Staff Report
The Saturday, September 7 annual EcoExpo at the Whistlestop Heritage and Community Gardens in Stanthorpe lived up to expectations of offering ideas for "sustainable living" for all households.
A healthy crowd of families, individuals, couples and visitors attended, many telling our newspaper that they were pleased to find such an opportunity in the region.
"I can't thank the organisers enough," Rob Wilson said. "We have come from Brisbane just to enjoy the ideas of composting and indigenous planets especially."
Brooke Summerville, founder of Boomerang Bags, said the market stalls, plant sales, interactive demonstrations, food, children's activities and live music were all popular and appreciated.
"Boomerang Bags is a global movement to encourage use of sustainable bags," she explained of her involvement in the expo. "(They are) made from reclaimed materials by volunteers, and the Stanthorpe branch was founded in 2016."
The group has made around 15,000 bags to date, Brooke confirmed, and they "call The Summit Hall home and operate from a customised space with a wall of fabric donations, industrial and household sewing equipment and a well-used morning tea zone".
Between 9am - 2pm every Tuesday, visitors can pop into the hall and buy their bags from $2, observe what the group do, or learn about volunteering.
"In addition to sewing, there are various was to contribute," Brooke said. "Donations of clean sheets, doona covers, tablecloths, and fabric are always appreciated ... (and) local businesses can purchase bags to distribute to their customers as a sustainable alternative to single use plastic bags and many new stockists are now on board."
See the Boomerang Bags Stanthorpe Facebook page, email boomerangbagsstanthorpe@gmail.com or catch them at the Applethorpe State School community fete on November 2.
