riveryouthfest gets Loud!
By Adam Norris, The Bellinger Valley Herald Newspaper
The theme of Youth Week 2024 is Express, Empower, Get Loud!, and OzGREEN intends to combine all three at the inaugural riveryouthfest.
Held at the Bellingen Skatepark on Saturday April 13, riveryouthfest is designed for young people aged 11 to 24 years and features musical acts, food, workshops, games and significantly, tree planting.
Co-organiser Amy Denshire believes that by combining these activities, attendees might be encouraged to play an active role in repairing and caring for their local environment.
“Because it’s adjacent to the skate park, we thought it would be really great to do an event that fosters ownership for young people over that planting, so they can help protect it in the years ahead,” Amy said.
“We’re going to try and do 18 events over the next three years and hope to plant over 2000 trees. So, we wanted the first few events to be youth focused, to really get pride over the space happening.”
The inspiration for riveryouthfest came in part from the YOUth Speak 2023 survey commissioned by the Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire, which saw young people identify the need for more local activities, music and workshops.
By holding it at the skatepark, it is hoped that those who most frequently use the area might also act as protectors of the project.
“It takes a long time to support their growth until they’re established, and [young people] are already there on the ground every day. They are there playing basketball, skating, so if people come wanting to hurt the planting, they could be the ones who call them out.”
Organisers are calling for 25 First Nations people (all ages) to help plant the first 100 trees, and 50 young people to plant the next 200 trees to acknowledge and respect our connection to the land.
The Budaabang Bari Dance Troupe will also be performing, as will local hip hop headliner, Jayess.
“Music has been influencing, helping and inspiring me my whole life,” he said.
“Seeing how artists can channel their energy into a song and create something that everyone can enjoy listening to and even learn from it is what really pushed me to make my own music.”
While the bulk of riveryouthfest is suitable for ages 11 and up, from 3.30pm organisers note that ages 15 and up is more appropriate due to a mature themes in the music.
“We’re looking to next year already,” Amy said.
“What I’d really like is event more young people designing the [next] festival, and bringing what they’d like to see. I’m really hoping that’s something that comes out of this event.”
Spotlight : Kathleen Hannah
This month, we are shining the spotlight on one of our Program Managers, Kathleen Hannah. Kathleen is dedicated, passionate and motivated. I am constantly inspired by her high quality work and her positive impact on the community.
Kathleen has been with OzGREEN for 3 years and wears many hats! She is the Program Manager for Resilient Communities, MyHive, CampMe and Rethink Waste - four of our newer programs that all work towards our mission of creating sustainable communities.
Kathleen is an inspiring woman to say the least! She is very passionate about reducing waste on this planet. We loved getting to know more about the woman behind the work - we hope you do too.
What is your role at OzGREEN?
I am one of the Program Managers at OzGREEN working across a range of projects focussing on youth opportunity, wellbeing and building sustainable communities. Working in this incredibly flexible role, for a very supportive organisation and being super passionate about waste has seen me design one of OzGREEN’s newest Programs : Rethink Waste. With ACTION at the heart, this program is delivered at events, supporting event managers to rethink their waste management systems, to role model effective waste streams and to educate event patrons about recycling, composting and items destined for landfill.
Rethink Waste has successfully diverted hundreds of litres of waste from landfill, instead recycling and composting these items keeping them in the loop. Thousands of simple, yet highly effective interactions with patrons at event bins stations have clarified and cleared up confusion around waste items. And let’s face it - there is a lot of conflicting information out there… who doesn’t need help when it comes to which bin to use!
Empowered with this knowledge, the people attending these events are then able to implement waste changes within their homes and workplaces creating a ripple effect of change, ultimately leading to less landfill generated and a greater awareness of finite resources. What’s not to love about that!
What do you love most about your role?
ACTION - supporting people to make change - the big and the small. I love that this is my job!
The Rethink Waste community is growing but we can do more - reach more people, divert more from landfill, inspire more change… but we can only do it with the help of our incredible volunteers. Working with Rethink is an amazing opportunity to reach an audience that often doesn’t engage in environmental education - everyone needs to go to the bin, right? It is a great way to develop confidence and communication skills and is suited to all ages. If you or someone you know is passionate about waste, wants to join a growing movement, or be part of positive change, I encourage you to get in touch. We are supporting the Made with Love Markets Coffs Harbour this Sunday, 3rd March, will be at the Dream on Festival Yarrawarra on Sunday, 21st April and at the Bellingen Show on the 4th and 5th May and are looking for volunteers to support these events. Register on our rethink page or on our events page.
What are you working on in terms of your personal sustainability at the moment, or what’s something you are proud of from your sustainability journey?
The past couple of years I have been developing a garden with a friend. It's a huge plot, with so much potential. We grow loads of delicious, fresh produce which inspires all sorts of tasty meals. But with all the growth comes the weeds…. sometimes the plot can feel overwhelming, especially in summer. Experiencing feelings of overwhelm while doing an activity that I love has been challenging for me. I have had to learn to step back, focus on small achievable steps, while working towards a much bigger goal.
The garden also represents a different type of sustainability - personal sustainability. The connection to nature, the joy of watching seedlings grow, the quiet, the mountain views and the time to dream. The relationship and connection I experience, working and chatting alongside a dear friend, sustains me and helps balance the more intense times of the week. By taking time to pursue activities that are important to me both mentally and environmentally I am able to be more present, productive and effective in other activities I do at home and at OzGREEN.
Spotlight : Amy Denshire
This month, we are shining the spotlight on one of our Program Managers, Amy Denshire. Amy has been with OzGREEN in a project capacity since 2011, part-time since 2018, and first volunteered in our programs in 2009. She is the Manager for Communications, Bellingen Riverwatch and Nature Connection.
What does a typical day at OzGREEN look like for you?
My role at OzGREEN is very diverse and that’s the way I like it! I work on web and graphic design, event coordination, help with project concepts and designing programs. I support all staff with comms and I love that this means I get to connect with all of our wonderful team. I spend time training and mentoring junior staff which I really enjoy aswell. Every so often, I come out of my bat cave, and join in OzGREEN events. I love connecting with the community and this very much fuels me in the work that I do. Comms for me, is much more than messaging. Done well, it guides strategy, and I’m proud of the work I am doing within this realm at OzGREEN at the moment.
How did you come about to do this work in the world?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to make a positive difference in the world. I loved art, social studies and maths at school, and studied Industial Design, Education and Regional Community Development at Uni. Industrial Designers solve problems and this is definitely what I was put on this Earth to do! My brain absolutely LOVES solving problems.
I started working with Bellingen Riverwatch in 2018 and felt so welcomed instantly by the BR volunteer family. I had worked on science events before, but never citizen science, and I am totally hooked! With citizen science, and with communication - there’s so many dimensions to it - the problem is never solved, there’s always more refinement that can be done. My brain loves that complexity.
What are some things you love about your role?
The people I work with. Hands down. (Including the amazing OzGREEN volunteers!!!)
Also, the meaning for me behind the work.
At OzGREEN, we work within the four pillars of sustainability : Human, Social, Economic and Environmental. Previously, my community development work was solely driven by the impact it would create on the environment. In recent years, what drives me in this work has shifted more towards the social benefits. The drive for environmental benefits is still there - but at the forefront, for me, is the impact this work has on communities socially.
Mental health is an issue I am passionate about. I have seen enough evidence now to know, through-and-through, that the work I do at OzGREEN - in Bellingen Riverwatch, in Nature Connection events, and in comms - has a positive effect on people’s wellbeing (and helps the planet too!). This is what drives me everyday to do my best work in the world. I urge you to come to one of our Macro Musters to see what I mean! It’s strange how looking deeply at tiny bugs with a group of strangers for a few hours can make you feel so good - but there is science behind why it does - and believe me, it just does!
What are you working on in terms of your personal sustainability at the moment, or what’s something you are proud of from your sustainability journey?
I’ve lived with a composting toilet for seven years now and am proud of the impact that this is making. I‘m also eating more vegetarian these days. Both my young daughters are vego and whilst I am not, them being vegetarian inspires me to eat more vegetarian meals than I otherwise would. Yet another example of the younger generation leading the older generation!
What are some highlights from your work with OzGREEN?
The Macro Musters are definitely a regular highlight of my year. The Thrive Festival was so wonderful as well, plus I loved the Orama School Tree Planting workshop. Representing Bellingen Riverwatch to receive two national awards was also a highlight for me.
What are some things you’re working on at the moment with OzGREEN / what have you got coming up?
Lots coming up! The next big thing is Macro Muster 5. We’re going to be at the Growers Market this Saturday to promote it so come down, say g’day and meet some waterbugs! We’ve changed the format this round to dramatically increase the impact of the event, which I find exciting. We’re also planning bird walks, walks with Elders and tree planting workshops with High Schools at the moment, plus an Inter-school River Fun Day for local primary school students that’s happening early next year.
What’s one of your most memorable moments in nature?
I was witness to this incredible whale breach, standing at the edge of the baths in Newcastle East that I’ll never forget. Also, scuba diving, both on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
What’s something that’s on your bucket list to do with nature?
I would love to snorkel with whale sharks on the Ningloo reef and see the night sky in the Australian desert.