Contributed by Nicole Hilton
MALENY Commerce is hosting the 2022 Sustainable Futures Lifestyle Expo with guest speakers, exhibitors and demonstrations/workshops and is a great event to start conversations or connect with like-minded people, speakers and businesses.
Maleny Commerce hosts this event every three years.
“Come along to this free event and listen to nine great guest speakers on the main stage throughout the day covering topics that are relevant and real,” Maleny Commerce president Spencer Shaw said.
Meet and chat to exhibitors or book yourself on a 15-minute e-bike ride suitable for all the family, or test drive Australia’s first electric scooter or motobike, or simply sit back and watch a demonstration or join in a workshop.
Keep an eye on the Facebook page Sustainable Futures Lifestyle Expo for all the latest information on the event. Check out Glasshouse Country & Maleny News edition on September 27 to see the timetable for speakers and demonstrations/workshops.
Presentations include:
• UNESCO Biosphere – Sunshine Coast Council
• The Real Cost of Food – Impacts on Farming and Environment – Maple Street Cooperative
• An Introduction to Composting Toilets and Greywater – Ecoflow Wastewater Management
• Recycle Right – Envirocom
• Incredible Edibles Garden the Permaculture Way – Morag Gamble
• Cool (and warm) Homes for the Sunshine Coast – Sarah Chalkley
• Wildlife Friendly Backyards – Your Garden the Biodiversity Frontier – Spencer Shaw
• Managing Marketing Sustainability in Small Business – Cleantech
• Food Sovereignty and Future Food Sustainability – Dr Dominiqu Chen
Maleny Seed Library will be hosting their Seed and Produce Swap between 10-11am followed by a workshop at 11.30am on how to collect, store, plant and grow seeds. Before that at 9am we have a demo called Ditch & Switch products around your home, some simple DIYs – natural toilet cleaning pods, immunity boosting hand sanitiser, foaming handwash. At 1pm you can learn how to make bunting to decorate your next party. Ditch balloons, plastic and paper decorations, use your imagination and make bunting that will last you a lifetime and can be shared and used over and over .
The event is being held on Saturday October 8 at the Maleny Show Grounds Pavilion with doors opening at 8am. The main stage begins at 8.30am.
“The event in 2019 was given a 5-star rating by 95% of those attending that completed our survey,” Spencer said. “Not sure how we will top that but we are confident we have a program that is both interesting and thought provoking.
“I’m sure people will walk away wanting to explore the topics further or having met connections to help them achieve a more sustainable lifestyle”
The expo is proudly supported by the Sunshine Coast Council’s grant program and sponsored by Seasons IGA Maleny.
There will be light snacks and refreshments available. Wheelchair accessible. BYO bag to take home any information the exhibitors may give you. Like and Follow the Facebook page Sustainable Futures Lifestyle Expo.