PICAL volunteer Grace Wilkinson, David Rooks, Centre Manager and Wendy Pederson, customer, keen to tackle energy efficiency on the island. The Mycelia Energy Program runs four sessions in May and June.
This May, find out more about how to improve your energy efficiency, support others and save.
The Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre Inc (PICAL) and the Mycelia Energy Collective (MEC) are partnering-up and offering a short-course covering the basics of energy literacy, home energy-efficiency, and support available for vulnerable community members to relieve bill stress and improve the comfort of their homes. The course is open to all, and free for existing PICAL and local community organisation volunteers.
Do you want to help people in your community? Are you a volunteer at a local community centre, or interested in becoming one? Or are you looking to upgrade your skills?
Expand your knowledge, learn a new skill, discover a job pathway or volunteer opportunity. People who complete the course may wish to volunteer at their local community centre helping people to understand their energy bills, compare energy options, or participate in MECs Energy Efficiency and Upgrades Program.
"The timing of this training is great because winter is around the corner, and we know energy bills are already on the rise, "says Sierra Dunton, Mycelia's Engagement Manager.
"With a little advice, people can do many things to lower their energy costs today. For those experiencing real hardship, our program offers free household energy efficiency upgrades to further reduce energy costs while improving the comfort of their homes."
This course was designed after recent funding success for Round Two of the MECs Household Energy Efficiency and Upgrade Program set to target homes across Bass Coast.
This training is the first of many collaborative initiatives between the MEC, Totally Renewable Phillip Island (TRPI), PICAL, Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL), Corinella and District Community Centre (CDCC) and Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre (WNC).
"The MEC has a mission to power a fair transition to renewable energy. This requires bringing everyone along, especially those who are left out of the renewable energy conversation. A lot of folks are working hard just to keep their bills paid," says Sierra.
"We learned early on that the best way to reach people in need is to meet them where they are at through existing relationships. Our local community centres are well-oiled machines of social support, and filled with highly skilled volunteers who are experts at helping people.
"Part of scaling-up our program involves supporting volunteers and relationship holders with the knowledge and tools they need to provide this help.
"We also hope that people with a general interest in saving money and reducing their energy use sign-up for the course. The more knowledge out there in our community, the better equipped we are to reach our carbon emissions targets," continues Sierra.
"This is a small community where people look after one other; they will share helpful info with their friends and neighbours. We hope you join us!"
Mycelia Energy Program:
Tuesdays 9.30am – 12pm, May 21 and 28, June 4 and 11.
PICAL – 16 Warley Avenue, Cowes
$40 full fee, $20 for concession / members
Free for existing PICAL and community organisation volunteers.
This course will run in Term 3 through BCAL and offered in Corinella at CDCC and Wonthaggi at WNC.
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