season according to the Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar from Bunjilaka Culutral Heritage Centre. Temperatures are rising but the rain continues. Flax-lilies are flowering. Pied Currawongs call loudly and often. The flowering of plants such as Myrnong, (Yam Daisy), indicates the tubers are ready for eating. Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males have finished displaying. Days and nights are of equal length. The star Arcturus is seen on the northwestern horizon soon after sunset. Gurrborra (Koalas) begin mating. Males bellow at night. Source - Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar - Bunjilaka. |
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Copyright © 2025 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
Copyright © 2025 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved. |
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