Saturday 10th December is International Human Rights Day, and here in Adelaide you can celebrate and show your support at the inaugural Kimberley Culture Festival at Elder Park from 3 - 8pm.

Come and learn about the culture and environmental significance of the Kimberley; hear about the the threats to the region and how you can help. Learn about the secrets and mystery of the Kimberley, home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity, stunning landscapes and even Dinosaur footprints.

What: Kimberley Culture Festival
When: Saturday 10th December, 3-8pm
Where: Elder Park
Cost: Free

The event will showcase the stories from the local community and word from organisations on the ground in Walmadan, James Price Point, with roots and reggae music from local Adelaide bands.

Come along and show your support for the Kimberley, and enjoy a sunny day filled with food, market stalls, information about the Kimberley, guest speakers and live music featuring Irie Knights, Minority Tradition, Moore Black & The Organic Roots and Dan Spencer.

We hope to see you there for a whale of a day!

Find us on facebook - Kimberley Culture Festival

Act now! Have you signed the Kimberley cyberaction?

From the ground up: Are we fracked?

Coal Seam Gas mining is emerging as a serious threat to our environment and our ground water.

When: Thursday 29 September 2011 - 5.00pm for a 5.30pm start until 7.30pm.
Where: Bradley Forum, UniSA City West campus, Hawke Building level 5, 50-55 North Terrace, Adelaide

Share others’ experiences and join the conversation with experts, activists, politicians from across the Murray-Darling and Great Artesian Basins as we discuss:

• Coal seam gas: Where? By whom? For whom?
• Ground water/surface water: Basin connectivities?
• Hydraulic fracking: How? With what consequences?
• Land Rights: Indigenous rights, farmers’ rights, community rights
• The Murray-Darling Basin Plan (Draft due Nov 2011)

Speakers and panellists include:

Rosemary Nankivell, Farmer Chairperson, Coal Seam Gas Committee, Caroona Coal Action Group (NSW);
Tim Duddy, Liverpool Plains Farmer, Councillor and Environmental Advocate (NSW);
Tim Kelly, CEO, Conservation Council of South Australia;
Peter Owen, The Wilderness Society (SA);
Sarah Moles, Secretary Lock the Gate, Darling Downs, Qld;
Senator Nick Xenophon (Ind), South Australia;
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (The Greens) South Australia;
Ruth Beach, The Environmental Defenders Office (SA) Inc.;
Diane Bell: Chair, River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc.;
Paul Ferguson, Geo9 geologist (minerals exploration).

Please download flyer and help promote the the forum through your networks.

Register by e-mailing: waterapps@me.com

More Info - Contact: Diane Bell: 0427 554 194 - waterapps@me.com
www.hurrysavetheMurray.com
www.ccag.org.au

All members of the Wilderness Society Inc were invited to attend.

It was also possible to attend the AGM by joining a meeting in one of our local campaign centre locations, connected via tele-communications to the Melbourne meeting.

Minutes of the meeting

Click here to view the draft minutes of the meeting.

The rest of this page has been left as it was prior to the meeting, for reference.

AGM Details

Date: Saturday 19 November 2011

Time: 2:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (see below for your local time)

Agenda: Confirmation of minutes of previous AGM; campaign report; financial report; other reports; election of committee; appointment of auditor.

Format: The meeting will be held simultaneously at the locations below, connected via telecommunications. It will be convened and facilitated from the Melbourne location:

Nominations for the Committee of the Wilderness Society Inc

All members are eligible to nominate for election to the Committee of Management of the Wilderness Society Inc. Nominations have now closed.  Download a nomination form. Read the TWS Inc Committee of Management Code of Conduct.  Nominations were to be submitted in writing by 20 October to allow other members to view the information in plenty of time before the meeting.

Details of nominations for the Committee of Management received by the deadline are here.

Meeting papers

AGM agenda

Minutes of previous meetings:

• TWS Inc Special General Meeting 11 December 2010 - Draft Minutes
• TWS Inc Annual General Meeting 11 December 2010 - Draft Minutes
• Facilitator's confirmation of the minutes of both meetings

Annual Review (incorporating Director's Report, Convenor's Report and Treasurer's Report)

Auditor's Report and Financial Statements

Nominations received for the committee (nominations have now closed)

Election rules (set by the Committee of Management)

TWS Inc Constitution as amended 11 December 2010

Modified Consensus Decision Making Policy (how we make decisions at TWS meetings)

View a copy of the letter sent to all members on approximately 15 September 2011 by mail or email notifying them of the meeting.

For further information please call 1800 030 641.

State and Local TWS Organisation Annual General Meetings

A collaborative skill-share between Australian Student Environment Network (ASEN), Friends of the Earth Adelaide and the Wilderness Society SA will be held from 2nd September - 4th September 2011, at Longwood Camp, in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.

Training areas include: Campaign strategy, Non-Violence Direct Action, creative activism, media engagement, power analysis, knowing your legal and activist rights, sustainable activism, art-ivism, '10 tactics' to explore information into action, amongst others. The official workshop program will be available beginning of August.

There will be group team building activities, film screenings of powerful documentaries, guided night bush walks, interactive workshops and seminars and most importantly will bring together an incredible mix of amazing people to learn and grow with and from one another.

Accommodation will be provided in comfortable dorm style bunk rooms (you must bring your own bedding).

Food will be wholesome vegetarian meals, BYO treats (chocolate etc).

TWS members and volunteers are eligible for a discounted participation rate.

For more information about the skill-share and to register your attendance, visit the Adelaide Activist Skill-Share website.

Launceston - 22 May 2011

The Forever Wild Bequest Program will be holding an event at the Launceston Campaign Centre with an update by Tasmanian Campaign Manager Vica Bayley followed by drinks and afternoon tea at Fresh Cafe on Sunday 22nd May.  A free bus will also be available to take southern Tasmanian supporters from Hobart at 10am, returning that evening.

Adelaide - 29 May 2011

The following Sunday afternoon (29th May) Forever Wild will be holding its first event in Adelaide for nearly two years at the South Australian Campaign Centre with National and Regional updates presented by South Australian Campaign Manager Peter Owen.  Peter will address the five key areas of SA that are crucial for providing connectivity between species, habitat, climate and people - our coastal waters (marine parks), the Murray Darling Basin, the Range/ Arid Lands of the Lake Eyre Basin, the Northern Flinders Ranges and 'Wild Arc' (Eyre Peninsula to the West Australian Border)

To register your interest in either event, please contact Juanita Frost, Forever Wild Bequest Program Manager, on 03 9038 0829/ 0437 963 006 or email:
juanita.frost@wilderness.org.au

The 2011 Climate Action Summit will be held in Melbourne from the 9th to 11th of April.

Featuring dozens of inspiring talks and skill-building workshops, this year’s event focuses on the theme ‘From the Ground Up’ and is a great opportunity to share information and collaborate to build the community movement for real action on climate change. 

On Monday the 11th participants will come together as a diverse movement to take part in an inspiring ‘No New Carbon’ action in Melbourne’s CBD.  Monday afternoon will provide an opportunity to present the outcomes of the summit and to relax and mingle with experienced climate campaigners over a few drinks.

For waged participants, the conference is $50 for Saturday and Sunday, or $25 for one day only.  If you’re not working, then it’s $10 per day.  There’s also a delicious low cost lunch available for $8 per day, which can be paid for online.

To register your place and pay securely for the Summit, click here.  You can also sign up for updates about the Summit on the easy online form.

Come and join us on the steps of Parliament House to call for an end to all mining and exploration activities in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

Where: Steps of Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide 

When: Monday 7th February 2011, meeting at 10am

What to wear: Orange! If you don't have orange, wear black or red. 

RSVP on the facebook event page

In 2007 mining company Marathon Resources had its exploration licence suspended after illegally dumping 22,800 bags of radioactive waste in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and stealing Fluorite from a site classified as a Geological monument.

Despite the fact that 82% of people opposed any form of mining in Arkaroola as shown through submissions to the Seeking a Balance report, the Rann Government announced a week before Christmas that Marathon Resources will be allowed back in to this iconic and unique wilderness sanctuary to explore for uranium.

South Australians have united to ask their Government to show leadership and strength by protecting this important part of South Australia. Instead, faceless lobbyists have had their way and the Government has caved in. The recent announcement opens the door for environmental destruction on a massive scale.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is:

• on the Register of the National Estate

• a recognised geological monument,

• a Sanctuary under the National Parks & Wildlife Act

• an Environmental Class A zone under the Development Act

South Australia’s reputation is at stake - Mr Rann and the South Australian Government need to show leadership and protect Arkaroola.

The SA Wilderness Action Group (SWAG) is hard at work getting the message out there that SA's wilderness needs adequate protection. Right now we're campaigning for the protection of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, and for a network of large marine sanctuaries to protect South Australia's wonderful underwater world. 

SWAG meetings 2011: every second Monday night at 6pm in the Wilderness Society SA Campaign Centre (lvl 7, 118 King William St, Adelaide)

Here's a little taste of what we'll be up to over the next two months: 

Volunteers take 'Murray the Cod' for a swim at Overflow at The Bay 2009. Photo: Tammy-Jo Sutton.

Seaside ventures: Saturday 22nd January We'll be visiting some beaches around Adelaide to talk to people about marine sanctuaries in SA and help debunk some of the myths about what no-take zones mean for us (and we'll probably go for a dip if the weather's nice, too!) 

Big Day Out stall: Friday 4th February
Our volunteers are heading down to the Big Day Out to talk to people about our campaigns, hand out info & stickers and have a groove to some funky music!

Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures:
Sunday 6th February
We'll be having a stall at this lovely seaside event, where there will be amazing marine-themed artwork for sale.  

Adelaide Fringe Festival opening night parade: Friday 18th February
Workshops for mending and creating costumes, making junk instruments, learning how to play percussion (lead by musicians including Heather Frahn) will be running throughout January & February. To get involved contact Alyssa on (08) 8231 6586 or email alyssa.fletcher@wilderness.org.au

Surf Lifesaving SA Junior Carnival at Normanville: Sunday 20th February
With around 1500 people expected to attend this event, there's no better time to chat to people about marine sanctuaries in South Australia. There'll be an eco-treasure hunt for the kids and maybe even an appearance from our friends Dez the Dingo and Wez the Wombat!

If you're heading to any of these events, drop by our stall and have a chat with our lovely volunteers. 

Want to get involved?

If you like the idea of helping out at some of these events, please contact Alyssa on (08) 8231 6586 or alyssa.fletcher@wilderness.org.au. New people are always welcome to join our team of vibrant volunteers!

In Adelaide, the festival season is February to March, when the city comes alive with the annual Fringe Festival with art, music, theatre and comedy - all kicked off with a massive parade and street party! Thousands of people flock to the streets of the Adelaide CBD to enjoy the warm weather and festivity, and each year SWAG (SA Wilderness Action Group) takes part in the opening night parade.

Each year we spend months planning concepts, building floats, designing and sewing costumes and rehearsing skits in preparation for the big event.

Adelaide Fringe Opening Night Parade

When: Friday 18th February 2011
Where: Adelaide CBD

Check out what we've done in previous years

From Occy the giant Octopus to a giant blow-up version of planet Earth, our floats each year have been weird and wonderful - and always with a clever community awareness message about South Australia's wilderness or wildlife.

Have a look at our photos here.

For more photos of what SWAG is up to, check out our facebook page here. 

Want to get involved?

Street Theatre for the Fringe Parade

Fringe 2011 will see a different theme again and we need your help to come up with some bright ideas about how to create an eye-catching display whilst communicating our message.

If you're interested in joining the SWAG team in preparation for the Fringe Parade, or being in the parade, please contact Alyssa Fletcher on (08) 8231 6586 or alyssa.fletcher@wilderness.org.au.

The Annual General Meeting of The Wilderness Society (South Australia) Inc will be held at 5.45pm on Friday 29th October 2010 at The Science Centre, Exchange Place Adelaide. 

Agenda

Volunteers Emma, Kate & Jimmy at office party in 2008

• Confirmation of minutes of 2009 AGM
• Acceptance of 2010 Reports
• Appointment of Auditor for 2010-2011
• Election of Management Committee
  

Nominations for Office Bearer and General Committee of Management members are to be provided to the Public Officer, The Wilderness Society (South Australia) Inc, GPO Box 1734, Adelaide 5001. Nomination forms are available by contacting sa@wilderness.org.au or phoning (08) 8231 6586. Nominations can be accepted up to the commencement of the AGM.

Campaign Celebration 

Members, families, friends and supporters of wilderness are then invited to join the Management Committee and staff to celebrate the achievements of the past year. Come and join us for drinks, nibbles and good company!

Where: The Wilderness Society SA Campaign Centre, Level 7, 118 King William St, Adelaide

When: From 7pm on Friday 29th October

Hope to see you there!

Photo: The Wilderness Society Collection

The Whaletime Playtime Festival is on again!

To celebrate the opening of the whale-watching season,this fun & fabulous festival has food, live music, entertainment, stalls, face painting, jumping castle, demonstrations, information, games, interactive activities, and much more!

Come and learn about SA's unique marine life and how to protect it

We'll have a colourful stall with stickers, puzzles, information, games, colouring-in and more! You may even get a chance to meet our good friend Lucy the Leafy Sea Dragon.

Where: Warland Reserve, Victor Harbor
When: 10am - 4pm, Sunday 4 July 2010 

Did you know that South Australia has more unique marine life than the Great Barrier Reef?

Yet less than 1% of our waters have any kind of protection.

We need a network of large sanctuary zones to secure a healthy future for our marine species.

We hope to see you there!

Wes the Wombat at Flinders University World Environment Day 2008. Photo: Tammy-Jo Sutton.

What: World Environment Day celebrations

Where: Flinders University Plaza

When: Wednesday 2 June, 11am-3pm

We hope to see you there! And who knows, we might just get a visit from our fluffy friends Wes the Wombat and Des the Dingo...

Premiering at Sundance Film Festival last year, The End of The Line is an acclaimed documentary highlighting the devastating effects of global overfishing. Featuring stunning underwater cinematography and interviews with fishermen, politicians and scientists, The End of The Line is a shocking yet compelling look into the problems and solutions of overfishing. 

Where: Mercury Cinema, 13 Morphett St, Adelaide

Session Times:
Thurs 13th May 9pm - SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW
Fri 21st May 7pm and 8:45pm
Sat 22nd May 4pm - PLUS Q&A WITH THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY AND GREENPEACE
Sun 23rd May 5:30pm and 7:15pm
Fri 28th May 7pm and 8:45pm
Sat 29th May 7pm and 8:45 pm
Sun 30th May 5:30pm and 7:15pm

Cost: $12 full or $10 concession

For more information and ticket purchase, visit the Mercury Cinema website, contact 8410 1934 or email cinema@mrc.org.au

Did you know that South Australia has more unique marine life than the Great Barrier Reef? Yet less than 1% has any real protection. South Australia needs Marine Sanctuaries to ensure a healthy future for our marine life.

We're looking for a funky, new, activist t-shirt that can be proudly worn by our volunteers. You can decide on the messaging and colours, but remember to check out the Volunteer section of our website to guide your decision.

The Wilderness Society is a grassroots organisation, which campaigns to conserve Australia’s great wild places. We rely on volunteers and activists to take our environmental messages out into the community.

The Reward
If your design is chosen as the winner, we’ll display it on our website, include your design (and profile) in ‘Wilderness News' Magazine and create our new range of organic cotton activist shirts to your specifications and with your name on them. You’ll get a sample of the final product too of course.

How to enter
email your entry to:
malcolm.fisher@wilderness.org.au
Subject heading: The Great T-Shirt Competition

And send in your design by 17th May

Volunteers Megan and Kat enjoy Overflow at the Bay Festival in Adelaide 2009. Photo: Tammy-Jo Sutton.

It’s the biggest week of the uni year! Designed to help new students get a feel for university life, Orientation Week is known for its display of stalls, live music, games, competitions and demonstrations amongst university tours and inductions.

When: Monday 22 & Thursday 25 February 2010

Where: Barr-Smith Lawns, Adelaide University, Victoria drive

Drop by our stall at Adelaide University O'Week and have a chat with our vibrant volunteers about how to protect South Australia’s unique marine life. We’ll be there with stickers, fliers, badges, postcards and more. South Australia is home to more unique marine life than the Great Barrier Reef, yet less than 1% has any real protection. Development, pollution, fishing and climate change are putting increasing stress on our favourite places. We urgently need a network of large marine sanctuaries within South Australian waters to secure a healthy future for our spectacular and precious marine life.

Hope to see you there!