Torquay growers encouraged to make the transition

FANS of homegrown food in Torquay have been encouraged to meet their neighbours and join the Transition Streets movement.

Geelong Regional Libraries is hosting a series of events where people can find out more about Transition Streets, which aims to make homes and streets more energy efficient, less wasteful and less resource-dependent, as well as healthier, safer places to live.

Originally founded in the UK, Transition Streets spread to Newcastle in New South Wales and then to Melbourne and across Australia.

Geelong already has two Transition projects, and Thursday’s session at Torquay Library featured Transition Geelong’s Monica Winston; Saranyu Pearson, who started the first group in McCurdy Road, Herne Hill; and Transition Australia president Mary Stringer.

Ms Winston said Transition was fundamentally about connection and connecting people, and aimed to teach people how to reduce their ecological footprint by growing their own food.

“If everyone lived the way we did (in Australia), we’d be using the resources of five Earths, and we’ve only got one. So, it’s taking a whole new mindset.

“They reckon we could feed ourselves if we grew on our nature strips alone, though we don’t have to go there first.”

Ms Stringer said despite the lack of action by global governments, individuals could still do their part.

“What the Transition movement is saying is we can’t on our own fix the whole world, but we can look at our own little neighbourhood, our little patch and connect with other people in that patch who care… and if you do stuff together, it’s energising.

“Let’s re-imagine how it could be – what would it be like if we don’t have fossil fuel? It doesn’t have to be scary.”

Surf Coast Shire’s Sally Sneddon encouraged people to find out more about Transition Streets, as it tied into the council’s Local Food Program.

“For us, the movement needs to be driven by the community.”

For more information on Transition Streets, head to transitionnetwork.org or email [email protected].