Transition Torquay, Victoria, Australia

The Transition Town Torquay group has been meeting since February 2009, initially in the home of a group member, and now in a local Café. The monthly gatherings generally take place over some excellent cannelloni, calamari, wine, beer and coffee, not necessarily in that order. Some of the things we’ve been working on, participating in, or instigating, this year include:

Getting ourselves started...

• Transition Training Two of our members completed Transition Training at an inspiring weekend in Daylesford, Victoria.

• ‘Official’ Transition status We formed a Steering Committee, submitted the paperwork, and were the 184th registered Transition Town group!

• Linking with Local Government Surf Coast Councillors are supportive of the Transition concept, the Environment Team has a library of resources for us (and other local groups) to borrow, and two Council Officers (who are also local community members) are on our Steering Committee. We have also applied for a Surf Coast Shire Community Grant to help some of our initiatives get off the ground.

Networking...

• !deas Exchange - Community Open Space event Some of our members attended a community open space meeting in May 2009, and contributed to plans for a Surf Coast Transition network.

• Working with other Transition Towns and Environment groups A number of transition initiatives have popped up in the Surf Coast and Geelong areas over the past 18 months, providing us with lots of opportunities for sharing of ideas, stories and celebrations. We have also worked with other Torquay based groups, including running a series of film screenings with the Surf Coast Energy Group. Most recently we worked with other local groups to organise house tours for Sustainable House Day on September 13th.

Research...

• Local wool/fibre industry One of our members is currently researching the local wool/fibre industry, with a view to gaining more information about what crops grow well in the area.

• Living Local Guide We plan to develop a ‘Living Local’ Guide to assist visitors, tourists and residents to source their needs locally. And with the amazing local food, local services, local arts and local community groups in the area, why not! Watch this space…

Promotion...

• Website and brochure We’re currently working on a website, and we’ve also got a cute little brochure on the way, to let community members know what we’re about and what we’re up to.

• Logo design project with Torquay College Our Transition Town Torquay logo is on the way…after a competition at Torquay College, the creative juices have been flowing. The kids whipped up some great designs for us, and we’re hoping to have our new logo finalised soon!

• Transition Torq Newsletter We want to make sure we’re telling people what we’re up to! We’re regularly emailing out newsletters to our database with upcoming activities, reporting on our regular meetings and other bits and pieces.

Events & workshops...

• Ginger beer brewing A group of 8 got together over a couple of weekends to learn how to brew and bottle (and sample) our own ginger beer.

• Tour of local bakery We’re lucky enough to have some amazing local breads in Torquay – we’re currently arranging to tour through Zeally Bay Bakery, and hopefully gain some tips on how to make fabulous Sourdough!

• Tour of Permaculture guru David Holmgren’s property We will be joining with Golden Plains Sustainability/permaculture Group to visit this amazing place on the 1st November. A great opportunity for learning and networking.

• Rickshaws for the Summer… One idea currently gaining legs is create a fleet of rickshaws to transport summer visitors around Torquay. We are looking into sponsorship by local businesses. The possibilities are endless…it’s a crazy idea but it might just work!

• Clothing Swap Torquay’s first (we think) Clothing Swap will be held at Moby café on October 24 from 2-4pm. ALL WELCOME!! A clothing swap is all about re-cycling your good quality old clothes by swapping them with someone else’s (and is a great chance to update your wardrobe for free!) At this event swappers can choose to donate a dress to Frocktober http://frocktober.org/ - a Geelong based awareness and fund raising event for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation - and any left-overs will be handed on to the local Op Shop. What fun!

Want to get involved or find out more? Contact us by email: jgs@aapt.net.au