Soil compaction - Problems and Solutions. Spotlight on Soil Master Class
2025-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | online
Do you struggle with soil compaction? In cities where space is limited and gardening conditions are often less than ideal, compacted soil can become a significant barrier to growing healthy, thriving plants and to the health of our environment. Soil compaction can be a problem lurking in your garden, quietly affecting plant health, water retention, and overall health and productivity of your space and the wider environment.
In this one hour Master Class delivered by Craig Castree, we’ll explore how compacted soil disrupts plant growth, reduces root penetration, contributes to poor drainage, and poor nutrient exchange, leaving your garden struggling. We’ll also unpack the unique factors that lead to soil compaction in urban environments—from construction, heavy foot traffic, and the use of containers to the challenges of small, confined garden spaces and how has an impact on all manner of natural cycles including our weather, especially rainfall.
Don’t worry—it’s not all bad news! This session will also provide solutions. You’ll learn simple, effective techniques for reversing soil compaction in urban gardens, including how to improve aeration, boost organic matter, and create a healthier, more resilient soil ecosystem. Whether you’re a community gardener, balcony gardener, or city dweller with a small backyard, you’ll walk away with actionable tips to rejuvenate your garden soil and support better plant growth.
Join us to find out how you can turn your compacted urban soil into the perfect foundation for a flourishing garden.
This session is the first in a series called “Focus on Soil”. Other topics include Soil Overview and the role of fungi; Soil Contamination and Safety; Microbes and Minerals – Book the Series Package for discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Soil Microbes & Minerals - Spotlight on Soil Master Class
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | online
What do microbes and minerals have in common? More than you might think! Beneath the surface of your garden lies an invisible world of tiny organisms and essential nutrients, all working together to create the perfect conditions for healthy, nutrient-packed food.
In this one hour Master Class, taken by Donna Livermore, we’ll unlock the secrets of this underground network, exploring how microbes and minerals team up to support sustainable, organic gardening. From creating your own microbial inoculants at home to harnessing the power of locally sourced minerals, we’ll show you how to boost soil health, grow stronger plants, and produce food that’s truly rich in nutrients, flavour and pest and disease resistant.
This talk will cover:

The symbiotic connection between plants and microbes, and why it’s essential for organic, sustainable food production
The key conditions that support a thriving microbial community in your gardenSimple, practical techniques for creating your own soil inoculants to boost microbial activity at home
How microbes, minerals, and organic matter work together to improve soil health and contribute to nutrient-dense food
Sustainable methods for adding minerals to your garden beds and pots using locally sourced materials
How to create a liquid mineral amendment from the weeds in your garden, turning unwanted plants into valuable resources

By the end of the session, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the connection between the microbes and minerals beneath your feet, and their impact on plant health and nutrient density, along with simple strategies for enhancing soil fertility to supporting a more resilient, productive growing system.
This session is the first in a series called “Focus on Soil”. Other topics include Overview of Soil Health and role of Fungi; Soil Compaction; Soil Contamination and Safety; – Book the Series Package for discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Veggie growing - beyond the basics
2025-05-19 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Event description

Ok you’ve grown a few things, you’re composting, you’re doing great and ready to extend your learning! Now is the perfect time to step things up a notch.
Join us along with Maria from My Green Garden to learn some techniques beyond the basics of vegetable growing. We are going to cover soil rejuvenation, crop rotation principles, FAQ’s about specific vegies and seed sowing techniques

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Please note that this is an event for Naarm/Melbourne gardeners only. If you live outside this area, please contact your council to find out what free sustainable gardening events are available locally.
If you have any access or support questions or requirements in order to participate fully (eg. interpreter), please let us know at least two weeks prior to the event and we will be pleased to assist you. Photos will be taken at this event, but there is an option to opt out on the day.
This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by City of Stonnington on the land of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past and present and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.

Let's Grow Hume Workshop
2025-06-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Newbury Child & Community Centre, 440 Grand Boulevard, Craigieburn, VIC, 3064, Australia
Edible Gardening Workshop at Newbury Child & Community Centre

Winter veggie and herb gardening workshop
Join Jo Burton from Hume City Council’s Sustainability Engagement team to prepare the raised garden beds at Newbury Child & Community Centre for winter planting.
This workshop covers;

soil preparation
when, what and how to plant in Winter for edible harvest
practical information on wicking garden beds and growing in pots
feeding and mulching your garden to help it survive through cold weather and;

We will be planting;

Salad greens and lettuce
Onions/Spring onions
Parsley
Beetroot
Broccoli
Silverbeet

All you need to know to start growing fresh produce at home!
Why Attend?
We want to show you that we are listening. During a recent Food Forum, we discovered that you want more education about healthy food choices and fair access to nutritious food sources. We also know that the cost of living is putting significant strain on many across our community and through the Let’s Grow Hume project, we want to help you keep healthy food on your plate at home, despite increased costs of fresh, healthy food from the shops. Previously you’ve told us that these type of programs help you feel connected and engaged with your community, and you enjoy meeting like-minded people.
And if you aren’t quite ready to register – it gets better. By attending this workshop you can also register to go in the draw to win a ‘Ready to Grow’ kit, so that you have everything you need to continue your edible gardening journey at home. We are so excited to show you how you can grow beautiful fresh produce at home without any garden space at all.
What to bring to the workshop

Gardening gloves
Water bottle
Closed toe shoes
Hat
All conditions clothing – we will go ahead rain, hail or shine!

Guardians are encouraged to bring children, please make sure you register each individual who will be attending. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Come along for your chance to win a Ready to Grow Kit! (pictured below)
The kit includes:

Vegepod starter pack (includes raised Vegepod garden bed shown in image below, seeds, and perlite)
Pack of hand tools
Potting mix
Gardening gloves
12-month subscription to Grow it Local
Mini Greenhouse to start your seeds

Sunbury Community Garden Working Bees and Open Days
2025-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Highgrove Drive Sunbury, Highgrove Drive, Sunbury, Melbourne, VIC, 3429, Australia
The Sunbury Community Garden Members Working Bees will take place on the following dates, is also a great opportunity for garden tours.

Saturday, 14 June 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday, 10 August 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Saturday, 11 October 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Mulching Days - Sunbury
2025-06-15 10:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-29 10:00 - 14:30 | Operations Centre – Sunbury, 17 McDougall Rd, Sunbury, VIC, Australia
What can I bring to tree mulching days?
Clean, freshly cut, tree branches will be accepted for mulching.
A maximum of four cubic metres of accepted material applies, per household, per mulching day.
You will need to bring proof of Hume residency, such as your rates notice or drivers licence, to participate in the service.
What is not accepted for mulching?
The following materials will not be accepted for mulching:

branches with fruit
dry timber
vines
grass clippings
thorny plants
roses
palm trees
yuccas
bracken
succulents

Material containing bricks, concrete, wire, plastic bags and/or pots also won’t be accepted.
Commercial quantities of material are not allowed. Up to four cubic metres (four small trailer loads) can be taken to each mulching day, per household.
What other services are available for disposing of tree branches?
You can use your waste vouchers to book a bundled branch collection and we will pick up your tree branches from your home.
You can drop off up to 4m3 of garden clippings, including tree branches up to 15cm thickness, at a Resource Recovery Centre for free on Hume Clean Days.
You can put small branches (maximum 10cm thickness) in your food and garden bin (green bin). You can also put most other garden clippings in your green bin.
You can use your waste vouchers to drop off tree branches and some other garden clippings at a Resource Recovery Centre any time.
Does Council have mulch available to residents?
Free mulch will be available if requested when you drop off your branches. You will be asked to return between 2.45pm and 3.45pm on the day to collect your mulch.

When

Sunday, 15 June 2025 | 10:00 AM – 02:30 PM
Sunday, 29 June 2025 | 10:00 AM – 02:30 PM

Show all dates
Location
Operations Centre – Sunbury, 17 McDougall Rd, Sunbury, View Map

Reduce your cost of living, sustainably!
2025-06-15 13:30 - 15:30 | Broadmeadows Library, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows, vic, 3047, Australia
Learn how to make small changes at home to help save on the rising cost of living and support a more sustainable lifestyle.

Are you struggling with the rising cost of living?
Would you like to learn how to save money by using resources more efficiently?
Do you enjoy taking action to help protect the environment for future generations?
Background
Sustainability can seem like a lot consider and can mean different things in different situations. Sustainability in simple terms means using resources in a way that ensures they are available for future generations, without harming people or the environment. It’s about finding ways to meet current needs while preserving the planet and its resources for the long term.
The United Nations holds sustainability as a key to addressing many global challenges such as, human rights, poverty, climate change, resource consumption and waste. If you would like to understand more deeply about sustainability on a global scale the United Nations website has published the Sustainable Development Goals.
What to expect
At this fun, interactive workshops you will learn simple and effective ways to reduce resource use at home and save you money at the same time. A wonderful side effect of reducing resource consumption other than saving money, is that it helps you tread a little more lightly on the planet. If you would like to calculate how many planets worth of resources you are consuming then why not try the online Ecological Footprint Calculator. During the workshop we will have the chance to compare some results, many people would be surprised at the number of planets their resource consumption requires.
Each workshop will begin with a brief introduction of what sustainability is and how it relates to our everyday lives. Then we will look at five essential areas of our lives, food, waste, energy, water and transport. By looking at these areas we will share some easy small steps to living more sustainably. If you are more advanced in your sustainable living journey, we have some tips to increase your sustainable living even further.
Organisations like Transition Australia, Sustainability Victoria and many other websites such as the Green City Times Online Magazine have great information and updates on new ideas, community connections, products and schemes to support living sustainably.
Disclaimer
By participating in this workshop, you acknowledge that you are aware of the inherent risks involved and voluntarily assume all risks of injury, damage, or loss that may occur during the workshop. You also understand that the information and materials provided by Hume City Council are for general educational purposes only and are not professional advice.
Privacy Notice
Through Eventbrite registrations, Council is collecting some personal information for administrative purposes. This information will not be disclosed to any other party except as required by law. You may access this information by contacting Council on 9205 2200. To view our privacy statement, go to Hume City Council Privacy Policy.

Sustainable Park Community Planting
2025-06-21 09:30 - 13:00 | 91 Sustainable Drive, Craigieburn, 3064, 91 Sustainable Drive, Craigieburn, VIC, 3064, Australia
Come help restore a native grassland nature conservation reserve and see a native wildlife show at Sustainable Park, Craigieburn.

You are invited to a free community planting event to help plant grasses and wildflowers into the nature conservation reserve at Sustainable Park.
Bring your family along as there is a great playground there, and WildlifeXposure will have engaging shows of native wildlife. Are you brave enough to pet or hold a snake!
This planting will create more habitat for native bees and butterflies, and help restore this small patch of rare native grassland.
What’s provided

Gloves.
Sunscreen.
All the planting tools and materials.
Drinking water.
Pizzas ordered for lunch and fruit snacks available.
Portable toilet on site (with 2 steps up into it).
Hard copies of the Birds of Hume and Fauna of Hume will be available at the event, or find digital versions at Discover Nature in Hume.

What to bring

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring a rain/wind-proof jacket.
Wear safe, fully-enclosed walking shoes.
Bring your own reusable drink bottle.

Contact for more information
Melissa Doherty
Urban Biodiversity Officer, Hume City Council
melissado@hume.vic.gov.au
(03) 9205 2200, 0409 702 086
Privacy Notice
Through Eventbrite registrations, Council is collecting some personal information for administrative purposes. This information will not be disclosed to any other party except as required by law. You may access this information by contacting Council on 9205 2200. To view our privacy statement, go to Hume City Council Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer
By participating in this event, you acknowledge that you are aware of the inherent risks involved and voluntarily assume all risks of injury, damage, or loss that may occur during the planting.

Hume Enviro Champions - Masterclass 4, Community Organising 101
2025-06-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Aitken Hill Community Centre, 40 Waterview Boulevard, Craigieburn, VIC, 3064, Australia
Community Organising 101 – learn how to get your community or likeminded people to support the environmental changes you would like to see.

This Masterclass session will be the forth in a series of eight. A schedule of dates and topics for the masterclass sessions can be found on the Hume City Council website.
The Enviro Champions masterclass sessions provide in-depth training in the key knowledge and skills you will need to plan and run a successful community-led project.
Anyone with a passion for the environment and sustainability can attend the masterclasses. There is no requirement to complete the introductory course before attending.
You are welcome to attend all of the masterclasses in the series, or just the ones that meet your specific skill development needs.
This masterclass will provide the opportunity to network with like-minded people and share your ideas about taking action for the environment and sustainability in Hume.
To be eligible to attend the masterclass series, you must currently live, work, study or volunteer in Hume.
What to expect
Community organising is an essential component of making significant change happen in our society. It is not just about asking enough people to turn-up at a time and place to protest for change or agaists the current situation. In simple terms, community organising is about bringing likeminded people together to present a clear and united voice for change.
Facilitated by Friends of the Earth this session will provide understanding of the what, when, why, and how of community organising. Hands on activities and real world examples will reinforce the knowledge content to provide skills that can be applied to your project or campaign ideas.
What to bring
This will be an indoor event, please bring;

Laptop or tablet (there will be power points available for charging devices)
pen and paper

Afternoon tea will be provided
Enquiries
Jo Burton – Environmental Community Development Officer
email: job@hume.vic.gov.au or mobile: 0455 091 999
Privacy Notice
Through Eventbrite registrations, Council is collecting some personal information for administrative purposes. This information will not be disclosed to any other party except as required by law. You may access this information by contacting Council on 9205 2200. To view our privacy statement, go to Hume City Council Privacy Policy.

Nuclear Free Collective monthly in-person ACTION meeting
2025-06-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Catalyst Social Centre, 146 Sydney Rd, Coburg, VIC, 3058, Australia
Join us for the Nuclear Free Collective’s monthly in-person ACTION meeting
Next all-in coworking for anti-nukes work

Sunday June 22, 9am-12pm. At the Catalyst Cafe. 146 Sydney rd, Coburg.

There’s lots of stuff happening, this is an opportunity to hear from different working groups and get involved. Announcements/updates at 10am, other time just working alongside each other. Some projects at the moment:

– anti-nuke resistance history art exhibition
– community events organising
– video editing
– creating info boards for the sculpture park at alberrie creek
– creating a zine about the mound springs
– a new lizard car
– & more!
Our future is renewable, not radioactive.

Free Op Shop Clothes
2025-06-23 13:00 - 18:00 | Catalyst Social Centre, 146 Sydney Rd, Coburg, VIC, 3058, Australia
A new free clothes op shop is opening at Catalyst. Weekly Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 1-6pm. Donations & helpers welcome during opening hours. Keen to get involved? Just come down and chat during opening hours, or follow our contact details in the link below.
A Really Really Free Market project. For more info about RRFM, check out our collective at catalystcentre.net/collectives

Online: Winter Tree Pruning
2025-06-24 18:30 - 19:30 | online
Wondering how to care for your fruit trees this winter? Join renowned Melbourne horticulturist, organic grower, and educator Craig Castree as he shares a simple, effective process to prune your trees correctly. Learn how to prune different types of fruit trees, establish young trees for a full and productive life, and renovate ‘monster’ trees that have been neglected for years. Craig will guide you through the most important cuts to use and help you avoid common mistakes. Bring your winter fruit tree care questions and join us for an online event to transform your garden from fruitless to fruitful!
Event name: Winter Tree Pruning
Date: Tuesday, 24 June
Time: 6.30–7.30 pm
Location: Online
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Please note that this is an event for Naarm/Melbourne gardeners only. If you live outside this area, please contact your council to find out what free sustainable gardening events are available locally.
This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by Glen Eira City Council on the land of the Boonwurrung/Bunurong and the Wurrundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past, present and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.

Act on Climate collective meeting & dinner (online and in-person)
2025-06-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Friends of the Earth Melbourne, 312 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3066, Australia
Act on Climate campaigns for climate justice with frontline communities, workers, and unions. The collective is building an alliance with grassroots groups towards climate resilience and local solutions with social justice at its’ core.

Weekly collective meetings are the engine room for our campaigns. Dinner is included, cooked by a collective member.
Come along to get involved in grassroots action for climate justice.

NOTE: Friends of the Earth is a COVID-safe workplace. At face-to-face meetings, we ask that attendees are fully vaccinated.
We acknowledge that the lands we meet and work on across so called Victoria are stolen from First Nations people. There can be no climate justice without justice for First Nations communities everywhere. Solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people under settler colonialism in so called Australia is critical in the fight for liberation from all oppressive systems that devalue and exploit people and the environment.

Darebin Social Enterprise Networking Event
2025-06-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Oasis Fairfield Cafe & Grocer, 92-96 Station Street Fairfield, Melbourne, VIC, 3078, Australia
Hear from local social enterprise Reground on how the strategic vision of the organisation has allowed the team to adapt and thrive.
We’ll also be joined by Nick Rose from Sustain, a renowned social enterprise that leverages Urban Agriculture to, amongst other things, support employment capability building for marginalised groups.
Additionally, Helen Myers, Darebin Council’s Head of Economic Development and Activation, will talk about the newly endorsed Economic Framework and how it impacts our social enterprise and not-for-profit community.
There will also be plenty of time for networking over delicious food.
See you all there.

Join us for a Sustainable Cities collective meeting! (BUSES)
2025-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 | online
Public transport is for everyone, and should be easily accessible to the growing communities in our West. Instead of depending on cars run on fossil fuels, we need an improved bus network, serviced by a fleet of clean, electric buses, to connect the community to essential services such as shopping centres, school, hospitals, and also to each other.
Our Better Buses campaign is continuing into 2025, as we continue to work with communities in the West to ensure that their voices are heard.
Join us for a collective meeting to discover the amazing that work that we are doing, and how you can get involved!

Hume Enviro Champions - Masterclass 5, Storytelling and conversations
2025-06-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows, VIC, 3047, Australia
Storytelling and Effective conversations – learn how to have respectful conversations with complete strangers or people with opposing views

This Masterclass session will be the fifth in a series of eight. A schedule of dates and topics for the masterclass sessions can be found on the Hume City Council website.
The Enviro Champions masterclass sessions provide in-depth training in the key knowledge and skills you will need to plan and run a successful community-led project.
Anyone with a passion for the environment and sustainability can attend the masterclasses. There is no requirement to complete the introductory course before attending.
You are welcome to attend all of the masterclasses in the series, or just the ones that meet your specific skill development needs.
This masterclass will provide the opportunity to network with like-minded people and share your ideas about taking action for the environment and sustainability in Hume.
To be eligible to attend the masterclass series, you must currently live, work, study or volunteer in Hume.
What to expect
What role do narratives play in making change? The messages we use to communicate what we do drives the reach of our work. We can also utilise our own story as a tool to organise. This workshop utilises formats of storytelling which connect our individual experiences to our community. Having one on one conversations with people can be powerful in both bringing new people into our circles, as well as persuading the public to side with our cause. The interactions we have with people can move them to action if we approach the exchange with an awareness of how to best connect with people on issues.
Interpersonal communication is a very important skill to have when it comes to making a difference to the environment or the sustainability of resources on this planet. Whether you want to inform others, debate your perspective or rally support for your cause this session will help you develop your communication skills and how to have effective conversations with others.
Facilitated by Friends of the Earth this session will be a mix of knowledge content, activities to practice the skills and feedback on how to apply them to your project ideas.
What to bring
This will be an indoor event, please bring;

Laptop or tablet (there will be power points available for charging devices)
pen and paper

Afternoon tea will be provided
Enquiries
Jo Burton – Environmental Community Development Officer
email: job@hume.vic.gov.au or mobile: 0455 091 999
Privacy Notice
Through Eventbrite registrations, Council is collecting some personal information for administrative purposes. This information will not be disclosed to any other party except as required by law. You may access this information by contacting Council on 9205 2200. To view our privacy statement, go to Hume City Council Privacy Policy.

Act on Climate Garage Sale Fundraiser
2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Friends of the Earth Melbourne, 312 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3066, Australia
Support the Act on Climate collective by grabbing a bargain at our Garage Sale Fundraiser on Saturday 28 June at Friends of the Earth’s HQ in Collingwood!
There will be clothing, books, artwork, small homewares and other random items.
Join us on Saturday 28 June for a rummage, lunch to FoE Food Co-Op Cafe and, hopefully, the discovery of some wonderful pre-loved items!
Act on Climate campaigns for climate justice with frontline communities, workers, and unions. The collective is building an alliance with grassroots groups towards climate resilience and local solutions with social justice at its core.
We are currently campaigning for adequate and ongoing funding for community-led adaptation to prepare us for locked-in climate impacts. Alongside our push for funding, we’re assisting communities to start creating the solutions needed to keep people and Country safe.
We are self sustaining, independent and never accept money from political parties, big banks, or extractive industries. Fundraisers and memberships provide vital campaign resources for us to continue campaigning.

p.s. if you have anything you can donate to us to sell at our garage sale, let us know! Contact india.rowles@foe.org.au if you have donations

If you’re free to come along to one of our working bees on the 7th or 14th to help sort donations we’d love the extra help

NOTE: Friends of the Earth is a COVID-safe workplace. At face-to-face meetings, we ask that attendees are fully vaccinated.

Draw Plants Together in the Darebin Creek Valley
2025-06-29 14:30 - 16:30 | Epping Community Centre, 378 Findon Rd, Epping, Melbourne, VIC, 3076, Australia
Draw Plants Together
Join Craig from Draw Plants Together for a FREE, relaxing plant drawing workshop. Explore the unique plants of the Darebin Creek Valley and learn more about the natural environment through observation and drawing.

Hosted by City of Whittlesea and Darebin Creek Management Committee, Draw Plants Together encourages connections with nature and with each other. This workshop focuses on plants native to the Darebin Creek Valley and offers a supportive space for learning.

What can I expect?
• Fun and relaxed 2-hour creative session held at the Epping Community Activity Centre and along the Hendersons Creek
• A feeling of wellbeing – notice plants more in the company of others and gain confidence with drawing

Draw Plants Together is an inclusive space. Everyone of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, genders and abilities is welcome. The workshop will be presented with clear and simple instructions to support everyone, including those with limited English.

No experience needed! This is a fun, relaxing way to explore your creativity, learn about nature, and meet new people in the community.

All materials provided. Free to join.

About the presenter
Craig (he/him) started Draw Plants Together to share his love of art and plants and create an inclusive and enjoyable space where participants can learn, create, connect and experiment.

With over 20 years’ experience in teaching and workshop facilitation with adults, including teaching English, Craig has worked extensively with people in a range of different learning contexts. He has also completed studies in art, linguistics and Relational Gestalt counselling.

Craig is passionate about Indigenous plants and local ecologies and works and volunteers at VINC (Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Cooperative).

Read more about Craig and Draw Plants Together

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung as custodians of the Darebin Creek Valley, who have a continuous connection to caring for Country. We respect and collaborate with Wurundjeri to improve the Darebin Creek.

R.A.W GARDEN CLUB 2025 - Community Connections
2025-07-01 11:00 - 13:00 | RAW Australia, 325 South Road Brighton East, Melbourne, VIC, 3187, Australia
Come and join us for a day filled with gardening, meaningful connections, food swaps, and a delicious lunch at R.A.W Urban Farm.
We, at R.A.W, aspire to the vision of Brendan Condon (The Sustainable Landscape Company Director): “To change the way cities function, to cycle valuable nutrients from food and green waste away from landfill and back into food production. Improve food security, nutrition and health, beautiful spaces, invite nature into our cities and create social connection, exercise and liveable neighbourhoods.”
Tasks can be from gardening to the gutter or window cleaning, paint the pavilion, …
Included:

Simple and sustainable gardening principles
Tea and connections of old and new community.

Itinerary

11:00 -13:00 Working bee
13:30 – 14:00 Community potluck lunch

What to bring:

Hat, Gloves, Water bottle
Snacks or Food to share during our lunch break

In addition to our gardening efforts, the day will end with a beautiful lunch, fostering connections not only with food but also with your neighbours and the nurturing land that sustains us all.
Come and be a part of this enriching experience, embracing the joy of gardening and the spirit of community. Let’s cultivate connections – with nature, with each other, and with the abundance of the earth. See you there!
With love,
R.A.W. Australia

Industry Innovation Series | Smart Farming Tech Transforming Agriculture
2025-07-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Digital Innovation Hub at La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
Join us for the 2025 La Trobe Industry Innovation Series as we deep-dive into the future of Smart Farming – exploring how cutting-edge technologies are transforming how we grow, manage, and sustain food production.
This focused session brings together experts from Driscoll’s Australia, Polybee, La Trobe University and more who are at the forefront of applying digital innovation to real-world farming challenges.
From AI-powered monitoring and robotics to drone pollination and precision data analytics, learn how smart technologies are improving productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the agricultural sector.
What to Expect:

Expert insights from leading agtech organisations and researchers

Real-world applications of robotics, sensors, drones, and data in farming

Discussions on sustainability, climate adaptation, and supply chain efficiency

Networking opportunities with industry professionals, researchers, and students

This event is ideal for growers, agribusiness professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students looking to understand and adopt smart farming approaches that drive the future of agriculture.

Details

Date: Tuesday 1 July 2025, 5 – 7pm
Venue: Digital Innovation Hub (L2, Jenny Graves Building, Melbourne Campus), Map Ref: 8G
Format: In-person
Cost: Free

Speakers and topics

Professor Simone Warner, Head of Agriculture Victoria Research; Co-Director, Centre for AgriBioscience
‘AgBioTech research across Agriculture Victoria’s SmartFarm Ecosystem’

The use of AgBiotech across Agriculture Victoria’s SmartFarms in support of the Victoria’s agriculture sector

Roberto Barajas, Operations and Planning Director, Driscoll’s Australia
‘Automation in the Berry Industry: A Necessity, Not a Luxury‘

Sparking meaningful discussion and highlight the urgency of adopting AgTech in berry farming

Siddharth Jadhav, Founder & CEO, Polybee
‘Increasing profits in fresh produce through automation and intelligence’

Understanding how autonomous pollination and yield forecasting with drones and AI has consistently reduced uncertainty in decision making and improved profits for fresh produce growers.

Professor Mathew Lewsey, Node Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, La Trobe University
‘Advancing Plant Biology on Earth and in Space’

Exploring technologies for protected cropping and vertical farming in extreme environments.

Snapshot: Industry Innovation Series

La Trobe University proudly presents the Industry Innovation Series.
Each session will feature a one-hour lecture-style presentation – followed by audience Q&A and networking opportunities – focusing on a critical topic, such as agriculture, health and wellbeing, biotechnology and digital innovation. Pivotal research outcomes and industry insights will be spotlighted, as well as technology innovations and impactful partnership opportunities.
Global impact needs to start somewhere, so we’re making it happen right here and now. At La Trobe, we’re not just shaping the future – we’re a community of industry professionals, researchers, academics and graduates who are on-the-ground transforming lives every day, including today.
The Industry Innovation Series is curated to support and inform industry professionals working within or seeking to learn more about the highlighted fields, and the opportunities available to drive innovation and success.

Snapshot: Speaker Profiles

Professor Simone Warner
Prof. Warner is the Head of Agriculture Victoria Research and has over 35 years experience in agricultural sciences, biosecurity and environmental sciences, with a PhD in molecular virology from the University of Melbourne. As Head, Simone leads the research arm of Agriculture Victoria which undertakes national and globally significant research to support the diary, grains, horticulture, biosecurity and natural resource sectors. This includes leading world-class research and innovation in the application of new, effective and fit-for-purpose AgriBiotech to improve the productivity and biosecurity for Victoria’s agriculture sector. Simone leads approximately 400 staff and 65 PhD students across the State, including at AgriBio, Australia’s first integrated agricultural systems biology research centre located at the La Trobe University Bundoora campus, and across five SmartFarms located regionally in Ellinbank, Tatura, Horsham, Hamilton and Mildura. Simone was appointed as the role of Head of Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR) in February 2023, and has recently been appointed as Head of School, for the School of Applied Systems Biology at La Trobe University.
Roberto Barajas
Roberto Barajas is the Operations and Planning Director for Driscoll’s Australia, bringing over 18 years of experience in the berry industry across North America, Australia, and New Zealand, 12 of those years based in Australia. Over his career, Roberto has developed deep expertise in grower operations, supply chain management, genetics, applied research, production planning and forecasting, and strategic planning driving growth. Roberto is passionate about long-term thinking and delivering sustained value to Driscoll’s three core stakeholders: consumers, growers, and customers. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to innovation and operational excellence across the global berry supply network.
Siddharth Jadhav
Siddharth Jadhav is CEO at Polybee, a Singapore and Melbourne-based agtech company. He founded Polybee in 2019 as a spinoff venture from the National University of Singapore. Siddharth leads the company’s product development and oversees business development. He has 7+ years of experience in leading teams working on field robotics, AI and automation in agriculture. Previously, Siddharth was an associate scientist at the National University of Singapore.
Professor Mathew Lewsey
Professor Mathew G. Lewsey studies how plants perceive and interact with the world around them through regulation of their genes. His lab at the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (La Trobe University, Australia) is home to a diverse team of engineers, computational biologists, plant and genome scientists. Their work spans from the fundamental to the applied, involving commercial partners who grow a range of crops such as cannabis, opium poppies, barley, oats and peas.
Mat completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge and then was a Marie Curie Fellow at the Salk Institute (La Jolla, USA) and at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (Madrid, Spain). He joined La Trobe University in April 2016, where he has served in several research leadership roles, including Director of the La Trobe Genomics Platform and Deputy Director of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture.
Mat helped establish the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space in 2024 with colleagues from Adelaide University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Western Australia and Flinders University, which studies plant design and bioresource production to enable off-Earth habitation and provide solutions for improving on-Earth sustainability.
As Director of the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility at La Trobe University, he leads a team that provide advanced plant imaging and cultivation services to academic and commercial researchers.
Most recently, Mat developed Plant Synthetic Biology Australia with colleagues from Adelaide University, the Australian National University and the University of Western Australia. This distributed facility is funded by Bioplatforms Australia and the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, with the goal of enabling academic and commercial access to synthetic biology tools.

Act on Climate collective meeting & dinner (online and in-person)
2025-07-01 18:30 - 19:30 | Friends of the Earth Melbourne, 312 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3066, Australia
ORGANISING MEETINGS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS

The Act on Climate collective meet weekly on Tuesday evenings. Except on the second Thursday of the month when we host a social event instead of a meeting. This is an opportunity for new and existing members to gather outside of FoE HQ to chat about what’s going informally, check in and hang out.

Act on Climate campaigns for climate justice with frontline communities, workers, and unions. The collective is building an alliance with grassroots groups towards climate resilience and local solutions with social justice at its’ core.

Weekly collective meetings are the engine room for our campaigns. Dinner is included, cooked by a collective member.
Come along to get involved in grassroots action for climate justice.

NOTE: Friends of the Earth is a COVID-safe workplace. At face-to-face meetings, we ask that attendees are fully vaccinated.
We acknowledge that the lands we meet and work on across so called Victoria are stolen from First Nations people. There can be no climate justice without justice for First Nations communities everywhere. Solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people under settler colonialism in so called Australia is critical in the fight for liberation from all oppressive systems that devalue and exploit people and the environment.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY sustainable Info session
2025-07-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Alamein Neighbourhood & Learning, 49 Ashburn Grove Ashburton, melbourne, vic, 3147, Australia
Welcome to the Circular Economy Info Session!
Come join us at the Alamein Neighbourhood & Learning Centre for an exciting event all about sustainability and reducing waste. Discover how you can make a positive impact on the environment by learning about the principles of a circular economy.
Whether you’re a just starting your journey to a greener lifestyle, this event is perfect for anyone interested in making a difference.

Join us for a Sustainable Cities collective meeting!
2025-07-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Friends of the Earth Melbourne, 312 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3066, Australia

Nuclear Free Collective monthly online meeting
2025-07-03 18:00 - 19:00 | online
Join us for the Nuclear Free Collective’s online organising meeting.
Every first Wednesday of the month 6 pm
Our future is renewable, not radioactive.

FCAV Adaptation Activator Call #8: Energy Resilience (online)
2025-07-03 18:00 - 19:30 | online
Want to progress climate adaptation in your community? Act on Climate’s Frontline Climate Alliance Vic (FCAV) are holding calls fully focused on supporting local leaders in Victorian communities wanting to help progress community-led climate adaptation locally.
The alliance began exploring climate adaptation in Victoria as a group in November 2023, first focusing on bringing people together to learn about, amplify, and action community-led climate adaptation. Now, the FCAV space is stepping up local Climate Adaptation Activators wanting to make their community resilient in the face of unavoidable impacts. Community catalysts ready to take their region along on the journey of adaptation will be aided by the alliance to accomplish this.

We will work together to share ideas, resources and solidarity for building this resilience locally to keep those most at risk in your community safe.

Activator call #8
Join us for the 8th Adaptation Activator call on July 3 at 6pm. Pat Simons from Yes 2 Renewables will chat to us about building energy resilience with renewables.
The shift to renewables is not only a key strategy for mitigating climate change by reducing emissions, but also presents opportunities to enhance both climate change adaptation and resilience.
We will also make space to hear from you – please bring along any ideas, challenges or learnings you have and share them with the group.

The Frontline Climate Alliance Vic is building grassroots power for community-led adaptation solutions, and building pressure on the Vic government to act on climate adaptation while preparing our communities for now unavoidable climate impacts.
RSVP to this call and come along to hear how you can progress your local community’s climate adaptation!
Or sign up to be a local Climate Adaptation Activator or to keep in touch and hear more about our campaign for community-led climate adaptation.
This meeting is online. Hope to see you on the call!

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We acknowledge that the lands we meet and work on across so called Victoria are stolen from First Nations people. Climate justice means land back and there can be no climate justice without justice for First Nations communities everywhere. Act on Climate values the leadership of elders past and present in caring for country. Solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people under settler colonialism in so called Australia is critical in the fight for liberation from all oppressive systems that devalue and exploit people and the environment.

Small99's People, Planet, Pint™: Sustainability Meetup
2025-07-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Beer DeLuxe Fed Square, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Pop down to your local People Planet Pint meetup to find more about what’s going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved
No pitches, powerpoints or panels. Just People, Planet, Pint/s.
Your local meetup is a great place to start your journey or continue learning, and meet diverse people to chat about life and how we can sustain it. Every job is a climate job, so come along and learn about how you can take action, as well as what is going on locally.
We welcome everyone, regardless of their experience or background. People Planet Pint is a space where everyone can feel comfortable learning about sustainability and sharing their ideas.
Afterall, creating a sustainable future requires connected communities. And what better way to bring everyone together than over a drink?
Prefer a Pastry to a Pint? Head along to ‘People Planet Pastry’! Equally relaxed and welcoming, they run during the day and offer an informal way to learn about what is going on locally in sustainability.

Reduce your cost of living, sustainably!
2025-07-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury, 44 Macedon Street, Sunbury, VIC, 3429, Australia

Darebin Creek Bundoora Park Dam Community Planting Day
2025-07-06 10:00 - 13:00 | VIC
Hosted by Darebin Creek Management Committee & Friends of Darebin Creek

Join us for a rewarding day of nature, community and conservation as we plant native plants creating habitat for native animals along the beautiful Darebin Creek at Bundoora Park!
We’ll be planting a mix of shrubs, sedges, and rushes between the Darebin Creek and the Bundoora Public Golf Course Dam, helping to strengthen the habitat corridor and create vital stepping stones for local wildlife. This work supports small native animals like the Eastern Spinebill, Spotted Pardalote, Rakali, Growling Grass Frogs and Sugar Gliders.
Then join Craig from Draw Plants Together for a FREE, relaxing plant drawing workshop after the planting. Get to know the unique plants of the Darebin Creek and learn more about the natural environment through observation and drawing. You might like to bring a picnic rug or chair if you stay for this session.

Help restore and enhance local biodiversity
Learn about native plants and creek ecology
Connect with your community and enjoy the outdoors
Be part of a larger effort restoring a habitat hotspot

All are welcome—no experience needed! Come solo, or bring your friends, family, and a love for nature. Tools and guidance provided.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to a healthier, more connected Darebin Creek.
Please wear: sturdy, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather (warm jacket, raincoat, sun hat etc.)
Please bring: plenty of drinking water and gloves if you have them (or use ours)
Meet: Bundoora Public Golf Course Dam.
Parking is available on Fairway Drive opposite the golf car park. The site is approximately 500m walk along George circuit (see map)

Visit the Accessibility section to learn more about accessing the site.

By registering, we can keep you updated in case of any last-minute changes. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any support to volunteer with us – phone (03) 9499 4454, or email info@dcmc.org.au

The Darebin Creek Habitat Project is an OzFish/DCMC partnership funded by Microsoft and the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with the support of the City of Darebin, the Friends of Darebin Creek and Draw Plants Together.

Online: Happy Backyard Hens
2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Join us along with backyard chicken expert Jessamy Miller to discuss how to keep healthy and happy backyard hens.
We will cover:

Breeds and where to source them
Housing and space requirements
Feed and hygiene
Health, behaviour and enrichment

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Please note that this is an event for greater Naarm/Melbourne gardeners only. If you live outside this area, please contact your council to find out what free sustainable gardening events are available locally.
If you have any access or support questions or requirements in order to participate fully (eg. interpreter), please let us know at least two weeks prior to the event and we will be pleased to assist you. Photos will be taken at this event, but there is an option to opt out on the day.
This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by the City of Stonnington on the land of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past and present and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.
