Because it is a Fair Share Festival, we want to ensure the festival is as affordable as possible. One way to receive free entry is by volunteering on the day. They are a variety of roles and ways to help out while also participating in the festival.

• Saturday opening – Matthew Clarke
• 12:30 Saturday – Sara Jevo & the Balkan String Kings
• 1:00 Saturday – Earthbound
• 3:00 Saturday – Paul Spencer
• 3:15 Saturday – Matthew Clarke
• 4:15 Saturday – Nerds and Music

Watch for details of more music and entertainment!

Thanks to Luke Oliver from The Roost for the graphic design.

Transition Newcastle today released the program for The Fair Share Festival – a weekend of speakers, workshops, music, stalls, discussion and entertainment at the Hamilton Public School. The Fair Share Festival, Friday 9 March to Sunday 11 March, is a chance to explore the transition to a connected community, localised fair economies and sustainable lifestyles.

According to Graeme Stuart, one of the festival organisers, there is a varied and interesting program.

On Friday evening 9 March (6:30-9:30) there is a Q&A type forum on Closing the Poverty Gap. Panellists include Cheryl Kernot (Chair of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand and former Member of Parliament), Doris Puiahi (Tugeda Tude fo Tumoro Project, Solomon Islands), Daniel Ben-Ami (Finance and economic journalist, Author of Ferraris for All) and Donnie Maclurcan (Founder and Ideas Guy at Project Australia and Co-founder of the Post Growth Institute).

“This should be an interesting evening as the panel includes both supporters of economic growth and those who believe we must reconsider our addiction to growth,” Mr Stuart said.

On Saturday 10 March (10:00-5:00) they are hosting workshops and speakers on a variety of topics including community gardens, a cooperatively run solar hot water factory, how the Sunshine Coast aims to become the most sustainable area in Australia, permaculture beyond the garden, and strategies for a successful transition to a more sustainable future. There will also be music, entertainment, food, and fair trade and craft stalls.

On Sunday 11 March (10:00-3:00) there are workshops on spirituality & sustainability, asset based community development, and school gardens. There is also a drama workshop for children and practical workshops on blogs and tumblr’s, and building a 12v sound system with pedal power.

“On Sunday there is an Ideas Expo were we are inviting people who have good ideas that could help create a fairer, sustainable world to set up a free table and share their ideas with other people,” Mr Stuart said.

Entertainment over the weekend includes Earthbound, Sara Jevo & the Balkan String Kings, Paul Spencer and an eco magician David Whitson.

According to Mr Stuart, “the last festival in 2010 was a great weekend and this year’s is shaping up to be even better.”

The festival is a partnership between Transition Newcastle,  Hamilton Public School, the Family Action Centre (University of Newcastle), Permaculture Hunter and One Just World.

More details of the Fair Share Festival are available from fairsharefestival.wordpress.com.

We will hold a planning and training meeting for the technical team at 6:30 – 8pm Thursday 9 February 2012. We will meet at the Hamilton school’s, Tudor and Steel St entrance, but please RSVP first – see below.

Benefits:

• Learn great new technologies – webcasting with Blackboard Collaborate; Good capture, easy editing, & online upload techniques for digital videography/ photography
• Receive free admission to the festival activities
• Obtain a fluorescent vest – good for bicycle riding, but limited number available
• Enjoy the experience of organising a public festival and bringing your community together
• A certificate of appreciation

Please RSVP John to confirm that places are still available, on 0419 296 103 or jafshiel (at) gmail.com by Tues 7th February.

On the weekend topics include frugal living, community and school gardens, the role of cooperatives and for-profits in transitioning, permaculture beyond the classroom, asset-based community development, and spirituality and sustainability. There is also be music, drama, a kid’s drama workshop, stalls, food, and we will be creating a work of art.

We are currently looking for stall holders, people who would like to help organise the festival and volunteers on the day.

If you can help, please let us know.

Closing the Poverty Gap: Creating a Fair Share for All

Poverty in Australia is a contentious issue. It raises questions of the definitions of poverty, the distribution of wealth, the difference between developed and developing countries, as well as about the limits to growth, and how we can create a fair and sustainable world.

There are over 2.2 million Australian’s living in poverty – that’s one in every 10 people – and yet as Australians we’re comparatively lucky. Two thirds of the world’s population is poor; one third lives on less than $2.50 per day, while a sixth live in extreme poverty – less than $1.25 per day. These people spend their days just trying to survive – finding something to eat and somewhere to sleep can be the biggest challenge of all.

So how do we close the gap between rich and poor? What of the inequality between men and women that deepens as poverty worsens? Can the earth even support us if we rectify this inequality in living standards? And what are the responsibilities of Australians?

These questions are at the heart of a Fair Share for all.

Not all the speakers are confirmed yet but we can say that Nick Savaidis (the Founder of Etiko Fair Trade) will be one of them. Watch out for more details.

One Just World is a partnership between the International Women’s Development Agency, the AusAID and World Vision. The objectives of One Just World are to:

• Build a well informed and engaged community which is responsive and supportive of development initiatives by the Australian and partner governments, non government organisations and communities across the region
• Encourage active participation in development assistance programs through volunteering, pro bono support, donating, advocating for and working in the sector
• Make visible and communicate the gender dimensions of each topic, and the overall relationship between addressing gender inequality and achieving development objectives.

We are delighted to have them on board as partners!!

At the Hamilton Public School (Newcastle)
Friday 9 March to Sunday 11 March 2012.

The second and expanded Newcastle Fair Share Festival is your opportunity to meet with people passionate about social justice, innovative social enterprises and strong resilient communities. The festival combines speakers, workshops, music, stalls and exhibitions which will inspire, motivate and inform.

The themes of the festival are:

1. Connected communities
2. Localised fair economies
3. Sustainable lifestyles

Would you like to help make it happen?

We are looking for suggestions of inspiring speakers and workshop presenters; people who have skills or experience they are happy to share; and other offers of help. Please let us know if you can help with:

1. Suggesting speakers or workshops
2. Presenting a paper or workshop around one of our themes
3. Providing music, entertainment or art works
4. Running a stall
5. Sponsoring the festival
6. Offering specialist skills that could help us (e.g. graphic design, promotion)
7. Planning and organising the festival
8. Volunteering on the day.

You can download more information and an expression of interest form here.

The Fair Share Festival is being organised by Transition Newcastle in partnership with the Hamilton Public School, the Family Action Centre (University of Newcastle) and Permaculture Hunter.

We gratefully acknoweldge our sponsors: UnitingCare Ageing (Hunter, Central Coast and New England), the Newcastle Herald and Hamilton Business Improvement Association. Others are welcome to join us.