Activities at the Festival
Scroll down for site map and tent locations
Welcome to Country
By Traditional Owner, Rebecca Phillips
Main Stage
10:30am
Home in Harmony
A pop-up choir: join in and participate
Harmony Choir Marquee (17)
11am-12noon and again at 2pm-3pm
Insect Hotels
A workshop for kids building insect hotels
Insect Hotels Marquee (84)
Free workshops at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm
The Adaptation Game
An interactive game about how we adapt now and in the future!
The Adaptation Game Marquee (64)
11am-12:30pm
(In partnership with and thanks to the City of Greater Bendigo)
Vitamin Hope: the remedy for Climate Doomism
A conversation about finding and sharing the quiet sources of hope.
The Conversation Marquee (64)
1pm - 1:30pm
Bright Sparks Program
How to be a Bright Spark and help others electrify their homes
Mount Alex Sustainability Group Marquee (41)
10:30am-3:30pm
Face Painting
Face painting on the theme of nature and sustainability by Scribbles Face Painting
Face Painting Marquee (1)
Face Painting between 11am-2pm
Seeding and Planting Activity
Come along and make your very own paper pot - a hands-on activity for all ages
Bendigo Foodshare Marquee (39)
Between 10:30am-3:30pm
Induction Cooking Demonstration
Pancakes with Lucinda Flynn: Find out more about induction cooking
SEC Victoria Marquee (87)
11am-2pm
Waterbugs and Water Testing
Waterbug discovery stands and bring your water to get tested
North Central CMA Marquee (44)
Between 10:30am-3:30pm
Build a Sustainable Town
Come help us imagine a sustainable town and make it out of cardboard!
Northern Bendigo Landcare (31)
Between 10:30am-3:30pm
Shrouding for Natural Burial for Cremation
A hands-on experience of shrouding
Natural Grace Marquee (48)
Check in at marquee for exact times.
The Story of Zero Plastics Australia
An presentation and discussion on the story of Zero Plastics Australia
The Conversation Marquee (64)
1:45pm - 2:15pm
Sustainable Houses: A Conversation
What does it mean to have a sustainable house and work towards more sustainable living?
The Conversation Marquee (64)
2:30pm-3pm
Caring for nature, caring for each other
A conversation about climate change, led by Ken Rookes, Central Victoria ACF Community Group.
The Conversation Marquee (64)
3pm-3:30pm
FOR KIDS
Collect your scavenger hunt at the entrance when you arrive or at the BSG Tent 37
Home in Harmony
Come and join "Home in Harmony", a pop up choir at the festival where you will learn and sing songs about listening to and connecting with Country.
Join Briony and Steph in learning songs about listening to and connecting with Country.
They will run two sessions (11am-12pm, 2pm-3pm) - at Marquee 17 - in which you will learn a number of short songs in three part harmony.
At the conclusion of the second session you will have the opportunity to share these songs with others attending the Sustainability Festival in an informal performance. No experience required, all voices welcome.
Briony Phillips
Briony Phillips lives on Djarra Country in Castlemaine and has a deep love of harmony and collective singing. She co-runs Pubsing Castlemaine and a therapeutic choir at the Centre for Non Violence in Bendigo. Briony performs with Friends of Wendy Cotton and Three Birds on vocals, guitar and mandolin. With a background in tourism, she currently works at the City of Melbourne.
Stephanie Carson
Stephanie Carson lives on Djarra Country in Castlemaine and is the Arts teacher at Bendigo Special Developmental School. She is passionate about making singing accessible to everyone, and believes in its power to foster deep human connection. Steph co-runs Pubsing Castlemaine, Strong Voices — a therapeutic choir at the Centre for Non Violence in Bendigo — and leads two weekly Macapella Singers sessions in Castlemaine. She also performs with Friends of Wendy Cotton and Three Birds on vocals, drums and percussion.
The Adaptation Game
The City of Greater Bendigo will lead a conversation on personal and local community response to changes in our climate and environment. Inspired by and adapted from The Adaptation Game, facilitators will host a conversation inviting festival attendees to participate, ask questions and provide responses to challenges (and potential crises) we could face in the near and longer term future! Just turn up at the festival and join in!!!
The Adaptation Game Marquee (64) - 11am-12:30pm - in partnership with and with thanks to the City of Greater Bendigo.
Seeding & Planting Activity
Come along and make your very own paper pot! Decorate it however you like, then fill it with soil and choose from a mix of seedlings and seeds to plant. A fun, hands‑on activity for all ages - create, plant, and take home something ready to grow!
Bendigo Foodshare Marquee (39) between 10:30am and 3:30pm.
“Shrouding for Natural Burial for Cremation” demonstration
A shroud is a constructed cloth covering wrapped around the person for protection, utility, and reverence in preparation for burial or cremation. A coffin is not required! Join our demonstration for a hands-on experience of shrouding and explore this beautiful opportunity to participate in the death care of your family or community.
Natural Grace Marquee (48) - Check in at marquee for exact times.
SEC Victoria’s Induction Cooking Demo
Come and experience an induction cooking demonstration with Lucinda Flynn. Replace your gas cooktop with an induction cooktop. As well as being far more energy-efficient, induction cooktops are faster and safer to use, and heat and cool very quickly. They are easier to clean and more precise, so you have greater control over your cooking.
Demo will take place at the SEC Victoria Marquee (87) between 11am and 2pm.
