6 May 2022

Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Ocean Grove, has hosted Earth Fest, a community event to promote sustainability.

The aim of the festival was to gather the local community to promote sustainable solutions, and inspire action and respect for the Earth. The goal was to connect with local environmental organisations and passionate individuals, undertaking acts of good for the benefit of all. Earth Fest was held at the Ocean Grove Community Park with food, music, local environmental businesses and family activities galore. There was inspiration at every stall – from Lids4Kids and Wildlife Xtreme to Conservation Volunteers Australia, Barwon Coast Committee of Management, Bellarine Catchment Network and many more.

The students of Our Lady Star of the Sea School offered their own inspiration by advocating for Clean Up Australia Day, Barwon Coast and Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction; selling garden produce and some of their own sustainable products. These were young stewards of creation at work!

Staff, students and parents worked side by side to organise, promote and run the event. Parents also entertained on stage, as well as catering and contributing to the many fun activities. This all helped to strengthen positive environmental ties within the school and greater community. The event was extremely well-received in the community and was well-attended by the Holy Trinity Parish. Feedback from the event was very positive, with many businesses and community groups excited to attend again in the future.

Through events such as Earth Fest, the school has had an opportunity to enhance Catholic identity within the community. Students were inspired by Catholic social teaching on stewardship of creation, calling for respect of our Earth and all life on it as part of God’s creation. Our changing environment challenges us to stop, reflect on and take action about how we live on our planet. We all share this responsibility.