Sustainability Magic! is a Winter Magic Festival satellite event which aims to bring cultural entertainment, delicious food and a celebration of the good news of achievements in sustainable living across the Mountains and beyond.
"We hear a lot of bad news day in and day out and the fact is there are small wins all the time," said Noni McDevitt, a member of the Climate Action Blue Mountains group, who initiated the event. "We need to hear about these wins if we are going to be inspired enough to continually take steps towards sustainable living,"
Winter Magic Festival Committee president Sharon Peralta said: "We are delighted to welcome an event such as this as part of the program because we are constantly working hard in trying to reduce our festival's environmental footprint."
The group of people behind the self-funded event were inspired by the work of Shirley Lewis, AKA the Bag Lady, on her Monday morning community radio show about Living ASAP (As sustainably as possible). Ms Lewis, Ms McDevitt and Climate Action Blue Mountains are sponsors of the event, along with in-kind assistance from Music Hunter Projects.
"This initiative is an example of people power," Ms Lewis said. "When people stop waiting for someone else to fix the situation, a lot can be achieved."
Sustainability Magic! includes performances by Oud Vibrations (Andy Busuttil and John Robinson), Malachi, an impressive young singer songwriter, the Blue Mountains Stop CSG Uke group, and a photographic display by David Brazil celebrating natural landscapes, dance and poetry.
Dr Mark Diesendorf, deputy director of Environmental Studies at the University of NSW, will give two short talks on achievements and opportunities in the field of renewable energy.
The event will be held the day after Winter Magic on Sunday, June June 22 from 1.30-4.30pm at the Katoomba Community Hall, formerly the old library. Gold coin donation on the day. For more details call Noni McDevitt on 0488 511 855.
