The National Sustainable Living Festival presents a huge sustainability and zero waste celebration like you’ve never seen before!
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In the heart of our city at Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne, join ABC's Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis for an afternoon celebrating sustainable living. The Great Local Picnic features a huge line up of special guest leading sustainability innovators including Helena Norberg-Hodge, David Holmgren, Sandro Demaio, Alice Zaslavsky, Tishiko King, Kirsty Bishop-Fox, Nina Gbor and more for a big green day out.
Bring your picnic rug and basket with your delicious dishes made from your homegrown harvests, or pack a locally sourced spread and join the showcase of local food, innovative sustainability and community connection.
Come along with your family or a group of friends, or register as a community or work group and be part of an inspirational and entertaining day, as we reconnect and unite on our sustainability journeys.
Including children’s and breakout activities with more program details are coming soon.
About our Speakers
Costa Georgiadis is a landscape architect, environmental educator and television presenter who has an all-consuming passion for plants and people. He is the much-loved host of one of the ABC’s most iconic and Logie award-winning programs, Gardening Australia.
Helena Norberg-Hodge is a linguist, author and film maker, Helena Norberg-Hodge is the founder and director of the international non-profit organisation, Local Futures, a pioneer of the new economy movement, and the convenor of World Localization Day.
Dr Sandro Demaio is a medical doctor and globally-renowned public health expert and advocate. He co-hosts the ABC television show Ask the Doctor – an innovative and exploratory factual medical series broadcasting across Australia and around the world.
Tishiko King is a proud Kulkalaig woman from the Island of Masig, Kulkalgal Nation of Zenadth Kes, and contributes to the Groundswell Giving team as their new Philanthropy and Engagement Officer. Based in Naarm, Tish is spirited about sharing culture and amplifying social inequality and the rights of First Nations people.
Alice Zaslavsky is an award-winning author, broadcaster, ‘Vegelante’ and Australia’s friendliest voice in food. Alice is the Cookery Columnist for The Weekend Australian Magazine, host of Saturday Breakfast on ABC Radio Melbourne, and the resident foodie on ABC’s hit television program News Breakfast.
Jakobi is a proud Djap Wurrung and Gunditjmara man, and a Guide and Educator at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. His work includes creation and facilitation of tourism and education programs. He is passionate about climate change, conservation, and impacts of colonisation on the environment and First People's culture. Jakobi believes solutions for environmental and social progress towards justice for all, is grounded within First People's knowledge and leadership.
Kirsty Bishop-Fox is a sustainability educator and changemaker who inspires, and supports people in the shift towards a more sustainable future, so together we have a positive impact on our planet, people, and productivity. She’s the founder of Sustainability Pathways, Program Manager for Sustainable Living Festival, and co-founder and president of Zero Waste Victoria.
Nina Gbor is the founder of Eco Styles, an award-winning sustainability advocate, ethical fashion speaker, writer, educator and climate activist. Her work is derived from research and lived experiences in the global South and global North with focus on equity, social justice and development.
Professor Tim Entwisle is a botanist, scientific communicator and botanic gardens director. He is the Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens. Tim is a regular contributor to Australian radio and writes for science, nature and garden magazines. He recently published a memoir, Evergreen: the Botanical Life of a Plant Punk.
David Holmgren is best known as the co-originator of permaculture. He has developed three properties, consulted and supervised on urban and rural projects, written eight more books, and presented lectures, workshops and courses in Australia and around the world. His writings over those three decades span a diversity of subjects and issues, whilst always illuminating aspects of permaculture thinking and living.
Gardens Nature Play - for the kids
Delight your child’s senses at the Great Local Picnic with free nature play experiences led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s experienced Learning Facilitators. Watch them find joy in connecting with the natural world through a range of nature-inspired activities, such as cubby-building, seed bomb making, sensory play and nature based art activities.
For more information about our speakers and program you can find more details here.
The Great Local Picnic is a FREE public event brought to you by the National Sustainable Living Festival. Proudly supported by Venue Partner Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Principal Event Partner The City of Melbourne.