Common Thread

Get inspired, make connections and learn about all things sustainability at Common Thread, our free monthly program at Cooinda Neighbourhood Centre.

Bringing together sustainability, the arts, and practical do-it-yourself know-how, Common Thread will connect people who share a common interest in living lightly.

We'd like to see Common Thread be guided or run by the people who take part in it. Expect workshops, networking and ideas sharing.

To get involved in planning or contributing to future Common Thread events please contact Anna Haygreen by phone or via email.

Common Thread is having a break over the summer and will kick off again in March 2019.

These are the Common Thread workshops we held in 2018:

5 November - Sustainable Christmas: DIY Natural Christmas Gifts

This hands on session will explore ideas for a sustainable festive season including making your own natural Christmas presents. Learn how to use essential oils to make natural Christmas gifts to pamper your loved ones (or yourself) this Christmas. Nic and Rob from doTERRA will share their knowledge of essential oils and ways to incorporate them into your life to provide low tox, sustainable solutions for everyday things. Make a natural perfume, a bathbomb, and a clay diffuser necklace pendant to take home with you. You'll also come away with plenty of ideas for making your Christmas more ethical and sustainable.

8 October - Demystifying Solar

Join respected solar expert Finn Peacock as he guides you through a 7-step process to getting tiny bills with solar. This session is perfect for anyone considering getting solar panels for their home who doesn't know where to start. Finn's independent, unbiased information will help you make an informed decision about how to go solar.

There will also be plenty of information for those who already have solar panels. Finn will discuss how to make the most of your solar system to minimise bills and solar batteries.

3 September - Stay Well with Elderberry: Medicinal herbs

Join local herbalist Patrizia Bronzi to learn how to harness the nutritional and medicinal benefits of herbs. In this workshop Patrizia will focus on the Elderberry. Learn to grow, harvest and make a traditional elderberry syrup, known to help with recovery from colds, coughs and flu. You will also receive an elderberry cutting, along with with advice on how to grow and use this amazing medicinal herb and make elderberry syrup.

6 August - Saving water in the garden: vertical gardens and wicking beds

Join Karen Montgomery and learn how to make a wicking bed or vertical garden. Curious about wicking beds? Karen will talk about the pros and cons of wicking beds and give great practical tips on how to make your own.

Discover how to build a green wall, from engineered walls to DIY projects - work out what system is for you and how to make it thrive! Tickets $5 each

4 June - DIY Beeswax Wrap and Jute Scrubber Making

Join Dani Austin and Charmaine Thredgold for a practical, hands-on workshop to make your own beeswax wrap (a glad wrap alternative) and jute scrubber (great for cleaning the dishes). A fantastic opportunity to reduce your plastic usage, keep what you create, and take home the know-how to create these re-useable items again.

7 May 2018 - All the Buzz about Bees

Join beekeeping expert, Roy Frisby-Smith, on a journey into the secret life of bees.

Did you know one out of every three bites of food you put in your mouth was pollinated by honey bees? These fascinating, busy insects are vital to human life. Find out more about the basics of beekeeping in your backyard. Roy will bring equipment to view, including a flow hive.

9 April - Feed your Belly, Not the Bin

Join Louise Mathwin from Healthier Habits for a two hour workshop as we explore the practical steps we can take to minimise food wastage in our homes. The workshop will cover: meal planning, minimal wastage cooking, shopping seasonally and locally (food miles), best before and use by dates, freezing, preserving, batch cooking, eating out, community excess swaps and changing shopping habits.

Participants will leave armed with lots of tips, tricks and advice as well as recipes, planners and knowledge on how to minimise food wastage and why it is so important.

Events prior to 2018

• Foraging with the wild food huntress (Kate Grigg)
• Gardening, soil preparation and urban farming with Steven Hoepfner
• From garden to table with Francoise Piron
• Dig a little deeper in to compost (Georgia Pollard)
• Community energy in Southern Adelaide (Heather Smith)
• The economics of happiness (movie screening)
• Natural burials (Robert Pitt)
• Nature wellness (Alex Gaut)
• Sustainable living - a practical super session
• Water sensitive urban design
• Urban wildlife - backyards and beyond
• Just eat it - a food waste story (movie and discussion)