Ceres – A Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies.

Another reclaimed brickwork site and municipal tip, about half a kilometre from Jones Park along the Merri Creek, is the 4.5 hectare Ceres site.

Part of the entrance to The Ceres Environmental Park.

Originally cleared of weeds and rubbish to establish a community garden where residents could rent a small plot to grow vegetables or flowers, around fifty allotments are still in operation. There is a permaculture and bush-food nursery where popular and more-rare seedlings can be bought. Fruit trees, nut trees as well as ornamentals are also on offer.

A farmers’ market developed to sell any excess produce and now other organic producers are involved. Saturday mornings see a thriving market where not only food, but books, clothes and general bric-a-brac are sold. Organic goodies are available from food vendors or you can sit back in the café to enjoy the live music. A festival atmosphere every week!

A primary focus of Ceres has been the teaching of self-sufficiency skills. There is an urban farm where organic food producing principles are shared  and the allied areas of compost making, worm farms, poultry care and seed savers have been incorporated. More recent additions have been the Medicinal Garden Group and The Bee Group who willingly impart all that you need to know to keep your own bees. Food preservation, bread making and cheese making are all popular workshops.

Another focus has been ecological sustainability. There is an Ecohouse where energy-saving strategies are demonstrated. The Alternative Energies Technology Association promotes the use of renewable energy, water conservation and sustainable building. There are examples of African and Indonesian village building styles.

 Ceres generates its own electricity and the windmill pumps water.

The management committee is working towards making Ceres carbon neutral in 2012. In thirty years, Ceres has developed from being a ‘grass roots’ self-sufficiency model to being a leader in sustainable living strategies. It won the Premier’s Sustainability Award in 2007.