Local News: Reverse Garbage on the move!

I recently read an article in the Westender and discovered that one of brisbanes waste recycling centres is in need of a new home. Located in West End, this not for profit organisation is one of my favourite places to go. A thriving epicenter for recycled materials, Reverse Garbage provides all the necessary odds and ends that many artists need to create their work, myself included. Due to its highly successful nature and the ever increasing amounts of recycled material that it gets each and everyday, the team has decided to relocate to larger premises. If there is anyone out there that could suggest some possible locations in West End or knows of anyone that might be willing to accommodate such an enterprise please contact Reverse Garbage on (07) 3844 9744 or email them at www.reversegarbage.com.au

I have attached the article itself below if anyone would like to read for themselves.

Co-op needs a new home

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Victim of it's own success: Iconic West End co-operative Reverse Garbage searches for a new home

Local not for profit co-operative, Reverse Garbage, is searching for new premises in the South Brisbane area as its business expands beyond its current premises capacity.

Reverse Garbage is a workers co-operative that has been based on Montague rd, West End for over a decade. The not-for-profit salvages industrial discards and off-cuts from the waste stream for reuse in the community.

The organisation has become a victim of its own success and now needs to find new premises to meet storage requirements and expand its environmental education program and they are calling out to the local community for leads.

“It was through the benevolence of the previous owner of our site on Montague Rd that Reverse Garbage was initially able to start up. Now that we are in a position to purchase our own building we hope to find an equally generous warehouse owner in the South Brisbane area who believes in our work as much as we do and wants to support it.” said co-director of seven years Bill Ennals.

Reverse Garbage was set up ten years ago to support the work of Friends of the Earth. On the same site on Montague rd lives their sister organisation the Bicycle Revolution, also a not-for-profit cooperative. The three organisations are partnering with another Brisbane based not-for-profit, Foresters Community Finance, to help them purchase their own building. Foresters specialises in helping community groups gain financial sustainability.

The group have big aspirations for the future including the first urban environmental education centre in Australia, which will build on the successful environmental education work of Reverse Garbage, Bicycle Revolution and Friends of the Earth. A wholefoods café, an artist in residence and an expanded collection of salvaged materials are also planned; the only thing missing is an appropriate site at the right price.

“We love being part of the West End community and would like to stay in the area when we move” said Mr Ennals

If you have any leads on large warehouse properties for Reverse Garbage please call (07) 3844 9744 or look up www.reversegarbage.com.au

To invest in the project through Foresters Community Finance call (07) 3257 3166

Simone Tops: Glass casting Workshop #2

Day 3 of workshop:

Abstract Glass after being Cast in Kiln

Refractory absorbing water to break out the Glass Mould

Chipping out the Mould from the Refractory

Chipping out the Mould from the Refractory closeup

Glass Mould out of the Refractory

Removing the left over Refractory

Final Glass Mould before cleaning

Sue Preston's Glass Mould Rose

Ann Chadwick Glass Mould Butterfly and Ring Top

Debra removing her Refractory from her Mould

Kathleen's Abstract Glass Mould

Louise removing her Refractory

My Cleaned Glass Mould

Leftover Refractory

Debra, Chris and Zoe in action

Bibi's Abstract Glass Mould

Susie Woodhouse's Glass Mould

Louise's Glass Swan from behind

Louise's Glass Swan from the front

Jacky's Abstract Glass Mould

Jacky's Abstract Glass Mould from the side

Ann Chadwick's Glass Ring Top

Show and Tell # 1

Show and Tell # 2

My Abstract Glass Mould during the Cold Working Phase

Closeup of the texture on my Glass

Top View of my Glass during Cold Working Phase

Lisa Removing her Refractory

My Sand Castle Glass Mould in the Refractory

Chipping away at the Refractory around my Sand Castle Glass Mould

My Sand Castle Glass Mould

My Sand Castle Glass Mould Closeup

Susie Woodhouse Removing her Refractory

Susie Woodhouse Removing Fine Plaster Refractory

Susie Woodhouse's Glass Mould

Simone Tops: Glass Casting Workshop

3 day workshop - I learn't how to cast glass through a lost wax process

Simone's example of spruing the mould

Another example of a Sprued Mould

Simone Combining the Plaster, Silica and Vermiculite Plaster Refractory

Simone Painting the Plaster and silica Refractory onto the surface of the mould to ensure the mixture is in all the cracks to ensure the detail remains

Letting the Plaster and Silica Refractory set a little to start dripping onto the Mould

Closeup of the Mould with Plaster / Silica Refractory Painted On

Dribbling the Plaster / Silica Refractory onto the Mould

Finished examples of Mould with Plaster / Silica Refractory on it

Putting a Tube around the Mould to create walls to contain outer Plaster / Silica / Vermiculite Plaster Refractory

Agitating the Plaster / Silica / Vermiculite Plaster Refractory into and around the Mould

One of my trial pieces to cast

Another example of piece I'm trialling in the cast

My square mould under Plaster Refractory

Top View of my Square Mould within the Refractory

Square Mould being Steamed to allow the Wax to melt out of the Plaster Refractory

Square Mould Negative Remains after the wax Mould was Steamed out

Alex, Chris, Kathleen, and Bibi Investing

Lisa Painting the Refractory onto her Mould

Anne and Debra Painting their Refractory onto their Moulds

Sue Agitating her Refractory around her Mould

Examples of finished Refractory around some Moulds

My Square Mould within my Refractory

Side View of my Square Mould in my Refractory

Examples of some finished Refractory with Glass ready for the Firing

Example of the Lead Crystal Glass in one Refractory

Zoe's Refractory with her Lead Crystal ready for Firing

My Square Mould shape in my Refractory with Coloured Frit Glass ready for Firing

My Lead Crystal Glass ready to be put into my Sandcastle Mould Refractory

Inside my Sandcastle Mould Refractory

My Finished Sandcastle Mould Refractory ready for Firing

Side View of my Finished Sandcastle Mould Refractory ready for Firing

Example of all Finished Refractories with Frit or Lead Crystal Glass ready for the Firing