MASG mourns the passing of Neil, who along with Heather, was formative in the creation of the Mt Alexander Sustainability Group. We extend our condolences to Heather and Neil’s family and friends, and fondly remember Neil’s tireless commitment to sustainability and environmental education. We recognise and continue to be inspired by his achievements in promoting climate crisis awareness and practical action in Mount Alexander and more broadly. We will miss his gentle and considered determination to make a meaningful difference.
In 2005, a group of citizens of the community, responding to a call to action from Neil and Heather Barrett, gathered to declare a commitment to make an effort to combat climate change. Not seeing leadership coming from government, they felt that the lead had to be set by grassroots movements from within the community. Thus, the concept of Mt Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) was born. A community meeting was held, funds were raised, and in 2006, MASG became an incorporated not-for-profit group, dedicated to action on climate change and sustainable living.
In 2006, MASG hosted a Carbon Neutral Festival and hosted a showing of the Inconvenient Truth, the circuit breaking Al Gore movie. A significant amount of seed funding was raised from generous local donors to enable MASG to get programs off the ground. In 2007 MASG held its first AGM.
Significant projects were undertaken during this period under Neil’s leadership. These included:
- Maines Power Project – A CSIRO driven project seeking to reduce the carbon emissions of the 4 major industries in Castlemaine: Don Smallgoods, The Victoria Carpets, The Flowserve Foundry and the hospital. This was one of 10 national projects selected under the umbrella of the CSIRO Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI). This work was foundational to the recognition of the potential to reduce fossil carbon emissions through greater efficiency and bio-energy recovery from treatment of organic waste.
- Wash Against Waste Trailer designed and created in Castlemaine in 2009. It is a self-contained unit designed to be used at community and public events. It has been so successful that it has been replicated by other groups in other shires.
- The MASG Demonstration Garden was developed – later becoming the Hub Plot and spawning other initiative such as the Growing Abundance Project, the popular home gardeners’ What to Grow When guide and poster, community composting and YIMBY.
- Solar PV Bulk Buy (2008-2010): The first Solar PV Bulk Buy (2008/2009) was undertaken. At a time when solar panels were still very expensive, this proved very successful, with some 52 installations. The second Solar PV Bulk Buy in 2009/2010, saw 192 installations.
There were numerous other programs which Neil undertook while fulfilling a leadership role, along with Heather, in MASG.
Projects covered energy efficiency, green power, a demonstration house, trade fairs etc.
Neil and Heather formed the Hub Foundation and continued to promote programs, sometimes jointly with MASG, such as The Ride to Work, Plastic Bag Free Castlemaine, Reduce Plastic Waste, and composting trials (spawning the highly successful YIMBY program).
The HUB Foundation started the Solar PV Bulk buy program called MASH and ran this for a number of years.
Neil and Heather also pioneered and worked tirelessly to realise The Paddock, an award-winning eco-village in Castlemaine. This has provided highly energy efficient housing with many shared facilities in a community focussed environment. It, along with other achievements, are a legacy to Neil’s quiet determination to make a difference. He will be greatly missed.
Photo Credit: Jade Jungwirth, Castlemaine Mail 2023 – https://castlemainemail.com.au/community/2023/05/05/my-castlemaine-neil-barrett/