Sustainability event back on the calendar

THE Re–A–Range Sustainability Festival is back this year, and the Wattle Range Council is once again inviting the community to rethink, reuse and Re–A–Range their approach to sustainability.

Taking place from May 28 to June 1 across Wattle Range and the Limestone Coast, the Festival is an initiative of council’s Climate Change Action Working Group and is supported by a dedicated group of community volunteers.

Now an established annual event, the Re–A–Range Festival brings together a diverse program of workshops, exhibitions, tours, talks and community experiences designed to inspire practical action, creativity and community connection around sustainability.

This year’s program offers something for all ages and interests, ranging from behind–the–scenes waste and recycling tours, local food production experiences, and bike repair and upcycling workshops, through to art exhibitions, garden tours, environmental talks and coastal activities.

Council’s director of development services Emma Clay said the festival highlights the many ways sustainability can be engaging, creative and accessible.

“Re–A–Range is about showing people that sustainability doesn’t have to be complex or overwhelming,” Ms Clay said. “It’s about small changes, creative thinking and community–led solutions that make a real difference.

“The festival connects people with practical ideas, local expertise and inspiring examples of how we can reduce waste, reuse resources and care for our environment together.”

Highlights of this year’s program include the ‘Love of Recycling’ and ‘Bleue by SLEJ’ art exhibitions at the Millicent Galleries, where local artists transform waste and domestic discard into art, and the Millicent MET Gala, a fashion parade showcasing designs created from recycled materials by local community members.

Nature–based experiences are once again a key feature of the festival, with opportunities to take part in wellness walks, coastal activities, sustainable garden visits and creative workshops inspired by the natural environment.

Many events are free or low–cost, with some sessions requiring bookings due to limited places.

Accessibility and inclusion remain a priority, with council encouraging anyone with specific access or mobility needs to make contact ahead of time.

The full Re-A-Range program details, including dates, and times are available on the Wattle Range Council website.