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, like Andrew Goy from Goycon, Daniel Wurm and Tim Forcey speaking throughout the day on a range of topics like sustainable home building, home energy efficiency and resilience.
Stalls providing direct information on products, rebates and the best solution to electrifying a home will also be available in the Repower Marketplace.
To find out more and to see the full program, visit repowerfestival.au
