Going green in Australia

A generous grant of $ 3,140 from the Government’s Department of Community Services enabled the Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) of New South Wales to invest in a mulcher/chipper, noted a report by Tim Desai in their August 2009 newsletter, Manashni. [The equipment reduces branches, etc to mulch (a protective covering on the ground) which can then be used to enrich the soil, maintain even soil temperature or control weeds.] "With our new mulcher we are hoping to reduce burning (of old trees),” stated Desai. Having gone through the process of inaugurating it, the volunteers realized that "it is a painful process,” making Desai comment, "No one said going green was easy!”

With old trees constantly dying and needing disposal, earlier AZA would collect the wood and burn the pile after obtaining necessary permissions, informing neighbors and the local fire service, whilst hoping for conducive weather conditions. "Some volunteers have been quite vociferous in their objection to burning — on environmental and safety grounds,” conveyed Desai.

In the past AZA has applied for a grant for the purchase of a Ride-on Lawn Mower but had not been successful. So although they were not confident this time they put in an application to the Department of Community Services that extends grants up to $ 5,000 each to enable organizations to purchase small equipment to assist their volunteers. To the grant of $ 3,140 they received, they added some contribution from their funds to purchase a mulcher for $ 3,500 with a 13 hp Honda engine, the best they could get in their price range.