Community gatherings and celebrations are important. These gatherings create opportunities to talk, debate and listen, and will invariably result in a wide variety of different perspectives and viewpoints.

Late last year we held several events resulting in over 200 folks participating over two days in celebration and community interaction.

During one event we invited the community to a question and answer session with Biosphere leaders on Thursday 12th of November 2009. And with the help of Noosa Community Radio 101.3 fm, these forums were recorded and can now be downloaded in various sessions below.

SHARE THE DREAM

Noosa 101.3 fm is proud to be the voice of Noosa Biosphere. Our community radio station values its independence as we value your opinions and ideas.

We believe the Noosa community has always valued its fauna and flora, have fought hard for our national parks and resisted over-development, so we now live in one of, if not the most sustainable urban environment in Australia. All that work, all that effort now sees Noosa as a leader in community environmental sustainability. Our biosphere is a model to be envied, the first in Queensland.

Noosa 101.3 fm believes the Noosa community wants to better understand the Biosphere charter, the ideas, philosophies, plans and what it really means to all of us who live in and love Noosa.

For us at Noosa 101.3 fm it is our opportunity, as indigenous representative Suzanne Thompson says, to call on the community to come and …SHARE THE DREAM

Share the dream!

Dr Ishwaran from UNESCO made a special stop over in Noosa to attend our community events and was interviewed by Peter Mellish.  Peter began by asking him just what biosphere reserves are in UNESCO's scheme of things (runs 7 minutes and 30 seconds)

Dr Ishwaran on Noosa Wide

Below are some further extracts of statements by Dr Ishwaran taken during the community forum on 12th of November 2009 (runs 3 minutes and 44 seconds:)

Biosphere Dr Ishwaran

Personal introductions by the panelists at the beginning of the community forum on 12th November 2009 (runs 3 minutes and 22 seconds)

Biosphere Introductions

Councillor Vivien Griffin: "What locals enjoy, visitors will enjoy" (runs 2 minutes and 21 seconds)

Vivien Griffin

Community representative, Phil Moran: "Sustainability is a slippery cake of soap... but let's keep it going" (runs 3 minutes 35 seconds)

Phil Moran

Suzanne Thompson: Yarning circles to engage the community (runs 1 minute and 57 seconds)

Community Forum Audio Files

Economic Board representative, Varina Nissen: Business already being influenced (runs 4 minutes 27 seconds)

Varina Nissen

Praise and criticism on running Biosphere Ltd (runs 18 minutes and 51 seconds)

Praise and criticism on running Biosphere Ltd

Other comments from the public forum (runs 5 minutes and 16 seconds)

Other comments from the public forum

Thanks to the panelists who were

• Peter Fries – Moderator
• Dr Natarajan Ishwaran – UNESCO
• Prof. Tim Smith – University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Sustainability
• Varina Nissen – Noosa Biosphere Economic Sector Board
• Phil Moran – Conservationist, Deputy Chair Noosa Biosphere Ltd.
• Suzanne Thompson – Noosa Biosphere Social Board
• Cr. Vivien Griffin – Sunshine Coast Council

Thanks to the community for their questions and participation.