Bello Winter Music (6-9 July) is once again partnering with the Bellingen Shire Learning Alliance (BSLA) to present Bello LeaF – the popular, family-friendly program of sustainability and environmental workshops, tours and forums that runs alongside the music festival.
A highlight guest at Bello LeaF this year is leading environmentalist Tim Silverwood who is at the forefront of a global movement to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans.
Silverwood, an avid surfer, co-founded the organisation ‘Take 3 for the Sea’ after witnessing the alarming increase of plastic in and around our oceans and the subsequent threats this poses to wildlife. As CEO of Take 3, Silverwood aims to reduce plastic pollution through education and participation by asking people to simply take three pieces of rubbish with them when they leave the beach, waterway, or anywhere. His story is entertaining and inspiring, reminding us that anyone and everyone can be a change-maker.
“Tim Silverwood will be joining us at various events over the festival weekend to share his story, meet festival goers, and inspire us with his knowledge and passion for reducing human impacts on our oceans and planet” said Bello Winter Music Director, Glenn Wright.
Other Bello LeaF activities on offer for festival patrons and non-ticket holders include daily yoga and meditation classes; workshops in primitive fire making, native plant propagation and painting landscapes in watercolour; an introduction to the local Gumbaynggirr language; rainforest walking tours of Bellingen Island; an Edible and Medicinal Weeds Walk; and a community forum about saving the turtles whose home is the beautiful Bellinger River that runs through the town (see full program below).
Bello LeaF events are free for festival ticket holders and are available to non-ticket holders by donation on the day. Registration is recommended for popular Bello LeaF events.
For more information visit www.bellowintermusic.com
Bello LeaF 2017 Program
Friday 7 July
WORKSHOP: Primitive Fire Making.
3:00-4.30pm, meet at north side of Lavenders Bridge.
Have you ever wanted to make fire just using sticks and skill? This is your chance! Wilderness Mentors Tyler Parkes and Holly Mae, who have made primitive fire from Australia to Canada, will guide you in the spirit of matchless fire making. Brought to you by Centre for Ecological Learning. $10 fee for materials. REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL at cel.org.au. This workshop has booked out in past years so get in early!
WORKSHOP: Native Plant Propagation.
3:00-4.30pm at Maam Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park.
Get your hands dirty! Join Natasha English from Bellinger Landcare Inc. and Barbara Moore, long-time Never Never Creek Landcarer, to learn how to propagate your own Lomandra to plant on your creek/river banks and protect your riparian land in the future. Learn how to propagate other native species, when to use seeds Vs cuttings, and how to prepare them. You can take home your own pot. All materials provided. Brought to you by Bellinger Landcare Inc. More info at bellingerlandcare.org.au.
Saturday 8 July
WORKSHOP: Winter Yoga.
8:00-9:00am at St. Margaret’s Hall.
Winter Yoga explores poses that support and strengthen your lower back, neck, spine and nervous system. Winter is a time for slowing down and looking internally, a time for restoring your kidneys, adrenal glands and nervous system. Teacher Emma Hohnen will help you experience yoga that is both reviving and nourishing; the perfect start to your festival day. Bring a mat or a towel if you can. More info at cel.org.au.
WORKSHOP: Morning Meditation.
9:15-10:00am at St. Margaret’s Hall.
We are blessed to live in interesting times! Insight Meditation teacher Will James will lead a discussion and group meditation for inner and outer peace and for healing the earth. This is an opportunity to come together in a powerful demonstration of our gratitude, love and connection to each other and to the planet we share. Beginners welcome. Bring a cushion if you can. Brought to you by Tallowwood Sangha. More info at tallowwoodsangha.org.au.
WALK: Edible and Medicinal Weeds Walk.
9:00-10:00am, meet at Maam Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park.
Weeds! What if we were to tell you that these much maligned plants are actually useful? Come along for a winter wander through town with Damian Harrison from Chamomile Naturopathy as we unmask some of those oh so familiar and yet misunderstood ‘weeds’. From the dinner plate to the medicine chest, there are many secrets these unassuming plants hold. More info at cel.org.au.
FORUM: Bello’s Local Energy Future – Renewable by 2030?
9.30-11.00am at Memorial Hall
Learn about the latest renewable energy technology and investment opportunities to secure the energy needs of the Bellingen Shire. Presenters include Kersten Schmidt on technology; Paul Bryce on the local actions; Arne Hansen on a Shire wide energy market; Yvonne Jenkins on community investment trusts; and Geoff Tosio on energy audits/power needs. Q&A included. Brought to you by Bellingen Shire Electricity Alliance (BSEA). Contact info@bsea.org.au for more info.
WORKSHOP: Eco-Arts Watercolour Workshop.
10:00-11:00am at Bellingen Sustainability Centre/The Stables.
Come paint with passionate and talented local artist Julie Hutchison. You will learn simple watercolour techniques for connecting and capturing the natural environment using the magic of watercolour – and there is a lot of natural beauty around Bello to inspire you! All materials supplied. Brought to you by the Bellingen Community Arts Council. Contact Julie on 0487 484 479 for more info.
WORKSHOP: Introduction to Gumbaynggirr Language.
11:30am-12:30pm at Bellingen Sustainability Centre/The Stables. Giinagay Ngujawiny….. Come join respected Gumbaynggirr teacher Michael Jarrett who will introduce you to the rich world of our local indigenous language. Michael teaches throughout the local area and is passionate about sharing Gumbaynggirr language and culture. Brought to you by the Centre for Ecological Learning. More info at cel.org.au
Sunday 9 July
WORKSHOP: Winter Yoga.
8:00-9:00 am at Cedar Bar.
Winter Yoga explores poses that support and strengthen your lower back, neck, spine and nervous system. Winter is a time for slowing down and looking internally, a time for restoring your kidneys, adrenal glands and nervous system. Teacher Emma Hohnen will help you experience yoga that is both reviving and nourishing; the perfect start to your festival day. Bring a mat or a towel if you can. More info at cel.org.au.
WORKSHOP: Morning Meditation
9:15-10:00am at Cedar Bar.
Insight Meditation teacher Will James will lead a group Loving Kindness meditation for healing the earth. This is an opportunity to come together in a silent demonstration of our love and connection to each other and to the planet we share. Beginners welcome. Bring a cushion if you can. Brought to you by Tallowwood Sangha. More info at tallowwoodsangha.org.au.
FORUM: Talking Turtles
9:15 – 10:00am at Cedar Bar
The Bellinger River is the heart of our community. Following the devastating turtle tragedy in 2015, there is much we can do as a community to restore river health. Come hear an update on the Save the Turtle project with Dr. Ricky Spencer (Western Sydney University) and Sue Lennox (OzGREEN). Brought to you by OzGREEN. Please register for event at www.ozgreen.org
WALK: The Magic of Bellingen Island.
9:00-10:00am, meet at Maam Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park.
Right in the middle of Bellingen is an amazing ancient rainforest area. On this walk you will see giant figs, massive stinging trees, thousands of flying foxes and the efforts of Landcare groups to conserve and expand this rainforest area. Join local expert Tim Scanlon to experience ancient Bellingen. Brought to you by Bellingen Urban Landcare. More info at bellingenurbanlandcare.org.au.
FORUM: Waste Not Bello – Weaning Ourselves Off Single Use Plastics with Tim Silverwood
9:30-11:00am at Memorial Hall.
Here’s the chance to hear the story of how environmentalist Tim Silverwood is inspiring positive change around the country and the planet. You will also meet the Waste Not Bello crew and learn about the solutions they are offering to address the blight of single use plastics. Q&A included. Brought to you by the Bellingen Shire Learning Alliance/Centre for Ecological Learning. More info at cel.org.au.
WORKSHOP: Digital Storytelling – get your message heard!
10:00-11:00am at Bellingen Sustainability Centre/The Stables.
Do you want to get your message out on social media? Do you want to convert people to the green cause? Here is a quick guide to getting your story across. No need for fancy equipment – use your personal devices and get the word out. Join Libby Feez to learn about story construction, knowing your audience, camera basics, music copyright and posting. Brought to you by Coffs Coast Community College. More info coffscollege.nsw.edu.au.
WORKSHOP: Become a PlanetSaver.
11:30am-12:30 pm Bellingen Sustainability Centre/The Stables.
Are you ready to turn your eco-action up a notch? Or are you seeking renewed inspiration on how to achieve one-planet living? Join us for a fun and informative workshop to explore how to live on one planet instead of five and be a PLANETSAVER! Great for young people and adults, we’ll help you create a personal vision for what sustainability looks like for you and set a practical target to reduce your eco-footprint. Brought to you by OzGreen. More info at ozgreen.org.
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About Bello Winter Music
Bello Winter Music (6-9 July) is a small, family-friendly event that takes over the streets, cafes and halls of the NSW Mid North Coast town of Bellingen. This year’s line-up of more than 90 acts includes Joe Pug, Ben Ottewell (Gomez), Bec Sandridge, Salmonella Dub and Tinpan Orange. Bello Winter Music is the love-child of Spring’s Mullum Music Festival and has sold out each year so book early.
Tickets and camping information are available now at bellowintermusic.com.
BELLO WINTER MUSIC Held throughout the township of Bellingen, NSW.
THURS 6 JULY – SUNDAY 9 JULY
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
www.bellowintermusic.com | T: 02 6684 6195