The Didgfest Environment

Didgfest 2008 will be a two day national and international sustainable and non-exclusionary Didgeridoo Festival. Set in the easily accessible and richly diverse regional town of Castlemaine, the festival will encourage participation, education, environmental awareness and artistic expression while respecting the history and cultural significance of the Didgeridoo.

In some parts of Australia illegal harvesting or poaching of eucalyptus trees to make didgeridoos is commonplace. The sustainability and ecological impacts of this activity are being investigated by government authorities and university research centres. The undervaluing and mass production of Didgeridoos for the tourist market contributes to this problem. Didgfest wishes to tread lightly on this earth and support sustainable practices. We support the labelling of Didgeridoos to uphold these values.

For more information on labelling see here www.ididj.com.au/authenticity/label.html

and here http://www.naturebase.net/content/view/1557/770/

Didgfest's carbon neutral committment

In partnership with the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group and the Theatre Royal, Didgfest 2008 has committed to the goal of becoming carbon neutral. Carbon Neutral means we take responsibility for the greenhouse gas pollution we create in our work and play. Going carbon neutral involves creating an inventory of one’s emissions, reducing these emissions wherever possible, and then purchasing ‘carbon offsets’ to mitigate any emissions that remain. The emphasis should always be on reducing emissions in the first place and the remaining emissions are best offset using high quality renewable energy, local tree planting or local carbon abatement projects.

Toward these aims, the Theatre Royal has committed to puchasing green power for the duration of the Festival. Didgfest Australia encourages its patrons to use sustainable transport or to offsett their own carbon emmissions. We will also ask for our patrons help by filling out a quick transport survey during the Festival which will enable us to audit our carbon footprint. Remaning unavoidable carbon emmissions will be offset with the help of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group.

MASG has Volunteer Food, Transport, Waste and Arts Working Groups working on the State Festival Carbon Neutral Programme.

If anyone would like to know more or volunteer for these groups please contact Carolyn Neilson or Dean Bridgfoot, project coordinators with the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group: Tel 5470 6978, email: dc@masg.org.au.

You can also access more information at the Mount Alexander Sustainablility Group website.

There is a wealth of simple things that can be done on a personal level to help reduce carbon emissions; there are some useful links on the MASG website >here

Towards our carbon offsetting, the first 100 Didgfest 2008 tickets sold, including advance bookings, will receive a free energy efficient light bulb.

Transport

You can help Didgfest 2008 become carbon neutral by:

  • using public transport, cycling or walking to the festival
  • by enjoying onsite food and wines
  • filling out our quick transport survey at the festival
  • by offsetting your own carbon emmissions.

Trains
Trains link Melbourne and Castlemaine almost every hour so if you are coming to Didgfest from Melbourne you can reduce your carbon emissions by catching a train instead of driving.The train station is only a 10 minute walk from the centre of town and to many of the bed and breakfast places and other accommodation places.

For more information on how to get to the Festival with V/Line click here

Walking Map
The Castlemaine Walking Map is available that details cultural heritage highlights of the town and includes disability access information to assist visitors get about on foot. It will be available during and after the Festival at the MASG stall and at the Visitors Information Centre just around the corner in Mostyn St.