I look forward to this event each and every year.  The Sustainable Living Festival helps recharge my personal batteries for the year ahead.

This time around, I had the pleasure of being invited onto a panel discussion with the topic being Living Simply in the City.

The panel members had a wide range of experience covering broad topics like housing, work, food, transportation, consumerism, and social pressure.  It was highly educational, and Greg kept us focused on the topics at hand.

I really enjoyed the experience, as did the crowd I believe.

L to R. Mike HIll, Kat Lavers, Gavin Webber, Greg Foyster.

The panel was at the end of the day, so lets have a look at the other stuff we saw.

We caught the train from Melton to Melbourne, which is much faster than driving.  A lot cheaper as well, when you take in consideration fuel and parking.  And far more pleasurable an experience.

Upon arrival around 1.30 pm , we did a lap of the stalls then headed for the food vendors.

Anna who is one of Kim’s lifetime friends is over on holiday, so she decided to tag along with Ben, Amy, and I.  The Festival was a bit of an eye opener before, because she is very new to all this greening.  Never been exposed to this side of the tracks.  She certainly has learnt a lot staying at our place.

Anyway, Anna wanted a smoothie.  Little did she know that she would have to blend it herself.

It was delicious.  Mango, Pineapple, Passion fruit, with a big splash of coconut milk.  It was humid as heck, so we looked for a cooler venue.

We then went inside to the Edge and listened to a few presenters.  The most impressive was Kate Dundas who is one of the founders of 3000acres.org.  She also recently featured in a TED talk which was titled, What About Those Vacant Lots?  3000 acres is about unlocking productive land across our cities, giving communities the information and tools they need to reclaim and re-purpose underutilised urban spaces as food gardens.

Brilliant stuff!  Here is her TED talk below.

At around 4pm we went for another wander, where I met up with two long-time readers (out of the blue).  Claire and Alexis were manning the  Permaculture Victoria tent.  They both recognised me straight a way, and after a hug, Claire invited Ben, Amy and I to try some honey that Alexis and her harvested from their own hives.  I must say that it was delicious, and each type of honey was unique in flavour.

Alexis looked a bit shy, so I asked why.  She said she felt like she was standing next to a celebrity, but I quickly reminded her that I am just an ordinary bloke trying to do his bit, just like she was.  I think she felt less shy after that, because it was the truth.  We each do our own bit, which is what I love about sustainable living.

So after we left the Claire and Alexis, we headed off to the Under the Gum tent where the presentation was to be held.  I met up with Greg, Mike, and Kat and we quickly prepared for the panel, and got stuck into it.

I will just leave you with a photo and a quote from my daughter Amy.  She posted it on Facebook during the session.

“So proud of my old man!!! Did so well presenting at the Sustainable Living Festival”

Thanks darling! I am proud that you are who you are.

Finally, I cannot apologise enough to those of you who tried to tune into the my live broadcast.  Due to the input levels being too high, the broadcast was distorted, and unintelligible.  I did not have control of the mixing panel, so couldn’t adjust the settings.

Anyway, I do have some good news for those who were unable to travel to the festival, and for interstate and overseas readers.  I managed to secure a recording of the show that will be sent to me during the week.  Once I get it, I will post it as a podcast for all to hear.

A great day enjoyed by all.