Sun Bear festival shines again

Spring Creek Reserve in Torquay came alive with the Sun Bear Children’s Festival on November 12, exploring ways for the local community to remain sustainable and save the environment and its inhabitants.

Visitor’s ventured through a 10-metre tunnel made from recycled materials donated by the Anglesea Op Shop, including strips of fabric to represent jungle vegetation like lianas, and cut-out cardboard fins to represent an ocean environment.

Festival founder Noah Nedoluha and Team Sun Bear have been advocating for a change in human behaviour to help save animals and share messages including “recycle your mobile”, “don’t use plastic bags” and “dogs on leash in bird nesting areas”.

Festival organisers strongly believe culture and tradition hold the key to knowledge and sustainability and this year, spirit animal names were taught through Wadawurrung language and traditional dance.

Sustainability practices were involved in every element of the festival; from solar-powered energy and fair-trade coffee, to palm-oil-free foods.

Local businesses came to the rescue with a solar generator and recyclable cutlery too, and as a result, event waste was only one small bag of rubbish.

Festival director Katja Nedoluha said the festival worked with local group Plastic Bag Free Torquay to share the message to use recyclable bags.

“The festival received a generously donation of 200 cotton upcycled shopping bags by our friend Nina, which kids could screen print the Sun Bear logo on and take home to remind their parents to use reusable bags when shopping.”

For more information on the festival, visit the Facebook page Sun Bear Children’s Festival, or visit sunbearfestival.com.