Over 100 presenters and a thousand or so curious minds gathered at the Mullumbimby Showgrounds over the weekend for Renew Fest.
With a sonic installations in the large fig trees ringing in a minute of reflection on the hour, every hour, Renew Fest created a space to drop into the depths of our challenging times.
The holistic program included everything from community-owned renewable energy to breaking the stigma around mental health.
Another first for the festival – and the area – was the adoption of the cultural awareness protocol, which aims to ensure elders and indigenous cultures are not exploited for monetary gains.
Renew Fest director Ella Goninan said, ‘I particularly want to thank everyone for embracing our zero-waste agenda, and dropping deep with us into the minutes of reflection. It felt like a potent mix of dreaming into and making real the future that is calling to us.’
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