The Amazing Enviro Race was held on Friday 14th of April 2023 at the beautiful Manilla Showgrounds.
Sustainable North West worked in collaboration with Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc’s volunteers as part of the Renewable Manilla Festival.

It was wonderful to be able to hold the event in real life, after virtual events in previous years.

Over 12 teams consisting of more than 40 students, and 3 family teams  participated.

Each team completed a series of challenge activities aimed at educating competitors about sustainable practices. It was both a time and point based challenge.

Additional points awarded for best costume and good sportsmanship. 

6 teams were awarded trophies – created by local artists. 

An additional team won a fishing rod – donated by the Aboriginal Rangers. 

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Topic areas covered by the challenges include;

• Water conservation through water use and best practise
• Energy use  – how reduction in light bulb wattage resulted in lower electricity costs
• Energy bill literacy – fixed costs versus usage costs
• Electric vehicle trip planning
  – Using a Tesla use the dashboard interface to plan travel from Manilla to Brisbane
• Solar PV – facts and usage
• Native seedlings and how to propagate
• Upcycling – turning waste into useful items
• Healthy soils to improve yield
• Drivers of waste generation
• plus a Gum boot toss.

The key to the success of the event was the sponsorship from local Council, as well as the support from many local organisations, groups and local businesses;

• Tamworth Regional Council Sustainability Unit
  – Water
  – Waste
  – Energy
• Aboriginal Rangers – Tamworth Local Aboriginal Lands Council
• CNRL Innovation Studio
• KOMO Energy
• Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc.
• Manilla Landcarers
• Tamworth Regional Landcare
• Tamworth Organic Gardeners
• Sustainable North West
• Tamworth Art Collective

Prizes included vouchers from local businesses;

• Carlo’s IGA
• The Manilla Pharmacy
• Molly May’s
• Burrells Bazaar
• The Cheeky Butcher
• Manilla Newsagency
• Manilla Meats
• The North Store
• Hart Rural
• Hair by TJ
• Amanda’s Hair Design
• Manilla Bakery

Although the event was delivered during the school holidays – a good selection of local school were represented.

• Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
• McCarthy Catholic College
• Calrossy Anglican School
• Manilla Central School
• St Josephs Manilla
• Oxley Vale Public School
• Currabubula Public School
• Tamworth Public School