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Year in Review2008 – 2009Celebrating people making changes

Contents 03 Report from the Chairperson and CEO04 Moreland Solar City06 Zero Carbon Moreland08 Sustainability Streets09 The GreenTown project09 Advocacy11 Training12 Research and advice14 Inside MEFL15 Our people

Moreland City Council Area

GLENROY

HADFIELD

FAWKNER

COBURGNORTH

COBURG

BRUNSWICK

PASCOEVALE

SOUTH

PASCOE VALE

OAK PARK

GOWANBRAE

BRUNSWICKWEST

TULLAMARINE

BRUNSWICKEAST

YEAR IN REVIEW

Moreland Energy Foundation board members 2008/09Mike HillChairperson

Rosemary BissettBoard member

Peter FlanaganBoard member

Jeremy RomanesElected by MEFL members

Catherine Gibson RoyBoard member

Ian ThomasSecretary

Travis NealBoard member

Oscar YildizCouncillor nominated by Moreland Council

Roger CollinsCouncil offi cer nominated by Moreland Council

Paul Murfi ttCEO

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Report from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Offi cerThe 2008/09 fi nancial year was a landmark period for the Moreland Energy Foundation. As you’ll see through these pages, our organisation has grown considerably and we have begun work on major new projects like the Moreland Solar City initiative, allowing us to consolidate the unique role that MEFL has developed since we were established in 2001.

It has also been a critical year in climate change policy. Evidence is clear that the longer we wait to achieve deep cuts in greenhouse emissions, the more we risk irreversible climatic impacts and the more expensive and diffi cult it will be to transform our economies. This is just as true locally as it is nationally and globally. Thus MEFL has been engaged in key policy discussions at both the State and Federal levels, most notably regarding the form of both Victoria’s feed-in tariff and the proposed national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme; seeking to convince legislators to take a stronger route to climate change action.Our focus has also been at the local level, particularly through the successful launch of the Zero Carbon Moreland campaign. As well as harnessing the appetite for change on our own doorstep, Zero Carbon Moreland is an opportunity to show other communities the benefi ts of sustainable economic and community development. This year also saw the development of the Towards Zero Net Emissions (TZNE) plan for the northern Melbourne region – a unique and vital initiative from the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) and the frontline strategy to producing local greenhouse emissions reductions across Council regions. MEFL plays a leadership role in NAGA and is committed to this collaborative approach.Such partnerships are critical to the delivery of MEFL’s strategic priorities and this year we also strengthened our work with key stakeholders such as the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Sustainability Victoria, Environment Victoria, and the Moreland City Council. We have continued to work with local

organisations such as Yarra Trams, the RMIT northern campus, and CERES, and a growing list of community organisations and businesses.Increased demand for our training and consultancy activities through the year showed the growing recognition in the wider community and business sector of the need to develop sustainability skills and the important role of MEFL in helping business and communities to make a low-carbon transition.As we work at both strategic and local levels, MEFL boasts an impressive staff with skills, talent and commitment, backed up by a Board which represents a vital mix of community knowledge and technical expertise. We also thank our members again for their support and commitment over the year. The 2009/2010 year will be challenging, as international policy makers gather in Copenhagen and communities increasingly face the impacts of climate change. The success of MEFL’s strategy relies on building community action and working with diverse parts of our community to demonstrate how we can achieve signifi cant greenhouse gas emission reductions while maintaining vibrant, diverse and healthy communities.

Mike Hill Chairperson

Paul Murfi ttChief Executive Offi cer

Mike Hill, Chairperson

Paul Murfi tt, Chief Executive Offi cer

MORELAND ENERGY FOUNDATION

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Walking on sunshineMoreland Solar City has changed the face of MEFL in the past 12 months, expanding our resources and drawing together our social and technical strengths into four separate and ambitious projects.Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett came to Coburg in June 2008 to announce the funding for the Moreland Solar City project. Since then, MEFL has begun to roll-out the four key components of the project:

Zero Carbon MorelandOur community engagement campaign aims to sign up 5,000 residents, 500 businesses and 50 community groups to reduced greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2010 (see pages 6–7).

Energy HubThis project will retrofi t low income households and identify technical, fi nancial and policy options to make sure energy effi ciency isn’t just for those who can afford it.Working closely with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, so far we’ve conducted audits and retrofi ts on 20 disadvantaged households in the Moreland area, with 200 to be completed by early 2010 as part of an overall target of 1,000 for the project.

“This is a clear example of governments, industry and the community sector working together to help their communities cut greenhouse gas emissions.” Environment Minister Peter Garrett.

Moreland Solar City is part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities initiative, led by the Moreland Energy Foundation, in partnership with Moreland City Council, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sustainability Victoria.

The Coburg InitiativeAn urban renewal project in the heart of Coburg with the potential to become an international example of how urban development can meet the challenges of a carbon constrained future (see p5).

Moreland Energy Services This project will test the feasibility of local sustainable energy generation through technologies such as gas cogeneration and solar photovoltaic, to provide concentrated pockets of clean energy. This builds on MEFL’s history, growing out of the old Brunswick Electricity Supply Department. Moreland Energy Services is also working with the Moreland City Council to develop a carbon management strategy to reach its zero net emissions target.

Sunny smiles greet the announcement of the Moreland Solar City initiative by Environment Minister Peter Garrett.

The Moreland Solar City project is the keystone to MEFL’s work over the next three years and allows us to address the central challenge of climate change, with a view to social justice, innovative technical solutions and better ways to build cities.

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MORELAND SOLAR CITY

Taking the initiativeHow do you build up to 3,000 new dwellings and more than 65,000 square metres of retail and offi ce space in the middle of a city without adding more greenhouse gas emissions?That’s the challenge taken up by the Coburg Initiative, the $1 billion redevelopment of Coburg City Centre which is aiming – through a unique partnership between Moreland City Council, developer Equiset, and MEFL – to become an internationally recognised sustainable urban redevelopment. With planning now underway for the 12 year project, MEFL has developed a new ‘energy map’ concept (see illustration) which could change the way developments are assessed and designed on sustainability grounds, in Coburg and beyond.These ‘maps’ create a striking picture of electricity and natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for all buildings within a given area. The energy map allows users to assess existing land uses, and study the implications of future development options. The maps can also test the impact of a host of alternative energy supply options and energy conservation and effi ciency measures.

An example of MEFL’s new energy mapping, which can show the way to more sustainable development.

One Planet LivingPooran Desai’s work on sustainable urban developments like BedZed and OneBrighton in the UK has been an inspiration for MEFL’s work and vision for Moreland.

So it was a special occasion when the renowned One Planet Living campaigner came to Coburg this year as our guest, conducting workshops and contributing ideas to the Coburg Initiative.Pooran, whose visit was co-hosted by MEFL and Sustainability Victoria, highlighted the importance of supporting technical sustainability solutions with ongoing management and behaviour change, an approach closely aligned with MEFL’s work in programs such as Zero Carbon Moreland.

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COBURG INITIATIVE

Zero Carbon Moreland hits the ground runningFamilies, share houses, pensioners, churches, child care centres, restaurants, footy clubs and community centres. We’ve got them all and we’re looking to sign up more.Zero Carbon Moreland (ZCM) got off to a fl ying start, with nearly 700 households signed up within months of the formal launch of the campaign, showing the willingness in the community to get involved and take action at a local level. It also sends a strong message across Moreland, Victoria and Australia that we can all act to address climate change.

For ZCM Coordinator Jessica Steinborner, the key challenge – as well as keeping up the pace – is to make sure our ZCM recruits are able to follow through on their intentions to reduce their carbon footprints.Many ZCM participants have already taken energy effi ciency actions, like installing effi cient lighting or choosing GreenPower, but others are still at the planning stage or just wondering where to start.“A lot of people have great intentions but they may not follow through on them for many different reasons – affordability, technical understanding, government policy, available technology or other issues. That’s the space we’re trying to work in.”

Leading the wayLeading by example. That’s the role of a group of ZCM members who have been chosen to champion the cause, provide case studies, and show what changes and savings are possible from low carbon actions.Our Community Leaders so far are:

• Laila Najjar and her family• Jeremy McLeod, Breathe Architecture,• Cr Kathleen Matthews-Ward and her

family• Hal Greenham and The Urban Temple• Meredith, Ahmad and Fawkner

Community House• Tony Parker, Impact Digital, • Lorna Pitt, WestWyck• Emma Hopkins and family• Noel Blencowe, CERES Environment

Park, and• Father Michael Casey from

St Ambrose Church.ZCM is also grateful for the support of Yarra Trams, Moreland City Council and RMIT, which are taking the ZCM message to staff and students as well as assessing the carbon footprint of their own facilities and what actions they can take. We’ve also had a welcome helping hand from The Coburg Tigers, La Paella restaurant, the Quang Duc Buddhist Monastery, Uniting Church Brunswick, Islamic Council of Victoria, and Alevi Community Council.

Zero Carbon Moreland is shaping up as a standout behaviour change campaign, with its ambitious recruitment targets and strong follow-up at household, street and community levels to fi ll the gap between ‘intention’ and ‘action’.Zero Carbon Moreland is MEFL’s grassroots campaign, aiming to have 10 per cent of the Moreland community – 5,000 households, 500 local businesses, 50 community groups - cutting their greenhouse pollution by 20 per cent by the end of 2010

Cutting energy use – ZCM participants get together to measure carbon footprints and plan their action.

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ZERO CARBON MORELAND

Faith in the planet“We see our faith as directly connected to the protection of the environment,” says Sister Therese Power from Brunswick’s St Ambrose Catholic parish, one of the fi rst community groups to sign up to Zero Carbon Moreland.

We the Yarra Trams DepotIt was great timing. Yarra Trams, a ZCM Business Ambassador, opened its fourth greendepot at the Brunswick Tram Depot on World Environment Day.Rainwater harvested from the depot roof is being used to wash Melbourne’s iconic trams and new energy effi cient lighting and timer switches have slashed electricity use in the main workshop.MEFL was pleased to be involved in the project, consulting on energy saving measures and promoting behavioural change amongst staff. Yarra Trams will soon be promoting Zero Carbon Moreland by distributing postcards on their Sydney Road and Lygon Street trams.

A recent audit showed that a few basic actions at the church, parish house and women’s refuge could save more than $6,800 in energy costs over fi ve years, and 11.8 tonnes of greenhouse gases. The parish estimates it has already cut emissions from heating by around 50 per cent, and greatly reduced energy costs.“So it’s to our advantage as well as to the whole environment,” she says.

Climate change is common ground for religious and community groups in Moreland.

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ZERO CARBON MORELAND

Streets aheadIt was all about ‘location, location, location’ – city streets that proved community is still alive and that real environmental change is possible.Sustainability Street was a ground-breaking project that recognised the important links between social and environmental action and was able to reach people who might not otherwise become involved in community action.The results, recorded in June 2009 as the three-year program led by the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) drew to a close, were compelling:

• water use: down at least 25 per cent below the municipal average

• greenhouse gas emissions: cut by nearly 50 per cent

Project Partners:• Moreland Energy Foundation• Northern Alliance for Greenhouse

Action• Vox Bandicoot• Victoria University • Yarra Valley Water • Department of Planning and

Community Development• Department of Sustainability and

Environment• Cities of Darebin, Melbourne,

Moreland, and Whittlesea

“The whole atmosphere in the street here has improved. I know all the neighbours by sight. There’s an enhanced feeling of community. It used to be just a few of us but now most people do it. People look out for each other more.” Sustainability Street participant

Nineteen streets and neighbourhoods in Melbourne’s northern suburbs have shown that the Victorian Government’s target of 10 per cent reduction in household greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 is not only achievable but easily beaten.

• waste: down by 15-20 per cent, and• a threefold increase in the use of local

native plants in gardens.The ‘streets’ got there in big and small ways, with small ticket sustainability measures (such as draught sealing and low watt light bulbs etc) up by 70 per cent, and big ticket items (solar panels, water tanks, insulation) up by 50 per cent.Just as importantly, the 500-plus participants reported that their sense of community connectedness rose signifi cantly.“This was much more than a feel-good project,” says MEFL’s Jason Cox, an original participant and street organiser before being appointed Project Coordinator. “We now have concentrated neighbourhoods where taking action on climate change is part of their lifestyle, not just part of a project.”

Butler Grove Sustainability Street participants launch their new street sign with the help of Channel Seven’s Rob Gell.

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SUSTAINABILITY STREETS

“When you learn that many Victorians from Lebanese, Egyptian, or Iraqi descent heard about the Victorian bushfi res from the Arabic news they receive by satellite TV, you realise you have to fi nd a different way to tap into their consciousness on issues like energy effi ciency and water conservation.” Gabby Fakhri – GreenTown Project Coordinator

Painting the town greenGabby Fakhri admits to being a late convert to climate change concern, but she became one of MEFL’s biggest advocates when she signed up as Coordinator of the GreenTown project. “Coming from a culture where it’s quite common to regularly have 40 people around for a lunch on a Sunday, I didn’t just have an extra bar fridge in the garage,” says Gabby, who is of Lebanese descent. “I had four extra fridges, often packed to the hilt.”

But no more. Gabby has consolidated her fridges. She’s also using lamps instead of downlights, and has changed her showerheads and let her front garden go to save water. She’s also fi tted a $5 aerator to her kitchen tap – a huge water saving device in Middle Eastern households where dishes are often washed under running water.

These kind of tips and messages are being spread by GreenTown to a number of different cultural communities – in their own languages and cultural contexts – including the:

• Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean communities in Moreland

• Turkish community in Hume • East African community in Moonee

Valley The initial program audited 70 homes and 15 businesses in Moreland, but could have done twice as many; such was the demand and interest. GreenTown was an Environment Victoria project, run by MEFL in Moreland, and funded by Sustainability Victoria.

How we use energy and water often depends on our cultural background. That also goes for the way we become aware of environmental issues. Through the GreenTown project, MEFL’s been spreading the climate change message in ways that make sense to different cultural communities in Moreland and beyond.

Conducting business audits for the GreenTown project in Moreland

“GreenTown has given us a new way to relate to and work with cultural communities.... On a personal note….I discovered an incredibly hospitable, caring and strong community…drank a lot of coffee, ate a lot of food, danced, learnt to speak some Arabic, met some great people and enjoyed every second of it.” Jason Cox, MEFL on the inaugural Arabic GreenTown project

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THE GREENTOWN PROJECT

MEFL in the news.

ADVOCACY

Out on the streetsWe were deluged with calls from local residents caught short by the sudden scrapping of the Federal Government’s Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) rebate.This overnight policy change threatened the growing momentum in take-up of solar power by households, and undermined grassroots action which has been driving so much of Australia’s response to climate change.MEFL spoke out publicly on the issue, and expressed disappointment at elements of the replacement Solar Credits scheme. MEFL made representations to policy makers, provided submissions and lobbied politicians directly for improvements to the scheme.

“Our job is to identify gaps in public policy that hinder the ability of individuals and communities to make change. From the start, MEFL’s mantra has been to use what we learn at a practical level as the platform for advocating change” MEFL Manager, Energy Strategy Brad Shone.

This year has been a critical one for the environment, with governments at all levels debating and implementing action on climate change.Part of MEFL’s role is to advocate on behalf of individuals and communities that want to take action, to make sure they aren’t disengaged or disenfranchised – either by lack of government intervention or by the wrong sort.

We continue to call for the implementation of a national gross feed-in tariff to drive the uptake of small scale renewable energy so householders, businesses and communities can make their own contribution on climate change.Similarly, we were outspoken on weaknesses in the Victorian Government’s solar feed-in tariff legislation. MEFL, Environment Victoria and the Alternative Technology Association worked with the State Opposition and minor parties to improve the State feed-in tariff legislation, with a number of our suggestions being adopted and passed into law. We managed to get an increase in the maximum system size, and eligibility extended beyond households to small businesses and community groups, but this is only half the battle and sadly the system will still fail many Victorians and the State’s solar industry. Ultimately we continue to call for a world-class gross feed-in tariff to benefi t all Victorians.

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TRAINING

Skilling upThe major skills shortage in the green jobs area drove rising demand for MEFL’s energy effi ciency training programs in the past year.More than 2000 people underwent training through MEFL, with old favourites like our ‘Introduction to Energy Management’ attracting a new wave of trainees, including sustainability managers.“With climate change fi rmly on the agenda, people are realising they need practical skills for integrating energy effi ciency into all aspects of a business or organisation” said MEFL’s Community Training Specialist Elle Morrell.A major highlight was the four day course on Sustainability in Business and Government: An Introduction to Energy, Water and Waste Management aimed at equipping the ‘doers’ in all areas of business and government so they can implement practical action on sustainability issues.

Safe HavensElderly people and those living with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in very hot and cold spells, so their care and comfort has become a priority of Home and Community Care (HACC) services provided by councils in Victoria.MEFL has been training HACC maintenance staff to conduct energy and water assessments and retrofi ts in clients’ homes. Not only will this help with keeping houses cooler in summer and warmer in winter but it also cuts down their utility bills. This hands-on training has an added bonus: as a way of showing HACC staff how to install energy-effi cient measures, participants retrofi tted fi ve community buildings in Dandenong, Black Rock, Fitzroy, Cheltenham and Parkdale.

“My expectations were exceeded as we covered a breadth of information as well as many specifi cs. The course and resources were of a very high standard. Very impressed with all the information provided.” Training course participant

Getting the community fi red up on energy effi ciency means having electricians ready to offer green solutions, auditors who can measure carbon footprints, and community activists who can put their vision into practice.As a leading training organisation in energy effi ciency, MEFL is helping to ‘skill up’ the community through specialist courses for business, local government and community stakeholders.

This new course was delivered in partnership with RMIT, and led by Adjunct Professor Alan Pears, who was recognised in the 2009 Queen’s Honours for his contribution to environment policy and public awareness.Important partnerships were fostered with Environment Victoria, Neighbourhood Houses, RMIT, local governments and the Department of Human Services, to enable MEFL to conduct such a broad range of training.

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RESEARCH & ADVICE

We all know our buildings need to become more energy effi cient. What we need to fi nd out is how far can we go, how quickly and what gets in the way? A key part of MEFL’s work is to undertake research to advance our knowledge about the most effective strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. We harness this knowledge to advise residents, building owners, businesses and government on practical and policy solutions.

Taking actionWhen MEFL’s Take Action Project Manager Kevin Fregon found he couldn’t even give away solar hot water systems to people living in fl ats and apartments in Moreland, he knew he’d uncovered a major problem and urgent market and policy action was needed.So many problems emerged with trying to install solar systems in these ‘Class 2 dwellings’ that the issue became a major focus of the two-year Take Action on Electric Hot Water and Air-Conditioning project run by MEFL through the State Government’s Sustainability Fund.

The diffi culties led to a series of technical and policy recommendations to the Victorian Government about ways to overcome the hurdles and encourage people living in multi-unit dwellings to reduce their energy use. The landmark project involved:

• a survey of energy use in more than 500 households

• energy inspections of 100-plus dwellings, and

• air-conditioning and hot water trials at more than 20 sites.“The project showed that most households are now aware of the need for greater energy effi ciency, but we need to fi nd better ways to make sure they can and do take the most effective action possible,” Kevin said.

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After measures

Before measures

Room WestRoom SthRoom NthRoom EstGrd floor. Hottest roomEntrance

In the Take Action project, measures like insulation, draught-stopping and shading produced major reductions in internal summer temperatures – measured by the number of hours per day that rooms in homes exceeded 26ºC, a commonly accepted trigger-point for air-conditioners being switched on. The results have important implications for household energy use and peak load demand management. The project took energy analysis to a new level through the installation of data logging and temperature sensing equipment. This means that the project results are based on robust data gathered from real life households.

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In brief: Blowing in the windIn 2008/09 MEFL began a detailed assessment of the energy effi ciency of 15 Moreland houses to quantify their potential to save energy and greenhouse emissions. The project involves ‘blower door testing’ – pressurising and de-pressurising houses to work out how leaky they are. This will enable us to more accurately calculate the likely costs and benefi ts of upgrading existing housing stock to a greater level of energy effi ciency.

Aurora Dawns

MEFL produced a special manual and ran workshops and training sessions for VicUrban’s housing development, Aurora, the largest 6-Star designed housing development in Victoria. The aim is to help residents adapt their own behaviour to make the most of the environmental benefi ts of Aurora’s design.

Green buildings Delegates to the World Sustainable Buildings Conference 08 in Melbourne got to tour the city’s key sustainable buildings and features accompanied by MEFL tour guides, and helped by a special map and program developed by MEFL. We also helped develop the www.sustainablebuildingsvic.com.au website which lists some of Victoria’s most sustainable commercial buildings and explains the measures taken to achieve this.

RESEARCH & ADVICE

Planning for a low carbon revolutionA strategy has been developed to cut greenhouse gas emissions across northern Melbourne by nearly 25 per cent by 2020 thanks to a groundbreaking study by the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA).

“This is the fi rst time in Australia that such a comprehensive regional strategy has been developed. It is expected to drive regional innovation and research on technological, governance and policy approaches to mitigation.” Judy Bush, NAGA Coordinator.

Without action, emissions from the region are anticipated to grow by almost 20 per cent to over 25,000 kilotonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The Towards Zero Net Emissions for the NGA Region plan was the culmination of 12 months research and consultation by NAGA, a network in northern Melbourne comprised of MEFL and the Cities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Manningham, Melbourne, Moreland, Whittlesea, Yarra, Nillumbik Shire Council. MEFL is not

only a keen member of NAGA, but is responsible for management and governance of the alliance. The plan highlights key actions in the industrial, commercial, residential and transport sectors to stem the growth of greenhouse emissions and make major inroads in the transition to a low carbon region.

MEFL’s Jason Cox leads a Green Buildings tour through Melbourne’s CBD.

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The green teamBrad Shone, MEFL’s Manager, Energy Strategy, often has to take a bit of work home with him at the end of the day – but he’s not fussed because it’s good for his worms.Dealing with compost is just one aspect of working life at MEFL – particularly for Brad who feeds his worms, and eventually his veggie garden, from the offi ce food scraps. So too is sorting rubbish, switching off computers at the power point, vegetarian catering, and frugal printing habits.

Increasingly, MEFL aims to ‘walk the talk’ as an organisation and employer, making sure that our offi ce is an example of best practice environmental principles and that the workplace is the best possible environment for staff.

About 85 per cent of staff ride a bike to work and the MEFL Enterprise Bargaining Agreement provides an annual allocation for bike maintenance and cheap loans to buy bikes. If cars are needed for longer work trips, we use the Flexi-car system.A dedicated Green Team was set up this year to test and monitor different technologies and behaviour change methods to make the offi ce as environmentally friendly as possible, without reducing the capacity of staff to work effi ciently.Its noble duties have already included checking through the bins to assess the type of waste we produce (Interesting Finding #1: Many bins weren’t even needed!).

In brief:Robinson’s Reserve retrofi tMEFL reviewed renovation plans for the popular Robinson’s Reserve Neighbourhood House in Coburg to produce projected energy savings of 23.5 per cent on current usage. Our intervention prevented installation of ineffi cient downlights, enabled the connection of water tanks to toilets, improved wall insulation and trialed the use of new paint additive technology which improves the thermal performance of the building envelope.

Sustainable small facilities project

MEFL and Ironbark Sustainability created a strategic process to set up the retrofi t of small to medium-sized facilities owned by the City of Yarra and Moreland City Council, in order to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts. The project identifi ed the changes needed in council structures and processes to achieve better sustainability outcomes.

The MEFL team:Back row from left: Bruce Thompson, Elle Morrell, Kevin Fregon, Paul Murfi tt, Sue Richards, Dimity Hawkins, Brad Shone, Judy Green, Govind Maksay. Middle row, from left: Jenneke Kylstra, Rose Read, Maureen French, Gabrielle Breen, Peter Steele, Malin Lindblad.Front row, from left: Greg Snelders, Jason Cox, Jessica Steinborner, and Corey Jemison.Missing from the picture are: Louise Matthiesson and Khadiga Hamed.

“We want to become a working model of a sustainable offi ce. Making sure our carbon footprint is as low as possible is the norm. And what’s great is seeing how eager and enthusiastic staff are to implement the Green Team’s suggested changes. I could never go back to the old ways of working and running an offi ce.”Sue Richards, Offi ce Manager

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INSIDE MEFL

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People powerAt midday on Tuesdays, many of MEFL’s staff disappear into a darkened room for half an hour – for meditation. It might look strange in many other workplaces, but it’s part and parcel of MEFL’s focus on ‘staff wellness’ which includes giving employees the opportunity to be part of a fi tness program, attend yoga sessions, catch up socially, and swap tips on good movies, books, restaurants or new green initiatives. MEFL staff are also eligible for discounted membership at the local Brunswick Baths.It’s just one of the ways MEFL has sought to manage its transition into a much bigger organisation, and continue to support staff at an individual level.

Putting up their handsA former chemical engineer and wine specialist, Richard Webb spends a day a week volunteering at MEFL, helping to write fact sheets and maintenance manuals for the installation of energy effi ciency measures at council facilities.It’s fantastic support for MEFL, and is adding to Richard’s expertise as he retrains for a new career in the green sector, studying his Graduate Certifi cate in Sustainability at Swinburne University.“MEFL’s regarded as a leading light, so it’s a good way to know what’s happening in the industry,” Richard says. “It will look good on my CV, plus they’re a lovely lot of people and they make you feel very welcome.”Coordinator Sue Richards was amazed at the response to the new Volunteer Program, with nearly 40 enthusiastic volunteers signing up to work on a huge range of projects, from refi tting the offi ce space to helping with our energy mapping.

MEFL has doubled in size in the past 12 months, expanding from 10 to 20 staff as the Moreland Solar City project got underway and our training, fee-for-service and other programs continued to grow.We have also launched an exciting new Volunteer Program, aimed at connecting with talented and interested people in the community and expanding the scope and potential of our work.

OUR PEOPLE

The Moreland community has a history of action on energy and climate change issues, with the local Brunswick Electricity Supply Department (BESD) providing innovative energy effi ciency and renewable energy programs as far back as the 1970s.When Victoria’s electricity industry was privatised in the 1990s, the Moreland community successfully lobbied the Moreland City Council to use some of the proceeds from the sale of the BESD to establish a community entity to carry on some of its groundbreaking work. MEFL – the fi rst and only organisation of its kind in Australia – was the result of that campaign.

The Moreland Energy Foundation Limited is an independent not-for-profi t organisation established by the Moreland City Council in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Since then, MEFL has created a reputation for effective community action, rigorous research, strong training and big picture thinking on energy use and supply and urban development. MEFL’s infl uence comes from delivering successful models and examples of sustainable energy outcomes which can be carried forward into the broader metropolitan areas of Melbourne and beyond. We depend very much on the support of our members, volunteers, partners and the local community and are grateful for that continued commitment through 2008/2009.

Moreland Energy Foundation Limited ABN 72 095 439 160 Level 1, 233 Sydney Road Brunswick Victoria 3056 Postal: PO Box 276 Brunswick Victoria 3056T 03 9385 8585 F 03 9385 8586info@mefl .com.au www.mefl .com.au