EarthChat

Treaties are Essential for Countries that have been Colonized S26 Ep19

Many Australians do not know what a treaty is or could involve. To help answer this question and explore other major issues surrounding Indigenous-State treaty-making, Ruth is joined by Uncle Charles Pakana who is the founder and editor of Victorian Aboriginal News, which focuses primarily on Treaty, Reconciliation, Truth-telling and the sharing of positive First Nations stories from across Victoria. (See fuller bio below)Commonwealth countries with treaties, like New Zealand and Canada, report that all members of society benefit. Treaties move a nation from a foundation of conflict to one of mutual recognition, respect, stability, partnership and equity. By formalizing rights, acknowledging past injustices, and providing a framework for self-determination, treaties offer economic, social, and symbolic advantages for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, and most importantly, lay the ground for unity and a shared cultural interchange which inevitably enriches the society.Until November, 2025, Australia was the only Commonwealth country without a treaty with its First Peoples, who as we know have lived on this continent and cared for country for 65,000 years, long before the British invaded and colonized Australia, without consent. Australia was therefore built on the denial and exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with tragic consequences, including 438 (known) massacres which severely depleted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations; and the late 1800s saw the beginning of the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, with large scale removals continuing until the 1970s.Join us to hear the facts about how Treaty will work to benefit all Victorians, and ultimately the whole country as other States investigate Treaties with indigenous people living in their regions. Uncle Charles will clear up any misinformation to help us sort fact from fiction and become better informed.BioCharles Pakana (born Keir Wells) is an Aboriginal man of Tasmanian descent, yet identifying strongly as an Aboriginal Victorian. He is the second of three successive generations of Aboriginal journalists - his father, Fred Wells, having been the Industrial Correspondent at the Sydney Morning Herald up until his death (the result of his active service during WWII), and his daughter Karina Wells, a trainee journalist at Victorian Aboriginal News: https://vicaboriginalnews.com.au/ 
Charles is the founder of and editor at Victorian Aboriginal News, which focuses primarily on Treaty, Reconciliation, Truth-telling and the sharing of positive First Nations stories from across Victoria. He is an ex-infantry soldier (nine years) and, along with his journalistic work, which is carried across numerous Victorian community radio stations such as 3KND, Triple R and Phoenix FM, and the VAN Talks podcast, is a high-profile public speaker across the state, advocating for Treaty and Reconciliation.

What's the truth about renewables? S26 Ep18

Listen to EarthChat this week. Jacqui Fulton and Mark Lyons are exploring the truth about renewables, working their way through quite a few interesting topics of huge relevance to our times, including:
The gap in availability of solar and other renewable power, which are being directly affected by wars.
The reasons behind the drop in solar and battery prices, why are they collapsing.
The misinformation that is in the community surrounding renewable energy.
Why e-bikes are the latest thing to be disliked.
 

Out with Plastics S26 Ep17

This week on Earth Chat we discuss all the ways to minimise our prolific and destructive use of plastics in our lives. Can we eliminate the use of single use plastics?What is the major damage that they cause and can we learn to use alternatives? What did we do before plastics became available? It's actually fairly recent history that they have been available.

The power of co-ops S26 Ep16

What if regional communities owned their own power instead of multinationals? What if that power came from reliable renewables, instead of fossil fuels controlled by foreign powers and at risk to global geopolitics? What if locals got the dividends instead of big companies?The Goulburn Community Energy Co-operative in NSW (GCEC) is doing exactly that, all through the power and ownership of their own co-operative. Originally conceived in 2014, and supported by a feasibility study in 2016, the GCEC was formed in mid-2020 as an investment vehicle to produce and sell local, solar-powered energy. Anyone in the local region can invest in this project, receive a return on their investment, and be part of a community-led initiative to reduce Goulburn’s carbon footprint by producing electricity in their own region.Community energy projects are financed and owned by the community, who control, manage and operate the project. The community also share in the profits. There are many variations in Europe and the USA, and while it is a relatively new concept in Australia, there is now increasing interest in the idea.Interested? On EarthChat this week, we explore the power of the GCEC - and all co-operatives - with Michael Pilbrow who lives and works in the Yass Valley, NSW. Michael is a passionate advocate for rural and regional Australia. Michael has 16 years’ experience in supporting cooperative development. He co-founded the National Health Cooperative, Australia’s largest primary health-care co-operative, with around 32,000 active members. Michael has supported co-operative development and advised consumer and producer groups across a range of sectors in regional Australia, including aged care, childcare, sport and agriculture. Read more here: The co-op connecting everyday Australians to the renewable energy revolution - BCCM and here: Home - Goulburn Community Energy CooperativeAlso https://www.ngardaraproject.org.au/and don't forget the wonderful song Flag Day, which we didn't get to play! https://open.spotify.com/track/2YfuRUAfi2mmSbx4t9ehae?si=453436a216db4e6e 

Conversations that Matter in these Times, S26 Ep15

Ruth Yeatman invites Phil Bourne and Russell Fisher to join her to reflect on the interconnected crises threatening humanity and the planet today, primarily driven by climate change, extreme poverty, and geopolitical conflict.“Humans are social beings. We need to communicate, make connections, share how we feel, and truly listen to what others are going through. And to do all this, we need to talk. Not just quick messages or scrolling through social media updates—but real, meaningful (in person) conversations that help us feel understood and connected”. (David Kilcullen, Professor of War Studies at UNSW Canberra and an influential author and scholar of irregular warfare, urbanisation and the future of conflict) Coming together with others to make sense of these crises allows us to share our innermost feelings and connect with and learn from others. Together we more easily find the courage to turn toward our fears, face potential conflict and reach across difference, and to find pathways that lead us to more peaceful ways to meet our world.Join us as we reflect, explore, and question these times we find ourselves living in…Russell Fisher is an ecologist, strategist and adventurer. He has been actively involved in social, economic and environmental justice issues in different parts of the world for more than half a century. A degree in Ecology & Natural Resources Management has involved him in many environmental campaigns and projects, and a number of governance roles including past President of Environment Victoria and Chair of Bioregional Australia. Russell’s primary focus is in helping leaders, teams and communities create the space to cut through complexity and tackle their most stuck challenges. His main work with leaders and teams is on strategy, leadership development, governance, innovation, and problem solving. He has worked across a broad array of subjects including water, energy, climate change, environmental protection, waste, forests, natural resources management, health and well-being, community and economic development, transport, property development, community legal services, housing, media. A number of projects have helped his clients win national awards in training and development, sustainability and community action on climate change.Russell lives on a small property in the Central Highlands with partner Sue, where they are part of their local Landcare, and through a partnership with the local CMA, have dedicated 20% of their property to conservation and catchment protection.Phil Bourne was born and bred in Melbourne, Phil completed a bachelor of applied science (Occupational Therapy) in 1981 and then worked in support services for people with an intellectual disability.He moved to the Seymour area in 1984 where he co-founded Commonground, an organisation supporting social and environmental justice by hosting, facilitating, and generally supporting groups working in these areas including asylum seekers, aboriginal, peace keepers, and environment groups.Phil has also worked in local community development including being the inaugural Community Development Officer at Mitchell Shire, and a volunteer on groups such as The Seymour We Want, Mitchell Youth Affairs, Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal Project, and BEAM - Mitchell Environment Group, and Allies Supporting Treaty Seymour.Phil is currently spreading his time between work at Commonground and a new project called The Cape, a developing eco village at Cape Paterson.Thank you to johnhain for his image.
 

Sustainability in Floristry and the Horticultural Supply Chain, S26 Ep14

The reason for discussing this topic is that national and global demand for flowers is increasing due to a number of factors such as: increasing urbanisation and reduced opportunities to garden; a desire to bring “nature inside” for beauty and well-being, at home and in business and event settings.The Australian industry generates about US$ 812 million currently and is expected to grow another 4% by 2031 due to resilient and regular consumer demand and a growing export market for our native flowers, regarded as distinctive and low water consuming.The industry is under pressure from increasingly aware domestic and business consumers to adopt sustainable practices that will protect ecosystems and workers in the growing, distribution and waste management phases of production and use.  Education of suppliers, florists and consumers is improving and we will discuss some of the exciting initiatives underway locally and internationally.Our EarthChat guest is Rita Feldmann, the Founder and Education Director of the Sustainable Floristry Network (SFN), an independent body creating a new standard for floristry based around sustainability principles. Rita is based in Melbourne and there are many Australian members of the organisation with strong interest from international partners in the industry and at universities and other research facilities on their “No Floral Foam” and waste minimisation and reuse initiatives. More information can be found at: 
SHOW NOTES
Sustainable Floristry Network,  www.sustainablefloristry.org
Grown not Flown (currently on pause)
Victorian flower farmer invents award-winning app encouraging people to buy local - ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-05-18/rural-vic-woman-of-the-year-buy-local-app/102356038
Sustainability in Floristry: Eco-Friendly Practices and Techhttps://thegeekinsights.com/sustainability-in-floristry-eco-friendly/
Tips for improving sustainability
Use locally sourced flowers
Reduce/eliminate floral foam use
Sustainable Packaging
Integrated pest management to minimise chemical use and increase ecosystem health through using natural predators, companion planting etc
Composting floral waste in organic/green waste streams
Digital tools eg soil moisture, humidity control to maximise efficiency in application of water and energy
Educating consumers to not expect products that are out of season or a long way from their climatic zone
Ongoing Learning and training of practitioners, growers and distributors so they can each play their part more effectively in the supply chain.
Essential Sustainable Practices Shaping Floriculturehttps://thursd.com/articles/sustainable-initiatives-in-floriculture
Www.sustainablefloristry.org
Flowers 2030 is an industry education program for florists committed to transforming their practice for a sustainable future
Floriculture Sustainability Initiative  https://wwwfsi2030.com
Sustainability Planning Templates | Sustainabloomhttps://sustainabloom.org/sustainability-planning-templates
Helix Australia www.helixaustralia.com.au
This company specialises in breeding, licensing and marketing of new and improved varieties of Waxflower and Boronia for both cut flower and landscape sectors. These flowers thrive in drier climates and require less water in cultivation and can be grown in poorer soils so less fertiliser is required and their flowers support pollinators and other aspects of local ecosystems to promote biodiversity.
Climate Hero www.climatehero.org.au
Reducing emissions and ecological footprint through a Carbon Calculator and other educational materials to assist businesses and individuals to take action on their resource usage and day to day practices.
River Gum Florist, 32 McIntyre Street, Seymour
www.rivergumflorist.com.au
This business sources local flowers wherever possible, seeks to reduce plastic whenever they can and their floral waste is used by a local goat farm so there is good recycling of nutrients.

Mitchell Shire's biodiversity, S26 Ep13

Marie chats with Michael Watson from the upper Plenty  Merri Creek Landcare Group about the enormous diversity across Mitchell Shire. We look at the various different environments that are represented across the Shire.
 
There are particular issues affecting the  areas from the high level of development in much of the south to the need to protect organisms in the forests and farmlands. They also discuss the issues that Council will be examining in their biodiversity plan.
 
There are also plans for recreational tracks and parks in the Shire, including the wallan wallan and Bald Hill to Merri Creek parklands.

Caring for the Non-Human Species in Regional Victoria, S26 Ep12

Seymour Vet, Andrew Hogan, and wildlife rescuer and carer, Jenny Oakley, join Ruth to discuss the impact of the recent fires that caused tragic losses of livestock and native wildlife, not to mention the cruel experience of being burnt alive. As well, we’ll hear how we (humans) are generally managing our duty of care for wildlife, farm, and domestic animals.As of 2019, over 30 countries formally recognized non-human animal sentience in their legislation, officially acknowledging that animals can feel, perceive the world, and experience emotions like pain and joy. Legal Status: Animals are often legally redefined from "property" or "objects" to sentient beings or living creatures.The Australian Capital Territory is the only State that has passed this legislation. The rest of Australia still treats animals as property and is yet to recognize animals as sentient. Victoria is the only State considering passing this legislation but has again postponed tabling it in the parliament.What will it take to expand our level of awareness to view our domestic animals as companions rather than as belongings - not as a right but rather, as a responsibility?The RSPCA continue to be the managers of connection between human and animal welfare, such as addressing animal abandonment due to family violence or financial hardship. Still they are not government funded and therefore hold the status of a non government community based charity with over 90 - 97% of its funding coming from donations, fundraising, legacies, and appeals.How do Councils support the RSPCA with raising awareness with residents to ensure animals in the Shires are being well cared for? Are their less strays out there? Cats in particular go feral to survive which we know is drastically adding to the destruction of our wildlife, including endangering many bird and marsupial species, and already whole species are lost due to wild cats. Cat curfews are not enforced with many cats still out overnight. Perhaps we need to lobby Councils to subsidize cat runs, like the worm farms they offered at a discounted price to residents some years ago…..?We learn more about the important and invaluable role Vets and Wildlife carers play in our world, and what we can do to support them, and their incredible tireless and heartfelt service.You too can train in these fields as well as become a volunteer at a shelter. Join us to learn more about how to get involved, and for what promises to be a rich and heart warming program.Key Wildlife Rescue Services & Contacts near Seymour and in Victoria
Wildlife Victoria: 03 8400 7300 (Emergency response, 24/7).
Wildcare Victoria (Tarcombe/Seymour Area): 03 5790 4193 (All wildlife, specializes in adult macropods).
Trawool Wildlife Shelter (Seymour): 0429 268 680 (All wildlife, specialises in reptiles).
LnLz Wildlife Care & Rescue (Strath Creek): 0407 063 331 (Bushfire relief and rescue).
To find out if you identified the birds sounds you heard at the end of Segment One, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhlE13EqjJk
 
To find out how you can take better care of your cat and the environment: kb.rspca.org.au 
Also look up Responsible Cat ownership on the portphillip.vic.gov.au
Thank you to Andrew Morrison for your Wallaby photo - Watching Humans

Witnessing Erasure, Practising Presence, S26 Ep11

What do you do when you see someone’s house being stolen or confiscated, their olive trees chopped down, their ground water diverted. What do you do when you see someone’s child stopped at a military checkpoint and harassed by soldiers who won’t let them get to school? What do you do when all these crimes are excused or ignored or the victims blamed?John and Di are part of a group which has decided they needed to bear witness to this erasure. Both have recently returned from Palestine, where they were living for three months among Palestinian people who constantly experience these and other harassments, theft, assaults and terror. All because these people are in the wrong place and because their land, roads and water are required for illegal Israeli settlements or an expanded Israeli state.John and Di are Ecumenical Accompaniers, part of a program of the World Council of Churches. The program has responded to requests from church leaders in Occupied Palestine to create an international presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to walk alongside communities, offer a protective presence, witness and report on human rights violations, and stand in solidarity with the local people. John and Di were volunteers in this work, taking leave from their professional roles to respond to what seems to be ignored, illegal actions in the Holy Land.On EarthChat this week they speak of their experience, the reality of life on the ground for Palestinians, how their connection with land is being erased as well as the courage of the people enduring occupation. This is the forgotten part of the Middle East conflict, overshadowed by the invasion of Lebanon and bombing of Iran, but it is important that we remember and bear witness to what is happening here.Some useful links:Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network www.apan.org.au
Act for Peace https://actforpeace.org.au/
A recent article from The Guardian on settler violence: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/22/israeli-settlers-carry-out-series-of-west-bank-attacks-as-security-forces-stand-by
 

Why alliances matter for the environment, S26 Ep10

Our guest this week is local environmental legend Jacqui Fulton. Mark Lyons talks to Jacqui Fulton from Broadford about her connection to various conservation groups. Her work on various aspects of Biolinks and biodiversity recovery is a fascinating topic and of interest to local and other listeners. Be ready too for a discussion about the environmental damage caused by wars. Now there is a current issue!This week, we have included the music in the program, provided by the incredibly talented Mark Lyons, host and musician. Thanks Mark!