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The Concept

The Chalice Creative Sustainability Strategy ‘Practice what you Preach’ has been driven by a desire to take seriously our responsibilities as custodians of the earth. This ethos is inspired by and grounded in the Christian understanding of stewardship of the earth – our place in Creation.

The original concept plan was funded by a 2004 community grant from Darebin Council to integrate the church and its buildings into the surrounding environment.  From this flowed a strategy to implement a range of sustainability works.

New Projects on the Horizon 2011-2012

Northcote Uniting Church – Chalice has been working alongside Transition Darebin and the Urban Ochards group to look at ways to transform our community space so that it is not only more accessible to community but also potentially edible!  With some exciting new projects on the horizon now is the time to get involved!

We were fortunate to have Kat Lavers (Permaculture consultant and all round green guru) from Transition Darbin come in and do a Permaculture design for the space, complete with more bicycle racks, worm composting, raised veggie beds that double as seating and much more.

In order to implement some of the works detailed in our Permaculture design (a copy is up in the church if anyone’s interested) Chalice has recently sought funding through Darebin Council Grants scheme to re-develop the garden beds to creating an urban orchard/community garden which benefits the community through strenthening local food security by modelling possiblities for local food production in an urban context.  In collaboration with members from Transition Darebin we are hoping to undertake these works through a series of Community Working Bee’s/Permablitzs which will build greater cohesion within the community and create educational opportunities through  demonstrations, workshops and site tours.

Chalice Urban Orchard Planting Day in 2011

With Many thanks to Darebin Council for providing us funding we have started extensive works to create veggie beds that double as seating as well as an Urban Orchard/Veggie Patch.  We will also be looking for some green thumbed garden carers!  So if your interested in being part of a vibrant and wonderful community on an ongoing basis please let us know!

Urban Harvest – Food Swap @ Chalice in 2012

Thanks to hard work from Annerliegh from Transition Darebin we are now very happy to announce we have a food swap here at Chalice and we coulndn’t be more excited!

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Illuminating Sustainability: Darebin Light$mart Program 2010

Last year as part of our long term sustainability goals Chalice  jumped onboard the Darebin Council’s Light$mart program which focused on upgrading lighting to products that are better for the environment as well as energy saving and long lasting.  Throughout the year with donations from Chalice community members, and the like we were able to reach our goal and reduce our environmental footprint but also reduces our energy bills, which means we can keep our much loved community spaces affordable and accessible for all our dear friends for many more years to come!

A big thankyou to the City of Darebin covered the entire cost of labour/installation and the Northcote Business Association, as part of the LightSmart Project for Businesses in High Street, contributed the cost of one in five of the fittings required ie approx $400.00 which is fantastic!

Celebrating Sustainability  2008 -2009

In 2008, the church and its tenants participated in the VIC 1000 Sustainable Business Management Programme. Our sustainability initiatives were recognized by a number of awards, including overall winner for Metro North Sustainability Outcomes! villagegreen.com.au

In early 2009 Chalice held a ‘Sustainability mini-Expo’ to showcase key elements of our environmental strategy.  This was a major success and allowed us to educate the community on sustainable water use, through leading by example.

Additional development included the creation of a composting and recycling area in conjunction with our third tenant, Café Koula. As part of this strategy in April 2009 we launched a Sustainability mini-expo, which included the launch of our composting area, stalls and participation from local environmental groups such as Darebin Climate Change Action Group, and the Environment shop.

Flushing Sustainably…..  Water Projects 2007

In 2007  following a successful application for an Australian Government Community Water Grant for installation of water tanks.  Due to Chalice’s popularity, church visitors have reached 38,000 p.a., consuming over 300kl of water, principally from toilet use.  As a result of narrow access points that made it difficult to install a large tank, a variety of interconnected smaller tanks were installed.  This simple cost effective system allows us to achieve maximum roof collection to flush toilets and water garden, while avoiding underground drainage work and multiple pumps.

This has yielded the capacity to collect approximately 23,000 litres of rainwater, which is now used to flush all toilets in the complex (including those at two tenant businesses, Small Dreams and Synergy Gallery). The rainwater also nourishes our garden.

There has been a 100% reduction in toilet and garden mains water use, and the tanks form part of our ongoing interactive water-wise demonstration space for the community education.  Who are able to see creative water storage solutions to their own space and access restrictions common to the inner suburbs.  In addition returned Work for the dole volunteers formed part of our core participants, and have helped us to create a sense of community ownership through volunteering.

There are of course still many projects on the horizon for Chalice – and we will certainly need help!

For Donations……

Donations can be made anonymously, or let us know so that we can say thankyou!

By direct transfer Westpac Account – To “Northcote Uniting Church”  BSB 033-067 Account No. 13-5410, (Bank: 290 High Street, Northcote)

Cheque payable to “Northcote Uniting Church”, and forward to 251 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cash Feel free to drop in on Eliza in the office (Wed/Fri) and make a cash donation