Delivering services and projects for over 30 years 1989-2019
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Our Organisation Established in 1989, Green Skills Inc is a not-for-profit Western Australian based non-government organisation. It is registered as a charity and operates a diverse range of environmental, employment and sustainability programs in metropolitan and regional areas. With offices in Murdoch, Albany and Denmark, Green Skills delivers strategic programs addressing local, regional and national priorities. Our work integrates project management, community education and employment programs across a wide range of industries. Green Skills takes pride in its continued success in developing innovative projects that lead the way in sustainability.
Our Vision Green Skills is a driver of change toward a more sustainable community.
Our Mission Promote and demonstrate sustainability in action through creation of employment opportunities and the provision of training, research and on- ground projects.
Our Values 1. Being a model of a proactive and professional community organisation working toward sustainability, providing inspiration, and encouraging innovation; 2. Partnering with other organisations, including schools and universities, local government, funding organisations and like-minded volunteer organisations; 3. The encouragement of all employees as active participants in directing the organisation, while providing employees with support and fair rewards; 4. The provision of a satisfying workplace where staff have opportunities for personal and skill development; and 5. The inclusion of all people, particularly those with disadvantage, in our activities.
Our Strategic Objectives for 2016-2020 1. Involve people with disabilities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Green Skills projects and activities; 2. Build new partnerships and work with existing partners to deliver activities in training, project management and employment services; 3. Ensure the long-term financial viability of Green Skills through the development of existing social enterprises and the establishment of new ones; 4. Seek funding to manage and develop practical projects that benefit our natural and social environment; 5. Operate ethically, openly and productively to ensure our long-term sustainability; 6. Promote Green Skills to increase awareness of sustainability and Green Skills role in our communities. 30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 1
Table of Contents Our Organisation ...... 0 Our Vision ...... 0 Our Mission ...... 0 Our Values ...... 0 Our Strategic Objectives for 2016-2020 ...... 0 Organisational Overview ...... 2 Governance...... 2 Our Board Members ...... 3 Chairperson’s Report ...... 4 Treasurer’s Report ...... 5 Auditor’s Report ...... 5 Progress against Strategic Plan ...... 8 Carbon Offset Report...... 9 Communications ...... 9 Website ...... 9 Newsletter ...... 9 Facebook Page...... 9 State Management: Green Skills In-Service ...... 11 Perth (Murdoch) Office ...... 12 Office Staff ...... 12 Albany Office ...... 13 Office Staff ...... 13 Denmark Office ...... 14 Office Staff ...... 14 Ecojobs Environmental Personnel ...... 15 Perth Office ...... 15 End of an Era ...... 16 Albany Office ...... 17 Denmark Office ...... 18 Projects: Perth Office ...... 19 The Cloth Nappy Project ...... 19 Nature-based Activities for People Living with a Disability ...... 19 Perth Sustainability Workshops ...... 20 Projects: Albany Office ...... 21 Protecting Torndirrup National Park from Sydney Golden Wattle ...... 21 Eradicating Senecio glastifolius in Albany ...... 21 Sydney Golden Wattle Possum Project ...... 21 Weedy Wattle Coordination ...... 22 Great Southern Sustainable Community Festival ...... 23 Terracycling ...... 23 Food is Free Cart ...... 23 Who Gives a Crap ...... 24 Christmas Twilight Markets ...... 24 Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre (ACEDC) ...... 24 Governance Project...... 25 Permaculture 40th Anniversary Symposium ...... 25 Waste Reduction Workshops ...... 25 Co-delivered Projects: Albany and Denmark Offices ...... 26 Connecting Communities, Councils and Canteens into the Circular Economy ...... 26 Projects: Denmark Office ...... 27 Gondwana Link- Eco-restoration, Wetlands conservation & community education ...... 27 Tip Shop and Recycling Centre ...... 27 South Coast Festival of Birds ...... 28 Sanctuary ...... 28 South Coast Community Art Program ...... 29 Denmark Wetland Centre...... 29 Balijup Fauna Sanctuary ...... 29 Denmark Community Garden ...... 30 Women in Environmental Leadership Australia National Gathering...... 30 Participation in 10th International Living Lakes Conference ...... 31 2019 Presentations ...... 31 Katampul Health and Wellbeing Action Plan ...... 31
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Organisational Overview Governance The Board of Management
The Board of Management represents the membership, who is the nominal owner of the Green Skills Organisation. The Board’s role includes financial oversight, ensuring rigorous processes are in place, making strategic decisions about the organisation’s future, and preparing and overseeing implementation of the Strategic Plan. The Board currently meets on a bi-monthly basis. Management Team
The Management Team is comprised of senior Green Skills staff and includes Laura Bird (State Manager), Nicole Robinson (Finance Manager), Annabelle Newbury, Helen Heydenrych and Anne Sparrow (Office Managers from the Murdoch, Denmark and Albany offices). The Management Team is responsible for the overall management of Green Skills and for ensuring proper coordination between the different offices and staff. It is also responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Management in relation to policy matters. The Management Team meets via Skype or phone link at least monthly. Minutes are provided to the Board of Management. Work Safety & Health Committee
Work Safety & Health (WSH) is one of the prime considerations in Green Skills management and is continually reviewed throughout the Organisation at Staff, Management Team and Board meetings. The WSH Committee, which consists of representatives from each of our offices, video-conferences monthly to make sure that processes are in place to ensure safety in the workplace, that they are being followed and to improve them wherever possible. Green Skills Offices
Green Skills has offices at Perth, Albany and Denmark.
Ecojobs
Perth Office
Projects
Ecojobs Green Skills Board of State Manager Albany Office Management Projects
Tip Shop
Denmark Office
Projects
Volunteers
Special thanks go to all the wonderful volunteers who have assisted Green Skills over the year. Many of our projects would not be possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of these dedicated people. Membership
It is important for Green Skills to maintain a healthy membership. We acknowledge and value those people who have supported the organisation for many years as members and who regularly attend Annual General Meetings and events.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Our Board Members
Rhonda Williams Ches Leonard
Chairperson. Joined the Board in 2017. Joined the Board in 2017.
Rhonda has held numerous positions of Ches Leonard has a background in Business senior responsibility for local NRM groups, and Workforce Development and has worked notably as treasurer of South Coast in the Training Sector for 17 years. He Management Group, the deputy chair of previously specialised in providing advice to South Coast NRM Inc Board of Management, employers of trainees and apprentices, and and councillor for the Shire of Jerramungup. has supported training projects in the Landcare has been central to Rhonda’s family’s farm management community care, disability and aged care sectors. practices as the key to long term sustainability and profitability. Ches has a personal interest in sustainability – particularly home- Rhonda received the 2016 Australian Government Individual grown food production and the building of a resilient local Landcare Award. community. Ashleigh Murch Jacqui Foster
Deputy Chairperson. Joined the Board in 2018. Joined the Board in 2018.
Ashleigh Murch has an educational Jacqui Foster has a background in policy and background in biological science, genetics community engagement in the environment and pathology. He worked in the field of and sustainability sector with 15 years’ diagnostic human cytogenetics for more experience. After finishing up a PhD in than 40 years. In the last 15 years of his fisheries management in Tasmania, Jacqui career he had an additional role in senior management, with moved to WA in 2008, and worked in the State extensive experience in HR, finance, project management and government and not-for-profit sectors in Perth and Albany. change management. Jacqui has extensive experience both volunteering and working for Now retired, he has more time to devote to the community and his an international conservation not-for-profit and is currently a lifelong interest in the environment and sustainable living. member of the Torbay Bushfire Brigade, and Secretary for the Torbay Catchment Group. Laura Bird Sarah Hilder
Secretary. Joined the Board in 2014. Joined the Board in 2015.
Laura, the Green Skills State Manager, has Sarah has worked in Albany in the not for delivered the Living Smart course at Great profit sector for the past eight years. Sarah Southern Institute of Technology and was part of the creation of the first chaired the South Coast NRM Community community garden in Albany and developed Involvement and Change Reference Group. a children’s gardening program called She continues to coordinate sustainability Garden Grubs designed to connect families driven projects. with healthy eating, sustainability and the seasons. She took on the role of Secretary in 2017. Sarah has a degree in environmental design and a post graduate qualification.
Mike Travers
Treasurer. Joined the board in 2016.
Mike spent most of his working life in IT systems; mainly business systems. After moving to Denmark, Mike used his business and finance experience to become a bookkeeper; he is a BAS agent. Mike is trying to concentrate on retirement and community involvement.
As the Treasurer of Green Skills, he is developing another set of community skills.
Green Skills Board 2019. From left Ches Leonard, Sarah Hilder,
Rhonda Williams, Laura Bird, Ashleigh Murch, Jacqui Foster, Mike Travers
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Chairperson’s Report
2019 has provided many highlights for Green Skills in its thirtieth year, and there have also been some challenges with the reduced availability of work and funding opportunities. Despite a loss being made this year, Green Skills is still in a strong financial position, and as you can see from this Annual Report, a diverse range of projects and events have been run ensuring that Green Skills is still a driver of change towards a more sustainable community. I encourage you to visit the Green Skills website and Facebook page to stay up to date with all the activities.
Again, our social enterprise project, Ecojobs, has provided a valuable income source for Green Skills this year and has achieved great outcomes for the environment and staff. Well done to the Perth team for starting the second Western Australian Local Government (WALGA) Preferred Supplier contract for Parks & Gardens Services. To assist the Perth team a new Hino Truck was purchased, and in Albany a Hilux Ute and Razorback brushcutter-mower. Well done to the Albany team for securing $383 650 grant funding from State NRM for three years or Sydney Golden Wattle control across the Great Southern Region. The Albany Office was runner-up in the Sustainable Business of the year for the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2019 Great Southern Business Awards.
Congratulations goes to Basil Schur for winning the Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award, at the WA Landcare Awards held at Joondalup in October. Basil has been an inspiration, working over a long time, for communities and the environment, and we wish him well for the National Award.
In March the Community Garden was opened in Denmark. Thanks to Neal Collins for assisting with the workshops and providing opportunities for participants to learn new skills and extend their knowledge of gardening and composting.
The Denmark Tip Shop has continued to provide an essential and excellent service for recycling and waste diversion. Improvements to the landing and sorting areas At the WA Landcare Conference Dinner in October 2019, were carried out during the year. Basil Schur won the WA Individual Landcarer of the year award. This photos shows Stan and Molly Schur, Rhonda The Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre has continued to host a Williams and Basil Schur at the Awards Ceremony wide range of events, and this Centre is being appreciated by the wider community.
Again, many successful Festivals were run during the year, including the Great Southern Sustainable Community Festival, the Not Waste Festival and the Festival of Birds. The new addition of the Albany Christmas Twilight Markets held in December was well received by both stallholders and the community.
A very successful In-Service was held in October where Green Skills Staff from all Offices and Board Members met in Albany and spent time together reflecting on the past and working on ideas and improvements for the future.
All the activities of Green Skills during the year could not have been achieved without the support from funding bodies, working together with partner organisations, our wonderful staff, members and amazing volunteers. Our appreciation is extended to all our partners, volunteers, collaborators and supporters as listed on the back page of this Annual Report.
In September Green Skills farewelled Annabelle Newbury, who has been managing the Perth Office for 21 years. On behalf of Green Skills thank you for your vision, passion, commitment and contribution towards assisting Green Skills to be the organisation it is today. Aline Brion was welcomed as the new Perth Office Manager.
It is interesting to note that 30 years ago Green Skills grew out of a vision for a green economy. Worthy recognition goes to Louise Duxbury and Basil Schur who were instrumental in establishing Green Skills in 1989, and still making a huge contribution today. It is inspiring to look back on 30 years of collective efforts to make a positive difference to the environment and our communities.
The Board of Management, with the assistance of the Audit Committee, has spent much time working on governance, and we greatly appreciate the pro bono legal assistance provided by law firm, K&L Gates, as we continue our efforts towards continuing good governance for Green Skills. I would like to thank the Audit Committee members for their valuable contribution and time commitment and to Mike Travers for his efforts as Treasurer, overseeing the finances.
Finally, I thank all Staff, Volunteers and the Board of Management as Green Skills continues its journey of being a model, of a proactive and professional community organisation, working towards sustainability, providing inspiration, and encouraging innovation.
Regards, Rhonda Williams 2019 Chairperson
Green Skills Inservice on 24-25 October
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Treasurer’s Report
Financial year 2019 has laid down the foundations for our future growth.
In a difficult environment, we were successful in 28 project applications with total funding of over $317,000. Applying for project funding requires a high level of skill to pitch at the right level and resilience. Congratulations to our Project and Office Managers.
We have also consolidated our fleet of vehicles. Perth has traded two aged vehicles for a multipurpose unit. Albany purchased a ‘Razor Back’ an all terrain vehicle for property maintenance and fire break clearing. This is a new area of opportunity for Albany.
Green Skills overall trading result for 2019 was a deficit of $34,820 down on the 2018 surplus of $57,509. Staff worked hard to keep expenses below budget expectations. Our end of year cash reserves and debtors total over $1 million. Overall, we are in a good position to take advantage of new opportunities.
Mike Travers Treasurer 2019.
Auditor’s Report
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
To the members of Green Skills Inc.
Report on the Audit of the Financial Report We have audited the accompanying financial report, being a special purpose financial report of Green Skills Inc., which comprises the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the responsible entities’ declaration.
In our opinion the financial report of Green Skills Inc has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not- for-Profits Commission Act 2012, including: giving a true and fair view of the registered entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2019 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1, and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for- profits Commission Regulation 2013.
Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the registered entity in accordance with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 (ACNC Act) and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Emphasis of Matter – Basis of Accounting We draw attention to Note 1 to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been prepared for the purpose of fulfilling the responsible entities’ financial reporting responsibilities under the ACNC Act. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
Responsible Entities’ Responsibility for the Financial Report The responsible entities of the registered entity are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and have determined that the basis of preparation described in Note 1 to the financial report is appropriate to meet the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (ACNC Act) and the needs of the members. The responsible entities’ responsibility also includes such internal control as the responsible entities determine is necessary to enable the preparation of a financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial report, the responsible entities are responsible for assessing the registered entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the responsible entities either intend to liquidate the registered entity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s Responsibility Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 6 a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report.
As part of an audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 1. Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. 2. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the registered entity’s internal control. 3. Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by responsible entities. 4. Conclude on the appropriateness of the responsible entities’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the registered entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the registered entity to cease to continue as a going concern. 5. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Leon Stielow Dated this day of: 20/03/2020 ASIC Registered Auditor: 270930
Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31 December 2019 Income 2019 $ 2018 $ General Income 87,819 101,998 Project Management 425,828 609,578 Ecojobs 1,929,524 2,212,501 Total Income 2,443,171 2,924,076
Expenses General Expenses 311,751 337,634 Net office overheads 330,495 339,957 Project Management 425,828 609,578 Ecojobs 1,409,917 1,579,398 Total Expenses 2,477,991 2,866,567
Profit from ordinary activities before income tax -34,820 57,509 Income tax relating to activities Net profit attributable to the association -34,820 57,509 Total change in equity of association -34,820 57,509
Opening retained profits 1,252,438 1,194,929 Net profit attributable to the assoc. -34,820 57,509 Closing retained profits 1,217,618 1,252,438
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Statement of Financial Positions at 31 December 2019 Current Assets Cash Assets Cash at Bank 948,842 950,727 948,842 950,727 Receivables Trade Debtors 237,169 287,032 237,169 287 032 Other Prepayments 63,954 253 63,954 253 Total current assets 1,249,965 1,238,012
Non-current assets Property, Plant and Equipment Plant and equipment - at cost 884,286 856,954 Less: Accumulated depreciation -289,117 -316,373 Total Non-Current Assets 595,169 540,582
Total assets 1,845,134 1,778,594
Current Liabilities Payables Unsecured: Trade creditors 85,023 19,301 Current tax liabilities GST payable control account 55,648 95,680 PAYG withholding 20,250 20,691 Provisions Employee entitlements 217,565 206,460 Other Income in advance 234,917 172,222 Fringe benefit deductions 2,478 3,087 Total current liabilities 615,880 517,441
Non-current liabilities Provisions Employee entitlements 11,636 8,715 Total non-current liabilities 11,636 8,715 Total Liabilities 627,516 526,156
Net assets 1,217,618 1,252,438
Total change in equity of the assoc. -34,820 57,509 Opening retained profit 1,252,438 1,194,929 Net profit attributable to the assoc. -34,820 57,509 Closing retained profits 1,217,618 1,252,438
Total Members Funds 1,217,618 1,252,438
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Progress against Strategic Plan
Objective Progress
Green Skills met its criteria for being a Public Benevolent Institution through a diverse range of opportunities.
1. Involve people with 1. The Perth Office was able to hold incursions at centres for people living with disabilities. disabilities and people from disadvantaged 2. The Denmark Office provided a range of participatory activities including the tip shop, art, women in backgrounds in Green leadership, and citizen science conservation awareness. Skills projects and activities 3. The Albany Office participated in a range of casual employment and volunteer opportunities including the Headspace Work Wellness, Senior High School and Ag College workplace learning programs and our community garden.
4. Build new partnerships and Green Skills has maintained its existing partnerships with local governments, local and regional catchment work with existing groups, corporate industries and other not-for-profit and Friends Of Group. partners to deliver activities in training, We have built on those relationships to assist our clients and groups by delivering on activities in their project management projects, including on-ground natural resource management-based works, event facilitation and and employment management, administration, research and assessment preparation. services
Green Skills Social Enterprises Ecojobs and the Denmark Tip Shop provided permanent and casual 5. Ensure the long- term employment opportunities for people living with under-employment and other disadvantages. financial viability of
Green Skills through Green Skills maintained its WALGA preferred supplier status throughout 2019. This contributed significantly the development of to the financial stability of the Green Skills organisation. existing social
enterprises and the Green Skills Albany has reached out to small, micro and home-based businesses to provide market establishment of new opportunities for them to trade, leading to increased community sustainability and an opportunity for Green ones Skills to diversify.
Green Skills delivered a range of activities, events and projects including:
Sustainable Living: incorporating waste avoidance Weed Management: control and awareness raising 6. Seek funding to Art: linking people to their environment and culture manage and develop Planning: for future natural resource management-based activities practical projects Leadership: for women in natural resource management that benefit our Fauna and flora awareness raising: engaging disabled people, tours of project sites, Bird natural and social symposium environment Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre: to hold sustainable living training, workshops and skill development Events that provide opportunity for small, micro and home-based businesses to trade, leading to social and financial sustainability benefits Denmark Tip Shop infrastructure improvements: to reduce waste going into landfill.
7. Operate ethically, openly and The Green Skills Board has focused on strategic planning, overseeing the implementation of policies and effectively to ensure procedures. In addition, it planned, delivered and was actively involved in the 2019 whole of organisation In- our long-term service held in Albany. sustainability
All Green Skills offices have been active on Facebook promoting not only their own events but also information articles on weed and waste management, and sustainable living. 8. Promote Green Skills to increase The Green Skills Website is updated by each office. awareness of sustainability and A monthly newsletter is emailed to a distribution list of 1000 recipients. Green Skills role in our communities Green Skills has run numerous events throughout the year, including the Sustainable Community Festival, workshops at the Denmark Community Garden, and waste-based workshops delivered through many local governments in the Perth Metro area. All of these serve to promote Green Skills and its sustainable mission.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Carbon Offset Report Green Skills Commitment
As part of our commitment to promising and demonstrating sustainability in action, Green Skills will offset our carbon emissions from our two main sources of emission creation in 2019 – transport and electricity consumption. Green Skills recognises that Carbon offsetting does not eliminate the need to live sustainably and is just one avenue to assist us to understand the impact of our activities. Green Skills undertakes significant remnant revegetation protection and revegetation works annually, which are significant carbon offset and of high biodiversity value. By offsetting Green Skills own carbon emissions, we will be further contributing to these long-term biodiversity protection outcomes.
2018 Carbon Offsetting Planting Activities In 2019, 121 330 seedlings were planted across the Perth metropolitan and Great Southern region at various locations.
In 2019, the carbon emissions from Green Skills electricity consumption and transport needs were 12 330 kg.
In 2018, Green Skills needed to plant 62 native trees, shrubs and reeds to offset our emissions. (This was calculated based on the following methodology that Native trees remove approximately 2.5 tonnes Carbon / ha / yr from the atmosphere, accumulating a maximum stock of around 500 tC/hectare. Assuming around 2,500 trees per ha for a forest of indigenous species this equates to a sink of 1kg C (0.001 tC) per tree each year. Over 200 years this accumulates to 0.2 tC per tree, thus 5 trees are needed to offset 1 tonne of emissions (the cumulative total).
Below is a summary of CO2 emissions across the three Green Skills offices in 2019
Motor vehicles Air Travel CO2 Emissions Office Motor Vehicles kms Electricity units Trees planted litres kms tonnes Denmark 3558 646 0 500 1.07 7000
Albany 15774 2816 0 2100.75 3.3 100
Perth 24 010 4296 7500 2100 6.77 114 230
Core 7658 1392 778 1.19 0
TOTALS 51 000 9150 8278 4700.75 12.33 121 330
Communications Website
The Green Skills website is a representation of the diverse nature of Green Skills work. Updated photographs and descriptions along with a new search engine for resources presents the website as a platform that we can use more efficiently with the sharing of our social media, our current fieldwork, projects and happenings. The website creates new opportunities for community outreach and celebrates Green Skills success stories via interactive blogs, newsfeeds and online resources. https://greenskills.org.au/.
Newsletter
The newsletter is a monthly e-news to our membership and newsletter subscribers. It is delivered from the mailchimp platform and meets all legal requirements with regards to sign-ups and subscription updates. The newsletter was originally delivered as Denmark Office news and in 2016/17, it grew to incorporate all Green Skills activities, projects and events. Each office is encouraged to submit some news to share in the newsletter keeping the newsletter interesting. The newsletter now includes snippets from the blog posts on the website. The newsletter will continue to be a key item in relationship building with clients, friends and supporters.
Facebook Page
The Green Skills Facebook page was developed in 2012. The page has gradually gathered momentum as our project, on-ground work and event activities have increased. The page is nearing 2000 followers with some of our posts reaching nearly 16 000 people through sharing by our members, supporters and project partners.
Facebook has become a great promotional tool for events and information sharing for little or no cost. It is environmentally friendly with a minimal carbon footprint. We encourage our members to interact in promotions and conversations on our Facebook page or send us a message via messenger. Our response rate is usually within an hour.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Green Skills: Turning Points over 30 Years
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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State Management: Green Skills In-Service
Staff from our three offices and Board members travelled to Albany to participate in the Green Skills Inservice on 24-25 October. This was a two-day event with attendees travelling to Albany on the Thursday for a project identification and prioritising workshop. This was the time for staff members to discuss their ideas as a group, identify any shared ideas and collaborations, then shared a meal afterwards at Motel Le Grande.
On the Friday, everyone returned to Motel Le Grande for a whole day workshop on communication, individual office storyboards and leadership. This was used as an opportunity to reflect on the changes both internally and externally that has taken place for Green Skills in recent years, and what it has meant for staff.
Using an analogy of a human body, we explored how Green Skills staff play very important roles individually, and collectively; it was noted that when working effectively together Green Skills can achieve amazing outcomes.
Three key themes were focussed on over the two days:
1. Understanding the different roles played by staff and providing an opportunity for everyone to exchange ideas across their different offices and workspaces.
2. Understanding different communication styles throughout their teams and to value each style for what it offers to the organisation as a whole. This then led to sharing office storyboards that showcased what is important to each office, providing an opportunity for each office to show appreciation and provide feedback to the other offices.
3. Understanding leadership qualities; illustrating that everyone has the ability to be a leader within Green Skills, that not all leaders are out in front, but some of the most effective leaders, lead from the middle and behind.
The most consistent feedback received after the In-service from staff was how they valued the opportunity to meet and interact with all staff and Board members, and to learn more about each other as ‘people’. This provides the essential element for success – ‘trust’; with trust staff feel safe to take a risk and voice their ideas, while also being able to listen to all feedback both positive and negative, so we can ensure we get the best possible outcome, not just for Green Skills but also our Community and our Environment.
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Perth (Murdoch) Office Office Staff
Annabelle Newbury Anna Thomas
Perth (Murdoch) Office Manager. BA (Hons) in Ecojobs Project Officer. Anna started working Sociology, Post Grad Diploma in Asian Studies. with Ecojobs in 2012 and in 2013 took on the Annabelle has worked in project management Ecojobs administrative support role. Anna has for over 35 years and within Green Skills since a background in the travel and hospitality 1998 in the areas of community engagement, industries and has more recently undertaken employment and sustainability programs. studies in Conservation and Wildlife Biology. Annabelle is a member of the Green Skills Management Team. Anna is instrumental is assisting Kevin with Ecojobs coordination and the associated paperwork.
Kevin Toovey Aline Brion
Ecojobs Project Manager. Diploma of Project Officer. BSc (Hons) in Biological Conservation and Land Management, Cert 4 in Sciences & Environmental Science. Aline has Training and Assessment, Cert 3 in experience in event coordination and Horticulture, Master tree grower. Kevin has 35 managing environmental and sustainability years’ experience in rural and conservation projects for nature-based projects for people related industries. Kevin is responsible for living with disability, energy efficiency managing Green Skills successful social enterprise Ecojobs in the assessment for local governments, sustainable living, community metropolitan area. education and engagement. Ben Atkinson Jan van der Walt
Ecojobs Supervisor. BSc Env. Biology, Ben has Ecojobs Supervisor. BSc in Env Science. Jan been employed by Ecojobs since 2012 and is began casual employment with Ecojobs in an experienced environmental field 2014 and became a permanent employee in supervisor. Ben participates in the WSH 2015. He has experience as an Undergraduate committee. Ben has also worked as a field Environmental Officer with Dampier Port technician for the Department of Environment Authority and Rio Tinto. He managed the site and Conservation, the Forest Products Commission, and the Dept. of at the Environmental Technology Centre 2011 to 2015. Agriculture and Food. Mystine Brown Steven Spragg
Mystine has a Diploma in Environmental Steven has a BSc in Conservation and Wildlife Monitoring and Technology. She has Biology and is a keen Ornithologist and volunteered with Swan River Trust, Gnangara wildlife photographer. He has experience in Children’s Ground Water Festival and Men of handling and trapping of reptiles, has the Trees. In her time as an Ecojobs casual she participated in the restoration of natural has worked in a great variety of rolls, including areas in Thailand through the Khon Kaen a stint covering a Natural Resource Managers Position in a local University Ambassador Program and is currently enrolled in a council. She is also a qualified Swim Instructor. Masters of Science.
Perth Office:
Phone: (08) 9360 6667 Email: [email protected]
Campus Drive, Environmental Technology Centre (ETC), Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150
Murdoch Office Manager Annabelle Newbury farewell with incoming manager Aline Brion, Ecojobs Manager Kevin Toovey, family and friends including Lee Joyce and Alan Peerless from the Denmark Office
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Albany Office Office Staff
Laura Bird Rachel Pontin
State Manager. BA in Environmental Project Officer. BA in Fine Art at Curtin Anthropology, Dip of Sustainability. Laura University. Rachel joined Green Skills in 2015 to joined Green Skills in 2014. She coordinated take on the role of WSH officer, events, the Green Skills Sustainability Fair and Expo in administration and media. She has a strong 2015, 2016 and 2017. The State Manager role interest in sustainability and plastic free living. has focused on WHS, IT upgrades, governance Rachel is also currently delivering Waste and financial oversight during 2019. Management projects. Anne Sparrow Jasmyn Kirkman
Albany Manager. Dip in Project Management. Payroll officer and Ecojobs Coordinator. Cert 4 in Business, Management, Training and Jasmyn has worked for Green Skills on Ecojobs Assessment. Anne joined Green Skills in 2016. teams for several years. At the end of 2016, She currently manages the Albany office, seeks Jasmyn took on part of the role of coordinator, funding and oversees Ecojobs project delivery entailing the allocation of works with suitably and reporting. Anne also organises meetings qualified staff, and client liaison with Mat. In and produces media and publications. Anne is 2018 she took on the Payroll Officer role and a member of the Green Skills Management works from both the Albany and Denmark offices Team and WHS team. Bernard de Bunnetat David McNamara
Green Army Team Manager. Cert 4 CLM. Project Manager. David joined Green Skills in Bernard became a permanent staff member in 1997. He supervised the delivery of 11 Green 2012. He worked with Ecojobs as a Supervisor Corp teams. As David transitions to until 2015 when he took on launching the first retirement, he continues to develop new Green Army Albany team. He is currently an partnerships, provide advice and deliver Ecojobs supervisor specialising in Sydney project work on conservation activities, trail Golden Wattle control across the Great design and construction in addition to the Southern region. Albany Office garden activities. Mat Kirkman Rosie Smith
Ecojobs Supervisor. After many years as a casual Project Officer. MSc Ecology and Ocean worker with Ecojobs, Mat became a permanent Science. Rosie joined Green Skills in late 2016 Ecojobs supervisor in 2009. He has led many as the State NRM funded Weedy Wattle teams on weed treatment work, trail Coordinator. Rosie has a background in maintenance and conservation-based natural resource management, ecology, and construction projects. Mat also maintains and outdoor environmental education. She is repairs vehicles, trailers and equipment. Mat passionate about protecting the unique flora also undertakes landscaping works for clients and fauna of this area. Rosie’s project finished in April 2019 across Albany.
Albany Office:
Phone: (08) 9842 1334 Email: [email protected]
38 Graham Street, (cnr Barker Road) Centennial Park, Albany WA 6330
Albany Office staff, from left Rachel Pontin, Bernard de Bunnetat, Jasmyn Kirkman, Anne Sparrow, Rosie Smith, Mat Kirkman and David 1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019.McNamara Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 14
Denmark Office Office Staff
Helen Heydenrych Louise Duxbury
Denmark Manager. MSc in Marine Biology, Project Manager. BA (Hons), PhD. Louise was MPhil in Env Mgt. Helen has 20 years’ involved in establishing Green Skills in 1989. experience working in NRM for community Louise’s work includes behaviour change organisations and government. She also has programs in energy and water, arts/ wide experience in scientific research, project environment projects, university field trips, development and on-ground project delivery. community engagement in NRM and project Helen has been working part time managing development. She represents Green Skills on the Denmark office since August 2015, several significant panels and boards for South participating in the WSH committee and undertaking project Coast NRM, the Shire of Denmark and other groups and agencies. development. She is a member of the Green Skills Management Team.
Nicole Robinson Basil Schur
Finance Manager. BComm. Project Manager. MA (Murdoch), Grad Dip Nicole has 20 years’ experience in Accounting Education (Murdoch), Dip of Comm. Sci and Finance, she joined Green Skills in August (Murdoch), BSc (ANU). Basil was involved in 2018 on a part-time basis. Her organisation-wide establishing Green Skills in 1989. He runs a wide role of managing Green Skills finances is range of project areas including wetlands, delivered from the Denmark office. biodiversity, farm forestry ecotourism, community arts and renewable energy. Winner of the 2019 Australian Government Individual Landcare Award
Anita Cottle James Gentle
Anita has lived in Denmark for most of her life, Denmark Tip Shop Manager. James is and working at the Denmark Tip Shop is her committed to the reduction of land fill and the passion. She enjoys seeing what Green Skills reuse, recycling or upcycling of everyday items. does for the Denmark community and how we James, a lateral thinker, actively promotes the help people to divert good items back into the Tip Shop through creative art projects in community from landfill and other waste connection with community groups. streams. She appreciates that the Tip Shop is more than just a waste diversion opportunity for the community but is also a place of social benefit to all sectors of the Denmark community.
Gareth (Gus) Stoakes
Gus has extensive experience in hands-on practical activities, and he loves fixing things Denmark Office: and re-purposing useful "stuff". Being a builder with a good knowledge of "how stuff Phone: (08) 9848 3310 works", Gus is an essential member of our Email: [email protected] Denmark Tip Shop team, doing our tag and testing of electrical goods, machinery PO Box 577 Denmark WA 6333 maintenance and constructing the Tip Shop's storage spaces. Unit 4, 33-35 Strickland Street, Denmark WA 6333 Gus gets satisfaction in finding uses for items otherwise considered junk or rubbish, re-purposing goods for re-use and encouraging others to do this at the Denmark Tip Shop
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Ecojobs Environmental Personnel Perth Office
Office based in Murdoch with clients throughout the Location Metropolitan area Aline Brion, Kevin Toovey, Ben Atkinson, Jan van der Key staff Walt, Anna Thomas, Annabelle Newbury and Ecojobs staff
In 2019 Perth Ecojobs continued with their excellent field work completing nearly 35,000 hours of planting, weeding, mulching, watering and maintaining natural areas sites throughout the Perth metropolitan area. This was slightly less than 2018 but still an enormous effort to help keep our environment in good shape.
Permanent staff, Ben Atkinson, Jan van der Walt, Anna Thomas and Tree watering with the new Hino truck Kevin Toovey continued on in their roles throughout 2019. In July we added Steven Spragg and Mystine Brown to our full-time staff list. Green Skills upgraded their vehicles by adding a 3 tonne 4WD Hino truck. The truck is fitted out with a large water tank, two hoses for tree watering, a small spray unit and toolboxes. This is a great addition to help our staff complete their work.
In 2019 Green Skills Ecojobs started the second Western Australian Local Government (WALGA) Preferred Supplier contract for the Parks and Gardens Services. The new panel will help Green Skills/Ecojobs cover all local government client’s requirements that engage our services. 65% of our income goes through the WALGA preferred supplier contracts. During 2019 we had staff at six different City councils through the WALGA temporary personnel contract. We also supplied parks and garden services to nine different City councils through the second WALGA contract.
A selection of feature jobs undertaken during 2019 are given below.
In January we started with a large Blackberry removal job for East Metro. Resource Centre. In February and March, we undertook woody weed control at the City of Joondalup. April saw an early start to planting with a wetland area being planted for DBCA before the winter rains. In May we cleared pathways for the City of Nedlands. In late May we started large planting works, firstly at the City of Gosnells then with the Cities of Nedlands and Cockburn.
In early 2019 Green Skills successfully tendered for a Reserves maintenance contract with the City of Stirling. This contract involves regular maintenance work in eleven of their reserves and follow up works as required.
During mid-year, we supplied and delivered 86 planter boxes, soil and plants for the Town of Victoria Park on Archer St and Albany Hwy. Other works included mine site weed control, fire mitigation, landscaping, laying of weed suppression matting, grass tree trimming, typha and cotton bush control, pond cleaning, seed collecting, litter removal, golf course maintenance, tree watering, nursery work and erosion control. Mystine and Mitchell watering in newly Green Skills/Ecojobs also successfully quoted for two monthly maintenance contracts at the City planted trees of South Perth for river foreshore and nearby parkland maintenance. We continued with the two contracts at the City of Cockburn for reserves maintenance and revegetation and maintenance.
The City of Nedlands also utilised Ecojobs staff for many different tasks through their bushland maintenance contract. Many other city councils engage Ecojobs staff for regular short-term contract maintenance work.
State government agencies the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions continue to support Ecojobs with bushland maintenance works. Ben Atkinson and Steven Spragg
in Fliders Lake We continued our work alongside local community groups to help with their new and ongoing projects including Wilson Wetlands Action Group, Friends of Lake Claremont, Cockburn Wetlands Centre, The Lower Helena Association, Armadale Gosnells Landcare, Canning River Regional Park Volunteers and Friends of Forrestdale.
During 2019 Green Skills/Ecojobs provided paid work to over 40 staff that are mostly TAFE and University students looking for work in an industry related to their studies. Many casual staff moved on to full time work with local government, state government, private enterprise and environmental agencies as a result of their work through Green Skills/Ecojobs. Selected staff continued with training for chainsaw, chemical and traffic management accreditation to further enhance the level of service that Green Skills/Ecojobs provides to clients and staff.
With a slightly lower income of $1.73 million for the year Ecojobs still returned a good surplus and great outcomes for the environment and all staff.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 16
Perri dragging brush material for erosion control Jan installing a gate at Nedlands Planting at Yellagonga Lake
Achievement / Successfully tendering for new contracts Highlights Providing a higher level of services to clients through Ecojobs and the WALGA Preferred supplier contracts End of an Era Annabelle Newbury says Farewell
After 21 years managing the Perth office, Annabelle Newbury retired in 2019. Annabelle started working in the Perth office in 1998, when it was located on Holdsworth St, Fremantle. Brought in by Louise Duxbury to help “sort out” the new office, she did a lot more than that! Most memorably, Annabelle coordinated landcare and waste management traineeships, with Green Skills becoming a Registered Training Organisation. Trainees came from all over the state – from the Millstream Prison Work camp in the Pilbara to Perth to Mt Barker in the Great Southern.
In her farewell to Green Skills, Annabelle said, “It’s been a delight to work in such an exceptional organisation which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. The impetus behind Green Skills formation in 1989 was to deal with the urgent issue of climate change. This is now more crucial than ever of course and makes the work we Annabelle Newbury on her final Board of Management do matter a great deal. I have worked with so many wonderfully committed staff over meeting the years, and particularly during my time as State Manager between 2007-2013, I got to know staff in all our offices very well. I wish you all the very best for the future and hope that each of you find joy and meaning in your work every day and forge strong connections with the people who come into your lives.”
Aline Brion (who took over the role of Perth Manager), the Board of Management and State Managers past and present, thanked Annabelle for her enormous contribution to Green Skills over the years. We will miss her guidance, financial nous and witty conversation.
Annabelle Newbury Anna Thomas and Chairperson Rhonda Green Skills State Managers past and present – Laura Bird, Williams sharing a moment at the farewell Diane Evers, Annabelle Newbury, Louise Duxbury Absent - Alan Carter, Chris Baillie
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 17
Albany Office
Location Office based in Albany Mat Kirkman, Bernard de Bunnetat, Jasmyn Kirkman, Rachel Pontin, Robbie Monck Key staff and Anne Sparrow
2019 was an interesting year for the Albany office. We maintained relationships with our clients in what was a challenging year in the regions, funding wise.
The year started with long term supervisor, Bernard de Bunnetat taking a sabbatical year off to travel overseas. He was replaced by Dylan Lehmann and Robbie Monck for a few months while Mat Kirkman remained supervising all other works. The office was manned by Anne Sparrow in management, Jasmyn Kirkman in payroll and Ecojobs, and Rachel Pontin in admin and projects.
We maintained our environmental contract with the City of Albany and assisted Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP) with their labour hire. We also maintained landscaping at Main Roads, Tip sites in Albany, CSBP and St Johns Ambulance centres. Our work with the City of Albany included construction works at well recognised places such as Cosy Corner, Luke Penn walk, Whaling Cove and Point Possession and Sandpatch Reserve. Of note is the many compliments we receive on the Luke Penn Walk steps. We also delivered fire gate construction and installation, mobile welding, bridge clearing, weed management and walk trail maintenance.
We continued to supply labour to ABP for their pollinating in the Seed orchard enterprise. We take pride that there were no serious incidents with our staff there during 2019. The season was extraordinarily long compared to previous years, but it was late starting too. No two seasons are the same.
Weed management was one of most engaged activities within projects and clients including South Coast NRM and private residential sites.
We sold off some of our older excess vehicles and consolidated into new, locally sourced, vehicles that will service our clients more effectively. This includes the Toyota Hilux and purchase of an articulated razorback vehicle which will enable us to deliver trail maintenance, fire breaks for small property Mat and Jas Kirkman with the new owners and lawn mowing style clearing on uneven and sloping ground. Albany hilux
We completed a number of major projects and events including:
1. State NRM funded Regional Weedy Wattle Coordination Project, 2. State NRM funded Protecting Torndirrup National Park 3. State NRM funded Eradicating Senecio glastifolius in Albany 4. Waste Authority funded Connecting Community, Councils and Canteens Project and 5. Multi partnered Sustainable Community Festival
We also initiated several new projects:
1. Keep Australia Beautiful funded Wash Trailer 2. Christmas Twilight Markets 3. Inaugural Zuchinni Festival 4. Slow Fashion Festival Mat Kirman welding on-site
Despite the tough year, we finished the year on a high with three very successful grant applications for a regional scale wattle collaboration funded by State NRM, a waste project funded through the Waste Authority and Sydney Golden Wattle Management through Rick Wilson’s Office and the very successful Christmas Twilight Markets.
Robbie Monck with chainsawed Sydney Golden Wattle Christmas Twilight Market in Razorback Brushcutter-mower the Albany town square
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Denmark Office
Location Office based in Denmark Louise Duxbury, Basil Schur, Helen Heydenrych, Key staff Nicole Robinson, James Gentle, Anita Cottle, Gareth (Gus) Stoakes
The Green Skills Denmark Office has had a very good 2019. Several successful Green Skills events and projects such as the Festival of Birds and Biodiversity, the Not Waste Festival, the Denmark Community Garden and the Sew Cool Denim Project have been delivered throughout 2019 from the Denmark Office. Ongoing Denmark Tip Shop services have ensured a bumper year for recycling and waste diversion at the Tip Shop, and we now have four permanent staff, three casuals, and numerous volunteers running the Tip Shop very efficiently seven days a week. Louise and Basil at the State Landcarer Awards in October The Denmark Office continues its strong support for the community-based volunteer groups such as Plastic Reduction Denmark and the Denmark Upcycle Collective. The Denmark Community Garden has grown beautifully over the past 6 months with numerous workshops and community enthusiasm. The “Wash Against Wash” wash station trailer and our Green Skills bin fairies have been a big success for local festivals and events. More than 100 volunteers have been engaged through these Green Skills Denmark local programs.
Citizen Science fauna conservation programs continue to be run by Basil Schur of the Green Skills Denmark Office, these workshop programs being based out at Balijup Fauna Sanctuary in Tenterden, with broader landscape restoration activities in the Gondwana Link region also ongoing. Basil Schur was recognised this year as a leader in WA landcare, winning the 2019 WA Landcare Individual Landcare 2019 Award in October. Following on from this, Basil will be considered in the National Landcare Awards selection process in 2020.
Dr Louise Duxbury of the Denmark Office continues to promote Green Skills across many platforms, such as the delivery of her speech at the 2019 Keith Roby Memorial Lecture at Murdoch University “Does science need a moral compass – the role of community” and through her lead executive role in the WA Landcare Network. Louise has continued her on-ground community work throughout 2019, assisting Aboriginal communities in Leonora WA to develop their funding proposals for community housing improvements. She also continues to lead and facilitate workshops across Australia in the Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) program, and in local Denmark-based Resilient Regions coursework facilitation with Murdoch students.
Citizen Science Quenda trapping at Balijup Denmark Community Garden Project Denmark Tip Shop
Workshop with Neal Collins at the Denmark Green Skills Eco restoration site assessment visit The Sanctuary Community Garden to Sandiland property, Kendenup during Balijup Citizen Science event Feb 2019
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Projects: Perth Office Location Perth metro Duration 2019-2020 Funding body Green Skills Sustainability Fund, Town of Victoria Park Project Partners WA Birds of Prey Radical Reptiles Stakeholders/ groups assisted Visability, Tru Kolors, Brightwater, SENSES People engaged/ attending 125 Key staff: Aline Brion, Annabelle Newbury
The Cloth Nappy Project Location: Perth metro Teaching midwives at Joondalup Public Hospital how to Duration: 2018-2019 use cloth nappies Funding body: Waste Authority of WA Project Partners Australian Nappy Association Stakeholders: Hospital Antenatal clinics, Local councils, Early Parenting Groups, Child Health Centres People engaged 100 Key staff: Aline Brion
Project Description
Green Skills Perth launched Cloth Nappy workshops for Early Parenting Groups in 2017, with funding from the Waste Authority. In 2018 and 2019, the project has Cloth Nappy Demo kit continued with funding from the City of Cockburn, and a second project targeting hospital antenatal clinics was funded by the Waste Authority.
Educating Antenatal Educators about Cloth Nappies
Collaborating with hospitals was a big task, and one which Perth Hospitals supported almost unanimously. There were 10 maternity hospitals from a total of 12 maternity that offer antenatal classes that joined the program. This was an outstanding reach for a business program. These hospitals were:
1. Armadale Health Campus 2. Glengarry Private Hospital 3. Joondalup Health Campus 4. King Edward Memorial Hospital 5. Osborne Park Hospital 6. St John of God Public Hospital, 7. St John of God, Mt Lawley 8. St John of God, Murdoch Midland 9. St John of God, Subiaco 10. The Family Birth Centre
This project was completed mid-2019. Building on the success of the metro program, we have received funding from the Waste Authority to expand the program for regional hospitals in 2020. Nature-based Activities for People Living with a Disability
Cloth Nappy Antenatal Demo Kits were delivered to 10 out of the 12 Perth maternity hospitals Social media for this campaign has been particularly active, with cloth nappy Facebook posts regularly going viral Highlights – one post reached 32,000! Six others reached between 1,000 and 15,000. The interest and uptake is growing! Project Description
Nature inclusion has long been known to improve the mental health and well-being for people with disadvantage and their carers.
Our program of nature-based activities is delivered in conjunction with local wildlife providers WA Birds of Prey and Radical Reptiles. Interactive sessions focus on conservation, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Participants also have opportunities to handle the wildlife if they wish –a truly amazing experience to witness!
This project is an ongoing activity (since 2014), with Green Skills partnering with A happy encounter with Micro, the blind wedge tailed different agencies throughout the metropolitan area, including in 2019 the Town of eagle, at Brightwater Brain Rehabilitation Centre Victoria Park.
We are looking to building on the success of our 2019 program, and partner with a new council in 2020 to present nature-based workshops.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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“Thank you so much for organising and visiting VisAbility last month. The clients were delighted in the experience!” Felicity Austin, Visability
“Many thanks for giving our clients from Senses Australia, Victoria park, this wonderful opportunity to view those amazing birds of prey” Julie Lloyd, Senses.
4 wildlife events, for 4 different organisations, Highlights were provided for a total of 125 participants with disabilities
Wildlife encounters bring joy to people with disability Perth Sustainability Workshops Project Description
Location: Perth metro Duration: 2018-2019 Funding body: Fee for Service Project Partners Jude Ludlam Stakeholders City of Cockburn City of Melville City of Joondalup City of Canning South Metro Regional Council People engaged 300 Making Wax Wraps at the Canning River Eco Education Centre Key staff: Aline Brion, Annabelle Newbury
Waste minimisation workshops from the Perth Green Skills office are delivered across the Perth metro area, at Environmental Education Centres and for other sustainable events.
DIY Beeswax Wraps Creating this natural alternative to cling wrap has never been so easy – all the ingredients are provided, and participants come away with 3 wraps made in- class. This popular workshop is regularly booked to capacity within hours of listing at Environmental Education Centres, schools and Community Centres.
Cloth Nappies for Newborns Continuing on from the workshops delivered to Child Health Centres, this workshop is also offered to local councils as a community sustainability event. In 2019, Aline Brion delivered on behalf of the City of Cockburn and the Southern Making Wax Wraps at the Cockburn Wetlands Centre Metro Regional Council - cloth nappy demo, pros and cons, tips and tricks for success.
Sewing with Scraps Jude Ludlam tackles textile waste by upcycling unwanted clothes and fabric into beautiful new creations. Christmas wreaths, wall hangings, dream catchers, produce bags, puppets. So many options for children, teens and adults with nimble fingers.
“It’s great that these types of workshops are available to help people be more sustainable” Bec Clarke, Peter Carnley Anglican School.
“Interactive, well explained and walked away with an awesome new skill!” Emma Stoianis, Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre.
Total of 14 community workshops delivered Making Christmas Wreaths from fabric scraps Highlight throughout the year
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 21
Projects: Albany Office Protecting Torndirrup National Park from Sydney Golden Wattle
Location Torndirrup National Park, Albany Duration April 2018 to June 2019 Funding body State NRM Project Partners DCBA, City of Albany, Stakeholders/ Groups Australian Bluegum Plantations Assisted People Engaged 500 Volunteers including Bushcarers Key staff Bernard de Bunnetat, Mat Kirkman Green Skills staff, volunteers and TAFE students at Little Grove Project Description
Green Skills worked with the community and built on partnerships with Bluegum plantations, the City of Albany and DPaW to conduct 1000ha invasive on-ground wattle control and monitoring activities, busy bees and publications that included up to date mapping and flyers for events. We controlled the spread of Sydney Golden Wattle by empowering the community with training and improved knowledge to identify and treat Sydney Golden Wattle. We reduced the impact of volunteer burnout with the provision of manpower and expertise support.
We achieved: 1000 hectares of Acacia longifolia treated and monitored 5 events held engaging volunteers in on-ground actions 1000 hectares of Sydney Golden 3 displays held providing education to the general public about Acacia Highlight longifolia Wattle treated 4 partnerships maintained and 2 new ones developed 3 new landowners engaged in removing Acacia longifolia from their properties Engaged 10 students in first time casual employment in NRM Engaged 500 volunteers at busy bees, events and displays 4870 ha of Torndirrup National Park and impact area bushland protected by Acacia longifolia control works and monitoring
Eradicating Senecio glastifolius in Albany
Location City of Albany area Duration March 2018- 2019 Funding Body State NRM Project Partners City of Albany Stakeholders/ Groups Assisted Bushcarers Group, Friends of groups People Engaged/ Attending Volunteers Mat Kirkman, Bernard de Bunnetat, Dylan Key Staff Lehmann Project Description
800 hectares of Senecio glastifolius invasive weed monitoring and control activities were delivered in this 2018-2019 project. The project initiated a school holiday work program engaging youth in what was at times their first opportunity in paid employment. Green Skills Project Officer Bernard de Bunnetat showing the partnered with City of Albany reserves staff for some sites and established a solarising trial Senecio glastifolious tap-root to manage the biomass without creating further spread.
The project engaged over 1000 people at face to face events including the Albany Highlights: Engaging 10 youth in weed control Show, Green Fair in the Square and World Wetlands Day events. Social media posts and a flyer provided educative opportunities across a range of audiences. Sydney Golden Wattle Possum Project
Location City of Albany Duration October 2018 - March 2019 Funding Body South Coast NRM Inc Project Partners City of Albany Groups Assisted Friends of Emu Point, Friends of Mt Adelaide, Bushcarers Group Key Staff Rosie Smith, Bernard de Bunnetat, Dylan Lehmann
This project treated 10 hectares of City of Albany priority reserves identified as Western
Ringtail Possum habitat. Green Skills teamed up with the City of Albany Reserves team to remove Acacia longifolia (Sydney Golden Wattle) from the City’s high priority reserves. On- ground, this meant that 6 people were working on-site alongside each other conducting Supervisor Dylan Lehmann on site with the City search-lines and removing infestations. of Albany Reserves team
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Weedy Wattle Coordination
Location Great Southern WA Duration 2017-2019 Funding Body State NRM WA Project Partners DPIRD, DCBA, Local governments, Stakeholders/ Groups landholders, bushwalkers, Friends of groups, Assisted Bushcarers People Engaged 4485 volunteers across the region Key Staff Rosie Smith, Anne Sparrow, Rachel Pontin Project Description
This project achieved coordination of weedy wattle control activities in the Lower Great Southern region through partnerships with community, government agencies and private landowners/managers. Rosie Smith (centre) with Green Skills staff and volunteers During the course of this project, the spread of weedy wattles into high conservation areas was mitigated, of the estimated 5000ha currently containing weedy wattles. 1890 Ha as a minimum was treated, with ongoing monitoring of previously treated sites. The focus was on building and maintaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders across land tenure, and seeking opportunities for partnerships which would last beyond the life of this project.
Comprehensive maps were created to record known infestations not yet treated. Work done to date indicated what organisation had treated it, when and by what method as data quality permitted. The resulting data was distributed publicly to stakeholders across the region. This ensured different groups did not double up on treatment unnecessarily and highlight areas of greatest need. National parks, reserves and other areas of high conservation value vegetation were targeted throughout the project to protect biodiversity.
Annual meetings were held with stakeholders/partners to update on treatment methods, pursue biological controls, source funds for continued work, prioritise areas requiring treatment, and share information on locations being targeted. A regional GIS update meeting was also held towards the end of 2018. The project employed a coordinator on a part time basis for two and a half years from June 2016 through February 2019, at thirty hours per fortnight.
Project Achievements 1890 ha of weedy wattle treated on-ground and mapped (38% of known infestations) 35 stakeholder groups engaged 32 events held: busy bees, workshops, displays and presentations 45 individual data sets standardised and distributed to stakeholders 4485 volunteers engaged at events 20 Weedy Wattle Champions identified 3 Annual Regional Stakeholder Meetings held Being the central 'go to' place for stakeholders to liaise re wattle control Distributed Access to 8 landowners to basal bark their weedy wattles Attended 6 workshops as a speaker across the region. Green Skills supervisor with students and the 13 site visits to landowners. Wellstead wattle team Responded to 29 requests for help via phone, plus many more in person Organised a wattle survey flight over Sandpatch reserve with City of Albany reserve staff Distributed 370 local wattle seedlings grown by TAFE students to landowners who had removed invasive wattles on their properties Developed an open letter to City of Albany, calling for local legislation change which was developed and signed by 15 local stakeholders
How to get 55 people to a Busy Bee? Engaging the community in hands on Busy Bees can be challenging. Timing can be critical i.e. week-day vs weekends. For this event, Green Skills was approached by Montgomery’s Hill winery. They had a significant Acacia longifolia problem in their bushland. They offered to provide catering and Highlight participants would have the opportunity for wine tasting and a 20% discount on any purchases. The Project Coordinator organised and advertised a Busy Bee with amazing results. This was our biggest Busy Bee throughout the project. And the owners are left with monitoring the site into the future.
Little Grove Weed Action team busy bee Montgomery Hills busy bee Annual Regional Stakeholder meeting
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
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Great Southern Sustainable Community Festival Project Description Location Albany Town Square Duration 23rd March 2019 Funding body Lotterywest, City of Albany, Triple M Radio Project Partners Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Albany Regional Volunteer Service Stakeholders Stallholders, volunteers, local business, performers, speakers People engaged/ attending 4000 Key staff Anne Sparrow, Rachel Pontin
For the first time in Albany, the festival was run by a committee rather than by one individual. It also aligned itself with Harmony week. The Sustainable Living Fair & Expo was rebranded as the Sustainable Community Festival. Three main hubs served as venues for talks, performances and workshops, with the spaces in Sarah Hilder, Anne Sparrow, Steve Cowley, Tracey Sleeman, between filled with market stallholders, food venues and entertainment. Angela Bristow-Boahm, Nadia Ozaibi and Rachel Pontin
The Albany Farmers Market School Cook Off was conducted in the morning in the Workshop Hub, with several teams competing to create the tastiest meal from fresh ingredients purchased on the day at the Albany Farmers Markets. The Cook Off was followed by three DIY workshops. The Harmony Hub was vibrant with cultural singing and dancing by Perth International Dance Troupe and local musicians. This hub was supported by OMI funding from the Dept of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The Community Hub hosted a range of talks from Albany Off the Grid 2026 by Mayor Dennis Wellington to Why Loving Yourself is Essential for Sustainable Living by Emma Pollette. The inaugural Festival of Zucchini attracted a dozen entries of whopper zuc’s, with prizes for the heaviest and longest, as well as prizes for zucchini cookery and a zucchini photo booth. The heaviest zucchini was 5.5kg. The Festival of Zucchini was supported by Waste Authority of WA.
Cyclists were treated to a free drink for riding their bike to the event, courtesy of Bike Week funding. Triple M conducted a live broadcast from the event from 9am until 12 noon.
You can watch several videos about the day: 4000 people attending, 15 volunteers Chris Muezelaar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oj6jwuidRc Highlight Chey Sleeman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5oSYFAz_GQ& and a record 50 stalls
Terracycling
2019 saw some changes to the TerraCycle programs that the Albany Office participates in. Two key programs were discontinued – the Oral Care and the Beauty Product collections – and we joined a new program. Community members can no longer bring their toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo or make-up containers to any TerraCycle collection point. You may be able to recycle some of these items, such as shampoo bottles, in your kerbside recycling - check with your local council. The good news is the Albany Green Skills Office has joined the new Stationery program and can now accept pens, highlighters, markers and correction fluid containers for recycling.
Rachel Pontin spoke to staff at Great Southern Grammar in January and to student leaders in December about recycling in schools. In June, Green Skills took the TerraCycle collection boxes to the Welcoming the Whales Festival at Discovery Bay in Albany. The Albany community has taken recycling on board and Rachel has many conversations throughout the year with people who come past the office to drop off their recycles. They often leave with a free zucchini from the food-is-free cart! In 2019, the Albany Office sent 4317 pieces of waste to TerraCycle for recycling.
272 924 coffee pods saved from landfill with TerraCycle and Nespresso Highlight programs
Food is Free Cart
Throughout 2019, excess produce from our own office, staff and the general public gardens are donated to the Food-is-Free cart at the front of the Albany Office. The cart is available to all members of the public and there is rarely anything left. Any produce left at the end of the week is preserved by staff or will be delivered to in-need groups and other Food is Free carts around town.
The Foo- is-Free Cart at the front of the Green Skills Albany Office
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 24
Who Gives a Crap
Location Albany Town Square Duration 6th and 7th December 2019 Funding body Self-funded, Green Skills Project Partners City of Albany Stakeholders assisted Local small, micro and home-based businesses
People engaged/ attending 10 000 Key staff Anne Sparrow
Green Skills Albany has been a local supplier of Who Gives a Crap toilet paper, tissues and kitchen towel products to the South Coast region since 2016. They make 100% recycled toilet paper and premium bamboo toilet paper and donate 50% of profits to build toilets in the developing world. 2.3 billion people across the world don't have access A selection of the Who Gives a Crap range to a toilet. That's roughly 40% of the global population and means that around 289,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. That's almost 800 children per day, or one child every two minutes.
Christmas Twilight Markets Project Description
The inaugural Christmas Twilight Markets was the first time Green Skills has run a night market event. Anne Sparrow worked with the City of Albany to hold these markets over two nights on the weekend of the Albany Christmas Pageant, to provide community members with the opportunity to buy local Christmas gifts and to extend the festive atmosphere before the annual street parade. Wind and rain set in both nights, but late enough to allow most of the event to take place. Lots of local stallholders were involved and promoted on social media in the lead-up to the markets. Green Skills also ran a stall and provided a free bath-bomb making activity for kids with the help of funding from the City of Albany. Emma Polette, Father Christmas and Anne Sparrow Stallholders and food vendors reported a total of $26 000 sales over the two nights. Anne conducted a survey for stallholders to gather feedback and sales data, which Green Skills can use to seek future funding for similar events. Running the event over two days was also a first and generated some useful learning about securing marquees overnight in windy weather! 10 000+ number of people attended the markets over the two evenings.
The sustainability of the event was to provide an opportunity for small, micro and home- based businesses to trade on York St in the lead up to Christmas. There was a long #supportlocal campaign in the lead up to the event. This helped foster a strong support for local business shopping by residents across the region. The Facebook social media reached over 14 500 people.
“Great atmosphere, everyone happy. Anne is amazing, explained well what was going on and well organised.” – stallholder Highlight 50 small micro and home-based businesses supported Food Street at the Twilight Markets Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre (ACEDC)
The Albany Community Enterprise Development Centre (ACEDC) has hosted a huge array of events throughout 2019. These have included a wide array of well attended in- house coordinated sustainability workshops and outside coordinated events. These have included:
1. Albany Community Environment Centre meetings and AGM 2. Headspace Good Food Good Moods nutrition program 3. Refashion Sessions monthly 4. Soapmaking workshops 5. O’Connor Greens Climate Change meetings 6. Bees wax wrap workshops.
Rear view of the ACEDC
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 25
Governance Project
Location Albany Office Duration 2018-2019 Project Description Funding body State NRM This project enabled Green Skills to build on its Work Health and People engaged Community members and staff Safety standards to provide staff and volunteers a framework to Key staff Anne Sparrow, Rachel Pontin work within. This funding allowed us to overhaul some of our systems and improve safety procedures across the organisation for both staff and volunteers. It provided capacity to develop and build registers, compliance paperwork and staff induction papers.
All Green Skills registers, policies, an induction book and some procedures Highlight developed
Permaculture 40th Anniversary Symposium
Location Living Waters Church, Albany Duration Day event Funding body City of Albany, Waste Authority of WA Project Partners PermacultureWest Stakeholders Stallholders, permaculture groups People engaged/ attending 130 Community members Key staff Rachel Pontin
Retrosuburbia Author David Holmgren and his partner Su Project Description Dennet at the symposium PermacultureWest organised the RetroSuburbia Roadshow from Perth to five regional towns in WA to celebrate 40 years of permaculture in WA. David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture, travelled across the Nullabor from Victoria with his partner Su Dennett to share his knowledge and sell his latest book, ‘RetroSuburbia’. Andrew Nicholson from Good Life Community Garden organised Albany’s first Permaculture Festival on the morning of August 17th to bring together permaculture practitioners and newbies. David Holmgren spoke at 2pm to 130 attendees about retrofitting the suburbs for sustainability – this turn-out was larger than any other regional town on the tour. Albany brewed up a rainstorm for the morning’s festival, but the event was quickly brought undercover and our tough locals still arrived to browse the market stalls, wander through the Good Life Community Garden and buy plants and wood-fired pizza, plant cuttings at the kids’ activity stall, swap books and peruse information about permaculture principles and practice.
The City of Albany generously supported this event with funding to pay for David’s talk and some organisational costs. PermacultureWest provided signage and display materials about permaculture, and organised David and Su’s travel. Great Southern WA Permaculture ran a community activity following the talk, where participants brainstormed a vision for 2040 and backcast to the current year.
Waste Reduction Workshops Location Albany Duration November 2019-ongoing Funding body City of Albany People engaged 130 Key staff Rachel Pontin
Project Description
The City of Albany generously provided some funding to the Green Skills Albany Office to enable them to continue running waste reduction workshops in the gap between the end of the large Waste Authority of WA project finishing in October 2019 and the next waste project hitting the ground in January 2019.
This funding provided capacity for Green Skills to run three bath bomb Community wax wrap making workshop workshops for kids at the Christmas Twilight Markets and the Fair Day & Dog Show, as well as a pre-Christmas beeswax wrap workshop in early December. The bath bomb activity was very popular, with lots of children going home with half a dozen bath bombs in a paper bag. The beeswax wrap workshop attracted a group of enthusiastic ladies, many of whom had not attended a Green Skills event before.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 26
Co-delivered Projects: Albany and Denmark Offices Connecting Communities, Councils and Canteens into the Circular Economy
Location Great Southern Duration 2019 Funding body Waste Authority of WA Project Partners City of Albany, Denmark CRC People engaged 43 110 Key staff Rachel Pontin, Basil Shur Project Description
The Waste Authority of WA funded this project with $25 023 for the Albany and Denmark offices to run twelve months of waste reduction activities from August 2018 to October 2019. Albany office was able to run 11 extra workshops by working with the City of Albany, Food for Thought Festival and Albany Men’s Shed, and attended some extra events too.
The project ran across 6 local governments: The City of Albany, and the Shires of Practical Garden structures workshop at Fossikers Tip Shop Denmark, Manjimup, Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup and Katanning. Green Skills in Albany ran events in Albany, Denmark, Walpole, Hopetoun, Jerramungup and Bremer Bay.
Organisations we partnered with included:
1. Albany Community Environment Centre 2. Good Life Community Gardens 3. Albany Regional Volunteer Service 4. Great Southern Home Educators Network Support 5. Boomerang Bags Albany 6. Hopetoun Community Resource Centre 7. Bremer Bay Community Resource Centre 8. Jerramungup Community Resource Centre 9. Denmark Community Resource Centre and Garden 10. Mia Community Gardens 11. Denmark Primary School 12. PermacultureWest 13. Fan-Force 14. Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre 15. Ficifolia Community Garden 16. Walpole Primary School 17. Golden Hill Steiner School
Popular events included the Slow Fashion Festival with volunteer models showcasing locally made upcycled clothing, compost gardening workshops at Denmark Community Garden, a sold-out screening of the film Food Fighter about food waste in Australia, a sold-out Garden Structure workshop run by volunteer Peter Morris where we made a garden dome from bike wheels, and an evening Refashion Sessions using leftover clothing from the Slow Fashion Festival. The Refashion Sessions continued to run under volunteer steam for four extra sessions.
Green Skills was successful in applying for further funding from the Waste Authority for 2020 and is looking forward to another great year of waste reduction events
Green Fair in the Square -Albany Slow Fashion Faestival stall holder Slow Fashion Festival at Fossikers Tip Shop Leanne Whitehurst
Highlights 134 volunteers engaged and 77 544kg of waste diverted from landfill
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 27
Projects: Denmark Office Gondwana Link- Eco-restoration, Wetlands conservation & community education
Location Part of the broader Gondwana Link program Duration January 2019 to December 2019 The Koorabup Trust, Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program. This program also has received financial or in-kind support from Funding Body the Gillamii Centre, Lotterywest, South Coast NRM with funding through the Australia Government’s National Landcare Program, and Gondwana Link Ltd Landholders, South Coast NRM, Gillamii Centre, Gondwana Project Partners Link Ltd, Fitzgerald Biosphere Group, Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee and other community groups Stakeholders Landholders, Gondwana Link Ltd People Attending 600 Basil Schur, Maren Heckel, Helen Heydenrych, Louise Breathing Life into Boodja film launch at the Albany Key Staff Duxbury Entertainment Centre Project Description
The project’s aims were to promote and implement biodiversity, wetland and eco- restoration as part of Gondwana Link. The project build planning for bush-land conservation through surveys, mapping and reports. A focus this year has been projects in support of Mallee-fowl, Hooded Plover and other shore and wetland bird species.
In 2019 a range of projects on bush-land fencing, wetland restoration, strategic planning, and a program of workshops and community events were undertaken. An example of eco-restoration planning is provided at https://greenskills.org.au/?s=stefani.
A Wetland bio-blitz was held at Lake Nunijup in conjunction with Frankland River Primary School and Janicke Environmental Investigations Eco assessment on Red Moort at Boxwood Hills (https://greenskills.org.au/?s=nunijup ).
This project forms part of an iconic landscape scale conservation project gaining an international reputation Highlight Stakeholder participation and interest and individual projects to assist in landscape scale conservation
Tip Shop and Recycling Centre
Location South Coast Duration Ongoing Income from event use during the year. Specific projects in 2019 Funding were supported through the WA Waste Authority of the WA Body Government and the Green Skills Sustainability Fund, A variety of community & education groups and others utilising it Stakeholders as a quality venue James Gentle, Anita Cottle, Duncan Archer, Gus Stoakes, Angie Key Staff Young, Warren Barrington, Basil Schur and Helen Heydenrych
Entrance to the Denmark Tip Shop and Recycling Centre
Since 2001 the Green Skills Denmark Tip Shop and Recycling Centre has operated a self-funded enterprise. The Tip Shop has diverted significant resources that otherwise would have gone to land fill.
In 2019 Green Skills completed additional improvements to the landing and sorting area It ran a waste awareness education program and continued its volunteer and disability employment program for this community enterprise.
Anita Cottle at the Denmark Tip Shop
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 28
South Coast Festival of Birds
Location South Coast region Duration February to April 2019 Funding Body Lotterywest, BirdLife Australia, Albany Birds Group, BirdLife Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Conservation Council of WA, Museum of Great Southern, Yongergnow Project Partners Malleefowl Centre, Gondwana link Ltd Bush Heritage Australia, Friends of the Fitzgerald River National Park and other groups and individuals Stakeholders/ Community Groups, individuals Groups Assisted Key Staff Basil Schur, Gerda Vogt, Dawn Atkin, Xanthe Bourne Project Description Citizen Science bird banding at Chingarrup Green Skills and Birdlife Australia ran the sixth South Coast Festival of Birds, the scope of these activities has been expanded to include all of our bird life - bush, shore, water and sea birds. Key of this South Coast Festival of Birds included:
1. A Bird Art Exhibition 2. Shore and water bird identification events 3. A film night 4. An Expo and Forum held at the WA Museum 5. A garden tour 6. Albany Gondwana Bird Discovery and associated bird community education 7. Library talks events
Another event that complemented the festival included a SunSmart Albany Kite Fiesta event in Albany with Michael and Jan Alvares.
This festival website is at http://www.birdfestival.greenskills.org.au/ Highlights The success of the events has laid the foundation for this festival to be run annually
Citizen Science bird banding at Chingarrup Kite Fiesta at the Albany Peace Park Gondwana Art Exhibition
Sanctuary
Location Denmark Duration Ongoing Funding Body Income from event use during the year Stakeholders/ A variety of community & education groups and others Groups Assisted utilising it as a quality venue Key Staff Basil Schur, Denmark Administration staff Project Description
The “Sanctuary” is managed by Green Skills as a unique cultural and education venue in Denmark. It also includes a Gondwana Garden and sculpture collection.
Community Peace Event April 2019
A range of valuable community arts and other events held through the year Highlights See website: http://sanctuarydenmark.wordpress.com
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 29
South Coast Community Art Program
Location South Coast, Ongerup, Albany, Cranbrook, Katanning, Perth Duration January to December 2019 These exhibitions link to projects supported by many local artists, Lotterywest, Shire of Katanning, Poornarti Aboriginal Project Tours, Eugene and Errol Eades, Friends of Nowanup, the WA Partners Landcare Network, and Gondwana Link, The WA Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions and Lotterywest. Key Staff Basil Schur Project Description
Green Skills arranged for the Gondwana Connections art and photographic Noongar elder Carol Petersen addressing the audience exhibition to be displayed in Katanning, Albany, Ongerup and Perth in 2019.A at Katanning highlight was having this exhibition shown at the WA State NRM/Coastcare conference held in Joondalup in October.
Achievements/ The Gondwana Connections arts program has connected Noongar elders and artists to highlights Gondwana Link’s environmental programs
Denmark Wetland Centre
Location Denmark Duration January 2018 to December 2018 Community groups, Green Skills fustainability fund, WA Project College of Agriculture (Denmark), Green Skills Green Army Partners team Stakeholders South Coast residents Key Staff Basil Schur
Project Description
The Green Skills Wetland Education Centre hosted a number of activities and education events through the year. This Centre features in a YouTube film on Wilson Inlet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80lyV7LP6hc
Support for the ongoing maintenance of the facility has been provided through Bird Hide at the Denmark Wetland Centre volunteer programs, and the WA College of Agriculture –Denmark.
Highlights Its popularity with visitors and locals grows each year
Balijup Fauna Sanctuary
Location Tenterden Duration Ongoing Lotterywest, South Coast NRM, WA State NRM Office, community fund raising. This project was supported by Funding Body funding from the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions Project Conservation Council of WA, Hordacre and Vanderbyl Partners families, UWA Albany, Bush Heritage Australia Part of the Gondwana Link Forests to Stirling Conservation Stakeholders Action Plan Key Staff Basil Schur
Project Description Fauna monitoring on Balijup Eco-Sanctuary Feb 2019
Planning commenced in 2012, and the project launched in May 2015. This citizen science project aims to establish breeding populations of Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoot) and other species. Further details can be found at https://chuffed.org/project/balijup. In 2019 an active citizen science program of environmental monitoring was carried out.
Highlights Citizen science monitoring shows that populations of Brush tailed phascogales, possums and Southern Brown Bandicoots thriving in the Sanctuary
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 30
Denmark Community Garden
Start/finish date January 2019 to December 2019 Funding Green Skills, Kwoorabup Denmark Transition Town Network, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Lotterywest, the Denmark Community Windfarm Group Sustainability Fund, Metroof, Thornton's Hardware & Mitre 10, other businesses & volunteers. Project partners Denmark CRC, Denmark Men’s Shed, Denmark Community Garden Reference Group Stakeholders South Coast residents, local organisations
Key staff Basil Schur Denmark Community Workshop with Neal Collins Project Description
The Denmark Community Garden was opened on 9 March 2019
The new Denmark Community Garden, situated at the rear of the Morgan Richardson Centre has just celebrated its first birthday This was a Green Skills initiative several years in the making. It held its first composting and green waste workshop AND the opening event happened on Saturday 9th March 2020
At the opening, presentations were made by Rhonda Williams (Green Skills Chair), and Sue Howard (Denmark CRC chair) and the Venerable Chozan, a Denmark based Buddhist nun.
Green Skills would like to acknowledge and appreciate the Foundation For Rural and Regional Renewal, WA Department of Communities, Denmark Community Windfarm Sustainability Fund, Denmark CRC, Thornton's Mitre 10, Metroof, Denmark Supa IGA, Southern Edge Earth- moving, Great Southern Tree Care, Carl Dusenberg, Neal Collins ,Graham Greenhalgh, Don Hunt, Katja Lamb, other volunteers and wwoofers,and everyone who has helped to get the new Garden this far... The waste workshop on Saturday 9th March is supported by the Waste Authority of WA and the WA Government. Highlight Over 80 people have joined in 11 workshops held in 2019
Opening day at the Denmark Community Opening day and compost workshop at the Neal Collins workshop at the Denmark Garden February 2019 Denamrk Community Garden Community Garden
Women in Environmental Leadership Australia National Gathering
Location Melbourne
Start/finish date 13 - 15 September
Funding body Various philanthropic trust funds
Project partners Green Institute
Project description
The WELA National Gathering brought together participants of the leadership programs held in 2017, 2018 and 2019 for a weekend of networking, training, celebration and planning.
At the Gathering commitment was made to run the community leadership training program for a further 3 years 2020 - 2022 as well as to expand the program to a wider effort to support women in their leadership in a wide range of environmental positions.
The presentations provided great opportunity to highlight achievements of Green Skills and some of our Highlights partners
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 31
Participation in 10th International Living Lakes Conference
Location Spain Start/finish date May 2019 Project partners International Living Lakes Network, Global Fund for Nature (Germany) Key staff Basil Schur Project Description
In May 2019 Basil Schur undertook a self-funded environmental study tour and participation in the International Living Lakes conference held in Valencia, Spain.
Green Skills has been a member of this international network of NGOs working for wetlands and lake conservation Highlights (https://www.globalnature.org/livinglakes) since 1998 2019 Presentations
Project/Activity Presentations title Keith Roby Memorial Lecture Murdoch University Beyond Paradigms New economy, new ecology, new ways of being in the world Conservation Council WA Annual Conference Location Perth Start/finish date 20 August 2019 4-7 October 2019 23 November 2019 Project partners Murdoch University New Economy Network Australia Key staff Louise Duxbury
1. Do we need a moral compass? The role of the community’ Photo Louise Duxbury and Geoff Evans (Denmark The lecture examined how, despite the many advances in science, the well-being Environment Centre Deputy convenor) with poster display of people across the globe is variable with an increasing divide between rich and part of CCWA Conference poor and the sustainability of natural systems is under threat. The lecture examined how community and science can come together using a citizen science approach to bring about positive changes for communities and the environment. A range of Green Skills examples were used including the Denmark Walpole Green Town Project, Watershed Torbay, and Gondwana Link to illustrate how this can be done.
2. Do we need a moral compass? The role of the community
3. Harnessing the power of local networks – Denmark The presentations provided great opportunity to highlight achievements of Green Skills and some of our Highlights partners Katampul Health and Wellbeing Action Plan
Location Leonora Start/finish date First half 2019 Funding body Shire of Leonora Stakeholders Katampul Aboriginal Corporation Key staff Louise Duxbury
Project Description
Green Skills has been supporting the Katampul Aboriginal Corporation to develop a Community Health and Wellbeing Action Plan and to prepare an application to fund part of the Plan. A community workshop was held with community members in Leonora and an application to fund some of the actions submitted. Further applications will be prepared in 2020 with follow up community workshops and on ground actions being prioritized for funding.
Highlights Successfully prepared an achievable and action-oriented plan that has already begun to be implemented and used for applications
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community
30 Years Green Skills Inc. Annual Report 2019 1989-2019 32
Thanks to all our partners, volunteers, collaborators and supporters. We look forward to working with you during 2019.
1. Green Skills Inc. 1989-2019. Green Skills, in its thirtieth year, continues to be a driver of change toward a more sustainable community