By Mikayla van Loon
Monbulk is preparing to host a first-of-its-kind event for the Yarra Ranges this weekend bringing all things electrification and sustainability to the fore, alongside some wonderful entertainment.
The partnering community organisations of Repower the Dandenongs, MADCOW, Healesville CoRE, Yarra Ranges Council and Community Bank Monbulk are just days away from the Repower Festival and Switched On Family Day on Sunday 23 March.
With a lineup of incredible speakers, experts, an EV display, the Illuminati Street Performers, eclectic go karts and live music, the combined festivals are meant to both educate and entertain.
“It’s about a fun day out where you can learn and so we’re trying to provide education in a non threatening, non political way, with a genuine desire to help people save money through reducing their electricity bills,” Repower The Dandenongs president Neil Evenden said.
“The key message is, ‘why wouldn’t you come?’ You get a free day out with your family where you can actually learn stuff that’ll save you money. It’s a bit of a no-brainer.
“We’ve got food vendors, we’ve got musicians, we’ve got two live stages. We’ve got activities in the school yard. We’ve got activities around the car park. We’ve got activities inside, a kids’ colouring corner.”
Switched On Family Day coordinator Richard Mitchell said too that the collaborative nature of the event was all about encouraging people to explore Monbulk, enjoy the entertainment and engage in community.
“By bringing the Family Fun Day and collaborating is to bring more of the community in a passive way to come and have some fun and then break into looking at new technology, new alternatives,” he said.
“So it gives that added bonus, and an added benefit to coming down, have a bit of fun, and then you can go and learn about what you can do, what’s happening in the community through the Repower Festival.”
Drawing the attention of Rewiring Australia managing director Kate Minter, who will be making the trek from Sydney to speak at the event, Mr Evenden said it is a way of both sharing the important work of such a large organisation committed to electrification but also a sign of how community events can make a difference in contributing to the conservation.
“It’s a real statement of support for us and perhaps people don’t realise the significance, because there’s not a lot of awareness about what Rewiring Australia is doing,” he said.
Ms Minter joins a list of local professionals and experts speaking throughout the day on a range of topics like sustainable home building, home energy efficiency and resilience.
“Our sustainable house speakers are all local… (and they) are speaking about their journey to build their own houses. But we also have Andrew Goy from Goycon, who’s a professional builder of sustainable housing to give both the owners and builders perspective,” Mr Evenden said.
Home energy guru Tim Forcey, who runs one of the biggest social media forums engaging with people about home energy efficiency, will provide his insights.
Stalls providing direct information on products, rebates and the best solution to electrifying a home will also be available in the Repower Marketplace.
“We’ve got 30 businesses committed to coming to our event and we’ve got people like Solar Victoria rocking up,” Mr Evenden said.
“If you’ve ever bought a heat pump or air conditioning unit or solar system, they’re the ones who hand out the government rebates. So people are going to be able to come to Monbulk and speak to them and get information on all these rebates straight from the horse’s mouth.”
Encouraging all Yarra Ranges residents to come along on the day, Mr Mitchell said it is a chance to connect with the community, both locally and from far and wide.
“All these new people that are coming to the community, new families, it’s a great way on a small community event (level) for people to start to get involved, see what’s happening in their community, participate and say ‘what can I do to be a part of the new lifeblood of energy and support, to support the community?
“That’s what these events are really all about. You’ll meet people at the school, from the community, from businesses. It’s really, really positive.”
To find out more and to see the full program, visit repowerfestival.au
