This year we saw a focus on food and the benefits of buying local, as well as how to reduce food waste.

Sustainable North West Expo 2015

• Over 20 Exhibitors attended across a range of industries
• Over 3000 people attended
• A kids tent with children’s activities
• A lucky door prize entry to win the “Taj Mahal” of Chook Pens
• Live entertainment by the Gomeroi Dancers
• Daily workshops on sustainable activities such as preserving, mud brick making, beekeeping, organic gardening, climate change, aquaponics, fostering community spirit, and more.
• 100 Mile Dinner for Show Pavilion winners

100 Mile Dinners

This year saw SNW roll out 5 x 100 mile night dinners partnering with local community, organisations to present ‘Pop-Up restaurants’ to educate the community on the benefits of buying local. Northern Inland Regional waste sponsored these events to promote the message “Love Food – Hate Waste” The dinners all used local caterers and sourced food within a 100 mile radius where possible. Guest speakers included Col Easton from Local Land Services, Alison Leckie and Tracey Carr from Northern inland regional waste and local producers such as Derek Blomfield “The Conscious Farmer”

Talks aimed to educate the audience on key messages

• In season and full of flavour
• More nutrients and shorter time between paddock and plate
• Less likely to have been in cold storage
• Supports local economy and promotes safer food supply
• Reduces use of fossil fuels from transport and storage
• Helps the environment by maintaining farmland
• Sustains green space in your community!

They were held at the following locations and were partnered with local community groups:

• Walgett: 28th March at the Walgett Rugby Club – with the Walgett Hostesses (210 attendees)
• Tamworth: 13th March at the Tamworth Showground with Tamworth Show Pavilion Committee (110 attendees)
• Copeton: 10th April at Copeton Dam with the Copeton Fresh Water Swim Committee (95 attendees)
• Bingara: 13th June at the Roxy Theatre with Northern Slopes Landcare Association (125 attendees)
• Warrah Creek: 27th June at Warrah Creek Hall with Upper Mooki Landcare Association (85 attendees)

Rural Women’s Sustainability Morning Teas

SNW hosted 5 x Morning Teas. A free community event open to women (and their children). This aimed at being a series of events to educate, and inspire women on how they can live, work and ‘play’ more sustainably within their local community.

The events were held at:

• The Nundle Bowling Club on Monday 1st June at 9.00am
• Smithurst Theatre, Gunnedah on Tuesday 2nd June at 9.00am
• Sport Ground – Rugby Club, Barraba on Thursday 4th June at 9.00am
• Werris Creek Pharmacy Coffee Corner on Friday 5th June at 9.00am
• Loomberah Community Hall on Thursday 11th June at 9.00am

The events were advertised through regional press, posters and local schools along with social media.

Water Warriors Schools Competition

We had Over 73 entries to the Water Warriors Competition. Entries came from right across the North West Region from Moree to Barraba and Tamworth.

Feedback from Teachers was very positive. They recognised the demonstrated syllabus links, it often led to discussion at home as well as in class on water use issues. The open nature of the challenge, they said encouraged creativity but in a targeted way. The entries certainly demonstrated that.

Amazing Enviro Race Youth Event

The Amazing Enviro Race was attended by 80+ young people aged between 13 and 19. The event consisted of a series of challenges based around environmental themes. One of the challenges was for students to explain what sustainability means to them which was filmed for later use by the SNW committee. Also challenges on recycling, water conservation, tree planting, land care, sustainable food use, upcycled fashion, recycling and more.

Winners Senior 15+ – 2 x bikes

Name –

Member 1: Sam Barden (Farrer)

Member 2: Ben Fisk (Farrer)

2nd Winners Senior 15+ – 2 x Go Pro Camera

Name –

Member 1: Courtney Mead

Member 2: Lea Gilchrist

Winners JNRS under 15 – 2 x bikes

Name –

Member 1: Joseph Ross (Oxley)

Member 2: Zach Burn (Oxley)

2nd Winners JNRS under 15 – 2 x Go Pro Camera

Name – Green Machine

Member 1: Oliver Keft-Gill

Member 2: Jake Darlington

Winner of Slam Junk – 2 x Basketball & Movie Tickets total $50.00

Name – Super Merino Bros

Member 1: Christian Wilson

Member 2: William Carr

Best Video for Sustainable x 2 Vouchers to Skate Rink

Name – Team Unfit

Member 1: Chloe Hope

Member 2: Lauren McRae

Best Dress Overall Winners – 2 x Go Pro Cameras

Name – Cape & Safety

Member 1: Tehlia Herden

Member 2: Sage Francis

Best Dressed Runners up – 2 x Skull Candy Headphones

Name – BJ

Member 1: Blair Bennett

Member 2: Jake Vanderfield

Best Dressed Honourable Mentions – 6 x Movie Tickets

Name – Green Elsas

Member 1: Emma Klasen

Member 2: Willamina Burke

Name – Super Mario Bros

Member1: Christian Wilson

Member2: Will Carr

Name – Team Unfit

Member 1: Lauren McRae

Member 2: Chloe Hope

Name – Broken Ankle

Member 1: Abigail Kelly

Member 2: Lyndell Boschma

Name – Cape Girls

Member 1: Annabelle Turnball

Member 2: Ellie Bennett

Name – Coal seam Gas Girls

Member 1: Emily Wall

Member 2: Annabell Suttor

Did you compete in the Amazing “Enviro” Race?
We’d love to hear your feedback