Compost Victoria will be promoting compost use, knowledge and products to improve awareness about the importance of this valuable organic resource at CERES on Saturday 3rd May from 9am. Vasili, host of Vasili's Garden will be dropping by to launch this exciting week of events around Australia and the World. At CERES there will products, displays & give aways, and you will be about to learn the latest on Carbon Gardening.

To find out more about Compost Week go to www.compostweek.com.au

To watch the episode about CERES and compost on Vasili's Garden, click here.

On the 13th February 2008 the Rudd government finally said Sorry to the Indigenous people of Australia for imposing inhumane policies on our people and taking the children away from their parents. The ‘Stolen Generations’ have been happening to Aboriginal Australia for many generations. My mother and my father were both stolen and put into missions as babies. My mother never met her real mother, which reflects many stories that are all around Australia. This has caused a break down of our culture, our language and our sense of belonging to our family. This was a clear strategy to dilute us and get rid of our connection to land. But we have survived and we are still telling our stories. This historical event has been coming for many years. Finally a government has come into power that has the right human leadership qualities – to be there for ALL Australians.
“Sorry”. The first step toward the journey of healing.

“I really felt the spirit of my ancestors breathe. The spirit of this land exhaled.”

On Friday 15th February 2008 Ceres made a time to acknowledge this important event.

The sun was shining strong and the day was hot. It was definitely the perfect time to celebrate at CERES with a smoking ceremony. The willam looked in top condition and the sand was comforting beneathe our feet. People joined us in the space and shared stories about where they were for the actual acknowledgement.

Eucalyptus leaves are a medicine for Indigenous Australia and used as a healing tool in many ways. We used our gum leaves for this smoking ceremony to cleanse negative spirits and renew the area for future people entering the Willam area.
 
Noel opened by saying a few words on how he felt and the positive effect this would have on education. Shiralee acknowledged the traditional people and ancestors of this land- the Wurunjerri people, of the Kulin Nations. Shared stories from Aboriginal family and asked everyone to join the smoking ceremony by placing a eucalypt leaf on the smoking fire.

There was a strong sense of coming together. Clinton then shared stories from Torres Strait Island. These polices have affected many families within Indigenous Australia. Clinton and Kusela then shared an important song and hymn passed on through family.

We planted a new banksias tree which was dedicated to this Acknowledgement and hope that as it grows with strength, to the roots of our healing journey.

We had coloured feet to place in the area of the Willam at Ceres, to signify the movement and action encouraged from this event.
The day held a lot of significance for Indigenous and Non indigenous Australia and it was enjoyable to celebrate this at Ceres.

The support shown to us through non Indigenous Australia has been amazing and it is fantastic to see all who share this time.
It is the beginning of all Australia moving forward.
‘You look after the spirit of the land and the spirit of the land will look after you’.

CERES took part in the Organic Expo, Sept 7-9th  at the Royal Exhibition Buildings.  The event was billed as “Australia’s leading organic and environmental show”.  The Organic Expo was a new event for Melbourne as was previously held in Sydney.  Over 200 organisations took part in the expo, including an impressive list of guest speakers.

Marissa Wood, Food Project Co-ordinator and visual merchandise guru, designed and made a fantastic feature wall backdrop made entirely from recycled cardboard boxes from the CERES market.  The idea was to try and capture the essence of CERES, for the vibrant atmosphere and tempt people to come and discover more for themselves.  The effect caused a sensation at the Expo and many people came to comment on how fabulous the CERES stall looked and for its authenticity.

We made new connections with many local and overseas people and businesses.  It was a great opportunity to connect with people and organisations to see the direction the ‘organics industry’ is taking.

Thank you to all who generously volunteered their time to help on the stall.

CERES is proud to announce that the first stage of the new Centre, was opened on March 7 the Minister for Victorian Communities, Peter Batchelor.
This has been be a much anticipated and significant milestone in the history of CERES.

The stage one building, designed by prominent architect Greg Burgess, and funded by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund, will house the new CERES visitor welcome, the Nursery, offices for staff, toilets, a shower and a kitchenette. It has been constructed with best practice principles of sustainable building at every opportunity. It will be a model for community effort, and an inspiration to others, as well as a beautiful and functional space.

It is the first of a series of buildings located at the top site of CERES over the next few years. In entirety, they will create a new hub for CERES, a place that can enable CERES to further its mission and create more possibilities for programs and projects promoting sustainability.