The Master of Ceremonies this year was the multi-talented Ramey Hengen, who many will have met doing his day job at the Benalla Library. Ramey is studying Environmental Science, so was excited to accept our invitation to be the MC and filled the role with warmth and humour.
Festival host Rhona Introduced and Welcomed Ramey as our MC who proceeded with an acknowledgement of Taungurung country.

The first film, 'Climate Extremes' explored factors that contribute towards tipping points for climate catastrophe or climate recovery. The website has information about Planetary Boundaries and Tipping Points, you can watch the film again, and share, and take the Quiz!
More on Planetary Boundaires, https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html
Thanks to Robert McLean for attending the festival and providing his audio recording of Phil's presentation. You can listen to this recording on Roberts Climate Conversations Podcast on Spotify, or Apple Podcast. No need to sign in.
Phil is the author of the book Resolving the Climate Change Crisis, The Ecological Economics of Climate Change, from Springer Nature Link.
It's Afternoon Tea Time!
A Slideshow of Supporter and Sponsor Slides
were Screened during Afternoon Tea and Dinner
Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) is a 4-part documentary series all about inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil. Episode 1 was screened at the festival. However Roots So Deep offered festival attendees an opportunity to stream the four episodes with a 50% discount for $5 US.
Roots So Deep was followed by a lively talk and Q&A with local farmer Mark Foletta and MC Ramey, talking about his ventures in diversification, and involving his local community.
In 2023 Mark won the Award for Excellence in Diversification and Sustainability sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.
Marks talk was presented with a slide show backdrop of Yin Barum Farm photos. We don't have a recording of his talk however Mark has been interviewed by Anthony Hucksted in his Deep In The Weeds Food Podcast, listen here.

Join and support the Bob Brown Foundation in defending this ancient, threatened sanctuary before it’s too late! This film is an inspiring and hopeful film about the battle to defend Takayna from mining and logging and saving one of the last wild places on earth.
It's Dinner Time!
The film’s global release was timed ahead of World Ocean Day on the 8th of June, https://worldoceanday.org/
"If we save the sea we save the world. The ocean, our final frontier".
A sentiment very much reflected by the title of our opening speaker, Phil Lawns presentation, "Climate change, degrowth, and saving the world to save us!"
It's closing time!
Patrons thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the topics included in the program during the afternoon tea and dinner breaks.