Shining a light on sustainability

THE Re-A-Range Sustainability Festival is back this year and the Wattle Range Council is encouraging the community to Re-A-Range their thinking processes; try something a little different and expand their knowledge on sustainable options in the region.

Taking place across the council area from the May 30 to June 1, the Re-A-Range Sustainability Festival weekend is an initiative of Wattle Range Council’s Climate Change Action Plan working group.

The festival aims to encourage residents to rethink their impact, expand their knowledge, and explore new ways to live more sustainably.

Wattle Range Council director of development services Emma Clay said this festival was a great opportunity for the community to come together, share ideas, and be inspired to make small changes that have a big impact.

“With a dynamic line-up of events and activities, the festival is a community celebration packed with inspiration, innovation, and practical tips for sustainable living,” Ms Clay said.

“We’re proud to support this event and to champion sustainability as a key focus for our region’s future.”

The full festival program can be viewed on council’s website, where attendees can plan their festival weekend and register for workshops.

The site also features ongoing local initiatives, including mulch days, op-shop hours, community gardens, and Wattle Range’s new Free Fruit Tree Map.

The festival will open with ‘Imaginarium Re-A-Ranged – Flower Garden’, an installation by local artist Selena Smith at the Millicent Gallery on Friday, May 30 where visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a space created from recycled materials, transformed into a garden of fun.

Guests are invited to arrive in their best op-shop or repurposed outfit and stay for the MET GALA: Wearable Art Fashion Parade, featuring one-of-a-kind sustainable fashion, live music by Victoria Meyers, and a showcase of local arts and crafts.

Entries for the wearable art competition are open until May 19 – so get crafting.

All weekend, the Millicent National Trust Museum invites visitors to step back in time with a self-guided heritage experience, featuring live demonstrations of glass blowing and blacksmithing—a rare glimpse into traditional craftsmanship.

On the Saturday join local textile artist Esme Guy for a beginner-friendly needle felting workshop at the Millicent Library, then explore the ‘Well Preserved’ Market for local treats and eco-conscious finds.

Discover how waste becomes resource on a guided tour of the Millicent Bottle & Can Centre and Resource Recovery Centre. Over at Hatherleigh Thyme Cottage, dive into DIY with a Beekeeping and Beer Making Talk.

Don’t forget to visit the Repair Café, where volunteers give broken items a second life—encouraging repair over landfill.

Kick off your Sunday morning with a refreshing guided walk at Lake McIntyre—a peaceful way to connect with nature and learn about the local environment.

Prefer to get your hands dirty? Head to Kymelia Park in Rendelsham for a lively Mulch Party, complete with a Food Forest tour and tips on home gardening and sustainable landscaping.

In the afternoon, explore real-life eco-living on the Sustainable Home Tours, where you can visit three inspiring local homes and chat with the owners about practical, real-life approaches to eco-friendly living.

Prefer a slower pace? Wind down with a Sustainable Film Screening at the Millicent Library—an ideal finale to a weekend of green inspiration.

Events will take place across various locations within the Wattle Range council area.

The full, action-packed program is now available on the Council’s website at www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/re-a-range-sustainability-weekend

Have an idea or want to be part of the next Re-A-Range Weekend? Expressions of interest for the 2026 event are now open so email [email protected] if you have an idea.