Frankston units in the spotlight

In the last edition of SustainAbility Stars, we featured the story on our Frankston HomeChoices units being creative with their worm farm: this week we are putting them under the spotlight.

Their progress towards their Transport Star is going very well. The units are conveniently located just a stone’s throw from the train station, so one person we support catches the train to his day placement. Another person walks or rides his bikes to work; while three others walk to the day placement shuttle bus every day. One person even catches public transport to go swimming every week.

Each unit has a small courtyard with an undercover clothesline attached to the wall, some units also have a clothes airer for residents to dry their clothes without using the dryer.

They are also monitoring their energy and water usage with Bill, a staff member, doing a meter reading each month. They use a bucket to collect grey water from food preparation and other buckets to collect water from the shower before the hot water comes on.

The composting and worm farming is going well too. Each unit has a small bucket to keep aside the vegie scraps for the worm farm. Helen, a staff member, has also prepared a “cheat sheet” to remind residents what kind of vegies the worms like and dislike. The residents are working towards having a vegie patch.

Clever use of lemons

We know that the lemon is a fruit with a wonderful fragrance and is great in food and beverages, but did you know that lemon is very handy for multiple purposes around the home?

Here are a few good ideas and tips gathered from staff and the internet.

1. Did you know to get the most juice from a lemon, it should be allowed to reach room temperature, or be microwaved for 10 seconds, prior to juicing. Using your palm to roll the lemon on a hard surface can also help improve juice yields.

2. Preserved lemon is a condiment that is common in Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisine. The skin of preserved lemons becomes tender and tangy and can add fantastic flavour burst to salads, soups, sauces, casseroles and curries. 

Preserved Lemon Recipe:
Ingredients:
10 lemons, washed & dried
4 tablespoons rock salt
8-10 bay leaves
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
2 cups lemon juice

Method:
Cut lemons into wedges and sprinkle with salt. Pack the lemons in sterilised jars with the bay leaves and peppercorns then pour the lemon juice over. Seal and stand for 4-6 weeks before using. This can keep for up to one year if not opened. Once opened, store in the fridge.

This recipe makes one large jar of Preserved Lemon.

3. To clean your microwave, heat a bowl of water and lemon slices in the microwave for 30 seconds; then wipe out. Stains will be easier to remove and old food odors neutralized.

4. Half a lemon stored in your fridge will help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.

5. Lemon can be an ant deterrent. Simply pour lemon juice around areas (but not on floors or walkways) where ants make their trails to repel them.

6. The smell of some foods can linger on your hands, even after scrubbing with soap – rubbing your hands with lemon juice will neutralise the smell and leave your hands smelling wonderful.

7. An equal amount of lemon juice and water added to a spray bottle will create a wonderful chemical-free air freshener for your home. Safety first: label spray bottle clearly; do not spray in the direction of other people.

8. Making lemons last is easy. While you can’t freeze a lemon whole, lemon juice freezes very nicely. Simply juice your lemons and freeze the juice in cups, ice cubes or whatever amount works best for you. 

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In Other News

Disability Professionals Victoria (DPV) is introducing the Green Special Interest Group (SIG) as a great place to meet with other disability professionals who want to make a difference for people with disability as well as for the environment.

Green SIG members will get together to share experiences, resources and ideas to support each other in leading change for the environment within their own organisations.

On Tuesday 27th of July, DPV Green SIG is meeting here at EW Tipping Foundation’s office in Carnegie.

Guest speaker Mark Boulet, Manager of the Green Steps education programs at Monash Sustainability Institute, will share his insights into leading change in sustainability; and we will also do a presentation on the SustainAbility Stars program.

To become a member, or for more information on this event, please email Amanda Chan by the 20th of July.

The City of Casey is hosting a special seminar to help people understand the effects of fire, the role it plays in the environment, and how to prepare for bushfire season in your area.

This free seminar is taking place on the 22nd of July from 7 pm to 9.30 pm at the City of Casey Civic Centre. To book your place or for more information, please contact City of Casey Customer Service on 03 9705 5200.

National Tree Day

The 1st of August 2010 is Planet Ark’s National Tree Day.

All Australians can participate by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs to improve the environment in which they live. National Tree Day was co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Planet Ark in 1996 and since then more than 2 million volunteers have planted over 15 million native trees and shrubs!

It’s not too late to search for a tree site near you and volunteer for the day. There are over 70 sites around Victoria. Participation on this day will count towards the Community Involvement Star, just let Sharon Chan know.

Click here for more information on National Tree Day.

SustainAbility Star-ter Kit

For more information about EW Tipping Foundation’s SustainAbility Project, the SustainAbility Stars program, or to download our free SustainAbility Star-ter Kit, go to www.tipping.org.au or email sustainability@tipping.org.au