Jade Jungwirth
Established in the late 70s, the Castlemaine Childcare Cooperative (or Carinya as it is widely known), has maintained its ethos of valuing sustainability throughout its formation and growth.
In recent years, the centre has begun actively working towards achieving goals, both big and small, to reduce its impact on the environment. This makes the centre the perfect subject for a film produced by Mt Alexander Net Zero Working Group (MANZW), who are highlighting some of the amazing local initiatives being taken towards reaching Net Zero.
Local media maker and environmentalist, Kyla Brettle, a parent from Carinya, undertook a thorough audit of the service and wrote a document called Carinya – Through a Climate Lens. Unfortunately, COVID meant the document was put aside. It was rediscovered a year ago, and determined to see it brought to life, the staff took steps to implement changes at the centre, big and small.
Carinya’s governance administrator, Laura Noonen, sat down with Fran Gleeson from Mt Alexander Net Zero Working Group (MANZW) for a video interview about the project.
“I was confused where to start, so I contacted Bruce from 1820 Green, and he provided a list of suggestions, which we called Bruce’s Checklist,” Laura said.
“We amalgamated that with Kyla’s audit and came up with a sustainability action plan.”
Some of the big-ticket items on Bruce’s Checklist include repairing the rooftop solar, replacing the hot water systems with heat pumps, installing a battery, utlising government rebates has helped reduce the cost of some of these items, but there has been a significant investment from the cooperative as well.
There have also been a range of smaller, low or no-cost things such as tracking electricity usage, and stopping up droughts coming from old air conditioning units in the roof.
“It’s been very satisfying to tick things off the list,” Laura said.
“I learned that it is not a linear experience and that it stops and starts, and also that it is ongoing – there will always be something we can improve on or change.”
Having installed the heatpumps, battery, and repaired the solar, the staff are now looking at their next steps. The building has been added to over the years, resulting in different levels of insulation, so the team would like to install and replace aged insulation.
“We’re also looking at setting up a compostable nappy program, but there is a lot involved,” Laura said.
“We are working with the local composting group, YIMBY, who collect our food scraps every couple of days, and we would like to reintroduce washable hand towels.”
The centre has had different versions of kitchen gardens over the years, and they are looking at starting a new child-led one. They have also worked closely with local landcare groups to propagate indigenous plants at the centre, and the four-year-old bush kindergarteners meet with the Campbells Creek Landcare group each week in the bush.
The impetus for this work is fourfold. Incorporating environmental awareness and practice is part of the child care centres Early Years Framework. It makes good financial sense and minimises the impact the centre has on the environment. But largely it is because the staff are working the next generation, and that is at the forefront of their minds.
MANZWG member Fran Gleeson said they were proud to have produced the video showcasing the Carinya through a Climate Lens’ story.
“With help from a Mount Alexander Shire grant, we have created this with the express purpose of guiding and educating other businesses and organisations in becoming more sustainable,” she said.
“In Carinya, we see an organisation that has, over a relatively short time frame, identified a list of short to long-term actions they can take to reduce their environmental impact, and has made significant steps towards implementing them.”
For more inspiring local sustainability stories, visit: mtalexnetzeroworkinggroup.org/