Author: Geoff Wells
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2 Slow community: Face to face
I have some good men friends, greatly valued. I have coffee with them most mornings in the local cafe. I often think of the group of black men of much the same older age in south Chicago whom Mitchell Duneier wrote about, in 1992, with much affection and sympathy, in his Slim’s Table; they seem…
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1 Slow Community: Walking with our people
By Geoff Wells Every morning, unless the westerlies are coming in wild, I walk the path around the boat harbour in the small Australian coastal town where I live. The path moves through native trees and shrubs which grow right down to the water’s edge, salt-tolerant. The first section of it is gravelled; then, without…
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Recent submissions on state lands & vegetation legislation
RCA has recently made submissions on state legislation governing public lands, and the clearing of native vegetation. On public lands, our view is that the proposed amendments would make it easier for the state to sell public lands, either to private interests or to local governments. We don’t support this direction. Public lands should remain…
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Community-based ageing in place
Our place, being a beautiful little town on the Limestone Coast, is a favoured location for retired people. Many of them are farmers who have moved in from their farms in the district. Others are people who have lived their lives and worked here, in fishing, construction, and now retail. Generally speaking their preference is…
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Sustainable tourism
A local couple, long-term residents of our place, returned recently from a 6-week stay on two of the Greek Islands, Kythera and Ithaka. From these bases they explored the islands and found ways to connect with their local peoples. This is an example of what is coming to be called sustainable tourism: extended stays, respecting…
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SE Coastal Lakes proposal
We’ve been working through a new proposal for organising and managing the SE Coastal Lakes. The main thrust of it is to place substantial parts of them under conservation protection. Nominally the proposal is under the state Department of Environment and Water, who commissioned a consultant to carry out an engagement process designed to open…
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Systems analysis: community fire management
Systems analysis in community work: Little Dip Conservation Park Community challenges are always multi-dimensional. Although we would like them to be simple in structure and process, so that we can see and apply simple solutions to them—we all like a silver bullet—that is rarely open. More often there are multiple levels and many connections to…
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For a GM-free Limestone Coast
RCA’s presentation to the Limestone Coast Local Government Association in support of our region remaining a GM-free Crop Zone Why we want our Councils to remain a GM-free Crop Zone Losing South Australia’s state-wide GM-free status and reputation for high quality GM-free food products will disrupt market and trade opportunities for producers and processors all…
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Climate-informed conservation
Mapping key areas for conservation could help plants and animals survive climate change Diana Stralberg, University of Alberta People have spent most of the past month indoors as communities attempt to flatten the curve to limit the spread of COVID-19. For many of us, small doses of nature have helped provide solace in stressful times.…
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Country Women Seniors Project
Our Country Women Seniors Project is a community resilience project. It is for women seniors in Limestone Coast communities who can be overlooked in our community life. Yet they have rich experience and knowledge which deserves to be heard. This project and its website is being developed to give them a place to speak, in…