Rotary Volunteers Ian Chappel, Drew Fitzpatrick, Carolyn Fitzpatrick and Frank Behl were on hand to organise the children’s Trash to Treasure event.
Story and photos by Gabiann Marin
Music, creativity and sustainability all come together at Glenbrook Rotary Markets every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, and recently the organisers from the Rotary Club of the Lower Blue Mountains showcased their continuing commitment to waste reduction by hosting a creative Trash to Treasure Competition for local Lower Mountains kids.
Key Points:
Markets help grow community connections and support local and sustainable producers.
In association with Blue Mountains City Council, the Rotary Club of the Lower Blue Mountains and local market vendors, the community markets are becoming even more sustainable with a focus on reducing, recycling and avoiding waste across the whole market experience.
I can think of no better way to spend a Saturday morning than strolling through the local markets, eating freshly prepared gourmet food and perusing the local jams, plants and sustainably made clothing that is on offer, all to the soundtrack of local musicians performing popular old standards and original new tunes.
Local MP Susan Templeman is proud to support emerging musical artists like Jerrah and Friends who perform at the Glenbrook Rotary markets.
Markets are a great alternative to big store shopping, offering locally sourced goods, organic produce and handmade items, all of which inject money back into the local economy, as well as supporting more sustainable commerce. But the Glenbrook Rotary Markets go even further in their efforts to support the community: not only offering a great place for local artisans, farmers and musicians to showcase their wares, but using the market itself to help fund and support local sustainability initiatives.
Recently, the Rotary Club Environmental Working Group also hosted a Trash to Treasure Competition at the Markets, encouraging children of all ages to think about recycling, reusing and repurposing as part of a fully circular economy.
School children worked for weeks to create clever items like this robot and owl, made out of discarded materials. They were entered into the Trash to Treasure Creative Prize.
The Rotary organisers have worked tirelessly to encourage sustainable waste management in the markets, working with market vendors and community to encourage sustainable or zero waste solutions as well as providing opportunities for waste and sustainability education to feature prominently throughout the market environment.
By inviting Blue Mountains City Council Waste and Sustainability officers to host an information stall, the Rotary Club organisers were able to showcase all the innovative and sustainable waste reduction solutions available across the markets and in the community more generally.
The Trash to Treasure Creative Competition encouraged local children to complete an artwork and bring it for judging for a creative art prize, or they could make something on the day by taking advantage of a reuse and recycle station set up and hosted by Rotary Club members.
The station, strewn with all manner of ‘trash’, like paddle pop sticks, plastic straws, empty soft drink bottles and used cellophane, soon became a hive of activity as children of all ages painted, glued, drew and constructed art pieces. They then added them to the gallery of artworks which had already been completed by children over the previous weeks.
Volunteers Sue Parnell and Chris Behl oversee the Creation Station at Rotary Markets.
Thirteen-year-old Elise sat at the table, diligently constructing her creative birdhouse out of paddle pop sticks, and old ribbons.
Unsurprisingly, her work was deemed the winner of the best artwork in the teen category – judged by Rotary members Carolyn Fitzpatrick and Ian Chappell and Market Organiser Drew Fitzpatrick. A representative of the Council’s waste management team also helped award the prizes.
Elise was delighted to be presented with the first prize: a large, fully kitted out worm farm which would take pride of place in her garden, right alongside the prize-winning birdhouse!
Elise and her mum show off Elise’s award-winning birdhouse made on the day from recycled paddle pop sticks.
“I’m so proud of her,” said Elise’s mum. ‘She worked really hard on this.’
Elise smiles, a little embarrassed at all the attention, but also clearly pleased her work has been so well received.
“I think it’s really important not to just throw away things,” she says. “We have to make sure we are careful about what we use and what we do with it.”
Her words are greeted with applause from the market goers who gathered around to watch the award ceremony and admire the other award-winning creations, including a bunny made of old soft drink bottles, a castle constructed of cardboard boxes and plastic straws, and a robot built from plastic cups.
A table of treasure: some of the art works entered in the Trash to Treasure Creative Prize.
Native plant growers and local florists show off the beautiful flora of our bushland. A few steps on and a stall filled with shiny silver jewellery glints in the afternoon sun – it takes a moment to realise that all the beautiful bracelets, rings and pendants are repurposed knives, forks and spoons.
The sounds of a guitar draw you towards the edges of the marketplace where another example of innovative recycling was also drawing a bit of a crowd.
Ken Watt’s innovative idea of repurposing old biscuit tins and scraps of recycled wood into creative fully working guitars has drawn the attention of a number of market shoppers, many of whom eagerly pick up and strum one of Ken’s guitars, keen to see if the instrument really does work.
After plugging into the amp Ken has brought along for this purpose, the guitar hums into life and onlookers clamber to have a go at playing these crafty instruments.
Ken Watts makes innovative guitars from recycled wood, old tins and metal signs.
The idea for the recycled tin guitars was inspired by a trip to a different market where Ken saw a street musician playing an instrument assembled out of found objects. Newly retired, Ken decided to adapt the idea and create fully working guitars out of old biscuit, lunchbox and coffee tins as well as wood and metal signs.
“It took a bit of trial and error,” Ken reveals. “But eventually I found a way we could make them fully compatible with any amp system. All of them can be plugged in, except the kids guitars here”, he points out two smaller versions, made out of a child’s Christmas chocolate tin and a Buzz Lightyear biscuit tin. “Those are acoustic guitars.”
He picks up a guitar made from an old biscuit tin with a 1960’s car illustration on it and strums it fondly, the music floating across the other stalls, hovering over the heads of market goers, weaving between the bouquets of native flowers wrapped in recycled paper, and tinkling across jam jars, adding another layer to this wonderful weekend experience for the locals of the Lower Blue Mountains.
Floral Team Building and Events are just one of the many innovative sustainable businesses you can find at Glenbrook Rotary markets.
Take Action:
Reduce your waste and support local farmers and artisans by buying produce at local markets like the Glenbrook Rotary Markets.
While there, consider handmade, second hand and sustainable gifts as an alternative to purchasing them from larger retail stores. Glenbrook Rotary Markets are open on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 1A Ross Street, Glenbrook.
The Rotary Club of the Lower Blue Mountains supports all sorts of great causes and sustainable practices. You can support them by making a donation at the Glenbrook Markets or find out more about the Club here >
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
In a world being threatened by war, greed, cruelty and selfishness, the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend will close with a gathering of people who have faith that kindness, generosity, love, creativity and community, and the healing of our land, are a better way forward. We`re thrilled that harpist Dawn Egan will be performing at this inspiring event in the Planetary Health exhibition space. Afternoon tea will be provided. Register to attend here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Had lunch yet? Head over to the Planetary Health Centre for these delicious offerings from @8thingskatoomba today (Sat 28 Feb): South Indian dosa, Korean bao, NY Cheese burger, Bali nasi, Mullum tofu fries, shoestring fires & red bean mochi!
Don`t miss hearing Andrew Skeoch at 2pm today at the Planetary Health Centre! He`s an acoustic ecologist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature` and uses technology to help identify the different `conversations` happening in the world around us. His presentations are a revelation! Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Planetary Health Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Experience the joy and sense of purpose that connecting to community, nature, and your own creativity can provide this weekend at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend. There will be delicious food and coffee, music, art, workshops, nature walks, talks, an Interfaith Gathering and the following stalls:
Food vendor: @8thingskatoomba Zensational Coffee Cart @blue_mts_conservation_society Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Blue Mountains Women`s Health & Resource Centre (BMWHRC) Greater Blue Mountains Rotary @permaculturematters Acoustic Ecologist and author of ‘Deep Listening to Nature’, Andrew Skeoch @lacebrookstitchery Sustainable death care BMCC Sustainability and Waste team BMCC Bushcare team View the full program and reserve your spot for a range of activities here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Are humans the only species capable of grief? While grief is often treated as a uniquely human experience, any animal capable of forming attachments also has the capacity to grieve. Join Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Animal Grief and Spirituality: Cross-Species Perspectives’ at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb, as she reviews key theoretical foundations of cross-species grief. The flip side of deeply caring for animals is the grief we also feel when we lose them - beloved companion animals, wildlife, or animals harmed by human activity. By validating both nonhuman animal grief and human grief for other animals, this presentation invites a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of loss. Reserve your spot here (link in profile for Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Would you like to help those around you who may be struggling with their mental health? Come along to the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb for an Introduction to Mental Health First Aid. Rotarian Ian Scott will define mental health, talk briefly about the most common mental health issues in Australia, and cover the basics of recognising when someone is experiencing a mental health issue or problem. He`ll outline what is covered in a full Mental Health First Aid course. We are planning to deliver a course later this year so it`s a great opportunity to learn more. Reserve your spot here (Link in profile for PH Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
At our Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb, Christopher Smith and Juan Roberson, Shared Reading facilitators, will introduce how the reading and discussion of great short stories and poetry can change lives and strengthen social connection, compassion, and empathy. Shared Reading, or social bibliotherapy, for all ages, is one of the most inspiring and magical ways of dealing with loneliness and the struggles of the human condition. "Shared reading makes the process of revealing who you are to other people safer." Learn how groups can be run in-person and online. Reserve your spot here (Wellness Weekend link in profile): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
You can view Christopher Smith`s TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dAxk61E0R88
It`s just under a week until the Blue Mountains Interfaith Gathering on Sun 1 March, starting with a smoking ceremony by Chris Tobin at 2pm. It`s the culmination of the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend which is looking at physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Afternoon tea will be provided. Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Join Harumi Hayakawa for an introduction to ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Saturday 28 February. You’ll get hands-on practice creating an arrangement and learn about the history and philosophy of ikebana, and how this calm, meditative practice uses flowers as a gentle and creative form of therapy. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Learn how to incorporate meditation and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction into your life at our Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb. Experience a short interactive mindfulness activity led by Betty Ramsay, physio and health coach at The University of Sydney. She has years of experience working with people who are living with life stresses including caring roles, work demands, pain, chronic illness, depression, and anxiety. Reserve your spot for this inspiring and free event here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Thought about doing yoga but never tried it? Join Sheila Annis from Mountain Mist Yoga in Woodford to experience how this rich and vast practice can lead you on a path to better health, and can even be practised from a chair! Reserve your spot for the Chair Yoga session on Sat 28 Feb at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend in Katoomba here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Learn more about Mountain Mist Yoga here: https://mountainmistyoga.com/
Join multi-award-winning photographer Sue Lightfoot at the Planetary Health Wellness weekend on Sat 28 Feb as she shares how taking up photography to manage her mental health after PTSD has opened up a life filled with creativity, compassion and consciousness. Living a creative life has expanded to include creating permaculture gardens from recycled materials and finding multiple ways to give back to the community. Through creativity she has learnt "to see and feel the world, to live with awe and wonder, to change lenses, shift [her] focus and embrace all forms of light … to enjoy nature and mother earth and accept we are all connected.” She’s been inspired by Miksang, Tibetan for “good eye”, which is a form of contemplative photography that is about seeing and photographing the world exactly as it is, rather than how we want it to be, focusing on colour, light, texture, and pattern. Her session is free but reserve your place here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Learn more about Sue and her work here: www.suelightfoot.com
Gabiann has worked as in-house writer/editor for Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières across Australia, Africa and the Asia Pacific. She is an award winning novelist and children’s book author, having won or been shortlisted for several Australian and international writing prizes. She was one of the key designers and the writer of the award-winning multimedia interactive narrative, Kids Together Now, which focuses on helping children deal with issues around bullying and racism.
Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre will host the Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day on Saturday, 22 November, offering a fun and informative day focused on building safer, healthier and more resilient communities.
