Ocean Lovers Festival is about promoting a hopeful view for our future. There are incredible innovations happening in the world of science and technology, and so many things you can be doing on a daily basis that will have a direct impact on the health of our oceans. |
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At our festival we want to show and inspire you to make positive changes. Join our movement with #iseachange to start showing off how much you love the ocean. |
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Whether it's switching out plastic items for more sustainable counterparts, learning about the benefits of crayweed forests or participating in our Big Bondi Beach Clean - there are so many ways to be the change you want to see in the world.
#iseachange |
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THE PROGRAM IS LAUNCHED We have so much to share with you. Thanks to our presenters Waverley Mayor, Paula Masselos, Member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma, Volvo Managing Director Nick Connor and TOMRA Marketing Activations Manager Rachel Draper. See all the activities now on our website with more details coming daily. Thanks to Bondi Icebergs for your support and spectacular venue. Bondi turned on a sparkler of a day. | | |
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SEA SCIENCE @ BONDI ICEBERGS The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is back this year with another incredible installation in the Bondi Icebergs pool. As part of our 'Science in your Swimmers' campaign, the Live Ocean Revival Experience encourages beachgoers and science seekers to literally dive into a living crayweed forest and swim over the living sea wall tiles. Entry to Icebergs for the installation will be free for the festival weekend so anyone and everyone can enjoy! These amazing ocean projects, like the tiles funded by Volvo, are restoring the ecology of Sydney’s coastline and harbour. We are so excited to show you how they are giving nature a helping hand. | | |
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SIGN UP FOR PADDLE OUT FOR PROTECTION Join champion Ironwoman and passionate ocean lover Lizzie Welborn (pictured) for our Paddle Out for Protection from 11am on Sunday March 22, right after our Big Bondi Beach Clean. Lizzie is leading our campaign to recognise the Sydney Coast Hope Spot with Mission Blue.
The Sydney Coast Hope Spot, championed by Ocean Lovers and Underwater Earth, is part of a network of marine protected areas started by legendary oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle. Hope Spots increase public awareness and inspire communities to take an active role in ocean conservation. Hear what is so important about the Sydney Coast Hope Spot from Dr Ezequiel "Ziggy" Marzinelli at the start of the Paddle. Organised by Bondi Surf Bathers LSC. Sign up now. | | |
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DEEP BLUE ON THE SILVER SCREEN Thursday night, March 19 is a free climate change and oceans forum with scientists and experts discussing climate change followed by a screening of the uplifting 2040 documentary by Damon Gameau exploring what our future could look like if we embraced the answers already accessible to improve our planet. On Saturday March 21, underwater cinematographer Jon Shaw opens a screening of The Magical Land of Oz, a beautiful documentary exploring Australia’s incredible marine wilderness. Stick around for an audience Q&A. Spend Saturday night with Pharell Williams and Darren Criss as they join the movement to solve the ocean plastic pollution crisis with a screening of ACTIVATE. Part of Global Citizen’s documentary series made with Procter & Gamble. | | |
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BANDS SIGN UP FOR THE OCEANS We have some awesome live music lined up across the whole weekend; all being featured on our solar powered Sunshine Stage in the Bondi Pavilion courtyard - our Festival Hub.
Legendary ocean lover and festival veteran, Declan Kelly brings his roots music and pitch-perfect vocals are the perfect soundtrack to a day down at Bondi.
Joining Declan is Sydney four-piece Erthlings (pictured), whose ethereal indie-pop vibes have seen them skyrocket from Triple J unearthed to international audiences, all while they are finishing the HSC!
Ocean angel Jane Walker and her band are also on board. The Sydney based singer songwriter is an ambassador for Ocean Recovery Alliance, whose beautiful songs have created an open prayer for unity. And Alt rock Sydney band Chasing Giants bring velvety vocals, crunchy guitars and catchy melodies.
Watch out for more bands to come | | |
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FISHING FOR IDEAS We are fishing for some great ideas for our oceans! The Fish Tank platform is where we will shine the spotlight on individuals and organisations pioneering eco innovation to solve ocean issues.
Ocean warrior Tim Silverwood will MC this afternoon segment on our Sunshine Stage. Hear from the passionate Ocean Protect team about their stormwater drain systems, see the pioneering Seabin in action with Pete Ceglinski, hear how Father and son team Nik and Harry Robinson started Good Citizen sunnies, making them from recycled ocean plastics.
Jump on our website to tell us about your idea you can share with our audience and be in the run for prizes. | | |
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BIG BONDI BEACH CLEAN Ironwoman Lizzie Welborn is back with Ocean Lovers this year to run our Big Bondi Beach Clean!
We are putting the call out to individuals, businesses, organisations, schools and surf clubs to come and show your love for the ocean. Covering 50 hectares of the Bondi area, it’s a great opportunity to learn about the harmful impact of litter while protecting our precious oceans. Our major sponsor TOMRA will be hosting an education station to teach the community more about closed loop and recycling practices. If you bring 10 or more members of your organisation you are welcome to bring a flag to display at the front of the Pavilion. Bring your friends, grab your gloves and join in the fun! Stick around after the Beach Clean for the Paddle Out for Protection. | | |
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AMAZING OCEAN LAB ANNOUNCED The Ocean Lab at the Festival is a dedicated science workshop space to explore the urgent questions and discuss the big ideas about the future of the oceans. Funded by a grant from Inspiring Australia and curated by science outreach providers Fizzics Education, The Ocean Lab free program includes fascinating talks from world experts in everything from shark tagging to wetland restoration. There will be panel discussions on Giants of the Sea, Sustainability and Climate and The future of the oceans and the of role technology. There are deep-dive science talks all day Sunday and a dedicated hands-on workshop space filled with fun activities, STEM crafts and even live science podcast recording with Q & A from our Whale experts Ari Friedlaender and Olaf Maynecke. Speakers hail from ocean and sustainability businesses, universities including UTS, UNSW, SCU, Griffith and the University of California as well as non-for profits and ocean movements. Come for some 'Science in your Swimmers' - all ages free event | | |
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PROTECTING OCEANS A DRAIN AT A TIME Our newest sponsor partner are the eco warriors at Ocean Protect. For almost two decades, Ocean Protect has been an industry leader in the design, installation and maintenance of stormwater treatment assets and infrastructure. They understand the urgent need to significantly reduce the amount of pollution entering Australian waterways. This is why they are committed to changing legislation to ensure the maintenance of stormwater infrastructure and increasing public awareness of the detrimental effects of untreated stormwater.
Ocean Protect estimates that change of legislation will save over 500 standard wheelie bins of pollution entering waterways each day!
The team, led by Co-Founders, Jeremy Brown and Michael Wicks, are committed to protecting the environment, advocating for the world’s oceans and helping you understand the obvious - all your litter goes into the ocean. They have launched a ‘Zero Litter to Ocean’ campaign. Get on board and follow them. | | |
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AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC WOMEN OF THE OCEAN As part of their Adventurers, Explorers, Dreamers and Story Tellers series of events, Australian Geographic is proud to present Women of the Ocean at the Festival! Head to the Bondi Pavilion, Wednesday 18 March at 6:30pm. Appearing live is diving legend Valerie Taylor OAM, solo rower Michelle Lee and shark expert Dr. Blake Chapman (pictured) to explain the incredible work they do out at sea. Valerie, Michelle and Blake will share some of their amazing stories, supported by fascinating images and video on the big screen. Guests will also have an opportunity to ask questions following the talks! Buy tickets. | | |
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