2024 SustainaBellingen Showcase
Scheduled for Sunday 5 May from 9am to 3pm, the showcase promises a day packed with educational and inspirational activities.
SustainaBellingen Showcase Schedule
The jam-packed event will feature a series of discussions and presentations by local experts and community groups such as the Neighbourhood Care Network, Housing Matters Action Group, and the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation. Highlights include a panel on Regenerative Agriculture with insights from local farmers who are applying sustainable farming practices. Hear how regenerative agriculture can help restore ecosystems, improve soil health and enhance food security in our community from a terrific panel including Northbank Community Garden, local farmers and special guest Rachel Ward. Performances from the Bellingen Big Band, AkaBella and Bellingen Singers will be interspersed throughout the day – settle in and enjoy the social benefit that comes from belonging and making music.
The morning kicks off with the Bellingen Big Band at 9 and will be followed by an amazing session on local weather patterns and disaster preparedness by Kevin Doye from Bellingen Weather Watch and the Neighbourhood Care Network. Amid ongoing severe weather events, this session is poised to offer vital information for community readiness.
A significant discussion led by the Housing Matters Action Group is also on the schedule, focusing on sustainable and affordable housing solutions amidst the housing crisis exacerbated by economic and climatic pressures. The group will discuss the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust model, which aims to provide long-term housing solutions for locals and the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution’s Affordable Housing Facility currently under construction in Bellingen.
Environmental conservation will be a key theme with a dedicated panel on local biodiversity and habitat protection. This session will explore great work championed locally including the Great Koala National Park and the crucial work of local forest protection groups.
Inclusivity will be addressed by Jennie Fenton and her daughter Mala, discussing accessibility and advocacy for people with disabilities, emphasizing the need for more equitable community facilities.
The afternoon will include a session on seed saving with practical tips for backyard gardening aimed at promoting food diversity and resilience.
Wrapping up the day, the Coffee for Climate campaign will share insights into how local businesses are making strides towards more sustainable practices through initiatives like the Mug Library, highlighting the community’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Throughout the day, Bellingen Shire Council will be on hand to talk about all things waste and environment, including bringing along a mini Bowerhouse.
Make sure you support the Bellingen Show’s waste management initiatives by utilising the Coffee for Climate mug library and OzGreen’s Rethink Waste stations. Willing volunteers will be on hand to help Show patrons make the correct choice about where their waste goes. This is the second year the Show has actively waged a war on waste, and we aim to beat the 25% landfill reduction we achieved last year.
To top it off, we’ve introduced a sustainability category in the photography competition. New for 2024 it’s looking to see our community’s take on Harmony with Nature. Photographers of all ages are invited to submit images that reflect the interconnectedness of agriculture, the environment and community, highlighting the beauty our region and the importance of living sustainability.
Our show is only possible with the support of so many local community volunteers and organisations. A special thanks to the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution, who provide aged care services and affordable housing to local residents. RFBI are committed to sustainability and resilience and have supported the Show and in particular SustainaBellingen this year. The SustainaBellingen Showcase is not just an event but a movement towards a more sustainable and vibrant future for Bellingen, offering a platform for learning, connection, and inspiration for all attendees.