July 21, 2023
A group of South Burnett residents have taken the maxim “think globally, act locally” to heart, forming a loose association hoping to create lasting change in the local region.
Co-ordinator and founding member Suzanne Mungall told southburnett.com.au the idea for the South Burnett Sustainable Future Network first came about in December 2021 but the group really became active last year.
In the early days the group – which has a core of eight members plus visitors from time to time – identified some topics that they wished to concentrate on: reducing plastic pollution, increasing biodiversity and raising awareness about climate change.
Suzanne said these were “generalised goals” which prompted ideas for action, including hosting talks in local libraries on topics ranging from the Aussie Bird Count to climate change.
They also hosted a screening of the short film, “Regenerating Australia“, which Suzanne said “very much aligned” with the group’s principles.
“We went away to think about it, and consider how would we like to regenerate the South Burnett,” she said.
In May and June this year, the group hosted three workshops to consider this in more depth.
“We framed it like a newspaper. What would a newspaper in 2030 say about the South Burnett? For example, ‘the most sustainable region in the country’.”
Suzanne said the discussions kept on returning to three recurrent themes: mental health, reduction in plastic and a net-zero economy.
They then decided to hold working groups on these three topics.
The first – touching on mental health, nature and the environment – was held in the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room last Sunday afternoon.
Guest speakers, including from the South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association and the local branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants, were invited to talk about their activities.
“We discussed building communities through mental health using nature,” Suzanne said.
The concept of “nature dosing” – a broad ideal which can range from having a pot plant in your bedroom to spending 30 days in the bush – was also discussed.
“From that workshop we identified what is already happening in this space, and gaps in local knowledge,” Suzanne said.
“Everyone set their own ‘mini-goals’ or ‘homework’.
“For example, someone will contact playgroups and ask if they would like to host a playgroup at the Carroll Nature Reserve in Kingaroy.
“We will report back on our ‘homework’ at the next meeting.”
Suzanne emphasised the group was not aligned to any political association.
“We are just residents getting involved in our community,” she said.
“What we are trying to do is talk about how these issues are everyone’s issues.
“What has been nice and surprising is how many people have the same opinion, eg. reducing plastic pollution.
“So how do we work together to get what we all want?”
- Interested readers can contact the group through their Facebook page
Great group raising community awareness.