Thousands Get Sustainable at Ecoliving Fair

By Randwick City Council on September 22, 2011 in News

Four thousand people turned out for the sixth annual Ecoliving Fair on Sunday, September 18, learning new and innovative ways to make their home and gardens more sustainable.

Randwick Mayor Murray Matson said he was pleased that so many people in the community took advantage of Council’s environmental fair, which showcased sustainable solutions to modern living.

“Everyone has such varied lifestyles and circumstances, but even the smallest change can make a difference – from using energy saving light bulbs to installing a solar hot water system.

“Council’s Ecoliving Fair is all about showing residents just how easy it to embed sustainability practices in their lives.

“A highlight of the day was the ‘Ask the expert’ discussion panels, which covered topics such as worm farming and composting, the benefits of locally produced organic food, building a food garden and a cooking demonstration,” said Mayor Matson.

“Families were not forgotten with children’s entertainment provided all day long, while the eco-friendly arts and craft activities were a hit with nearly every child at the fair hand painting a paper umbrella,” said Cr Matson.

“Earlier in the day, I had the pleasure of presenting the 2011 Garden Awards, which is always one of Council’s most hotly contested competitions.”

The 2011 Garden Awards winners were:

· Best school garden – Maroubra Bay Public School
· Best residential garden (house) – Helen Hutcherson, Randwick
· Best residential garden (small to medium) – Craig Pinney, Maroubra
· Best residential garden (flat, townhouse or villa) – Steve Gusmerini, Coogee
· Best native garden – Kim Rudder, Maroubra
· Best environmentally friendly garden – Craig Pinney, Maroubra
· Best community garden – The Triangle Group, corner of St Pauls and Dudley Streets, Randwick
· Best professionally maintained garden – Inglis Stables, maintained by Pitkethleys’ Landscape Management