Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — December 2025 |
Welcome to Sustainable Darebin — December 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, and future leaders. 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, and future leaders. We pay respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darebin. |
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| NEW Preloved Clothing Trail Our new Preloved Clothing Trail is here!
The map features Op Shops as well as other second hand and vintage clothing stores from across Darebin.
Why not follow the trail this festive season to find your Christmas outfit or a sustainable gift for a loved one? Pick up a copy from your local op shop over the next few weeks or download a copy from our website. Go circular – shopping preloved helps you find unique, fabulous clothing at often bargain prices, whilst reducing environmental impacts |
NEW Preloved Clothing Trail Our new Preloved Clothing Trail is here!
The map features Op Shops as well as other second hand and vintage clothing stores from across Darebin.
Why not follow the trail this festive season to find your Christmas outfit or a sustainable gift for a loved one? Pick up a copy from your local op shop over the next few weeks or download a copy from our website. Go circular – shopping preloved helps you find unique, fabulous clothing at often bargain prices, whilst reducing environmental impacts |
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| Keep Cool at Darebin Libraries As summer heats up, head to Darebin Libraries where you'll find free events, activities and reading programs for all ages that you can enjoy in air-conditioned comfort.
Here are a few cool facts about visiting library branches:
- Everyone is welcome - you don’t need to be a member. And if you do want to join, it’s free!
- You don’t need a login to access wifi.
- You can bring food and drink to library branches.
- Preston Library now offers Extra Access. Spend more time at the library on hot summer nights and public holidays.
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Keep Cool at Darebin Libraries As summer heats up, head to Darebin Libraries where you'll find free events, activities and reading programs for all ages that you can enjoy in air-conditioned comfort.
Here are a few cool facts about visiting library branches:
- Everyone is welcome - you don’t need to be a member. And if you do want to join, it’s free!
- You don’t need a login to access wifi.
- You can bring food and drink to library branches.
- Preston Library now offers Extra Access. Spend more time at the library on hot summer nights and public holidays.
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| Free weekend public transport this summer From 30 November 2025 until February 1 2026, you can travel by public transport for free across Victoria on weekends. Head down to your local library or pool to cool off, take the tram to your favourite park or take your bike on the v-line and explore another part of Victoria for free. You won’t need a valid ticket or myki to travel, and ticket barriers will be set to open. However, some regional services will continue to require a reservation at zero cost to manage seating capacity. |
Free weekend public transport this summer From 30 November 2025 until February 1 2026, you can travel by public transport for free across Victoria on weekends. Head down to your local library or pool to cool off, take the tram to your favourite park or take your bike on the v-line and explore another part of Victoria for free. You won’t need a valid ticket or myki to travel, and ticket barriers will be set to open. However, some regional services will continue to require a reservation at zero cost to manage seating capacity. |
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| Save money with a split system Split systems (reverse cycle air conditioners) are super-efficient and quiet. Plus, there are government rebates that can save you thousands of dollars on installing a new system. Darebin businesses (including home-based businesses) may be eligible for up to $1,000 rebate through our Energy$mart program – find out more. Use your split system efficiently: - Set the temperature to between 24–26°C.
- Use the fan only function for low-cost cooling
- Clean or replace the filters every 3–6 months.
- Make a cool room in your house.
- Close doors and windows and close blinds to keep direct sun out.
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Save money with a split system Split systems (reverse cycle air conditioners) are super-efficient and quiet. Plus, there are government rebates that can save you thousands of dollars on installing a new system. Darebin businesses (including home-based businesses) may be eligible for up to $1,000 rebate through our Energy$mart program – find out more. Use your split system efficiently: - Set the temperature to between 24–26°C.
- Use the fan only function for low-cost cooling
- Clean or replace the filters every 3–6 months.
- Make a cool room in your house.
- Close doors and windows and close blinds to keep direct sun out.
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| Climate and Sustainability Community Award winners Huge congratulations to several champion Darebin climate and sustainability groups and individuals who were recognised at the Darebin Community Awards this year. We salute your commitment to climate action, leadership and innovative sustainability solutions. And we thank you for the countless voluntary hours you give to creating a healthier, safer, brighter future. |
Climate and Sustainability Community Award winners Huge congratulations to several champion Darebin climate and sustainability groups and individuals who were recognised at the Darebin Community Awards this year. We salute your commitment to climate action, leadership and innovative sustainability solutions. And we thank you for the countless voluntary hours you give to creating a healthier, safer, brighter future. |
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| Preloved fashion competition Show off your unique style and celebrate sustainable fashion with Village Greening's Thread Lightly Competition. Shop at secondhand stores across Darebin (see our new Preloved clothing trail map to find them) and put together a full outfit. You can leave the clothes as they are, or get creative by decorating or altering them. Make a short video showing how you found and styled your outfit – no need for pro skills, just have fun! The six best outfits will be displayed at Fairfield Library and there are great prizes up for grabs! Competition closes 2 January 2026. Participants must be 18 years and over. |
Preloved fashion competition Show off your unique style and celebrate sustainable fashion with Village Greening's Thread Lightly Competition. Shop at secondhand stores across Darebin (see our new Preloved clothing trail map to find them) and put together a full outfit. You can leave the clothes as they are, or get creative by decorating or altering them. Make a short video showing how you found and styled your outfit – no need for pro skills, just have fun! The six best outfits will be displayed at Fairfield Library and there are great prizes up for grabs! Competition closes 2 January 2026. Participants must be 18 years and over. |
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| Net your fruit trees Netting your fruit trees is a great way to help protect your precious fruit from Queensland Fruit Fly this summer. Net host fruit and vegetable plants with a fine UV stable mesh over a frame. Alternatively, you can place bags and sleeves over individual fruits. Make sure your netting has a mesh size of 5x5mm or less at full stretch to keep birds and other wildlife safe. Check all fruit for sting marks, and heat treat or freeze infested fruit and vegetables to kill QFF larvae. |
Net your fruit trees Netting your fruit trees is a great way to help protect your precious fruit from Queensland Fruit Fly this summer. Net host fruit and vegetable plants with a fine UV stable mesh over a frame. Alternatively, you can place bags and sleeves over individual fruits. Make sure your netting has a mesh size of 5x5mm or less at full stretch to keep birds and other wildlife safe. Check all fruit for sting marks, and heat treat or freeze infested fruit and vegetables to kill QFF larvae. |
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| Fight festive food waste Did you know that food waste spikes by 30% over Christmas period? That’s a lot of delicious meals ending up in the bin — and money down the drain. Here’s how to keep the joy without the waste: - Make a list before you shop and stick to only what you really need.
- Share the love (and the leftovers) by sending guests home with tasty care packages.
- For food waste that cannot be avoided, compost at home or use your food and green waste bin.
Hungry for more? Check out OzHarvest’s “Use It Up” recipes for clever ways to transform scraps into something special. |
Fight festive food waste Did you know that food waste spikes by 30% over Christmas period? That’s a lot of delicious meals ending up in the bin — and money down the drain. Here’s how to keep the joy without the waste: - Make a list before you shop and stick to only what you really need.
- Share the love (and the leftovers) by sending guests home with tasty care packages.
- For food waste that cannot be avoided, compost at home or use your food and green waste bin.
Hungry for more? Check out OzHarvest’s “Use It Up” recipes for clever ways to transform scraps into something special. |
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| Sustainable gift giving Here’s a sobering stat: three-in-ten Australians receive gifts they’ll never use. That’s about $980 million wasted every Christmas. Let’s flip the script with thoughtful alternatives: - Gift experiences such as dinner, a massage, pottery classes from your favourite local business rather than things.
- Explore Darebin’s fabulous op shops and preloved stores – they’re full of sustainable, affordable, hidden gems.
- Get creative with gifts like plantable greeting cards using seeds from your garden, homegrown veggies paired with a handwritten recipe, or a custom tea towel with handmade embroidery.
- Edible and drinkable delights such as a batch of cookies, jam or homemade hot chocolate mix.
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Sustainable gift giving Here’s a sobering stat: three-in-ten Australians receive gifts they’ll never use. That’s about $980 million wasted every Christmas. Let’s flip the script with thoughtful alternatives: - Gift experiences such as dinner, a massage, pottery classes from your favourite local business rather than things.
- Explore Darebin’s fabulous op shops and preloved stores – they’re full of sustainable, affordable, hidden gems.
- Get creative with gifts like plantable greeting cards using seeds from your garden, homegrown veggies paired with a handwritten recipe, or a custom tea towel with handmade embroidery.
- Edible and drinkable delights such as a batch of cookies, jam or homemade hot chocolate mix.
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| Water-smart gardening Longer, hotter days are coming — but your garden doesn’t have to suffer. Try these simple, water-wise tricks: - Add mulch or compost to lock in moisture and boost soil health.
- Plant climate-resilient varieties that thrive in the heat.
- Water deeply and less often, ideally in the cool of early morning or evening.
Want more tips? Visit Yarra Valley Water for practical advice on keeping your garden green while saving precious water. |
Water-smart gardening Longer, hotter days are coming — but your garden doesn’t have to suffer. Try these simple, water-wise tricks: - Add mulch or compost to lock in moisture and boost soil health.
- Plant climate-resilient varieties that thrive in the heat.
- Water deeply and less often, ideally in the cool of early morning or evening.
Want more tips? Visit Yarra Valley Water for practical advice on keeping your garden green while saving precious water. |
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| Battery recycling at DRRC Did you know we collect over 400 kilograms of household batteries every month at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre (DRRC)? That’s a mountain of potential fire hazards turned into reusable materials! Batteries collected at council venues like libraries are also brought to DRRC, carefully sorted, and handed off to trusted third-party contractors. Every battery holds valuable materials that can be recycled—often into brand-new batteries. Don’t forget — never toss batteries or electronics in your bin. They can spark fires in bins and trucks. Tape the ends (terminals) of your batteries and drop them off for recycling at a collection point near you. |
Battery recycling at DRRC Did you know we collect over 400 kilograms of household batteries every month at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre (DRRC)? That’s a mountain of potential fire hazards turned into reusable materials! Batteries collected at council venues like libraries are also brought to DRRC, carefully sorted, and handed off to trusted third-party contractors. Every battery holds valuable materials that can be recycled—often into brand-new batteries. Don’t forget — never toss batteries or electronics in your bin. They can spark fires in bins and trucks. Tape the ends (terminals) of your batteries and drop them off for recycling at a collection point near you. |
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| Free plant drawing workshop Drawing is a great way to notice plants more closely and to learn about them. It’s also relaxing and lots of fun! These guided sessions with Craig from Draw Plants Together are a friendly and inclusive space for creativity – with no prior drawing experience needed. You'll explore the surrounding parkland and the indigenous flower gardens at the Keon Park Children’s Hub. Come for one session, or all three. When: 6pm, Thursday 4 Decemeber Where: Keon Park Children’s Hub, 1 – 7 Dole Avenue Reservoir Sessions are suitable for people of all ages. |
Free plant drawing workshop Drawing is a great way to notice plants more closely and to learn about them. It’s also relaxing and lots of fun! These guided sessions with Craig from Draw Plants Together are a friendly and inclusive space for creativity – with no prior drawing experience needed. You'll explore the surrounding parkland and the indigenous flower gardens at the Keon Park Children’s Hub. Come for one session, or all three. When: 6pm, Thursday 4 Decemeber Where: Keon Park Children’s Hub, 1 – 7 Dole Avenue Reservoir Sessions are suitable for people of all ages. |
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| Make your own gift bag Join us at the library this December for a fun-filled Make Your Own Gift Bag workshop! You'll learn how to create unique and eco-friendly gift bags using recycled materials. It's the perfect way to spread joy and reduce waste this festive season. Sign up now to an event near your and unleash your creativity, led by local artist and maker Kerin from Remaki: |
Make your own gift bag Join us at the library this December for a fun-filled Make Your Own Gift Bag workshop! You'll learn how to create unique and eco-friendly gift bags using recycled materials. It's the perfect way to spread joy and reduce waste this festive season. Sign up now to an event near your and unleash your creativity, led by local artist and maker Kerin from Remaki: |
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| Christmas at Sylvester Hive Community Garden Join in the fun at Sylvester Hive’s Christmas celebration at the Garden. There'll be a spit roast, Christmas baking showcase with multicultural baked delights or biscuit decorating for the kids. And don’t forget Wednesday social nights — bring some food to share a midweek feast. All are welcome! When: 1–4pm, Sunday 7 December
Where: Find the garden at Dean x Grey St, Preston. |
Christmas at Sylvester Hive Community Garden Join in the fun at Sylvester Hive’s Christmas celebration at the Garden. There'll be a spit roast, Christmas baking showcase with multicultural baked delights or biscuit decorating for the kids. And don’t forget Wednesday social nights — bring some food to share a midweek feast. All are welcome! When: 1–4pm, Sunday 7 December
Where: Find the garden at Dean x Grey St, Preston. |
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| The art of fabric wrapping Get all your sustainable gift wrapping done at this free workshop with Village Greening and Remaki. Learn how to wrap gifts with reusable fabric and decorate paper gift bags at this fun and festive drop-in session. You can also grab some free preloved gift bags and wrapping paper to take home with you. When: 2.30–5pm, Sunday 14 December
Where: Fairfield Village Community Room, 121 Station Street Fairfield |
The art of fabric wrapping Get all your sustainable gift wrapping done at this free workshop with Village Greening and Remaki. Learn how to wrap gifts with reusable fabric and decorate paper gift bags at this fun and festive drop-in session. You can also grab some free preloved gift bags and wrapping paper to take home with you. When: 2.30–5pm, Sunday 14 December
Where: Fairfield Village Community Room, 121 Station Street Fairfield |
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| 12 days of Bush Chistmas Join us for a special Storytime with local author Emma Bamblett, who will be reading from 12 Days of Bush Christmas, an adaption of the lyrics of the yuletide classic ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ with a festive, Koorie spin. When: 11–11.30am, Wednesday 17 December Where: Preston Library, 266 Gower Street |
12 days of Bush Chistmas Join us for a special Storytime with local author Emma Bamblett, who will be reading from 12 Days of Bush Christmas, an adaption of the lyrics of the yuletide classic ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ with a festive, Koorie spin. When: 11–11.30am, Wednesday 17 December Where: Preston Library, 266 Gower Street |
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| Kangaroo-apple Season We're moving from Buath Gurru Grass Flowering Season to Kangaroo-apple season according to the Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar from the Bunjilaka Cultural Heritage Centre. Kangaroo-apple Season (December)
Changeable, thundery weather. Dhuling (Goannas) are active. Buliyong (bats) are catching insects in flight. Days are long and nights are short. Fruits appear on Kangaroo-apple bushes. Bali (Cherry Ballart) is fruiting. Bundjil (Wedge-tailed Eagles) are breeding. Bunjil, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the 'eaglehawk'. Source - Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar - Bunjilaka. |
Kangaroo-apple Season We're moving from Buath Gurru Grass Flowering Season to Kangaroo-apple season according to the Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar from the Bunjilaka Cultural Heritage Centre. Kangaroo-apple Season (December)
Changeable, thundery weather. Dhuling (Goannas) are active. Buliyong (bats) are catching insects in flight. Days are long and nights are short. Fruits appear on Kangaroo-apple bushes. Bali (Cherry Ballart) is fruiting. Bundjil (Wedge-tailed Eagles) are breeding. Bunjil, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the 'eaglehawk'. 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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