The new Warrnambool event will be held on the city’s Civic Green, and other locations, on Saturday, October 20. 

Organiser and Warrnambool artist Megan Nicolson said the festival would celebrate all the little things people could do to make the earth more sustainable, alongside a big vision for a greener, brighter future for the next generation. 

She said the festival slotted in nicely with the city council’s ambitious Green Warrnambool plan to become the most environmentally friendly place in Australia. 

“There was no sustainability festival and no really exciting engagement for me, so I figured why not do it myself,” she said.

“Instead of waiting for someone else to do it, I thought ‘we can do it’.”

She said the festival would offer a welcoming environment for people to learn about environmentally friendly options, services and resources available in the south-west.

 “There is a lot of community involvement,” she said.

“It’s all grassroots with only a small amount of funding. I’ve been overwhelmed with people wanting to be involved – the community gardens, CoastCare, Boomerang Bags and small businesses from across the south-west.”

The F Project will host an artist market on the green, and Wannon Water, Glenelg Hopkins CMA and the council featuring the Food Organic, Green Organic waste service will also have sites to show what they are doing. 

Ms Nicolson said there would be a big focus on children, with lots of hands-on messy play activities.

The event will be waste free, and feature live music. 

“There will be no plastic, there will be a wash-up station and composting,” she said.

“A lot of this has come in response to the nurdle spill. It showcases what the community is doing.” 

Environmentally-focused workshops and sessions will be held at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, including a book singing by Paul Jennings, and the Archie Graham Centre. 

Nature Glenelg Trust wetlands ecologist Lachlan Farrington will host a walking tour at Lake Pertobe, alongside indigenous elders Uncle Robbie Lowe and Uncle Lochie Eccles.

“There are a lot of good native plants, waterbirds, fish and bugs down there,” he said.

“The festival is an ideas exchange. Everyone will learn something.” 

People wanting to host a site at the festival can email megan.nicolson@bigpond.com.