By Sally Walshe (aka Lady Mohawk)
This month, a bunch of like-minded souls are coming together for the very first Green West Fest, a celebration of sustainability, creativity, and community powered by Green Collect and other inspiring grassroots organisations in Melbourne’s west. This festival is an opportunity to unite our local community and take meaningful steps toward a greener, more sustainable future.
At the heart of this festival is a community art project; a giant tree sculpture that represents our shared commitment to the environment. But this tree won’t grow without the community’s help! We need local schools, families, and individuals to be part of this collaborative project, creating something beautiful and impactful together.
Why sustainability matters
As we all know, the world is facing critical environmental challenges. Events like Green West Fest highlight the importance of sustainability in our daily lives and demonstrate how small, collective efforts can lead to significant change. By repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste, supplied by Green Collect, we’re not just making art, we’re making a statement about the importance of extending the life cycle of resources, and reimagining how we can interact with our environment.
Green Collect has long been a leader in driving positive environmental and social change in our community. This not-for-profit organisation specialises in providing local solutions for a wide range of discarded resources at its circular innovation precinct in Melbourne’s inner west. Through this festival, we’ll be not only raising awareness about environmental issues but also offering tangible ways for people to engage with sustainability in fun, creative, and meaningful ways.
A Tree Grows in the West: The art project
Here’s how we’ll build our incredible tree sculpture, unlike any you’ve seen before.
A Real Trunk:The tree will have a sturdy, locally sourced trunk, symbolising our roots in this community and our connection to nature and donated by YMCA Rebuild.
Recycled Branches: The branches will be crafted from a variety of reclaimed materials like metal, plastic, and wood, provided by Green Collect, showcasing the beauty of upcycling and creative reuse.
Leaves Made by YOU: The leaves are the most important part of this tree and we’re calling on local school students and community members to create them. Each leaf will be made from recycled materials and will include personal messages or artwork reflecting themes of sustainability, community, or environmental care.
How you can get involved
Local schools are a vital part of this project, and we’re inviting students and those young at heart to play a hands-on role in building this tree through creating the leaves with recycled materials provided by Green Collect.
If your school, community group, or family would like to participate, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at sally@ladymohawk.com.au.
LaDY MoHaWK (aka Sally Walshe) is a local Footscray artist and events producer, offering creative workshops, and community art events, fostering self-expression and connection.
To hear more about Lady Mohawk go to www.ladymohawk.com.au, or follow her on socials @lady.mohawk
Green West Fest 2024
26th October
1/75A Ashley St Braybrook
10am–4pm
