Sunday was urban walkabout. Soul and feet willing, we wandered 'round drips and drops of Sydney, from Taylor Square to the Hyde Park fountain, down Market to Pitt then George through Chinatown, past Central, around Glebe, across Redfern and Surry Hills via Cleveland, and home again along Anzac. It was a stubbornly flawless day, complete with happy couples stretched across park grasses, run-ins with lovely co-opers across the city, and the threat of rain in mid-afternoon. The day was also rife with inspiration, determination, and some pure peace and joy.
Oh yes, today was a good day.
How about the good word?:
NEWS
Hours--from Andrew
Just a reminder - next week is the last week we are open on Tuesday or Wednesday until March next year! We will be starting our exam/summer hours which means we will only be open from 9am to 6pm on Thursdays. Furthermore, we are most likely going to be open all the way up to December 18! Confirmation on this and our reopening date in January should be announced soon.
Thoughtful AGM!
from Ange
If you have any serious items to raise at the AGM please let me know too.
Performances might include singing, dancing, skits, stand-up comedy, poetry reading, musical performances, contortion of the body, puppetry, juggling, acrobats, trapeze, clowns …etc…etc. Its not serious at all, and there will be lots of audience participation too. Oh, and feel free to dress up... funny hats!
(Please sign up today by contacting Angela. Entries close 7th of November.)
Performance Night details
Time: 7pm to 9pm, Friday 14th November 2008
Venue: TBA (somewhere on Kensington Campus)
Entry: Non-performers entry is by donation (suggested $5) to cover the costs of the venue. Performers get in for free.
Further information: Contact Angela angela.johnstone@gmail.com
Volunteers
from Andrew
Call out for 2009 coordinators
We're currently discussing potential changes to how the co-op is run which will share the workload among a larger group of people, meaning it should be a lot easier on everyone involved! However, we do need more people for this to happen. If you're interested in taking on more responsibility around the co-op next year, even if you don't think you could manage a full 'coordinator' role, now is the time to let us know! It's very rewarding, fun, and easier than you'd expect it to be!
Please talk to a current coordinator if you think the idea of making a difference to the wider community while earning huge discounts on great food is your idea of a good time. I, personally, like it a lot more than long walks on the beach.
Volunteer positions
If you'd like to volunteer an hour or two for the co-op, but can't make it during shop hours, how about helping out with the garden?! We have a large compost which is in desperate need of attention, and may need to be tended by a volunteer on a regular basis. We also have a garden which is beginning to look a little neglected. If this sounds like a job which is perfect for you, please contact Andrew (mcnicolandrew@gmail.com) and he'll try to put you in touch with others who have recently been discussing the project.
While it may be very early notice, we will need to hold a cleaning/closing bee on the weekend after Thursday 18 December (our last day for the year). This would be a perfect opportunity for members to redeem 'vollies for veggies' points! While we're looking for people to help out for a few hours or so, we'd actually love someone to organise this themselves. It's not too much work, but it just requires a little bit of planning beforehand. Please contact Andrew (mcnicolandrew@gmail.com) if you'd like to help out or take charge.
Eggs
from Ange
As you might know in week 10 the eggs were not delivered. Our eggs are delivered farmer-direct by wonderful Michelle. Michelle had to dash away in week 10 without any warning and that is why the eggs were not delivered. This is part of dealing with farmer direct and being a co-operative. People all try to do their best, and when something doesn't work out as expected, we have to appreciate the human scale of our operations at the co-op. Thank you for understanding.
If you would like to pick-up eggs on Wednesday or Thursday this week, as usual, place your order by emailing me (angela.johnstone@gmail.com), no later than Monday (do it now, please) or drop in your order by noon on Tuesday.
Veggies
from Andrew
The vegetable boxes were BIG this week! I think it's due to my tendancy to order lots of leafy greens. The volunteer effort has made the process so much easier, affording us time for tea and fruit breaks - thanks guys, love your work!
As we're beginning the exam and summer period and some orders are not for the next week, please make sure the date is written clearly on your order form. This should make counting the orders for the week just a little easier.
Vollies for Veggies--from Andrew
We have just begun discussion on implementing the 'vollies for veggies' scheme over the summer break. For those of you who weren't around last summer, it just means that each vegetable box order must include an extra $5 which is refundable if you volunteer some time over the summer break. This helps promote volunteering which is desperately needed over the summer break. We understand that many members work 'real' jobs on Thursday, but we may have a variety of extra things you could do out-of-hours instead if you're interested =)
Keep an eye out for more information in your vegetable box, around the shop, or submitted to the bulletin. I know it all sounds a little confusing, but we'll try hard to clarify the process before it begins on Monday the 17th of November.
Community
IPCC Chair Speaks @UNSW/ Wallace Wurth Memorial Lecture 2008
Thursday 23 October
Scientia's Leighton Hall smack-dab in the middle of campus.
Doors at 6:00pm; talk starts at 7:30pm prompt.
Description: Dr Rajendra Pachauri, economist and environmental scientist is Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC).
In 2007, he accepted on behalf of the IPCC, the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former U.S Vice-President Al Gore Jr.
Dr Pachauri will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa and deliver the 2008 Wallace Wurth Memorial Lecture entitled: "Our Vulnerable Earth - Climate Change, the IPCC and the role of Generation Green."
Seating is not reserved for this event, please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Details here.
Free Yoga!
Tyler is still (so far as I know) doing free yoga sessions Thursdays at 2:00pm right out on the lawn in front of Thoughtful. Just rock up in comfy clothes--mats & meditation are provided.
If you're keen to dive into more local yoga, check out Tyler's Yoga in Daily Life Kensington studio. Loads of classes for all levels.
Colloquium: Climate Change & Developing Countries: Challenges for the Pacific
The Colloquium will be held on Thursday 6 November from 3-7 pm, here in the Law Building and it will be open to the public. The title for this year's Colloquium is "Climate Change and Developing Countries: Challenges for the Pacific". The objective is to explore the legal, policy, technological and practical challenges that developing countries in the Pacific region face in mitigating and adapting to climate change while meeting their social and economic needs.
Issues to be explored include the legislative, regulatory, policy and technological measures that these states are using or could adopt to meet these challenges, including issues relating to food security (i.e., the bio-fuels issues) energy security, geo-engineering solutions and mitigation technologies. Other issues to be explored could include a consideration of how developing states in the Pacific can position themselves in the ongoing negotiations to develop a post-2012 instrument to replace the Kyoto Protocol, what the role of these states will be in a post-2012 regime and how governance of climate-related policy issues might be improved within these states to better contribute to the goals of sustainable development. For all of these issues consideration will be given to the role Australia can - or should - play in assisting developing states in the Pacific to meet these challenges.
Details here.
RSVP here.
Of swiftly passing days ...
I spent the evening in the office, plugging away at dueling papers, diverse duties, and heartfelt distraction. Music and the long slanting sun of evening kept good company, and kept me thoughtful.
Life, I reckon, is all about finding your place, striking a balance, and making sure that balance is never too secure ('cause that wouldn't be any fun). The best times are those that transcend happy, when we're engrossed in what-have-you and left, at the end, with a feeling of tired-bliss. It's a chase, it's a challenge; it's about striving.
Have a great week, loves. Enjoy the sunshine, the moonshine, the finicky Sydney winds.
I sure hope to see you this week at the co-op.
Love and steamed asparagus,
Meghan