Katoomba Area Local NewsStrengthening community, healing Country, and restoring the health of our planet.
Another World is Possible
Kindlehill students learn how to reduce erosion at the Planetary Health Centre: view the video here
There is a little bit of magic happening on Wednesdays at the Planetary Health Centre as young volunteers from Kindlehill School, and Council staff, work together to create a demonstration site for the wider community. This hands-on program is inspiring all involved, including teacher Sarah Daniel. In her reflection on their Bushcare session, reprinted here, she was reminded of Arundhati Roy’s words that ‘another world is not only possible, she is on her way.’
Key Points:
The Planetary Health Centre provides a diverse learning and volunteer program for the whole community, including an evolving demonstration site.
From Bushcare to learning how to fireproof our homes and communities, and stop the erosion caused by stormwater, the Centre is showcasing how we can reduce the risk of disaster and restore the health of our planet for all species.
Last week year 9-10 started our practical project volunteering for the Planetary Health Initiative as part of our geography unit on climate change. When I started thinking of this unit, I admit I felt a bit tentative. The response in myself to the thought of climate change brings up feeling of overwhelm and fear, and this is not something that I want to cultivate in young people!
Working with the Planetary Health Initiative seemed like a good way to embed practical action on earth care and climate action into the work we are doing, to shift the conversation away from what seems impossible to what we tangibly can do.
Kindlehill students participating in Bushcare at the Planetary Health Centre
When we arrived, Lis Bastian shared an anecdote about the Bradley Method (the most common method of Bushcare used in Australia today). She shared this in guiding us with what we were doing, but also as a metaphor for our own lives. Michael Meade says we need metaphors to hang our heart on. This will be one for me!
The Bradley method was started by two sisters from Northern Sydney who were regenerating the bush around their home. The first principle is, rather than starting in the most disrupted, weedy and tangled places, look for the most beautiful and healthy. It could be around the base of a tree, or a crop of native grasses, or a flowering plant. Find that spot and begin slowly working outward.
Just like when we are looking into the world currently, perhaps in our personal lives when things are tough and tangled, or at the bigger picture with the multi-crises of our times, we ask ourselves: where is the beauty, the healthy, the place that is intact? This is the place we begin, slowly making our way out. Hearing this made so much sense to me. We have to begin with what we can manage, with something that lights us up, that gives us hope.
Lis pointed out a Native Elderberry. This plant, she said, would be a great place to begin. Each privet weeded out, meant that this plant had a chance to grow tall and strongly rooted, and as a pioneer plant, regenerating the land around it. The Native Elderberry, Lis explained, has a symbiotic relationship with the Elderberry Leaf Roller, a little moth that depends almost entirely on this plant to house its young as they grow.
The Elderberry Panax Leaf Roller is a moth whose larvae feed on the leaves of the native Elderberry Panax. These caterpillars create shelters by webbing leaves together and feeding on the foliage.
As we cleared the privet out from around it, I thought about the ripples that would come from this small action. The pollination that the moths would do; the bats, birds and frogs that would feed on it; the seeds of the native plant that would be spread to restore land instead of the privet. I could see widening circles of health rippling out, regenerating the ecosystem and therefore, restoring the soil, water, air and finally, the dance of climate.
Removing weed to allow the Elderberry Panax to thrive at the Planetary Health Centre
I could see that as the young people weeded, and pulled, that perhaps they thought that it was a very small act. Even insignificant. But the truth is, that if we all do something small every day, we make change. We pulled out around 250 privet plants, making space for lomandra, elderberry, native grasses. We made space for restoration, for the healing of our world.
Two of the students with one of the 250 privets the group removed.
I feel different now when I think about teaching about climate change. I am excited, full of the deep-seated knowledge of WHAT IS POSSIBLE! We have everything we need, the knowledge, the skills, the technology, the imagination, the loving communities, and incredible Earth and her living communities.
Arundhati Roy says, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” In this moment so can I.
Sarah Daniel, Kindlehill School
Last term the students helped fireproof the Centre by replacing vegetation adjacent to the building with gravel.
The finished work
In their second session this term, the students worked with Council’s Environment team to stop erosion on a slope using natural materials. This technique slows stormwater flows, builds soil and reduces water pollution downstream. Learn more here:
Join the Planetary Health Bushcare group on the first Saturday of every month to learn more about how to regenerate bushland and to contribute to the restoration of the Planetary Health site. Contact Karen Hising (Bushcare Officer) via email at [email protected]or call the Bushcare Office on 4780 5623.
Contact the Centre to arrange a group or school visit: [email protected] or ring 0407 437 553.
On World Animal Day (Sat 4 Oct), join us at a very special event as we celebrate the life of Christine Townend, cofounder of Animal Liberation in 1976, and Animals Australia in 1980. Christine spent two decades helping animals in India where she and her husband Jeremy also founded two animal shelters. In 2019 she was awarded the Order of Australia for her contributions to animal protection. A resident of Leura, Christine died on 15 August 2025. Raising the Bar for Nature, at the Planetary Health Centre, will be a night of poetry, art and celebration with delicious plant based food. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4migZuD
Early bird registrations and call for submissions are now open for our groundbreaking conference and community expo bringing together the Australian Bushfire Building Conference and the Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conference from the 20-22 November. Visit the Full Cycle 2025 website to purchase your ticket, or register your interest in partnering, speaking, sharing research, exhibiting or running workshops (link in profile): https://www.fullcycleconference.com.au/
Katoomba`s Against the Grain compresses sawdust into briquettes. They`re heating homes across the Blue Mountains and dramatically reducing landfill waste. Read more in our Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/turning-sawdust-into-gold/
What a glorious Spring day! We spent most of it outside: enjoying Tai Chi in the sunshine; with an outdoor stall at the Sustainability Festival; and at Bushcare - where we welcomed new members to the group, and finally cleared our way through what once seemed like an impenetrable wall of weed.
We`re excited about tomorrow: Tai Chi at 8am Book here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/47WI2YO, the @bluemtns_sustainability_fest from 10am at the Cultural Centre and throughout Katoomba and Leura, and Bushcare from 1.30pm (link in profile): https://bit.ly/420ofE4 (NB. Lis will be heading straight to Planetary Health Bushcare after her talk!)
Check out how Blue Mountains City Council`s environment team worked with students from Kindlehill School at the Planetary Health Centre to demonstrate how to stop erosion on a slope using natural materials. This technique slows stormwater flows, builds soil and reduces water pollution downstream. Our `How to Do Cool Things` playlist on our YouTube channel has lots of other helpful videos too! (link in profile) #erosion #stormwater #repair #regeneration #erosioncontrol #planetaryhealth #watermanagement...
There is a little bit of magic happening on Wednesdays at the Planetary Health Centre as young volunteers from @kindlehill_high_school, and Council staff, work together to create a demonstration site for the wider community. This hands-on program is inspiring all involved, including teacher Sarah Daniel. In her reflection on their Bushcare session, reprinted here, she was reminded of Arundhati Roy’s words that ‘another world is not only possible, she is on her way.’
Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (Link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/another-world-is-possible/
If you`re feeling overwhelmed, this Saturday offers inspiring opportunities to `re-set` mind, body and spirit with morning Tai Chi, Qigong and breakfast at the Planetary Health Centre at 8am; the Sustainability Festival at the Cultural Centre from 10am; and Planetary Health Bushcare to fully reconnect with nature and help regenerate habitat for wildlife at 1.30pm. Reserve your spot for Tai Chi here: https://bit.ly/47WI2YO and Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/420ofE4
Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in Australia but Community Defibrillators are easy to use and may help you save someone`s life. Learn how in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIdPTT4r0T4&t=60s
Our Planetary Health Bushcare Group had a ball today at the annual Bushcare Picnic and we were thrilled that our youngest member, Arthur van der Meer, was presented with the Junior Bushcare Award. Our inspiring Bushcare Officer Karen Hising, also leads the Narrowneck Bushcare Group which was recognised for 5 years of service to the Bushcare Program. We`re looking forward to our next Bushcare afternoon on Saturday 6 September from 1.30-4.3pm. All welcome.
You can now read the latest Planetary Health newsletter here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/41u8ftQ
Lots of great stories, events and videos! You can subscribe via the Planetary Health website (link in profile): https://www.bluemountainsplanetaryhealth.com.au/
This year, the Australian Bushfire Building and Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management conferences are joining forces with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative for Full Cycle 2025, to increase collaboration across sectors, from design to disposal. This vital conference and community expo will explore approaches to reducing risks in a changing climate: from multi-hazards like fire, flood, heatwave and extreme humidity, to hazardous materials like mould, microplastics, PFAS, asbestos and engineered stone. Registration will be live in the coming weeks. In the meantime, visit the Full Cycle 2025 website for more information and to sign up to the mailing list (link in profile) https://www.fullcycleconference.com.au/
With 23 shops to explore, including lots of funky vintage clothing stores and op shops, Katoomba is a growing hub for sustainable fashion and the circular economy. Take a tour of what’s on offer where..
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