'GRANNY SKILLS LUNCHEON' LAHARUM GROVE

 A few weeks ago our local paper ran an article written by Grampians Waste Management about a luncheon to be held at Laharum Grove, to introduce a proposed granny skills project in our region. The reasoning behind the project is that up to 40% of food purchased, ends up in kerbside waste collection each week. Meaning that land fills end up with wasted food that gives off methane gasses as it decomposes. I was shocked by the statistics...do people really waste so much of what they purchase?  
The idea behind the project is that if people are encouraged and taught how to grow, prepare and cook their own food. They would be less likely to waste it. There was an interesting group of people from different backgrounds at the luncheon. Rebecca Sullivan, founder of the Granny Skills movement spoke about the inspiration behind her starting the program. The idea is to teach workshops in Primary and Secondary Schools by a team of volunteers.
For many people my age, we learned at home from our mothers or grandmother's how to cook, sew, mend, knit, grow and preserve our own food. In my household that was just what we did and was certainly taken for granted. Current education in these areas has plummeted to very basic cooking and sewing now taught in schools. In the past schools in my area offered night classes to learn anything from sewing, welding, wool classing, sheet metal work and much more. Slowly these programs have disappeared and our once lively Community Learning Group, dissolved into dust over 10 years ago.  
I have just spent the past 3 weeks at the EES hearings regarding the proposed two open cut gold mines in our town. The hearings were held at our local Tafe College. Sadly now closed and a complete white elephant in our town due to cuts in State Government Funding!
Our local Camera Club placed an article in the local paper offering a 5 week program 'Get to know your camera' I inquired a few days after the article was published and was told that I was number 15 to register. A message passed on a few days later said that due to the overwhelming response the club decided to run the program in two groups. Talking to a friend yesterday he mentioned that he was not able to get into either group and is number 10 on a waiting list should someone pull out. I feel that this is a prime example of the lack of further education opportunities that now exist in our area. Not only are younger children not being taught basic skills. There is little opportunity for adults to do any kind of further educational courses.
Tonight I am off to 'Get to know your camera'

The photo was taken at the roadside near Laharum Grove. One of the first areas impacted by the Wartook fires in January. It was sad to see houses and large business in the area with for sale signs up. But not surprising, as this area has been highly impacted by bush fires in the past 15 years.