Book into one of our workshops at Japara House - 54-58 Durham Road, Kilsyth

Learn how to live more sustainably by focusing on everyday choices and actions. The skills learnt at these free workshops will empower you to reduce waste through avoidance, reuse and repair.

Thu 18 May, 10-12pm | Create your own plastic free produce bags
Thu 18 May, 12.30-2.30pm | Mend your clothes
Thu 15 June, 10-12pm | Creative ways to reduce food waste
Thu 22 June, 6-8pm | Cooking up compost

We are also running workshops at:

Mt Evelyn Community House - click here for more info and to book.
Chirnside Community Hub - click here for more info and to book.

Create your own plastic free produce bag

Thursday 18 May, 10-12pm

One of the simplest ways to reduce our impact on the environment is to swap out single-use plastics with alternatives that are friendlier for the world we live in. Every reusable bag helps because an average plastic bag is used for a mere 12 minutes and takes 100s years to break down.

Come along and learn how you can make reusable produce bags out of reclaimed material. This FREE hands-on session with Tamara Russell will cover selecting the right fabric, sewing single and French seams and how to insert a ribbon/cord tie, plus every step in between, guiding you in making yourself two styles of bag.

What will we cover?

The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers. No prior sewing skills are required. We will begin with some sewing basics, learn running stitch and French seams and be shown how to put together your bag. Take away the skills to make more and eliminate your need to use single use plastic produce bags ever again. You will be provided with all materials required.

What to bring:

Your imagination and enthusiasm!

What is provided:

Reclaimed fabrics

Mend your clothes

Thursday 18 May, 12.30-2.30pm

Do you have a favourite piece of clothing that is looking the worst for wear? In this FREE workshop with Tamara Russell you will learn how to make the clothes you love last. You will learn to repair and embellish your clothing making them a delight to wear again.

Stitching is a great life skill which can save you money, save your clothes and reduce your impact on the environment! You will learn some hand stitching techniques that offer lots of creative possibilities for repairing & enhancing your clothes and household textiles.

What will we cover?

We will begin with the mending basics including threads, needles and other tools you can use Learn different ways you can use running stitch and other stitches to make mending easy. And how to repair your clothes to make them last longer. We will then discuss options for the clothes you bring along. You will then be able to take new skills home to get creative, repairing, applying beautiful stitching and/or patching to your clothes.

The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers.

What to bring:

Your clothes that have stains, rips or holes that need repairing
Feel free to bring any fabric, thread or embellishments you may like to add too
And most importantly bring your imagination and enthusiasm!

Creative ways to reduce food waste

Thursday 15 June, 10am-12pm

In this FREE workshop presented by Kirsty Bishop-Fox, you'll learn how to make the most of the food you already have in your fridge and pantry. So you can avoid wasting food which also saves money.

Whether you’re overstocked with food right now, or if your cupboard is running bare, with some know-how and a little planning there are simple ways you can manage your kitchen, make the most of your leftovers and food scraps by turning them into meals or more.

What we'll cover:

Menu planning tips to avoid wasting food
How to maximise leftovers
Know the difference between ‘use-by’ and ‘best before’ dates
Using commonly left over ingredients to make quick meals
How to make vegetable stocks with food scraps
How to make vinegar with waste or 2nd quality fruit

Cooking up compost

Thursday 22 June, 6-8pm

In this FREE workshop, Kirsteen Macleod will show you how taking kitchen scraps and garden waste to turn it into compost is a simple process. But there is some fascinating science behind it, and there are some tricks that can help your compost along.

Whether you have a small space or a rural property, in this workshop we’ll cover the materials, processes and tools to have a great compost. We’ll discuss what can and can’t go into a backyard compost and how to tell when it’s ready to use on the garden.

Kirsteen Macleod from the Compost Depot proudly calls herself a compost nerd, we think that’s very fitting. This is an interactive session and you can have your questions answered to help with your small backyard set up, to compost on scale.

Presenter bios

Tamara Russell is a Textile Artist specialising in free machine embroidery, hand stitching and mending based in Melbourne. She has been making her clothes and mending since a teenager. Loving to personalise her wardrobe with visible mending, embroidery and embellishment. Tamara enjoys teaching various forms of mending and embroidery. She also happily accepts commissions to mend your old favourites. Visit karhina.com or follow her on Instagram @karhina_textileart.

Kirsty Bishop-Fox is a sustainability educator, consultant and changemaker who is dedicated to helping people and businesses reduce their environmental impact and create a more sustainable future. Kirsty believes a sustainability journey is about making conscious choices that prioritize the well-being of all people, our planet and its inhabitants. She aims to inspire others to adopt a balanced and sustainable lifestyle by sharing her experiences and insights. You can find out more about Kirsty here

Kirsteen Macleod has a background in chemistry and biochemistry with a master of environment degree from the University of Melbourne. She is a dedicated volunteer with several community groups including Zero Waste Victoria and is passionate about environmental sustainability. She founded The Compost Depot in 2017 and was awarded a $200K grant to run community compost hubs in Darebin. She lives in Ivanhoe with her husband and two dogs and works at Bulleen art and garden.

This event is proudly funded by Yarra Ranges Council Grants for Community program