SUSTAINABILITY is the key focus for this year’s Begonia Festival and some half-shelled heroes will be there to make sure you’re doing the right thing.
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A five-metre giant turtle will form the centrepiece of this year’s festival which will be held over the Labour Day long weekend.
The turtle will be used to collect all single-use water bottles which are thrown away as a symbol of how plastic can damage the environment and natural water habitats.
Once the festival is complete, the turtle will be transformed into children’s play equipment as a long-term visual reminder of how important it is to car for the environment.
As part of the festival, Central Highlands Water will also be selling its multi-use drink bottles which last year sold out, helping to raise $15,000 for charity. This year. all proceed will go to support Ballarat charity WRISC which helps people who are dealing with domestic violence.
Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates said she was excited to see sustainability be so front and centre of the festival.
“It’s great to see the focus on waste reduction, the various ways of just looking after the planet and having fun along the way as well,” Cr Coates said.
“The turtle is a great idea, it really connects with that message of that when we waste things, it really does have an impact on our environment and nature. It’s such a simple behaviour change because single-use bottles are so easy to replace with reusable bottles.”
Another highlight is the return of Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis and `dirtgirl’. “I’m bringing my all girl band, Costa the Garden Gnone and a lot of love because I’m so excited to be back,” dirtgirl said.
“The gardens here are so amazing and the work all year around and leading into the festival is mind blowing.”
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