The new sustainability and environment festival was held on the city’s Civic Green and at the art gallery and the Archie Graham Community Centre on Saturday. 

Activities included morning yoga, pottery, beeswax wraps, visible mending, fashionable upcycling, eucalyptus dyeing, sustainable and resourceful gardening skills and more. 

Nature Glenelg Trust wetlands ecologist Dr Lachlan Farrington hosted a walking tour around the back of Lake Pertobe, alongside indigenous elders Uncle Robbie Lowe and Uncle Lochie Eccles. 

Children fished for water bugs at a site hosted by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and worked with Hawesdale’s Brit Gow to create a mandala from marine debris. 

Ms Gow set up the display as part of her Diploma of Art studies. 

She said the debris was collected from Shelley and Spooky Beach in Warrnambool.

“We’ve picked up odd shoes, bottle tops, tooth brushes and bits of plastic and brought them along today to show the extent of what is found on our beaches,” she said.

“The kids have helped us make an amazing mandala and we’ve had a lot of conversations about the source and what some alternatives are. For example, we’ve got some balloons and strings and we’ve asked the kids what they could use at a party instead and they’ve come up with some really great ideas such as paper lanterns and flags.

“Balloons often end up in the ocean and can be confused by our marine life as food.”

Ms Gow was one of several stall holders who showcased their sustainable skills and ideas. Other items on display included cloth nappies and boomerang bags.

Sites were hosted by local businesses as well as the F Project, Wannon Wator, the council, Warrnambool Coast Guard and the Warrnambool Community Garden.