Left to Right: LEG members Chris Jonkers, Thomas Ebersoll, Erica Cavanagh, Julie Favell, Chris Oddie (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Story by Quintin Handley
Key Points:
Lithgow Environmental Group (LEG) hosted a screening of Tim Flannery’s documentary ‘Climate Changers’ at the Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub. It focused on investigating responsible climate leadership.
Equally as inspiring as the leadership shown in the documentary was the story of LEG’s twenty-year-long championing of the local environment.
“It’s not a film to be enjoyed, but I hope it will inspire us.”
These were the words with which Thomas Ebersoll of Lithgow Environment Group finished his opening speech before the showing of Tim Flannery’s film: ‘Climate Changers’. The film was shown in the Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub and focused on what role leadership plays in facing the climate crisis. It featured interviews with a variety of leaders, from politicians such as former PM Malcom Turnbull, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, and 45th American vice-president Al Gore, to Polynesian chieftains and climate activists.
More salient than the examples of leadership displayed in the documentary however, was the living example shown by those presenting the documentary in that small auditorium in Lithgow. The story of Lithgow Environment Group, or LEG as its members call it, is a saga spanning nearly two decades. It is a story of their heroic struggle against fire, local habitat destruction, weak government legislation and in particular, irresponsible mining practices.
LEG was founded in 2005 when concerned members of the public contacted one of the founding members about reports of asbestos in the Lidsdale area. The first meeting was held in 2006 in Lithgow. and identified their primary concern for the local area was the water supply. Soon they had established over thirty water quality monitoring stations throughout the Coxs River, Farmers Creek, and other local watercourses.
Members of LEG checking water quality as part of their ‘Streamwatch’ Program’ (Photo: LEG)
LEG’s most notable achievement came in 2011 when, after two years of litigation, they collaborated with Blue Mountains Conservation Society to stop the pollution of the Coxs River with wastewater from the Wallerawang power station. Read more here
One of the founding members, Julie Favell, stated that “Everywhere I look I see weak legislation. That’s what’s got to change.” Still, they are undaunted in their struggle to preserve their local environment. Erica Cavanagh, another member of LEG, linked this to Tim Flannery’s documentary, saying of Julie “It’s not the collective, it’s individuals who are speaking out, leaders. It takes determination and a certain courage.”
Indeed, the words determination and courage characterise the members of LEG, and the attitude they hold to the endless work required, of just a handful of key members, in monitoring the endless square kilometres of bushland and waterways surrounding Lithgow. “It takes a long time to collect all that data, it’s a lot of fieldwork,” said Julie Favell of the thousands of aggregate hours she and Chris Jonkers have spent trekking the bush and meticulously recording water quality and local biodiversity.
Additional projects of LEG over the years have included monitoring local swamps for potential signs of damage that could occur from mining on the Newnes Plateau, an area now listed as a NSW Endangered Ecological Community. Julie Favell said, “Those swamps have been there for twelve thousand years, and they’re a natural filtering system. If you destroy them it’s not only destroying the local habitat for fauna and flora, but drastically reducing environmental flow, the local water quality, and Sydney’s drinking water. Without water, nothing lives, retainment of water quantity and quality is paramount for all to survive.”
Left: The pristine Farmer’s Creek swamp Right: Chris Jonkers in the East Wolgan Swamp, damaged by mining operations draining the swamp (Photos: LEG)
In wake of the destruction of much animal habitat during the Black Summer Bushfires, LEG has organised a community-driven project to provide artificial nesting hollows, or ‘possum tubes’, for vulnerable species such as the Eastern Pygmy Possum throughout the Ben Bullen State Forest. With materials donated by Lithgow Bunnings, initial design training by Fauna Ecologist Andrew Lothian, the nest boxes constructed by the local Lithgow Women’s Shed, and then installed by concerned local volunteers and LEG members, the project stands as a testament to the ability of a few motivated individuals to organise and rally community effort to step up and do something for the environment.
On May 24th the group organised their 4th Annual Eastern Pygmy Possum and Nature Walk to monitor the progress of the project. Local fauna expert Andrew Lothian led a group in opening up the hollows and cataloguing the inhabitants. Seventeen volunteers inspected 15 nest tubes, and two happy residents were unearthed, a female eastern pygmy possum and a male feathertail glider, both in good health and enjoying the shelter provided by the plastic piping filled with soft doona stuffing.
Left: An Eastern Pygmy Possum blinks in the sun
Middle: The beautiful feather tail of the Feathertail Glider
Right: The Feathertail Glider being carefully held by local expert Andrew Lothian (Photos: Julie Favell)
Though their work may be inspiring, the future of the Lithgow Environment Group is uncertain. After twenty years of dedication its members are worried that in ten or fifteen years there may be no one remaining in Lithgow to carry on walking the trails, documenting, and supporting the local environment. As such the LEG is calling for new members from the Lithgow/Blue Mountains area. Julie Favell says they’re “seeking volunteers to join and learn, we want to educate and pass on our knowledge.” Any interested persons can find the LEG website and email address at the end of this article.
Any who make that step will find themselves welcomed with open arms and warm smiles into a small but committed community of local heroes passionate about their local environment, as I was for a brief but happy time when I stepped into the Lithgow Transformation Hub and tripped over the story of these true ‘climate changers’. Their existence answers in the affirmative to the overarching question in Tim Flannery’s documentary: do we still have those leaders out there with the determination and courage to stand up and rally us against climate change.
LEG members Julie Favell and Chris Jonkers at the screening of ‘Climate Changers’(Photo: Lis Bastian)
‘Think locally, act locally, I think we really have made a difference in this little town’ – Chris Jonkers
Take Action:
Join! “If you have the passion, we welcome anyone, there’s no person we wouldn’t include if their passion was to learn more about the environment. The environment always needs passionate people and you can do it.”
If Lithgow is too far, start your own group “Don’t feel that you don’t have the knowledge, you’ve got to start somewhere, LEG started with very little knowledge, you’ve got to start somewhere”
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Quintin is a student studying history at the University of Sydney and a graduate of Penrith High School. He is currently writing for the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative’s Local News and wishes to pursue a career in journalism.
The concept of planetary health is rapidly gaining attention globally, as the world increasingly confronts the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health crises. But what does the term 'planetary health' really mean, and why does it matter?
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