Data download

For the week to Monday 7 June

Maximum compost temp: 69.3 degrees
Rainfall in past week: 0 mm
Average town water use: 56 litres per person per day
Average electricity used per day: 3.1 kWh
Average electricity generated per day: 5.4 kWh
Cost of electricity for the week: -$13.35
(represents service fee and electricity used totalling $9.45, and income of $22.80 from the gross feed-in tariff)
Average gas use per day: 3 MJ
Highest indoor temp in last week: 24.8 degrees
Highest outdoor temp in last week: 21.7 degrees
Lowest indoor temp in last week: 15.0 degrees
Lowest outdoor temp in last week: 0.7 degrees
No. eggs laid last week: 0
Approx weight of green waste from neighbours for chooks, worms and/or compost last week: 1 kg
Petrol used in car: 11.6 litres
Percentage of car travel that was for work (excluding commute): 64%

What records do we keep?

For those who are wondering, these figures come from weekly utility meter reads (gas, electricity and water), an indoor/outdoor thermometer, petrol receipts and log book (I have to keep one for tax anyway), a thermometer in the compost and a sheet for keeping track of eggs. (The new girls are yet to get started on that front!). I use a spreadsheet to keep track of things and have it set up to automatically generate summaries and charts. We find weekly record-keeping more helpful that just a quarterly bill (by which stage you can't recall what may have contirbuted to the outcome).

Although you may not choose to record this sort of data on an ongoing basis, even in the short term it can give you valuable feedback as to how you are tracking. For example, even without a special device, doing your own meter reads can help you identify and address problem areas.

Of course each home, its occupants and various other factors are different. We're including these numbers not for direct comparison (we're better at some things, working on others) but just to note what we're keeping track of. We're interested in the opportunities that observing can bring - allowing you to hopefully understand why a figure is what it is, and to make adjustments if greater efficiency is possible.

But what about the garden?

I keep fairly informal records of what we harvest from the garden, as part of a garden journal. This started as a fairly messy collection of notes on the backs of envelopes, and the like, but I've moved to keeping it electronically, rather than just paper-based, in the past year or so. The main advantage of this is that it's searchable, editable and more easily organised. I still often take notes on paper, but transfer them across by either scanning them or typing them up.

I find a digital camera invaluable for recording what's happening and the crucial 'before and after' shots (although I'm often half way through demolishing or reorganising something when the thought to take a 'before' shot occurs - urgh!). I've even been known to use it to help identify pests and diseases. Into my journal I also put links to resources that interest me and of course pictures of gardens or buildings we've visited.

It sounds like a lot of recording, but generally it's done fairly quickly and it's a million times better than just hoping I'll remember (because I very rarely do!). It's also a fantastic resource for both looking back at and dreaming of 'what's next', not to mention remind me that even when it feels like we're moving at snail's pace, there really has been a lot happen in and around our little house on the hill already!

POD gardening groups

Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) are encouraging the start of gardening groups, called PODs, across the country (POD = Productive, Organic, Diverse). Visit their website to read more about the idea (and check out the other excellent content while you’re there, if you haven't visited before). They’ve obviously got quite a few subscribers to their (excellent) e-newsletter in Albury-Wodonga, because they have canvassed interest for starting a POD here. So far about 9 people have expressed interest, but I think some of the forms a POD group can take would be of interest to Permi8 people, Seed savers and others. So take a look, have a think and get in touch if you’d like to be part of the conversation when we get together to discuss it. (And yes, for the record, I reckon permi8 functions pretty much as they describe a POD group, already).

Out and about

A quick overview of some recent local events.

Sustainable Living Film Festival

The final films were very well received, with a full house for the screening of No Impact Man at the Albury library museum and more than 80 people attending In Transition 1.0 at the wood fired oven. As well as the wonderful atmosphere, the National Environment Centre's organic lamb rolls and scones with jam and cream cooked in the oven were extremely popular (well done Nicole, Rob and crew!).  Inspired by the film, it was fabulous to listen to the buzz of conversations discussing ideas about the opportunities Transition Towns presents and how to run with them in our area.

The organisers (Ian, Lizette & Dennis) deserve a very big pat on the back for the whole film festival. It has provided Transition Towns Albury Wodonga (and all the associated member groups) some great exposure, attracted a range of audience members to the various films (faces both new and well-known to sustainability in the area), and has harnessed plenty enthusiasm that promises an exciting future.

100% renewable campaign

Check out this fantastic pic, taken as part of the national '100% renewables' campaign. If you'd like to know more, click these links to read more about the campaign or see more pics from communities across Australia.

Photo: Joy Grinham, WATCH

Slopes to Summit, Woomargama

Lou Bull from Seed Savers Albury-Wodonga gave a great presentation on biodiversity in the backyard (soil, habitat, food and consumption) at this open day. As you can see below, the "room" for her talk and the surrounding countryside, bathed in autumn sunshine, only added to her efforts. Many attendees were keen to talk more with Lou afterwards to discuss growing food at home, saving seed and to ask about the many cuttings she'd brought along from her own garden.

Photo: Scott Hartvigsen, Nature Conservation Trust of NSW

National Environment Centre - garden classroom story

Not really an 'event' as such, but ABC local radio have put together a great piece (audio and video) about the English as a Second Language garden, teachers and students out at the Thurgoona TAFE campus. You can click here to watch it online. What a fantastic mix of permaculture, community and learning!