There was a lot happening at the first ever Planetary Health Day in Katoomba (Video: Kalani Gacon)
Story by Linda Moon
The first Blue Mountains Planetary Health Day was held on 24 February 2024 in Katoomba, and was a huge success with an estimated 600 attendees. With the goal of equipping people with the knowledge and resources to achieve their sustainability goals, the day featured workshops, stalls, activities and much more.
Key Points:
- The Blue Mountains’ first Planetary Health Day was held on 24 February, 2024 at the Planetary Health Precinct in Katoomba.
- An uplifting, informative and community-focused day of sharing and caring about the planet, it centred on ways to make our sustainable goals become reality.
- With the event a success, it’s hoped Planetary Health Day can be a regular event.
It was that trademark misty, drizzly day in the mountains. But the rain didn’t stop the locals from turning up to the Blue Mountains’ first ever Planetary Health Day.
The day featured fun stalls, free workshops, talks, exhibits and activities designed to help us tick off our personal sustainability goals and support the health of the planet.
Mayor Mark Greenhill opened the event, followed by a stirring ‘Welcome to Country’ by Chris Tobin (on behalf of the Dharug traditional custodians) and Kelsie King (on behalf of Gundungurra).
Despite the wet weather the Planetary Health Precinct (the former Katoomba Golf Course) catered for over 30 activities throughout the day in the gardens, the main building and in a large marquee. (Photo: Linda Moon)
The opening of the event by Mayor Mark Greenhill (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Our relationship to Country
Chris explained that beginning with a Welcome to Country was highly appropriate to the occasion as it trains us to acknowledge our relationship to Country. He said: “It [Country] extends beyond our property to all creatures, our old people, generations beyond us, the people waiting in earth for their time. It is not a resource for us to gobble up, not a commodity, but a home for us and generations after us.”
In her speech Kelsie said: “A healthy Country means healthy people.”
Chris Tobin and Kelsie King. Their ‘Welcome to Country’ encourages us to deepen our relationship to the land and help preserve it for future generations. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Following the Welcome to Country the Wagana dancers put on a stirring performance in the mist.
The Wagana Dancers helped open the event. (Photo: Linda Moon)
One-stop shop for sustainable goals
Organiser and Senior Program Lead for the Planetary Health Initiative, Lis Bastian, described the event as a “one-day, one-stop shop” for our sustainability goals. “We understand that most people are overloaded,” she said. “We often can’t get to doing all the things we feel we could or should do because life is so busy and stressful. We’re hoping to make it easier by bringing a lot of options together in one spot at one time.”
Encouraging collaborative action at the local level, she said: “We’re trying to create a swarm for planetary health, emulating the way that birds and bees all start to work together in unison: people feeling the need for change in their whole being. And we need to change and act quickly together. That’s what we’re trying to achieve here, by bringing everyone together to see how enjoyable it can be and how we can all support one another to move together to a better way of living for ourselves and the planet.”
A chance to connect with community groups, practical skills, experts and businesses in the sustainability space. Pictured: Permaculture Blue Mountains (Photo: Linda Moon)
Stalls, talks and workshops
Over 30 participants providing stalls, workshops and talks, focused on ways to save money, reduce disaster risk and reduce our environmental footprint. Many diverse topics were covered: from how to use your waste bins properly and what to consider when installing solar panels, to learning about Home Energy Efficiency Assessments from MKC Building Design, to learning about Hempcrete (a fire resistant building material) with Kirstie Wulf from Shelter Building Design.
Carly Cura from Council’s Waste and Sustainability Team (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Blue Mountains Solar provided advice on installing solar panels (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Kirstie Wulf from Shelter Building Design had a stall and gave a comprehensive presentation on Fire-Resistant Building with Hempcrete. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Talks commenced with a Drip Irrigation presentation, followed by Chris Tobin’s presentation on Dharug Culture.
Chris Tobin’s presentation on Dharug Culture (Photo: Lis Bastian)
There was the chance to get a discount on a water tank through a Community Water Tank Bulk Buy and more.
Parents exchanged clothing and smiles at a Kid’s Clothing and Toy Swap organised by Blue Mountains Parents For Climate. (Photo: Linda Moon)
There were activities for all ages, with Sarah Daniel from Kindle Hill engaging very young people in claywork (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Other young people participated in the Upcycling Fashion Workshop and in learning how to sew their own Boomerang Bags. (Photo: Maria de Luca)
Meet the celebs and experts
‘Off-grid Chippendale Sustainable House guy’, Michael Mobbs installed a ‘Cool Seat’ at the Precinct with Ian Collins of WaterUps. A Cool Seat, as Mobbs put it, is “a seat, garden bed and compost in one.”
Designed with wicking garden beds below composting baskets, it can hold 150 litres of food waste. According to Mobbs, it can transform food waste into compost within three weeks. Other advantages include minimal watering, worms and compost juice. The structure also keeps rats out.
The wicking design, an Aussie creation by Ian Collins and Vince Hunt of WaterUps, recently won the prestigious Groene Sector Innovation Award in the Netherlands.
Michael Mobbs (L) and Ian Collins (R) installing a ‘Cool Seat’ on the site. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Eat the weeds
The public had the chance to sample unique dishes, like the delicious Three Weed Salsa Verde on crackers and Wild Fennel Seed Cookies, from the Eat Weeds book by mushroom and foraging expert Diego Bonetto.
Stylist, forager and foodie, Marnee Fox (Diego’s partner the other half of Forage to Feast), showcased numerous examples of edible weeds and fungi, and enthralled many.
Photo: Marnee Fox manning the popular ‘Eat Weeds’ stall. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Growing your own food
Growing food was a big topic of the day. Permaculture Blue Mountains, Mid Mountains Seed Savers and Blackheath Community Farm were present to answer questions. Gardening books, locally grown seeds and plants were also available for sale.
Permaculture educator and grower, Rhiannon Phillips of Mountains Gourmet, led a well-attended workshop on drip irrigation.
Rhiannon Phillips from Mountains Gourmet demonstrating how to install drip irrigation after her presentation (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Gardeners were also able to inspect examples of waterwise gardening (drip irrigation and wicking beds) constructed on the site, plus a demonstration pond.
Growing your own organic food – a fun way to help the planet and yourself. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Sustainable food
Shopping locally and eating fewer animal products are some of the easiest ways to reduce our environmental impact on the planet. To help showcase plant-based food, tasty locally-produced vegan and vegetarian foods were available for sale. Dishes included pakoras and lentil dahl using hand-blended spices supplied by Bibi’s Kitchen.
“Growing lentils actually helps the planet,” Lis said. “Lentils put nitrogen into the soil, they’re low cost and one of the healthiest things you can eat.”
Lentil and vegetarian dishes from Bibi’s Kitchen: great for people and planet. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Roasters With Altitude did a busy trade in sustainable, fair-trade coffee. They also tempted the crowds with their vegan hot dog, sweet treats and cakes.
Roasters with Altitude supporting the Timor Learning Centre (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Attendees also had a chance to taste-test vegan cheeses, and partake in a vegan ‘how-to-make-your-own-cheese’ demonstration by Teya Brooks Pribac.
Vegan cheese-making workshop by Teya Brooks Pribac, author of Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Electric vehicles
EV owner Alan Wardrop turned up on the day to share the how-to of having an electric vehicle with interested members of the public. He was joined by some of Blue Mountains City Council’s EV fleet drivers willing to share their everyday experience of driving an electric car in the Blue Mountains.
Electric car owners generously gave their time to chat to the public. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Volunteering
“Volunteering with others in the wider community trying to make a difference is another way to support the planet”, Lis said.
Blue Mountains Bushcare encouraging more people to engage with nature and protect our bushland. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
For those with an interest in volunteering, representatives from Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service, WIRES, Mid Mountains Seedsavers, Blackheath Community Farm, Permaculture Blue Mountains, Blackheath Art Society, Blue Mountains Parents for Climate, Resilient Blue Mountains, South Katoomba RFS and Blue Mountains Bushcare were available for a friendly chat. The RFS was also at hand to provide tips on fire safety.
Student Dylan McCarthy was also encouraging everyone to sign up to his Petition calling for urgent action on Climate Change.
WIRES: Helping wildlife is critical to the health of the planet. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Exhibits, art and culture
The local arts community also got in on the act. Blackheath Art Society and local artist Julie Paterson of Cloth hosted a big, collaborative drawing workshop called “Everyone Can Draw”.
Collaborating on art. Planetary health requires working together! (Photo: Linda Moon)
Visitors also enjoyed the onsite ‘Water For Life’ exhibition.
Geoffrey Smith from Council’s Healthy Waterways Team explained how our actions affect water throughout the catchment in the Water for Life Exhibition (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Ending the day, the internationally acclaimed Bowerbird Collective enchanted listeners with a live performance and helped everyone experience that they were part of nature.
The Bowerbird Collective gave a stunning and interactive musical and visual art peformance. (Photo: Lis Bastian)
Support for Planetary Health Day comes from a Disaster Risk Reduction Fund jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
With the event dubbed a success by everyone involved, it’s hoped that Planetary Health Day can become a regular event in the Blue Mountains calendar.
Take Action:
- Connect to local businesses and organisations from Planetary Health Day and find out how you can volunteer and contribute.
- Plant some seeds or seedlings and start growing your own food.
- Tick off three or more items on your sustainability list – like reducing your waste, growing some veggies, eating more plant-based food or upcycling secondhand clothing.
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
