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It's been a year of good progress and significant change. From a world perspective,
2006 may be remembered as the time the whole world decided to take notice of
global environmental issues. The Stern
Review on the Economics of Climate Change and Al Gore's movie "An
Inconvenient Truth" certainly have given great food for thought for a world
that 'til now, was largely unconcerned about the severity of many global issues.
For over seventeen years the SRD has been promoting this and other major issues
relating to global sustainability and we're delighted the world is now far more
interested in our goals.
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Through the year we held another very successful ChangeX
exhibition of student initiatives and ideas for sustainability, organised and
presented the "Print for Environment"
seminar in conjunction with AGDA and also had one of the larger stands at the
Greenbuild and Ecoshow
in June.
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Print for Environment report. 70 people attending
on a wet, windy night in June at the Australian Museum was quite a good turn
out. Held in conjunction with AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association),
good debate ensued over the many improvements being made and that are still
possible, to ultimately get to best practice in print. Speakers from Sydney,
Canberra and Adelaide joined a hand picked group of 5 printers selected as the
greenest available in Sydney. A new SRD web page was added for the "greener
print procurement guide" that remains in draft form pending further industry
feedback. Several related articles appeared in ProPrint. (see http://www.proprint.com.au/
, click back issues May and July 06) 1/ Print For Environment seminar article
by GC, placed by Samantha Schelling. p15 May 2006 1a/ Have ISO 14001? Try 14024
for a good green choice By Samantha Schelling, article on Good Environmental
Choice Australia p26-27 May 2006 1b/ View from the top David Fuller Managing
Director, Focus Press By Henry Mendelson p34-35 May 2006 2/ Eye on the Environment
By Samantha Schelling (titles by SS, article by GC) Bouquets on World Environment
Day p30 July 2006
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GreenBuild and EcoShow at Rosehill Exhibition Centre
for SRD and ChangeX06 This event completed a very
busy June for the SRD as we also produced a new brochure by DesignOz with many
thanks to the high Post-consumer waste content stock from Focus Paper and the
Waterless printing kindly donated by Spectrum Print (noting this item rated
as a Good Environmental Choice certified product). The GreenBuild /Eco-event
gave the SRD and ChangeX great exposure with a double stand given for free in
exchange for promoting the show (and a SRD member Wayne Lever was in their organising
commitee!). We had great interest from many parties that we hope to capitalise
on this year at our events and the follow-up G.Rex
ecoshow in June07 at Sydney Technology Park. Many thanks to the other SRD
members at our stand including Cheryl Campbell, Greta Werner and Paul Wade,
Warren McLaren and a new recruit Michael Cameron. Noting we do have a new SRD
brochure, please ensure you take several copies to pass on and always keep some
on hand, it's a great marketing tool! A separate report from Wendy and Anita
on ChangeX06 will follow. (on the night).
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This year the SRD simplified it's experiment with dual project names and whilst
always acknowledging our valuable heritage from the SRD
and Change Design (EcoDesign Foundation)
EDF, will move forward as
the "new" SRD. Our REO status (Registered Environmental
Organisations are tax Deductible Gift Recipients) is still current. We will
ensure good forward progress from tonight to maintain this position. I recently
heard of a grant for Sustainability Education that next year could suit us perfectly,
once we're all properly audited. Many thanks to all our committee, members and
supporters that keep us ticking. We have a new entry level membership of $5
where participants are requested to undertake a minimum 40hrs per year on projects
to further the cause of sustainability. We would be delighted to hear of some
work progress after normal AGM business.
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Special thanks go to our marvellous Maddy Streicek who was not only a very good
secretary and "all round action gal" but ensured a successful Changex06
that continued a great tradition and enabled several students to gain further
awards and acknowledgment for their featured work. With the great help of Wendy
Morrison they managed to also complete an e-newsletter in June. On the not so
positive side we lost our 0500 phone number that was only partially used and
will now save us a little cash each month. Through the year we also lost some
momentum as several positions became unfilled. We now have the opportunity to
fill these jobs to ensure our continuing community service. Thanks also to Greta
Werner for being our Treasurer for 2.5 years and continuing good luck to your
business and family that has grown to take more of your time. Also thanks to
Dr Cameron Tonkinwise, our immediate past convenor, who continues to post us
information on news and special events.
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Left :: Image from Fabrica,
Italy - presented at Defining Design for a Changing Planet conference
2006
Washington Uni, Seattle, USA by Omar Vulpinari
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Right :: SRD and ChangeX06 stands at the well
attended EcoShow at Rosehill
in June
Note : The new Ecoshow for 07 is called GREX
As the new SRD Convenor
and to further the SRD's role promoting responsible design, I've attended several
functions and seminars. *Fundraising forum for community environment groups
7 Dec 05. *SME Sustainability Event (with 3 other SRD members) 3-4 Feb 06. *Sustainable
Living Festival, Melbourne, Vic 18 Feb 06. *ChangeX06
opening night and exhibition closing assistance 3-21 Mar 06. *In association
with AGDA, organised our SRD Print for Environment seminar
and subsequent "greener print procurement guide" online draft. 5 Jun 06. *attended
Defining
Design for a Changing Planet at University of Washington, Seattle, USA 14-15
July 06. *Pittwater Council Strategic vision for a Sustainable Pittwater 2030
forum. *Many graduate student exhibitions through November 06. *Two Enviro
Drinks at Darling Harbour and Western Sydney in November 06 making good
contact with our future members and supporters. We've had regular monthly governance
meetings until June when (separately) myself and the secretary left for overseas
and one "virtual" meeting since my return. I apologise for the loss of momentum
through our absence in Winter but I am encouraged to see the SRD continue to
show design and sustainability as symbiotic solutions for our future. I look
forward to more great support and input from all to assist the SRD. We have
some great projects planned including ChangeXo7, the
REAP2 guide, G.Rex in
June and upgrading our web presence.
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To echo recent words from Edward Mazria, founder and Executive Director of Architecture
2030 that's planning to make new housing 100% emission free in America, "The
task we face is daunting. Working separately, we could accomplish something
significant in each of our respective spheres. But by working together, we actually
have a chance to influence the course of history."
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Greg Campbell - DesignOz
SRD convenor 2006
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