Katoomba Area Local NewsStrengthening community, healing Country, and restoring the health of our planet.
Taking Action to Prevent Nuclear War
The blast from the 1954 nuclear weapons test on Bikini Atoll (Image: Public Domain; US Dept of Energy)
On the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the Planetary Health Initiative and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective hosted a Peace Symposium and Community Picnic to provide pathways for everyone to take steps for a more peaceful future. The event kicked off ICAN’s Week of Action for the Abolition [of Nuclear Weapons] and everyone was asked to send a message to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to urge them to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in this term.You can add your voice to this urgent call here
Key Points:
Nuclear Abolition Campaign: The symposium marked the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, urging Australia to sign the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons through ICAN’s Week of Action.
Community-wide Peace Building: Over 130 participants heard diverse speakers emphasising that peace requires whole-of-community engagement, from addressing local social injustice to international diplomacy.
Key presenters included Japanese journalist Harumi Hayakawa, Quaker Rosemary Morrow, Rotarian Jennifer Scott, artist Matilda Emmerich, ICAN Ambassador Robert Tickner, Indonesian Ambassador Dr Siswo Pramono, MP Susan Templeman, and Mayor Mark Greenhill.
The Blue Mountains Peace Collective reflected on the inaugural Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Community Picnic:
The foundations of sustainable peace must be built through a culture of peace in the minds and actions of people worldwide. As defined by the United Nations, the Culture of Peace is a “set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations” (UN Resolutions A/RES/52/13).
Real sustainable Peace is: • an end to violent conflict, • an end to injustices, and • a culture of peace.
Peace is not something we achieve, peace must be worked for and practised daily, Dharug man, Chris Tobin, reminded the large audience gathered for the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Picnic. That Saturday, August 2nd, truly was one of the coldest, wettest, most miserable days of winter, but Chris Tobin’s warm welcome and opening remarks set the tone for the symposium: peace is a whole of community need, the ‘business’ of all of us, at all times.
Chris Tobin’s opening address
The symposium was a collaboration of the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective, held at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. The August 2nd date was chosen to mark the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The symposium was thus part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ (ICAN) Week of Action.
Harumi Hayakawa on Peace in Japan.
With the effects of nuclear weapons and the necessity for communities to promote, work on and embrace peace in everyday life both front of mind, it was fitting that the first speaker of the day was Japanese journalist Harumi Hayakawa. Harumi reminded us of the very great human cost of war; of why working for peace is so important.
Later, in the lunch break, she helped children and adults to make the origami cranes that remain a poignant symbol of the desire for life of Sadako Sasaki, a child victim of the Hiroshima bomb.
Harumi teaching participants how to make origami cranes during the Peace Picnic.
Following on from Harumi, Jennifer Scott stated: ‘Peace is not the absence of war, it is the absence of want.’ Jennifer is an active Rotarian for peace. Both internationally and locally, Rotary engages in promoting peace through on-the-ground work (building education, ameliorating poverty), by providing peace studies fellowships and much more.
Jennifer, who works in education in Cambodia, encouraged the audience in hope, in doing what we each can do to develop a world where social justice makes peace possible.
Rotary International Director, Jennifer Scott
Similarly, Rowe Morrow OAM, in a video presentation, spoke of the long and influential work of Quakers toward a fairer and more peaceful world, whether that be through protest (Quakers being early among the protestors at Pine Gap), international activism (Quakers have a UN presence, as does Rotary) or local community support work.
Rowe Morrow speaking on Quakers and Peace
Attendees at the symposium ranged in age (it was great to see some children there) and this, too, was reflected in the morning session presentations. There was history of past peace actions: a screening of the 1946 documentary, ‘Indonesia Calling’, which movingly portrayed Australian Waterside Workers unionists refusing, and convincing others to join them in refusing, to service Dutch ships in Australian ports post-war. These ships were transporting armaments with the aim of the Dutch regaining control of the recently independent Indonesian population: united, local action helped prevent that outcome.
Peace Collective member Bruce Cornwell described past successful protests, and discussed potential future actions. Emerging activists, too, stood up to be counted: Year 11 student, Matilda Emmerich, already an artist and poet, presented her work, Where Hope Sits, giving older activists hope for the future.
ArtistMatilda Emmerich
There was more hope and pertinent comment in the performances of Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies community choirs, and in the lunchtime activities, for children and adults alike, in origami, badgemaking, book learning (local bookshop, RoseyRavelston) and in sharing picnic food from Bibi’s Kitchen.
Ecopella Community Choir
The afternoon session, chaired by Nick Franklin, emphasised the importance of formal, governmental promotion of peace, particularly in working to abolish nuclear weapons. Robert Tickner, Ambassador to ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), pointed to Australia having already supported the banning of land mines, cluster munitions and other weapons of war – and argued, eloquently, that it is time the Australian government took the next steps and signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This signing, he suggested would also enable Australia to develop more independent foreign and strategic policies.
ICAN Ambassador, Robert Tickner’s presentation
Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill, member of the international Mayors for Peace, a group originally founded in 1982 by the mayor of Hiroshima, recognised the need for community action – campaigns against family violence, for gender equality and diversity, for example – as the essential supports for viable peace.
Mayor Mark Greenhill’s presentation
Our local federal member, Susan Templeman, outlined the federal government’s activities and policies in relation to the promotion of peace, noting that the Labor Party was committed to the signing of the TPNW (but when, the audience asked? When?).
Susan Templeman’s presentation
The three Australian representatives were joined by H.E. Dr Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia: the Indonesian government having become, in 2024, one of the 94 signatories to TPNW. Dr Pramono spoke as an advocate for Australia’s signing of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons ASAP.
Dr Siswo Pramono’s presentation
Well over a hundred people filled the audience seats at the symposium and their questions and comments were an essential part of the ongoing conversation throughout the day. Given current events, many comments concerned the unjustified and unjustifiable imposition of unbearable conflict on the people of Gaza. Actions were discussed – sanctions, pressure on Australian and international politicians and governments, protests, local supports and more.
Australia’s problematic commitment to AUKUS and nuclear submarines received several mentions, as it should. The cost of these submarines could fund so much for so many Australians – reminding us all, yet again, that a world that favours war over peace is a world in which humans suffer terribly in conflicts, and also unnecessarily through lack of service provision, when money is instead spent on weaponry that kills.
Fortunately, early on the day, the news came through that the March for Humanity would proceed across Sydney Harbour Bridge the following day. We expected it then, and know now, that the march was HUGE and the Blue Mountains was brilliantly represented.
In all, the Peace Symposium of August the 2nd was a remarkable event. As Robert Tickner said, ‘today (was) absolutely inspirational’.
With many thanks to all who volunteered and participated,
Such an amazing program for the Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Sat 18 Oct: from the renowned Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku, and author of Ferment, giving a hands on demonstration of how to preserve and increase the health and deliciousness of food through fermentation, to Dr Milena Bojovic from UTS on the Future of Food! Dr Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired will demonstrate innovative plant based cooking techniques, Michael from Good Fat Pastry will share baking innovations, Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast will share how to use Wild Edibles, seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers will share his amazing expertise and launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group, Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward will discuss equity and nutrition security and Farm it Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document, Erin Hall will provide a hands-on Weaving with Weeds workshop, and Nev Sweeney will share how to build and use a solar food dehydrator. Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth : https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or... This event has been supported by an Australian Association for Environmental Education sEEd grant.
Social enterprise @farmitforward is working to increase local food security one backyard after another, and with young people at Katoomba High School. At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 Oct, co-founder Manu Prigioni will speak about Incorporating equity and nutrition security in discussions on food security: Farm It Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document. Reserve your spot for her presentation here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle Read more about Manu and Farm it Forward in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/46PTAfF
Join seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp, from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, as we launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening group at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October. Lloyd will share some of his extensive seed saving experience, and there will be an opportunity to purchase and share local seeds and plants. Huge thanks to Happy Valley Seeds for donating heirloom seeds and discount cards, and to @thediggersclub for generously donating Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guides and their 2025/2026 Heirloom Seed Annual. There will be one for every attendee! The Food Security Fair is being held at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba and the Seed Saving presentation is at 10.20am. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Nev Sweeney, renowned permaculture teacher and practitioner, from Under the Choko Tree, will be leading a workshop on how to build and use a solar food dehydrator at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 Oct. Nev will talk about why food dehydration is a good idea, some techniques that can be used to dry food, pretreat or not to pretreat, general tips and considerations about food drying, drying fruit and veg, testing for dryness and using dried produce. He will explain how he made a simple direct solar food dryer and a more complex indirect solar food dryer. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Planetary Health volunteer, American permaculture teacher Susan Krings, has been helping to organise the inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair. If you`d like to learn more about volunteering at the Centre email [email protected] or ring 0407 437 553
You can purchase tickets for the Food Security Fair in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-sec...
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife. The event is part of a series celebrating the centenary of World Animal Day.
The fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds and Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward.
Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, Bibi`s Kitchen, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more.
Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October the inspiring Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook’ and founder of Plant Inspired, will be sharing innovative but very simple culinary techniques that can help you make delicious icecream, ‘egg` sandwiches and a wide range of cheeses without any eggs or dairy. Food that’s healthier for you and the planet. You no longer need to worry if the supermarket shelves suddenly don’t have eggs, or if you can’t afford them! There are so many cooking techniques that can help us create our favourite foods, without requiring animal products! The session will end with one of Teya’s fabulous cheese tastings. Bookings essential for this fascinating workshop here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
This event is one of a series celebrating the centenary of @worldanimalday @ph_alliance
In Marnee Fox’s session on Wild Edibles at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October, she’ll share how to incorporate wild ingredients into your every day diet AND make it delicious. Marnee Fox is a sustainable interior decorator, stylist, foodie and weed convert. She`s also one half of Forage to Feast Australia with husband, renowned environmental educator Diego Bonetto. Building on Diego`s much-loved weed foraging workshops, Marnee takes the food found on the foraging tour to the table. Bookings essential (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
If you haven`t yet tried the deliciousness of Good Fat Pastry you`ll be in for a treat at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October! Join Michael, the creative baker producing these mouthwatering plant based (and mostly gluten free) treats for breakfast, where he will inspire you to rethink everything you know about baking:
"Baking is both borne and constrained by convention—as are our expectations. Since Ancient Egypt and Rome, eggs, dairy, and cereals have been used in baked goods for flavour and functionality. The enormity of cakes, pastries, biscuits, and desserts we know and love—and the countless we have no awareness of—have been discovered and created through spontaneity and experimentation. Almost always resting on the magical transformations of these key ingredients under heat and energy.
Yet as the realm of food is one of creativity and sensory inquisitiveness there are inherent possibilities for alternatives—in replicating the familiar as well as creating novelty. This path can follow the complexities of molecular gastronomy or the simple pragmatism of substituting with what`s on hand. Find whatever works for you."
Spaces are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
One of the highlights of our Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October is our Weaving with Weeds workshop at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. In this relaxing and enjoyable workshop Erin Hall will help you identify common invasive weeds that are ideal for basket making, and teach you the basic skills to weave a range of different objects. At the same time you`ll be removing and repurposing weeds that are destroying habitat for our wildlife! Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for Ferment the Season with Holly Davis at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Holly will demonstrate how to ferment the season to create more nutrient rich and digestible food. She is the co-founder of Sydney’s Iku Wholefoods and author of ‘Ferment - A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Food’ and ’Nourish: Sustenance for Body and Soul”. Learn the foundational principles and several techniques for fermenting seasonally abundant produce. Fermentation increases nutrition and eating a little ferment with every meal has unlimited benefits for our overall wellbeing and the planet! Places are limited so book early here (Food Security Fair link in profile for tickets): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed to our celebration of the centenary of World Animal Day, and our tribute to the life of artist, poet, author, Animal Liberation founder, and animal rights activist, Christine Townend, at the Planetary Health Centre yesterday. At a packed event we feasted on delicious plant-based food, inspiring art and poetry, and memorable conversations, as we shared our love and respect for the extraordinary world of animals of which we are a part. Join us for further celebrations at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 October. Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We`re thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October! Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife.
Our fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds. Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more. Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
Dave Spees, Katoomba-based carpenter and founder of Against the Grain, has turned the by-product of his craft into a sustainable, sought-after winter fuel. His compressed sawdust briquettes are now helping to heat homes across the Blue Mountains, all while dramatically reducing landfill waste.
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