By Michael Burt
Former ABC weatherman turned sustainable farmer Graham Creed headlines a stellar cast of speakers at Bellingen’s inaugural two-day fringe event ‘SustainaBellingen’.
Now working the land at Eagles Reach near the Hunter Valley, Graham will share insights on climate patterns, sustainable agriculture, and weather impacts specific to our region.
His well-known voice will join chorus of conservation scientists, climate experts and sustainability pioneers that will address community resilience across environmental, economic and social dimensions.
The SustainaBellingen Showcase, originally planned as part of the Bellingen Show program, is a free ticketed event taking place on August 9-10, 2025, at the CWA Rooms in Church Street.
“We had assembled such an incredible lineup of speakers for the 2025 Bellingen Show weekend, that we knew this program needed to go ahead regardless,” says Show President Susan Lumsdaine.
“This showcase represents everything our community values – practical solutions, expert knowledge, and the collaborative spirit that builds real resilience in uncertain times.”
Susan said one of the weekend’s most engaging sessions promises to put the community in the hot seat with “Sustainable Futures for Our Shire” – a scenario-based hypothetical featuring Graham Creed, community psychologist Rob Curnow, Reconstruction NSW, and local zoologist Gary Fry.
This interactive discussion will present real-world scenarios and challenge participants to explore potential futures for the Bellingen Shire, examining how the community might respond to emerging challenges together. Drawing on diverse expertise from meteorology to psychology, reconstruction to zoology, the session promises to be both thought-provoking and practical, offering attendees a chance to actively participate in shaping responses to the complex challenges facing our region.
Conservation takes centre stage with Chris Ormond, Brian Hawkins and Shane Ruming from NSW Department of Environment revealing the latest breakthroughs in saving the critically endangered Bellinger River Snapping Turtle. The team will provide exciting updates on the recovery program for one of Australia’s rarest reptiles.
Wildlife conservation gets another boost with insights into the innovative work of Jaliigirr’s specially trained koala detection dogs. Attendees will learn how these four-legged conservation heroes are revolutionizing efforts to locate and protect koala populations across the region. The Great Koala National Park will also appear with Paula Flack speaking on the 315,000-hectare conservation initiative that could potentially transform the Coffs Coast into Australia’s premier wildlife sanctuary.
The program promises to address the full spectrum of community sustainability. Meaghan Burkett from Ethical Fields, a recognised leader in Community Wealth Building, will explore how local communities can take hold of their economic agency. The Housing Matters Action Group and Community Land Trust will tackle one of our region’s most pressing challenges, while a dynamic weather and climate change panel featuring Graham Creed, local weather expert Kev Doye, and ecologist Andrew Turbill will examine climate impacts and adaptations specific to our region.
Practical sustainability takes many forms throughout the weekend. Jules Laurent, known as The Waste Wizard, will share insights on waste reduction and circular economy principles. Amanda Fairbanks addresses textile waste in “Fashion: Fix It, Don’t Bin It,” while Andrew the Bird Guy will show us how to create backyard havens for native birds. The Women Who Farm Network will celebrate the vital role of women in agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
SustainaBellingen Showcase reflects the region’s collaborative approach to challenges, brought together by the Bellinger River Agricultural Society (Bellingen Show), Concatenation P/L, Bellingen Shire Council, Bellingen Shire Learning Alliance and Our Living Coast.
The free event runs from 8:45am to 5:00pm on Saturday August 9, then from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday August 10. While free, tickets are required and available through the Bellingen Show website – https://www.bellingenshow.com.au/attractions-sustainabellingen-showcase. Our program includes morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch breaks, encouraging all to support our local business community, with accessibility features ensuring broad community participation.