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SLOW = thoughtful and mindful consumption
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Viewbank College is excited to present its first community-focused sustainability event: The Slow Festival.
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Led by the Viewbank College Sustainability Team, this student-driven festival is free and open to all. The day will feature guest speakers, interactive workshops, school and business showcases, community stalls, competitions, and food—each designed to build knowledge, skills, and connections that inspire lasting sustainable change.
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Planned as a biennial event with a rotating theme, the 2025 festival will spotlight the environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industries. Issues of waste, pollution, and overconsumption will be addressed, while showcasing practical solutions for buying, maintaining, mending, making, and responsibly disposing of clothing. The program reflects the principles of slow consumption and the circular economy.
The Slow Festival responds to student concerns about climate change while equipping families, schools, and organisations with achievable actions. By empowering individuals and strengthening community connections, the festival aims to create lasting benefits for both people and the planet.
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Entry: Free (gold coin donation). Workshop bookings encouraged.
A gold coin donation is encouraged, with all proceeds supporting the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC)—Australia’s largest youth-led climate organisation. Learn more
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Coffee van, sausage sizzle, and minimal-waste food stalls supported by a student-run wash-up station. Enjoy live music from the Viewbank College Jazz Band.
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AND MORE!
Free, hands-on workshops including DIY patch making (DC Style Fylez), visible mending (Year 9 students), eco dyeing, and scrappy sewing.
Fashion Shows
Creative local “trashion” by DC Style Fylez, plus Year 7 VBC Art & Design showcase.
Talks from Yesha Patel (Co-founder, After AU), Katrina Naish (CEO, A Fitting Connection & ReStore), and others. Afternoon panel Q&A.
Interactive Activities
Sustainability trivia, upcycled jewellery, fibre arts, movie hub, face painting, and a weaving circle by La Colectiva Abya.
Featuring eco-businesses, schools, student projects, and organisations such as A Fitting Connection, ReStore, RMIT Design and Sustainability, Hello Tailr, and Apawrel.
Clothing Swap
Bring up to six clean, wearable items to swap. Earn tokens to “shop” for pre-loved treasures.
All workshops are 90mins in duration and resources are supplied unless stated otherwise. To secure your place in the workshop of your choosing, make sure you enrol by clicking on the trybooking link next to the workshop.
11:00-12:30pm
J02
Learn natural dyeing with food scraps like onion skins, avocado pits or gum leaves. BYO natural fibre garment or choose from our supplies.
NOTE: Items to be collected at 3pm.
11:00–12:00pm
J06
Create personalised upcycled patches using fabric offcuts, printmaking, and embroidery.
Skills required: Basic hand sewing skills.
12:30–1:00pm
J02
Discover ‘Sashiko’, a Japanese mending style that turns repair into art from Year 9 Textile students involved in a partnership with RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles. BYO sturdy clothing item or use provided supplies.
Skills required: Basic hand sewing skills required.
1:30–2:30pm
J02
Transform fabric scraps into layered embroidery panels. Sewing machine skills required.
Getting to the event
By car: On-site parking (staff car park) is reserved for volunteers, people with a disability or mobility issues, and families with prams. Street parking is available along Warren Rd and surrounds or use the front drop-off zone.
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By bike: Bike parking is available at the front of the school. Bikes can also be locked securely along fences.
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By public transport: Take the train to Rosanna Station (Hurstbridge Line), then catch the 517 bus towards St Helena which stops a short walk from Viewbank College (Diane Cres/Rutherford Rd). https://transport.vic.gov.au/journey
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On foot: If you live nearby, enjoy the walk — bring a hat, bag, and reusable water bottle. Entry via the front gate only.