Yarragon Medical Clinic

Dr Malcolm McKelvie is involved with the local sustainability network, is a member of the Greens and has stood as a candidate in 2 federal elections. Part of the reason to work in Yarragon was to set up a clinic with sustainability in mind so you will find the building has been designed to be as energy efficient as practicable. It features passive solar design to allow in Winter sun and exclude Summer sun, double glazing throughout, maximum use of daylight, dark tiles to enhance thermal mass effect, good insulation, stack effect to vent warm air overnight in Summer, a 5KW photovoltaic system, solar hot water, energy efficient lighting, external shading to west facing windows and an efficient heating and cooling system to use when needed. 

We encourage behaviours that reduce wastage like printing on both sides of paper, filling the kettle with only the required amount of water, recycling, organic waste to the worm farm in the vegetable garden onsite, minimising use of hot water unless needed and sensible of the thermostats for heating and cooling. Most computers are laptops that use considerably less power than desktop computers. There is a master switch to shut off power to all but essential appliances like the server and vaccine fridge to use overnight and two stand-by power switches on infrequently used items like the microwave. We are able to produce more power than we use as a result of these efforts.

The vacant block next door has been converted to a community garden where Dr McKelvie gardens with volunteers on a Tuesday morning. We collect organic waste from other businesses in town including food waste, hair from hairdressers and potato starch packaging foam from retailers. Excess produce from the garden is available for all to take from a table inside (with some encouragement to leave a donation for the Baw Baw Sustainability Network).