
At just 17, Byron school captain Lealah Shostak has a full plate with the HSC almost here, and now she’s part of the organising committee for the Wild Food Feast at Byron’s Double Bassment this Sunday.
Tell me what the inspiration for the Wild Food Feast is? The inspiration for this event originally came from Sofi Asha who, with the Byron Movement, planed to throw a wild food feast. Completely by accident Ruby Kammoora and I ran in to her and two friends. Coincidentally, Ruby and I have been working on raising money to get solar panels on the roof of the Mullumbimby Civic Hall and the two ideas fit together perfectly.
What are the issues that you think are the most important? Environmental consciousness and sustainability are to me the most important things.
What are the workshops about? Wild foods are thriving all around us in our urban setting and, under the enthusiastic guidance of Peter Hardwick, you’ll adapt the eyes to see them. Learn with him as he forages for, cooks up and devours the incredible edibles of our landscape.
Do you think young people can change the world? This is a hard question to answer. There are two elements: can one change the world, and can youth do this. To change the world seems to me to be a massive task; there are constantly things to improve and the concept of changing the world seems epic and tiresome. Can people change elements of the world? Yes. And I believe when youth do take a stand and fight for what they think needs to be improved or what they believe to be important, it has a major impact. This is because the future is ours; we should build and work towards a world we want to live in.
The youth of today seem to be criminalised. We drink too much, we party too much and we don’t care. However, if you look back in history, the majority of all social movements originated with passionate youth!
What should people expect of the day? Throughout the whole day you’ll be wooed by some of the best music the shire has to offer. Kindling, Kit Bray, Potato Potato and Lifeline will be delighting us with their musical genius.
Enjoy a day of music, sustainability and vision, created by the youth of our community, at Double Bassment, 144 Jonson St, Byron Bay. From 12 noon to 5pm.


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