We're thrilled to welcome some amazing speakers

• Graham Creed - Former ABC weatherman turned farmer, bringing insights on climate change, sustainable agriculture, and weather patterns that affect our region

• Andrew the Bird Guy - Local bird expert sharing knowledge on attracting birds to your garden and understanding bird behavior

• Chris Ormond, Brian Hawkins & Shane Ruming - From the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water discussing the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Recovery program

• Jennie Fenton & Mala Colmer - Leading conversations on inclusivity and accessibility in our community

• Jules Laurent - The Waste Wizard offering practical guidance on waste reduction and circular economy principles

• Paula Flack - Speaking about the Great Koala National Park initiative

• Professor David Lindenmayer - a world-leading expert in forest ecology and resource management, conservation science, and biodiversity conservation. He currently runs 5 large-scale, long-term research programs in south-eastern Australia, primarily associated with developing ways to conserve biodiversity in farmland, wood production forests, plantations, and reserves.

• Gary Fry has worked in conservation roles across his career, including senior roles in both zoos and botanical gardens. He is one of the members of the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance. When he was born, Earth had CO2 levels of 316.79 ppm. He gets more than a little annoyed that our profligacy has now pushed levels to 425.76 ppm.

• And more…

Celebrating Our Beautiful Region & Wildlife

SustainaBellingen offers a unique opportunity to learn about the natural treasures that make our region special:

• Jaliigirr and the Koala Dogs - Discover how specially trained detection dogs are helping locate and protect our precious koala population

• Bellinger River Snapping Turtles - Learn about conservation efforts for this endangered species found nowhere else in the world

• "Whispers of Wilderness" - Experience this stunning short film created by the Coffs Coast National Parks Association and brought to life by local filmmakers Bathtime Productions. The film showcases the extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty of our region, reminding us of what we're working to protect including the establishment of the Great Koala National Park.

Building an Inclusive Community

• "You Can't Ask That!" - Join Jennie Fenton, Mala Colmer & friends for an engaging and enlightening conversation about inclusion in our community

• Women Who Farm Network present Learning from our living relationship with farming, permaculture and nature.

• Harmony for Health: the benefits of community singing - Experience the joy of community choirs with a performance by the Bellingen Singers. Research has shown that group singing provides remarkable benefits for mental and physical wellbeing— reducing stress hormones, boosting immunity, alleviating loneliness, and even helping those with dementia reconnect with memories. Singing in community strengthens social bonds, improves cognitive function, and releases endorphins that elevate mood. Come be uplifted by these talented local voices and discover how music might enrich your own well-being journey!

SUNDAY, august 10

• 9:00am - 9.45am | Community Wealth Building & Place Based Capital with Meaghan Burkett

  Meaghan, Executive Director for Ethical Fields, is dedicated to enabling local places and communities to take hold of their economic agency and thrive.

• 9:45am - 10.30am | Bringing Biodiversity Home: Attracting Birds to Your Garden with Andrew the Bird Guy
  Sharing our backyards with native birds can bring us so much joy, yet have you ever pondered how user-friendly your backyard is from the perspective of a fairy wren, whistler or spinebill?

• 10:30am - 11:15am | Housing in Our Shire: the Housing Matters Action Group and Community Land Trust, with Kerry Pearse
  ‘Priced Out’ – a powerful new film exploring how the housing crisis is affecting local workers. The screening will be followed by a short presentation on the Waterfall Way CLT – a new, community-led solution designed to create secure, affordable housing for people on local incomes – and a call for preliminary registrations of interest. The session will close by drawing out participants’ ideas about housing priorities and solutions for our region. This session is for people interested in housing and its impact on the sustainability of our region.

• 11:15am - 12:15am | Weather and Climate Change Panel
  Graham Creed, Kev Doye (Bellingen Weather) and Andrew Turbill (local ecologist and climate expert)
  Beyond 5 degrees - a dynamic panel discussion on climate impacts and adaptations specific to our region.

• 12:15pm - 1:15pm | Harmony for Health: The Benefits of Community Singing
  Performance by Bellingen Singers
  A beautiful choral performance highlighting the joy of community music-making.

• 1.15pm - 1.45pm | Lunch

• 1:45pm - 2.45pm | Saving Our Native Species: The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Recovery
  With Chris Ormond, Brian Hawkins & Shane Ruming from the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water
  In 2015, a disease event caused the mortality of 90% of the population of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle – which occurs only in the Bellinger River. The species is now listed as Critically Endangered and is one of the rarest reptiles in Australia. Threatened species officers will provide an update on the conservation program for the species, including some exciting updates.

• 2:45pm - 3.15pm | The Waste Wizard
  With Jules Laurent talking all things waste and circular
  Fascinating insights into waste reduction, recycling, and creating a more circular economy.

• 3.15pm - 4.00pm | Fashion: Fix It, Don’t Bin It
  With Amanda Fairbanks

  on the sidelines

  • All day | Alex from the Bellingen Alternatives Bookshop

  • In the morning | Carole Sampson from Bellingen Shire Council with the SIM table, a digital sand table that displays high quality models of natural disasters
    Interactive simulation demonstrating environmental management principles in action.

  • Over lunch break | LANDCARE with Jason John our local Landcare coordinator
    Learn how you can care for public & private land in our Shire and pick up resources about native and invasive species identification, reporting koala and other species sightings, joining Land for Wildlife, farming regeneratively and more!

  • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Chris Ormond, Brian Hawkins & Shane Ruming to chat about our Bellinger River Snapping Turtle
    An opportunity for one-on-one conversations about this unique local species.

SATURDAY, august 9

• 8:45am | Welcome to Country & Showcase Opening

• 9:00am - 10.00am | Climate Insights: Understanding Our Changing Weather with Graham Creed, Former ABC Weatherman
  An engaging exploration of climate patterns and their impacts on our region, with insights from Graham's extensive experience in meteorology.

• 10:00am - 10:30am | NSW National Parks Association (Coffs Coast Branch)
  Featuring: "Whispers of Wilderness" film screening, and Paula Flack speaking about The Great Koala National Park
  Experience the beauty of our region through film and learn about efforts to protect our unique koala habitats.

• 10:30am - 11:00am | Morning Tea

• 11:00am - 11:45am | Professor David Lindenmayer - The Forest Wars
  The challenge of conserving biodiversity in farmland, wood production forests, plantations, and reserves.

• 11:45am - 12:45pm | HYPOTHETICAL: Sustainable Futures for Our Shire
  Featuring: Graham Creed, Rob Curnow (Community Psychologist), & Gary Fry in an engaging scenario-based discussion exploring potential futures for the Bellingen Shire and how we might respond to challenges together.

• 12:45pm - 1:15pm | Lunch

• 1:15pm - 2:15pm | Jaliigirr and the Koala Dogs
  Discover the fascinating world of conservation detection dogs and their role in koala protection.

• 2:15pm - 3:15pm | Women Who Farm Network
  ’Learning from our living relationship with farming, permaculture and nature’. Celebrating the vital role of women in agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

• 3:15pm - 4:15pm | Practical Steps for Living Sustainably
  With Graham Creed
  Actionable advice for reducing your environmental impact in everyday life.

  4:15pm - 5:00pm | "You Can't Ask That": An Inclusive Conversation
  With Jennie Fenton, Mala Colmer and friends
  An open dialogue about inclusion, accessibility, and how we can create a more equitable community.

  on the sidelines

  • All day | Alex from the Bellingen Alternatives Bookshop
    Browse a curated selection of books on sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and environmental topics.