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Meet Jodie
Conversations with a super star
Jodie works as a primary school teacher, and is passionate about her community.
We chatted about her work to reduce plastic bag use in Redhead, and having a family history of volunteering. “I’ve volunteered with the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood for the past 5 years. I help keep the meeting minutes, and creating and maintaining the group's Facebook page.”
“I enjoy the feeling of connectedness and sense of contribution I receive from giving back to my community. I have made new friends and am continuing to learn new things.” |
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“I began by dropping into our local businesses and surveying what bags they used, and if they already used sustainable alternatives."
Jodie is one of the driving forces behind the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood’s ‘Bring a Bag’ project.
“I’m proud of my contribution to reducing the use of plastic bags in our community.” “I figured if we could change the language, change the conversation and start using terms like ‘Did you bring a bag?’ rather than ‘Would you like a bag?’ this would have a ripple effect in our community.” "I was so pleased to hear about efforts they were making. Our local bottle shop donates their cardboard boxes to the local Malaysian restaurant, and the cafe at the surf club uses reusable cutlery, plates, bowls, and coffee cups."
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Bakery Bag Swap Station - Hat stand purchased by the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood and happily housed at Redhead Bake House since 2017. This is usually filled with Council donated bags however community members often donated their spare bags which was so inspiring to see!
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“Most businesses had made small changes to their business, and wanted to have more sustainable options, but it often comes down to price and convenience."
"My visits helped identify where there was still room for improvement, such as single use coffee cups. I was able to encourage them to continue to make positive changes.”
"My visits helped identify where there was still room for improvement, such as single use coffee cups. I was able to encourage them to continue to make positive changes.”
“Our ‘Bring a Bag' and Bag Swap Station project began with walking from shop to shop, business to business asking for posters to be displayed and handing out reusable calico bags donated by Council. This took most Saturday mornings over the course of a month and then I would visit again 6 months or so later.”
“It was really a team effort. Colin also did a lot of leg work, and another group member Chris, designed and donated the colour posters. We finally purchased a hat stand as a Bag Swap Station for all to use which is still situated at the Redhead Bakehouse on Cowlishaw Street.”
“It was really a team effort. Colin also did a lot of leg work, and another group member Chris, designed and donated the colour posters. We finally purchased a hat stand as a Bag Swap Station for all to use which is still situated at the Redhead Bakehouse on Cowlishaw Street.”
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Jodie is a teacher at Edgeworth Public School (EPS), and runs their Eco Warriors group with students there. “My work with the EPS Eco Warriors is directly linked to my efforts with Sustainable Neighbourhoods. I am dedicated to working with the school community and local government to improve sustainability in our schools, just like Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood does with their local community.”
“I am lucky enough to have worked across many school environments and have always volunteered in school gardening, Landcare and green programs. When I started working at Edgeworth Public School they were beginning their first year of Ready. Set. Grow. - a Council program run to support schools to educate students about the process from garden to plate. Through this program, I strengthened community connections with our local government, leading our Eco Warriors to be acknowledged in 2019 as the winner of one of the Lake Macquarie Schools Environmental Awards for innovation. We were presented the award by our mayor, Kay Fraser.” “I spent my 30th birthday last year at the Living Smart Festival as part of the School Garden Competition, with some very enthusiastic and priceless EPS students. They volunteered and dedicated their Saturday to educating our local community on the projects we had run at school.
The day was fantastic as we were immersed in conversations and collaborations with other schools and local community about successful gardening projects. We were fortunate enough to win the 'People's Choice' award and also meet one of our heroes, Costa!" Jodie was raised with an ethic of volunteering. “It is just something I was brought up to do. My incredible mother was highly involved with the Redhead community. As a stay at home mum she volunteered as primary school treasurer, canteen coordinator, local newsletter editor, and later worked at the local petrol station where all the locals filled up with petrol and the latest news around town.”
“Growing up I felt a strong sense of connection to the people living in Redhead. They all knew my mum and by association, me.”
“I was exposed to the addictive feeling you get from giving to others at a young age. You feel so motivated afterwards to continue to do this."
“My whole family have always been very generous people. I suppose that is what drives me to volunteer me time, giving back to a community that has given so much to me - the feeling of giving, contributing, being a part of something bigger than myself.”
“Sustainable Neighbourhoods is an opportunity to give back to your community, meet new people and develop a healthy relationship with your community and the environment.”
“I feel I can make change and that I'm not on my own. We are the locals. We have the best ideas for our community, and can be the front line for change.”
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2020 Clean Up Australia Day with Jodie Harrison as my partner.
Reusable Bag Sewing Workshop - Organised by a fellow Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteer Alison with Transition Newcastle. “I was a happy participant and actually acquired the skills to make more bags on my own since this event!”
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