By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Valley ECOSS, The Valley Market, and Permaculture Yarra Valley are teaming up to deliver Ecotopia, an eco-friendly informative market with local producers, crafts, and live music on stage.
The event will mark the beginning of Permaculture Week on Friday 18 March, running from 3.30pm to 9pm at 711 Old Warburton Rd, Wesburn.
Permaculture is the practice of land management and design that fits within the natural environment, helping to ensure permanently sustainable ecosystems. The Upper Yarra’s lush vegetation surrounding towns is a great example of permaculture in practice.
Executive Officer of Yarra Valley ECOSS Chelsea McNab said Ecotopia will be a great opportunity for people to get inspired to be more sustainable.
“Permaculture and Regenerative Farming are extremely important in a farming area, we need to be nurturing our soil and drawing carbon out of the atmosphere,” she said.
“With all of the climate disasters happening, we are in a prime position to do something proactively about it.”
As well as providing an opportunity for attendees to purchase eco-friendly products from over 40 stalls and inform themselves about sustainable living, permaculture, and regenerative farming, the market will have plenty of entertainment.
There will also be live music performances including a Welcome to Country and bands AWOL Monks, Ecotopier Band, Mr Manifold and the Resolution, and the world-renowned Ganga Giri who is known for mixing tribal didgeridoo and electronic dance beats.
The Dreaming Space Circus Dome will be present and performing a magic show, Eastern Regional Libraries will host a story time and Jigsaw Jumps will have a roller jump to keep kids entertained.
Ms McNab said markets like Ecotopia get local residents and small businesses to share their talents and produce with each other all together in a festive atmosphere.
“Small businesses can get themselves known out in the community, rather than online or stuck in a shop and encourages new businesses to have a go,” she said,
“It’s also a really great place to connect with like-minded people in a relaxed atmosphere outside.
Donations will be taken at the gate for entry, $15 per Adult, $10 for Concession or First Nations People, Kids under 18 free.
All proceeds support our site development and maintenance.
