Thrive Festival

Celebrating our region’s abundance on Gumbaynggirr country.

Running alongside the Bellingen Growers and Poultry Market at the Bellingen Showgrounds, ‘Thrive Festival’ will involve all sectors of the Bellingen Shire - community groups, emergency services, food producers, Gumbaynggirr elders, health professionals, renewable energy experts, weather watchers, environmentalists and more.

Let's reconnect, celebrate the things that make our community so special, deepen our connection with this place, and learn from each other.

Luncheon Room

Preserving and Pickling

with Gabriel Gutnik | Ziggy Wild Foods

9.00 - 10.00am, Luncheon Room

Ayurvedic Cooking for the Seasons

with Amy Graham | Hidden River Ayurveda

11.00am - 12.00pm, Luncheon Room

Nose-to-Tail : Nutrient-Dense Cooking

with Bello Beef | Levenvale Farm

12.30 - 1.30pm, Luncheon Room

Nourishing the Community

with Mitch Grady | Bowl of Plenty

2.00 - 3.00pm, Luncheon Room

The Pavilion

Weather Showcase

9.00 - 9.30am, The Pavilion

Sustainable Food Practices

9.30am - 10.00am, The Pavilion

Water Showcase

10.30-11.00am, The Pavilion

What’s Growing in our Shire?

11.00 -11.30am, The Pavilion

Future Possibilities

11.30am-12.00pm, The Pavilion

Energy Showcase

12.00 - 1.00pm, The Pavilion

Fire, Flood & Forecast

1.00 - 2.30pm, The Pavilion

Gumbaynggirr Audience Choir

2.30 - 3.00pm, The Pavilion

Main Stage

Afi James

8.30 - 9.15am, Main Stage

Opening Ceremony

10.00 - 10.30am, Main Stage

Greg Sheehan

10.30-11.30am, Main Stage

Elders Storytelling

12.00 - 1.00pm, Main Stage

Wild Thyme

1.30-2.30pm, Main Stage

Samba Soul

3.00-4.00pm, Main Stage

Nourish Tent

Mindfulness and Compassion

with Lisa Brown & Jude Baderle

9.00 - 10.00am, Nourish Tent

Herbs for Resilience

with Laura Harrison | Chamomile Natural Health

11.00am - 12pm, Nourish Tent

Drumming Workshop

with The Rhythm Realm

12.30 - 1.30pm, Nourish Tent

Body Percussion Workshop

with Greg Sheehan

2.00 - 3.00pm, Nourish Tent

Discovery Room

Repair & Replace with 3D Printing

with Anton Juodvalkis | OzGREEN

9.00 - 10.00am, Discovery Tent

Big Picture Thinking

with Sue Lennox | OzGREEN

11.00am - 12.00pm, Discovery Tent

Caring for Country

with Mark Graham | Bellingen Nature Tours

12.30 - 1.30pm, Discovery Tent

Bushcraft & String-Making Workshop

with Evelin Oaktree

1.30 - 3.00pm, Discovery Tent

Malaami Tent

Conversation circles for future building

10.30am - 3pm, Malaami Tent

Outdoor Events

Emergency Services : Water Games & Fat Fire Demo

with Rural Fire Service & Fire Rescue Service

Bike Station : Electric Bikes demo and display

with Zippy E Bikes

Reflections Workshop

with Gumbaynggirr man Bernard Kelly-Edwards

Meet at 1pm at the entrance to the Nourish Tent

Kids Space

Bush Clay

with Bronwyn Napiorkowski

10.30am - 12.00pm, Kids Space

Bellingen Riverwatch Waterbug Workshop

with Sam Daykin | OzGREEN

1.00 pm - 3.00pm, Kids Space

Thrive Festival Jumping castle

Jumping Castle

All-day, Kids Space

sponsored by Mid North Coast Legal Centre

Exhibitors

Stay in the loop.

Image by Bellingen Shire Council

Volunteer at Thrive Festival

Volunteer at Thrive!

Thrive is a festival for the community by the community.

Help bring this wonderful event to life!

2023 Thrive Festival Volunteer Applications are now open. Successful applicants will be notified by mid February.

Our Partners

Raffle Sponsors

We are running a raffle on the day with a range of fantastic prizes from these wonderfully supportive local businesses.

Thank you!

Affirmations Publishing House

Awl Leather

Bellingen Gallery & Framing Studio

Bellingen Kitchen Shop

Bellingen IGA

Bello Burgers

Boardwalk Cafe

Components Cafe

Dorrigo Hardware

Emporium Bellingen

Faerie Shop

Kombu Wholefoods

Lilou Blue Designs

Pomegranate Cafe

Skin Bliss in Bellingen

State of Embrace

Sweet Bellingen

The Collective Shop

Vivid in Bellingen

Weave Bellingen

Wildcraft

Sunday Sessions

On the Sunday (the following day), we're hosting a range of exciting and connective workshops, events and tours.

These are ticketed events with very limited places. Be sure to book early!