Annual Report 2024
What a year it’s been! We’ve made strides to spread our sustainability messages this year, and our collective efforts were recognised with multiple accolades at the 2024 Lake Mac Awards.
Our citywide Turtle Litter Clean Up was a massive success, thanks to our partnership with Hunter Wildlife Rescue and the enthusiastic participation of our volunteers. After a brief hiatus, Waste to Art returned in October 2023, showcasing the incredible creativity within our community. We celebrated the Lake Mac Tiny Forest’s first birthday along with a planting day that brought families together at Blackalls Park, while the Holmesville Community Garden blossomed into a hub of productivity and connection. The Greater Charlestown Sustainable Neighbourhood Group conducted an excellent visioning workshop resulting in a revitalised group enthusiastic to continue to deliver existing and new projects. Workshops like Waste Free Christmas featuring wreaths, furoshiki wrap, seed bombs, and insect hotels by the Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group inspired participants to embrace eco-friendly practices. The Sugar Valley Sustainable Neighbourhood group hosted a well-received companion planting workshop and the Warners Bay Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group celebrated nature through a Green Burials film screening. |
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The Valentine Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group empowered the community to make sustainable choices at home through their Solar Sense project and by hosting a transformative ‘Transform your Lawn’ workshop and Sustainable House Day tour.
The Five Bays Sustainable Neighbourhood Group continues their important work with the Pamper Care project. The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group’s anti-graffiti and mural project worked with local Aboriginal artists and business owners to create a welcoming business precinct.
Repair It Lake Mac continues to flourish and has grown to assist other local councils to form their own Repair Cafes, demonstrating the power of community action in reducing waste to landfill.
We continue to promote sustainability in fun and engaging ways. Our presence at the Living Smart Festival 2023 was a highlight, connecting us with many eager community members. In Redhead they revitalised their newsletter, bringing fresh, eco-friendly content to our community. The Blacksmiths, Marks Point and Pelican group promoted responsible dog ownership with local leafleting, and the Rathmines Area group keep everyone informed about sustainable initiatives through their local noticeboard. Our stalls at local events, including Kahibah Village Fair and the Toronto Lions Market further increased our visibility in the community.
We had representatives at the Nature Conservation Council Conference, joined the Hunter Community Alliance and we’re working on developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Council to strengthen our partnership. We also had the opportunity to revisit our constitution, code of conduct and general governance.
As we reflect on this past year, our hearts are full of gratitude for your support. Together, we’re making our community greener and more vibrant. Let’s keep the momentum going into 2025 and beyond!
With eco-friendly cheer,
Gabrielle Clappison
Chairperson
The Five Bays Sustainable Neighbourhood Group continues their important work with the Pamper Care project. The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group’s anti-graffiti and mural project worked with local Aboriginal artists and business owners to create a welcoming business precinct.
Repair It Lake Mac continues to flourish and has grown to assist other local councils to form their own Repair Cafes, demonstrating the power of community action in reducing waste to landfill.
We continue to promote sustainability in fun and engaging ways. Our presence at the Living Smart Festival 2023 was a highlight, connecting us with many eager community members. In Redhead they revitalised their newsletter, bringing fresh, eco-friendly content to our community. The Blacksmiths, Marks Point and Pelican group promoted responsible dog ownership with local leafleting, and the Rathmines Area group keep everyone informed about sustainable initiatives through their local noticeboard. Our stalls at local events, including Kahibah Village Fair and the Toronto Lions Market further increased our visibility in the community.
We had representatives at the Nature Conservation Council Conference, joined the Hunter Community Alliance and we’re working on developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Council to strengthen our partnership. We also had the opportunity to revisit our constitution, code of conduct and general governance.
As we reflect on this past year, our hearts are full of gratitude for your support. Together, we’re making our community greener and more vibrant. Let’s keep the momentum going into 2025 and beyond!
With eco-friendly cheer,
Gabrielle Clappison
Chairperson
Annual Report 2023
This year the Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance has continued with renewed enthusiasm, ready to continue working towards our vision to foster eco-conscious neighbourhoods. I was honoured to start 2023 by representing our organisation at the official opening of our new home at Council’s Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre, umali baraki-ku. |
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I want to acknowledge the tremendous impact of our volunteers, who are the driving force behind our accomplishments. Along with not-for-profit organisations across the country, we have felt the impact of decreasing volunteer numbers in recent years. Despite this, the impact of our volunteers’ efforts continues to increase. For example, our digital reach has grown by almost 200% since June 2020. We’ve delivered 70 events and engaged with more than 8500 people through our projects and campaigns this year. These numbers are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers.
As we continue on this sustainable eco-living journey, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers, members and supporters. Your passion and commitment are the heart of our Alliance, and your enthusiasm continues to drive our mission forward.
Go well.
Gabrielle Clappison, Chairperson
Annual Report 2022
A number of Sustainable Neighbourhood projects have made considerable progress this year. |
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Annual Report 2021
I am proud that the Sustainable Neighbourhood network continues to exhibit resilience, patience and innovation. We have stayed connected with our members and the wider community by embracing hybrid meetings, small outdoor events, social media and our citywide projects. ![]()
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Annual Report 2020
We are delighted to present the 2020 Sustainable Neighbourhoods Annual Report, highlighting our achievements and activities in the 2019-20 financial year. Download a copy of the report: ![]()
This year has provided the Alliance and the Sustainable Neighbourhood Network with many challenges. |
Annual Report 2019
We are pleased to present the 2019 Sustainable Neighbourhoods Annual Report, highlighting our achievements and activities in the 2018-19 financial year. Download a copy of the 2019 Annual Report
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Annual Report 2018
We are proud to publish the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Annual Report 2018.
The report summarises our achievements and activities in the 2017-18 financial year. "We are not done and there is much yet to do, but the Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers' positivity, perseverance and preparedness to act will head us resolutely towards our vision for the City in which we live, 'Neighbourhoods that are empowered to live sustainably'." |
Download a copy of the report
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