Danielle Carey and Amelie Ecology (AKA Dr Amelie Vanderstock) welcomed guests to the
MAGNIFY event at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Story and photos by Gabiann Marin
Ever wondered what the world looks like to a tiny insect? It’s something we don’t often ask ourselves, but that very question was the basis of a recent interactive community performance MAGNIFY, hosted by Wildground Creative Adventures and featuring environmental songstress Amelie Ecology. The event was designed to help locals, young and old, think about the wonderful contributions insects make to our lives and show how we can support them, and their vital role in our environment.
Key Points:
- Insects are the key driving force in our ecosystem. Rethinking and reframing our attitudes towards them and educating children and adults about their importance can have a huge positive impact on planetary health.
- The recent MAGNIFY event at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre focused on the importance of insects.
- Local entertainer, singer and environmental scientist Amelie Ecology launched her debut album and her scientist activity kit and workbook at the event.
On the 8th June the courtyard of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre was transformed into a magical world of giant mushrooms and metre high flowers buzzing with activity. Literally buzzing, as eager young people and the occasional adult dressed up as butterflies, bees, spiders and beetles, enjoying the interactive activities that characterised the MAGNIFY event.
Organised by Danielle Carey of Wild Ground Creative Adventures and Amelie Ecology (AKA Dr Amelie Vanderstock), the event was a day of fun-filled activities, performances and interactive play designed to encourage young people and their parents to rethink their ideas around insects.
Amelia loved being a butterfly.
“I think immersive experiences like MAGNIFY are groundbreaking for the community. We’re merging outdoor adventure, ecological storytelling, and creative art. But we’re doing it in ways that the audience co-creates alongside us at each step of the process,” Danielle enthuses.
“So we’re exploring connective practice and ecological relationships. It’s deeper learning. And an approach that hopefully inspires the community with hope, joy and wonder.”
Bushcraft and creative interactive events were a key focus at MAGNIFY.
As well as dress-up and creative craft activities, the day featured jaw dropping circus acts by the multi-talented performers of Stuart Christie’s Bah-Hah Circus. The performances comprised of several beautifully choreographed vignettes – each featuring a different tiny creature – from native bees to ladybirds.
As young girls dangled from trapeze or floated in clouds of silken fabric above the heads of the awestruck crowds, the beauty and elegance of the insect world was perfectly demonstrated.
The acrobatic sisters Ella and Anna transformed into bees as part of Stuart Christie’s Bah-Hah Circus performance.
The centrepiece of the day was the launch of Amelie Ecology’s album and educational science kit ‘Let’s Bee Scientists’ which aim to inspire children of all ages to fall in love with environmental science through a mixture of playful songs and educational activities.
Amelie and Gabi, introduced by Danielle Carey, launched their debut Album ‘Let’s Bee Scientists’ at the MAGNIFY event.
The album and educational pack feature songs and activities explaining why we should care about soil micro-organisms, native bee diversity and the importance of pollinators in providing the food we eat. In Amelie’s own words the whole project is all about providing an “ecosystem of learning!”
While Amelie’s songs and activities are light-hearted and fun, the information contained is surprisingly thorough, thanks to Amelie’s PhD studies in environmental science and ecology at the University of Sydney. Her doctorate focused on native bees in urban environments. Although she could have followed a more academic path, Amelie believes that the key to effective environmental preservation and education is through hands-on and creative engagement with children and adults through song, play and enjoyment.
Amelie Ecology as a Blue Banded Bee gets a closer look at the audience.
Amelie Ecology’s debut album launch and Danielle’s 10 year business anniversary were the catalyst for creating the event, but both women wanted it to be more than just about their own work, and something that the community could enjoy and learn from.
“All of my immersive work has focussed on allowing the unseen to be seen,” Danielle says. “Playing around with the micro vs macro. My work is playful and quirky, which invites the audience to develop meaningful ecological relationships in creative ways that inspire joy, well-being and connection.”
MAGNIFY not only provided an opportunity for the community to enjoy local creativity, it was also an innovative way to address negative thinking about insect species.
As Amelie Ecology explains beautifully in her catchy new tune “They’re not all pests!”, insects are the foundations of our ecological systems, yet very little is known about them.
Dr Kate Umbers, a Blue Mountains local and Head Lecturer in Zoology at Western Sydney University, is quick to point out that insects make up over 95% of the species of animals on Earth, with an estimated 300,000 species living in Australia alone.
“Of that only 100,000 have been properly documented and studied,” Kate reveals. “We don’t even know exactly what is out there.”
A native Australian Blue Banded Bee: the inspiration behind Amelie Ecology’s outfit at MAGNIFY. (Photo: Creative Commons license)
Danielle and Amelie understand that getting to know these creatures and developing a respect for them is a key driver for environmental health more widely.
Certainly, the children at the event had no negative assumptions about our friendly bugs and were delighted to become an insect for a day, as they fluttered, scuttled and crawled about the courtyard in fabulous handmade costumes.
Children buzz around Amelie Ecology during her performance.
Danielle also joined in the dress-up fun, appearing as a Dragonfly, while Amelie Ecology presented as a blue banded native bee, interacting with the children and parents throughout the event.
Danielle Carey as ‘Dragonfly’.
“We’ve always believed that nature isn’t separate from us: it’s woven into the fabric of who we are,” Danielle reveals. “Events like MAGNIFY and Wildground Creative Adventures programs, from bush school, playgroup, to literacy and science learning initiatives, are designed to reinforce this connection, and inspire wonder in the world around us.”
The Magnify event was made possible thanks to support from a Blue Mountains City of the Arts Trust grant, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and the generous work of volunteers.
Watch Amelie Ecology perform one of the tracks from the new album in this short video
Get Involved
Find out more about the exciting world of Insects and how you can help them.
The international website iNaturalist hosts photos and information about insects from across the world and their app is designed for budding citizen scientists. Find out more here:
A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist
Invertebrates Australia has great resources and information about our native insects as well as opportunities to get involved in upcoming events and citizen science projects to help preserve and protect our insect populations:
Find out more about Amelie Ecology’s Creative work:
About me — Amelie Ecology (letsbeescientists.org)
Find out more about upcoming events:
Wild Ground Creative Adventures offers a range of activities and events. You can find out what is coming up here:
Blue Mountains Planetary Health Events Calendar is also a great way to find out about community events happening in your local area. Check out the Katoomba event calendar here:
What’s On In Katoomba & Surrounds | Katoomba Area Local News (katoombalocalnews.com)
And check out the events in our surrounding villages and Lithgow:
What’s On In Lithgow – Lithgow Area Local News (lithgowlocalnews.com)
What’s On In Blackheath & Surrounds | Blackheath Area Local News (blackheathnews.com)
What’s On In The Mid Mountains | Mid Mountains Local News (midmtnslocalnews.com)
What’s On In Springwood & Surrounds | Springwood Area Local News (springwoodlocalnews.com)
What’s On In The Lower Blue Mountains | Lower Mountains Local News (lowermtnslocalnews.com)
Share this article:
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
More from around the region
Civil engineer Mark Liebman has worked closely with the Planetary Health Centre to explore ways we can manage water to reduce the impact of severe weather events, from flood to bushfire. At Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March he`ll be giving a presentation and tour of the Centre`s Bushfire Sprinkler Demonstration Wall and the prototype of an underground water tank that could be built at the end of flame zone streets around the perimeter of the City to reduce both stormwater and fire damage. Our video of the Bushfire Sprinkler system has already been helping survivors of the Palisades fire in the US prepare for future fire events. In this week`s story for Blackheath Area Local News you can also read about the green roof Mark built on his garden shed to reduce the impact of extreme weather events at his home in Blackheath. You can see all the videos and reserve a place for Mark`s talk at Planetary Health Day here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/future-proofing-with-community-water-tanks-and-bushfire-sprinkler-systems-tickets-1255928087719
#bushfiresprinklersystem #watertanks #disasterriskreduction #stormwater #bushfire #greenroof #planetaryhealth #katoomba #blackheath #bluemountains #beprepared
Our popular Upcycling Fashion Program has now been running for over a year! Come and check it out at Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March. As well, you can build your skills to reduce textile and plastic waste by sewing your own Boomerang Bag with @bbagsbluemtns , joining the Repair Network and learning darning with Elizabeth from @lacebrookstitchery Elizabeth has been studying how people upcycled and mended clothing throughout the centuries. She`ll be demonstrating some basic darning stitches that can be used on woven and knitted garments. She also shares her passion for the timeless crafts of stitchery, crochet, knitting, Victorian lacemaking, and darning skills, through her classes and workshops. You can find out more at www.lacebrookstitchery.com.
NB. There will now be a $10 cost to participate in the Upcycling Fashion Program with pattern maker Sherlie McMillan. Book your place here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-upcycling-program-on-skillshare-saturdays-tickets-1254329957669
#repair #repairnetwork #upcycledfashion #reducingtextilewaste #reducingplasticwaste #boomerangbags #learntosew #patternmaking #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #community
Our homes profoundly influence our lives, our health & the health of the planet. At Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March, Kirstie Wulf & Karina Rafailov will share their extensive experience in the session: Building Smarter Using Passive House Design & Natural Building Materials. Kirstie Wulf is the award-winning founder of @shelter.building.design & spoke to a packed room last year about building fire resistant homes with hempcrete. Karina Rafailov is the founder of @earthy_haus & specialises in creating energy-efficient, healthy, & nature-connected spaces.
You can reserve a place for this inspiring presentation here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-smarter-using-passive-house-design-natural-building-materials-tickets-1235896873819
#buildingsmarter #passivhaus #naturalbuildingmaterials #hempcrete #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains
We are thrilled that the internationally renowned physicist, Professor Emeritus Hans Coster will be joining us for Planetary Health Day to address the question of Life and Energy with his presentation: Evolution and the High Life, but Where to Now?
The options that are there for individuals and communities and society as a whole will be examined. An example of a viable energy system constructed with nickel iron batteries at Middle Earth in the Kanimbla Valley will be briefly presented. But is that approach viable for the larger community?
There is no simple way to address all of the issues. How can individuals operate in this energy environment? How do we maintain a healthy industrial sector? What are the Planetary implications of all this?
Whilst not attempting to provide answers, some food for thought will be presented. If you’d like to attend this presentation, reserve your place here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/prof-hans-coster-on-life-energy-middle-earth-nickel-iron-batteries-tickets-1235955960549
#energy #life #nickelironbatteries #evolution #science #physics #planetaryhealth #middleearth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #kanimblavalley #inspiration
Celebrating local innovation we`ll be kicking off Planetary Health Day at 9am on Saturday 1st March with a talk by Lithgow inventor Frank Inzitari. He and his cousin Frank Capomollo were featured on Shark Tank Australia with their invention Fire Halo: a fire-prevention system that cleans your gutters and can keep them flooded with water during bushfires. The product is designed to make it easier to prevent homes catching fire from ember attacks, which are the cause of around 75-80 per cent of bushfire damage to properties. It can also provide redirection of chemicals away from your tank when cleaning your roof or solar panels. If you`d like to find out more reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/reducing-the-risk-of-ember-attack-with-a-fire-halo-tickets-1250666470079
@firehalo.au @sharktankau #firehalo #bushfire #disasterriskreduction #emberattack #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #bluemountains #lithgow #katoomba
We had a fabulous day at the launch of the Birds of Australia STORYBOX in Springwood yesterday, giving everyone a preview of our Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition that will be on display at Planetary Health Day on 1 March. Our exhibition of Birds by Warren Hinder, Merryl Watkins and Holly Kent is now on display at Springwood. Worth checking out! If you`d like to find out more about all the frogs of the Blue Mountains, and come to Planetary Health Day you can register at the link in our profile. #birdsofthebluemountains #frogsofthebluemountains #frogs #birds #bluemountains #springwood #katoomba #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday
If you weren`t able to catch our fabulous exhibition of Bird Photography by Warren Hinder, Holly Kent and Merryl Watkins you can now pop down to the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub where they`re on display to complement The Birds of Australia STORYBOX. We`ll be there sharing information about the Planetary Health Centre for the launch today from 10am to 12 noon. Lots happening for the whole family: presentations with the Australian Museum and STUDIO ESEM, WIRES, Wagana Dancers, a replica of Gould`s book in the library, Craft activities, environmental information stalls and more! Come along and say hello.
#planetaryhealth #birdsofaustralia #springwood #bluemountains #birdsofbluemountains
Research is indicating that increasing the number of plant-based meals we eat is better for our health and the health of our planet! A highlight of Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March will be the Plant Based Cheese Making Demo & Tasting by Teya from @plantinspired99 For anyone who loves food and cooking, learning new techniques is always exciting! Teya will demonstrate how to make basic artisan cheese, blue vein cheese and a melting mozzarella-type of cheese for your pizzas and warm sandwiches. Reserve your place here for this popular event (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/plant-based-cheese-making-demo-tasting-tickets-1235848188199
#plantinspired #plantbased #plantbasedcheese #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthdiet #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #planetaryhealthcentre #newcookingtechniques
Timber is one of our most valuable resources but too often, when a tree comes down, people only think of turning it into wood chip or firewood instead of much higher value timber products that can last as long as the tree took to grow! Come along to Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March and be inspired by how Michael Trickett can bring his mobile sawmill to you and produce high value timber for building or furniture making. Reserve your spot for Planetary Health Day here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planetary-health-day-tickets-1235611640679
#timber #mobilesawmill #planetaryhealth #trees #morethanwoodchip #morethanfirewood #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains
Have you been hearing frogs in your yard or neighbourhood? One of the highlights of our upcoming Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March is our exhibition of Frogs of the Blue Mountains. We`ll have photos of all the known frogs of the Blue Mountains with links to their calls and we`re thrilled that Britt Mitchell from the @australianmuseum will share her experience as a frog call validator for the Museum`s FrogID project. She will discuss how FrogID has assisted her PhD research: “Australia’s frog species in the Anthropocene – habitat loss, climate change, behaviour, and disease”, the positive impact FrogID is making and how to get involved with this Citizen Science project. If you`d like to hear Britt speak you can reserve a place here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/frogid-people-powered-frog-conservation-tickets-1235831287649
The photo of the frog below is by Holly Kent and features in the exhibition.
@frogidaus #frogs #treefrogs #frogsofthebluemountains #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #citizenscience #katoomba #bluemountains #familyday
Planetary Health Day is coming up on 1 March. SAVE THE DATE! We all need a Planetary Health Day where we can connect with community, have fun, get inspired, buy fresh local produce and learn ways to work together to restore the health of our planet and prepare for a more challenging future.
Check out our program and book to come along here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planetary-health-day-tickets-1235611640679
#planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #community #beprepared #conservation #restoration #repair #localproduce #mobilesawmill #frogID #plantbased #bushfire #disasterriskreduction #firehalo
