Go Green at Randwick Eco-Living Fair

By Madeleine Gray on September 2, 2016 in News

Regardless of what a certain ex-Prime Minister believes, climate change is a real thing. But what is the average citizen to do about it? Apart from voting for a political party that may or may not hold true on promises about carbon emissions trading schemes, it’s easy to feel impotent in the face of such an enormous global challenge.

The foolproof option, then? It’s simple. Try to reduce your personal ecological footprint, and the footprint of the local community that you live in. It might seem like a small contribution to the cause, but it’s a contribution that, if emulated by everyone, would change the world.

Randwick City Council gets this. For 12 years now, it’s been spearheading the annual Randwick Eco-Living Fair. The fair, which will be held on Sunday, September 4 from 9.30am to 3pm, gives locals a fun and easy platform from which to discover more about how to live sustainably, and how to reduce their ecological footprint – particularly in regard to energy and water consumption, and waste.

Since it’s inception back in 2004, the Eco-Living Fair has risen in prominence and attendance. It’s now one of the most popular events on the Eastern Suburbs community agenda, with approximately 8,000 locals attending last year, and even more eager revellers expected to make an appearance this time around.

This year the fair falls on a particularly fitting day: Father’s Day. If ever there was a sign that ecological preservation is inherently intertwined with our responsibility to safeguard the future for our children, this is it.

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza was quick to highlight the apt intersection of these two events.

“This year’s event will take place on Father’s Day, and we’re encouraging families to come out and spend the day with us,” Cr D’Souza said. “With everything from wood-fired pizza making to bee-keeping, there’s something for everyone.”

The day is a perfect way to get kids interested and involved in environmental preservation, and for parents and friends to do the same. Also, it’s just a whole bunch of fun!

Among other events, there will be grow-your-own-tea workshops, biodynamic gardening tutorials, a backyard chicken stall (complete with a local backyard chicken keeper, chicken coop advice, and real live chickens), and a ‘Good Bug Bistro’ – to help you differentiate between your insect friends and foes in the garden.

“Plus, it’s the first year we will have the Speed Date a Sustainability Expert program, where visitors have the opportunity ask questions of our experts on how to make their homes and lives more sustainable,“ Cr D’Souza added.

For the eco-conscious shopper, there will be a plethora of handmade jewellery and handicrafts for sale, and for the hungry hippo, there’ll be loads of food stalls including Vietnamese street food from Mama Linh’s and cheeseburgers from Nighthawk Diner. Kiddies are covered too, with a dedicated kids’ corner and all-day entertainment.

In case you’re worried that the event itself might cause pollution, never fear: the event is powered by renewable forms of energy, and Randwick Council is also giving 3000 trees away to fairgoers to help offset the carbon used in the event’s infrastructure delivery.