Workshops and Demonstrations
The Off-Grid Living Festival is an interactive festival. To make the most of your event weekend, be sure to browse the workshops/demos program and schedule in some hands-on experiences.
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Some workshops can be pre-booked online and others you can book in with the workshop host on the day. If it's something you're super keen on, be sure to book in early in case your favourite workshops get booked out.
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FIRST RELEASE OF WORKSHOPS BELOW....MORE COMING SOON. STAY TUNED.
Homestead Hall
Sponsored by My Slice of Life
Whole Animal Butchering
SATURDAY 9.30-11.00am
Watch & Learn Demonstration
Qualified trade butcher and experienced teacher Brent Ibrom, will demonstrate the breakdown of a whole pig carcass - you will be guided through the individual muscle groups, and in the process he will highlight which parts of the animal you use to make bacon, what goes into sausages and where to find the best roasting pieces.
Time permitting Brent will also be more than happy to give attendees an overview of the basic equipment requirements and best practices required to successfully butcher your own meat at home.
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Host: Brent Ibrom, My Slice of Life
The My Slice of Life team from Wangaratta specialise in all things butchering, preserving and brewing. Learn from the best at these festival workshops.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $30.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with Host at Festival
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Sausage Making
SATURDAY 3.00-4.00pm
Watch & Learn Demonstration
Have you ever wanted to learn the art of making a butcher quality snag? Or why the Italians and Spanish make such great sausages? In this class My Slice of Life will answer all these questions and more.
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Brent Ibrom, a qualified trade butcher and experienced teacher, will host the class, taking guests through the sausage making process; including the best cuts of meat to use, how to grind meat, which herbs and seasonings to use, and then finally how to fill natural sausage casings and link them like a professional.
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Host: Brent Ibrom, My Slice of Life
The My Slice of Life team from Wangaratta specialise in all things butchering, preserving and brewing. Learn from the best at these festival workshops.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $30.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with Host at Festival
Salami Making
SUNDAY 9.30 - 10.30am
Watch & Learn Demonstration
Making your own homemade salami can seem a little daunting, but in reality this art has been practiced in backyards all over the world for 100's of years and when you get a handle on the basic principals you too will have what it takes to join the 'salami army'.
Brent Ibrom, a qualified trade butcher and experienced teacher, heads up the class. He will introduce you to a variety of specialist supplies, equipment and machinery that are needed to produce quality salami, simply and efficiently today, while still maintaining an authentic and traditional approach to the methods involved in the process.
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This class will cover all the basic principals of salami making; it will be best suited to a complete novice or inexperienced salami maker wanting re-assurance they are on the right path. Brent will demonstrate how to bone out a Forequarter of pork and the process required to turn the meat into salami.
You will learn the correct ways to prepare and process your meat, blend recipes, casing selection and preparations, as well as the all-important curing process. We will also have salami making equipment for sale at the festival and can guide you on what items would be best to get you started at home.
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Host: Brent Ibrom, My Slice of Life
The My Slice of Life team from Wangaratta specialise in all things butchering, preserving and brewing. Learn from the best at these festival workshops.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $30.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with Host at Festival
Bacon & Kabana Making
SUNDAY 10.45-11.45am
Watch & Learn Demonstration
Are you sick of the same old, bland store bought bacon and kabana and have a craving for something more? Do you want to learn the art and intricacy of curing that will turn that raw pork belly into delicious salty bacon or drool worthy sweet chili chicken kabana? My Slice of Life is the place to “cure” your cravings with our Makin Bacon & Kabana Workshop.
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Led by qualified trade butcher and experienced teacher Brent Ibrom, this class will cover all things cured & smoked. Brent will walk participants through the process of making bacon and kabana from start to finish, including meat selection, seasoning and the all-important scientific method of curing your meats and then smoking the product.
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Brent can also take you through the best equipment to purchase to get started at home.
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Host: Brent Ibrom, My Slice of Life
The My Slice of Life team from Wangaratta specialise in all things butchering, preserving and brewing. Learn from the best at these festival workshops.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $30.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with Host at Festival
Intro to Home Canning & Preserving
SATURDAY 12.00-2.00pm or
SUNDAY 2.30-4.30pm
This workshop will consist of a presentation and hands-on canning session in which participants will have the opportunity to make preserves using local, seasonal ingredients.
Registration includes all supplies and participants will take home a jar of their own preserve. Along with a booklet containing everything covered in class. Whilst we will cover the many tips and tricks of preserving a variety of food, in this particular workshop we will be pressure canning carrots. Waterbath canning of high acid foods will also be demonstrated.
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Host: Kirsty Bertè, Permaculture Hawkesbury Valley Inc
Kirsty Berte, founder of Veggie Barter Australia and affiliate of Permaculture Hawkesbury Valley Inc. She is a wealth of knowledge in sustainability skills and is particularly passionate about food security.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $60.00
Booking: Pre-booking essential for this one.
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Planning & Designing your Off-Grid Life
SUNDAY 12.15-2.15pm
Have you been thinking about a tree change, going off-grid, become self-sufficient?
Do you need advice on where to start, and what you might need to think about? This is a great workshop to help get your started, or guide you through the final parts of your plan.
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This is an interactive and creative workshop that will delve into your ideas and dreams about off-grid living and self-sufficiency. What is practicable? What is realistic? How much do I need to have and what should I look for when thinking about a rural property? What are the regulations and land considerations that must be considered?
Together you will investigate a range of issues, hurdles and elements in practice, with real life examples. Run by experienced natural builder, planner and workshop facilitator Dr Rachel Goldlust, this event will be your best one-stop-shop to get you started on your dream! And an amazing way to pull together all of your ideas at the end of the Off-Grid Living Festival weekend.
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The aim will be to understand what it means to become self-sufficient, learn about planning and regulations, and understand how to organise your own land and build. No experience, or land, or community is necessary, you could be just starting to dream or well into your planning. Bring your questions and join in a workshop that will bring together like-minded people.
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Host: Dr Rachel Goldlust - PHD environmental values embodied by moving off-grid and Founder of Natural Building Australia.
Rachel Goldlust is a recent PhD graduate in history at Latrobe University studying the environmental values embodied by moving off-grid. With a background in planning, sustainable housing and environmental education, Rachel is interested in ex-urban migration, sustainable lifestyles and design, community and co-operative living systems, gender, labour and domesticity, permaculture, political and social history and environmental thought and action in 20th Century Australia.
Location: Homestead Hall
Price: $30.00 - 45.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with Host at Festival
Survival Skills & Bush Craft
Survival Priorities & Essential Equipment
SATURDAY 10.00am
Survival Priorities - what to do and in what order?
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Join Gordon for this great overview of survival priorities and essentials items.
Countless examples exist of people who have survived the initial impact of the particular isolating event but then did not know what to do next and prioritised incorrectly doing things in the wrong order, leading to the situation becoming far worse.
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The more knowledge you have, the less you have to carry, the better prepared you are, the less affected and vulnerable you will feel, enabling you to make good decisions and prioritise correctly.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Cutting Tools & Knife Safety
SATURDAY 12.30pm
In this workshop Gordon will be focussing on cutting tools and why a good knife is one of the most important tools of all to have with you.
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From the origins of flint tools to modern tools, Gordon will take you through a variety of cutting tools, showing what is practical and what isn't! Grips, cuts and knife safety will also be covered.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
Clothing & Shelter
SATURDAY 3.00pm
The clothing on your back and the material you surround yourself in are your first lines of defence against the elements. Inadequate clothing and poor shelter choices are one of the biggest killers in the Australian bush. The purpose of shelter is to create a micro-climate where you can control your core body temperature.
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In this workshop we will be looking at heat loss/gain mechanisms, what is correct clothing and man made and natural shelters.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
All About Fire
SUNDAY 10.00am
From the dawn of time, humankind has needed fire to; keep warm, cook and preserve food, boil water, make tools and weapons, to provide protection from danger, to light the way to see at night and above all, provide a sense of morale and wellbeing.
In this workshop Gordon will look at the one of the most important wilderness skills of all...the ability to make fire in all conditions.
Gordon will look at fire safety, correct preparation and management, how to clean up properly and leave no trace as well as live demonstrations of various ignition method including fire by friction.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
All About Water
SUNDAY 12.30pm
The rule of 3's (a flexible guideline) tells us that after first aid, shelter and fire, the next priority of survival is water.
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Water acquisition and purification are key to survival, both in a wilderness environment and an urban one. Gordon will take you through the importance of water, water intake and dehydration, how to find it, the 5 water contaminants and a few different methods of filtering and purifying it to make it safe to drink. We will also look at why having a metal container as part of your kit is so important.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
Natural Navigation
SUNDAY 3.00pm
Navigation can be defined as the process or activity of accurately ascertaining one's position, then planning and following a route or course either by land, sea or air to your objective.
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An essential survival skill is navigating and finding your way using nature (natural navigation) without the aid of tools or instruments eg. using the sun, stars, moon, plants, weather, animals etc.
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In this workshop Gordon will show and demonstrate some reliable key methods to help you find your way in the bush without the aid of modern instruments.
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Host: Gordon Dedman, Bushcraft Survival Australia
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
Fire by Friction
SATURDAY 10.30am -12.00 pm
Learn to make fire the way our land based ancestors did using only what nature provides. During this workshop you will learn various natural materials that can be used to make a fire kit and be able to learn the Hand Drill method of fire by friction. You will get a taste of the science behind this ancient skill yet also the practical experience!
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Host: Eva Angophora, Wild Beings
Location: At Wild Being's stall
Price: $30.00
Booking: No booking required
Making Natural Cordage with Plant Fibre
SATURDAY 1.00-2.00pm
Learn to make 2 ply natural cordage/string with processed plant fibre. We will also go into what plants can be used and the process of harvesting the bark into making long lasting durable cordage.
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Host: Eva Angophora, Wild Beings
Location: At host's stall
Price: $20.00
Booking: No booking required
Using Wild Weeds for Medicine
SUNDAY 10:30am - 11.30am
Learn the basics of foraging wild weeds and how to incorporate them into every day living through food and medicine. Try a foraged bush tea.
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Host: Eva Angophora, Wild Beings
Location: At host's stall
Price: $15.00
Booking: No booking required
Traditional Tanning Talk
SUNDAY 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Listen and learn about the ancient practise of animal processing and tanning animal skins traditionally. There will be skins that have been traditionally tanned on display.
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Host: Eva Angophora, Wild Beings
Location: At host's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
Natural Fibre - Coil Basket Weaving
SUNDAY - 2.30 - 4.30
Learn and make your own small coil basket out of foraged fibres. Together the group will enjoy the process of basketry, community and reflection.
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Host: Rebekah Mitchell, Wild Heart Educator
Location: At Wild Beings stall space
Price: $25.00
Booking: No booking required, just pay upon arrival (limited to 15-20 people)
Snake Safety
ALL WEEKEND - VISIT STALL TO ATTEND
Living in Australia and especially if you plan to go out bush, snake safety is essential knowledge. Learn about our local snakes, their common behaviours, how to avoid getting bitten, what to do if you do get bitten and snake bite first-aid that you can apply to others.
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Host: Glenn James, Snake Safety Victoria
Location: At Snake Safety Victoria stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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* Plus $5 animal encounters and photo opportunities available with some gorgeous wild life.
Hoko Knife Making
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 10.30 - 11.30AM
Come down to the A.S.I stand and learn how to make a quick, expedient and effective stone knife in less than an hour. We will be showing students how to combine wood, plant fibre and stone in the production of a replica Hoko knife.
The original Hoko knives were found in Washington near the Hoko River and date to 2,500 years old, used by the hunter-gatherers of the time to process fish and plant material. Students will first split their wooden handles using stone tools, then learn to twist plant fibre into cordage and knap their stone blade, finally combing the components into a finished tool. Once the lesson has concluded you will have your very own Hoko knife to take home and use.
This class will be led by A.S.I Instructor Tom Foley, a primitive survival instructor and archaeologist, who has extensive experience in the production of stone tools.
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Host: Tom Foley, Aussie Survival Instructors
Location: Aussie Survival Instructors stall
Price: $60.00
Booking: No booking required - limited spaces, first in best dressed.
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Percussion Fire Demo
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 3.00PM
Navigate your way down to the ASI booth to witness the oldest fire
starting known to humanity, that predates ferro rods, flint and steel,
friction fire and even Homo Sapiens themselves. Using only marcasite and flint we will show you how the Neanderthals and many others started their fires and the special tinder they used to do it.
From the frozen tundras of Palaeolithic Europe to modern day South Australia, we will explain to you the incredible history of this fire-starting technique, its context over time and place and how to light fires using nothing more than a pyrophoric rock and a suitable tinder. Together we will witness the reignition of a spark that first lit up hundreds of thousands of years ago.
This class will be led by A.S.I Instructor Tom Foley, a primitive survival instructor and archaeologist, who has extensive experience in the production of stone tools.
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Host: Tom Foley, Aussie Survival Instructors
Location: Aussie Survival Instructors stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Solar Oven Demos
ALL WEEKEND
Weather dependent - if the sun is shining come along and see a Solar Oven in action. Find out how easy and efficient they are to cook with and consider adding one to your off-grid lifestyle - no power required!
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Host: Phillipa Willison
Location: Solar Oven Demonstrations stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
Handcrafts, Traditional Skills & Building
Old School Blacksmithing - Hands On
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND - BUT SPACE LIMITED
This is an amazing opportunity to work with a Blacksmith 'one on one'. Learn to craft metal the old school way, using a hand crank blower and charcoal forge.
Students can make their own Roman fire steels or 'S' hooks, under the guidance of professional blacksmith and engineer, Zac Nast. These will be running continually, for the entire festival. An hours tuition, with whatever project they decide to make.
They can also buy items directly from our table, such as forged knives, Roman fire steels, 'S' hooks, hot cut chisels etc
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Host: Zac Nast, Professional blacksmith and engineer
Location: Aussie Survival Instructors stall
Price: $95.00
Booking: Because these are one on one session space are limited, visit the host when you arrive to pre-book a time.
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Spoon Carving
SATURDAY or SUNDAY 10:00am - 12:30pm
Join Eli Beke of Wedge and Edge woodcraft and learn the basics of spoon carving as you work on your own handmade spoon!
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In this beginner's workshop, we will be starting with a prepared spoon blank and then working with hand tools such as a knife, hook knife and gouges to learn how to carve an eating spoon. You will also learn how to coax the eating spoon from the wood, chip by chip, with expert teaching from your spoon carving teacher Eli. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and perfect the basics of this craft By the end of this workshop, you will have your own hand-carved spoon ready to take home and use in the kitchen!
Maximum of 10 people per session and for ages 16+, please wear sensible work clothes and closed toe shoes.
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Host: Eli Beke, Wedge and Edge woodcraft
Location: At host's stall
Price: $75.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE, or visit host to book on the day (pre-booking recommended as this one often sells-out)
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Spatula Carving
SATURDAY or SUNDAY 2.00-3:30pm
Join Eli Beke of Wedge and Edge woodcraft and learn the basics of Spatula Carving as you work on your own handmade Spatula!
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We will be carving a straight spatula in the Swedish green wood tradition using wedges to split timber, an axe to bring form and a carving knife to bring about the shape of the spatula.
Maximum of 10 people per session and for ages 16+, please wear sensible work clothes and closed toe shoes.
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Host: Eli Beke, Wedge and Edge woodcraft
Location: At host's stall
Price: $50.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE, or visit host to book on the day (pre-booking recommended as this one often sells-out)
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Raffia Basket
SAT & SUN (MULTIPLE TIMES) - 45min workshop
11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm
An introduction to Coiled Baskets includes starter kit, raffia & needle.
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Learn the art of basket coiling using beautiful hand-dyed raffia! Janet is the Creative Director at The Raffia Connection and has been teaching Art & Craft in a primary school setting for many years, as well as sharing the art of basket coiling at fibre events and markets around Melbourne.
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Suitable for beginners, you will learn how to create a small trinket basket or coaster using the wrapping stitch technique.
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Only 8 places available in each workshop.
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Host: Janet Troy, The Raffia Connection
Location: The Raffia Connection stall
Price: $30.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE
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Traditional Sock Making Demo
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Janine will be demonstrating the use of my antique sock knitting machine all weekend from her stall. People are welcome to stop and watch and ask questions for as long as they like for these free demonstrations.
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Host: Janine Wilson, The Sock Maker
Location: At The Sock Maker stall
Price: FREE
Booking: Demonstration Only no booking required
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Chainsaw Sculpture Demos
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Rob Bast is a self taught sculptor form the Yarra Valley in Victoria Australia. Having always enjoyed drawing and sculpture, Rob started chainsaw carving in 2003 and then started sculpting full time in 2009 building a thriving business concentrating on chainsaw carving and metal sculpture.
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Head along to the Snedden's Fencing Products stall to see him in action, carving all weekend.
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Host: Rob Blast
Location: At Snedden's Fencing Products stall
Price: FREE
Booking: Demonstration Only no booking required
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Timber Framing Talk/Demo
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2pm
What? No metal fasteners - only wooden pegs?
Interested in finding out how wood can be a super strong option for your new home or outdoor entertainment area? Not only will you see your timber frame but you can also enjoy a feeling of strength, recuperation and safety when living within one of our frames.
This will be a talk and demo with plenty of time for Q&A.
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Host: Timber Frames of Australia
Location: At Timber Frames of Australia stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Timber Joining Fun
SATURDAY & SUNDAY ongoing from 10am-12pm
Come along to the Timber Frames of Australia stand for some Timber Joining fun for all ages. Including demonstration of wooden peg making - from the round log to a peg. And sample timber joins for adults and kids to play.
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Host: Timber Frames of Australia
Location: At Timber Frames of Australia stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Botanical Dying (eco dying) Interactive Demonstration
SATURDAY 11.00am
Michelle will share the process of botanical dying, foraging in your local area, the techniques she uses and lots of tips on dying your own clothing/fabrics with plants!
She will have a limited offer available for those who would like to wrap their own pure wool hot water bottle cover to take home and infuse with plant magik!
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Host: Michelle Warwick, Of Earth Studio
Location: At Of Earth Studio stall
Price: $15.00
Booking: Book with host on the day - limited spaces.
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Blacksmith Demonstration
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Come and check-out Wayne in action, as he demonstrates his traditional Blacksmith skills, making metal creations all weekend.
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Host: Wayne Wagstaff, Art By Degrees
Location: At Art By Degrees stall
Price: FREE
Clay Cups
Saturday & Sunday at 1.00 - 2.00pm
Learn the basics of making a 'pinch pot' with Penny, from Drop Pottery.
At the end of the workshop, you will have completed your very own cup with a handle.
Penny is an experienced ceramics teacher, who will guide you through the steps and stages of working with clay. Participants will complete their vessel in the hour long session, and have the option to take their work home with them on the day, or have it fired, glazed and posted to them.
Maximum of 10 people per session. BYO apron (if desired) and suitable Tupperware/container to safely transport your cup.
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Host: Penny at Drop Pottery
Location: Drop Pottery stall
Price: $15 / $35 (take home on the day / fired, glazed, posted)
Booking: Book with host at the festival
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Ink Making & Carved tools drawing
SATURDAY 9.30 -10.30am
Participants will be making their own natural ink, carving drawing tools to draw with, then creating an artwork with their handmade tools.
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All material supplied and take home ink and tools.
All ages welcome (children under 12 to be accompanied/assisted by parent)
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Host: Linda, RiverArts
Location: At RiverArts stall
Price: $25.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK or book with host on the day
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Charcoal Drawing
SUNDAY 9.30 -10.30am
Participants will be taught how to use charcoal sticks to create an A2 size Highland Cow drawing.
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All material supplied and take home ink and tools.
All ages welcome (children under 12 to be accompanied/assisted by parent)
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Host: Linda, RiverArts
Location: At RiverArts stall
Price: $25.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK or book with host on the day
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Wheel Spinner Demos
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Mark Trickett comes from a family of wool spinners and is passionate about this hand-craft that is slowly becoming a lost trade. He is so welcoming and open in sharing skills and stories. Feel free to visit his stall anytime over the weekend to learn more about this wonderful skill.
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Host: Mark Trickett
Location: At Mark Trickett stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Crystal Wrapping
SATURDAY 10.00am
Crystal wrapping workshop - Learn the meditative and rewarding art of wrapping your own crystal into your own amulet.
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All beads, crystals, string included
Suitable for ages 15+
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Host: Milla - The Chrysalis Effect
Location: The Chrysalis Effect stall
Price: $50.00
Booking: Book with host on the day - limited spaces.
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Hemp Building Demo
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11.00am & 3.00pm
Join David Brian from Southern Hemp as he introduces you to Hemp as a building material, he'll take you through all of the benefits of this natural material and talk to you about his experiences using it on dozens of builds around Victoria and NSW. Throughout the talk he will do a live demonstration building a small section of wall to give you a better understanding of just how easy it is to work with as well as answer any question you may have.
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Host: David Brian, Southern Hemp
Location: Southern Hemp stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required, just gather around.
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Dreamcatcher Weaving
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11.00am - 12.00pm
Small workshop offering the opportunity to weave and infuse magick into your very own dreamcatcher. Using frames made from willow and hand collected materials.
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Limited space. (5 spots only)
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Host: Samantha Luckhurst, Bohemian Gatherer
Location: Bohemian Gatherer stall
Price: $25.00
Booking: Book with host on the day - limited spaces.
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Bamboo Species and Uses
SATURDAY 10.30-11.00am
In this hands-on demonstration you will learn about the difference between various bamboo and which ones to use for building, furniture making, crafts, etc.
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Host: Munir Vahanvati, Giant Grass
Location: Giant Grass stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Design a Bamboo Structure
SATURDAY 1.30-3.30pm
Want to design a small bamboo structure for your place but not sure where to start, then this workshop is for you.
During this workshop you will learn about properties of bamboo, key principles of designing with bamboo and design a bamboo structure for your own property under the guidance of bamboo design experts Munir and Mittul. The workshop will include a short presentation on designing with bamboo and you will design your own structure including making a small scale model that you can take home with you.
For the workshop you will be required to bring a project that you want to design along with some idea on the use and location. If you don’t have a project but still want to learn about designing with bamboo then we can provide you with a sample project.
All materials are provided and you get to take your design and models home with you.
Note: The workshop will focus on designing small structures like gazebos, pavilions, greenhouse, entrances, car ports, etc as the time does not allow to design a whole house or bigger buildings.
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Host: Munir Vahanvati, Giant Grass
Location: Giant Grass stall
Price: $79.00 (max. 10 participants)
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or book with Munir on the day.
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Mini Zome Making Workshop
SUNDAY 11.00am-12.30pm
Ever wanted a Zome but didn’t have the space for the big one? Our small Zome Building Kit is here.
As part of this workshop you will build your own mini Zome and take it home with you. The mini Zome is only 35 cm in diameter. You can be decorated in a range of different ways and can be used as a lamp shade, hanging basket, fruit bowl cover etc. Your imagination is the limit!
The workshop is suitable for children aged 10+ and is a great way to them to learn about geometry and form. (Children younger than 13yrs will need to supervised by an adult).
Cost includes one small Zome kit. Additional kits will be available for purchase.
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Host: Munir Vahanvati, Giant Grass
Location: Giant Grass stall
Price: $129.00 (max. 10 participants). Pre-booking required.
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE
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Tools for Building with Bamboo
SUNDAY 2.30-3.00pm
In this hands-on demonstration you will learn about key bamboo building tools and techniques for building with bamboo including cutting, splitting, drilling, carving, etc.
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Host: Munir Vahanvati, Giant Grass
Location: Giant Grass stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Kids - Paint your own T-shirt with Natural Dyes
SUNDAY 11.00am
Paint your own little Tee with non toxic dyes extracted from plants and food waste. Natalie from Dye Wild will provide your child with a pre-prepared natural fiber t-shirt that they will be able to paint and splash and wear. Kids will also be able to experiment and make cosmic shapes by magically changing the dye colour with citric acid and soda ash.
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Host: Natalie, Dye Wild
Location: Dye Wild stall
Price: $40
Booking: Book with host on the day
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Bundle Dye with Living Colour
SATURDAY 1.00pm
Bundle dying is one of the most fun and satisfying ways of using plant matter and kitchen waste to transfer wild and living colour to your fiber. The results are literally pure magic and the nature of this project makes it perfect for the beginner natural dyer.
Natalie from Dye Wild invites you to join her in this interactive workshop where you will choose your own pre-prepared fabric or garment to dye by gently steaming your wrapped fiber full of foraged plants, flowers and collected food waste.
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Host: Natalie, Dye Wild
Location: Dye Wild stall
Price: $85
Booking: Book with host on the day
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Loom Weaving Demos
ALL WEEKEND
Head on over to the Gypsyweaver stall to see Cathy and friends working the weaving. Chat with her about her craft and see the many beautiful creation that she's produced using this traditional style.
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Host: Cathy Tobin
Location: Gypsyweaver stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Painting with Fire
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
A short and practical demonstration of the ‘Painting with Fire’ technique using a candle and paper along with a brief history on the lost art of Fumage. Demos are done on demand for individuals or small groups based on stall capacity.
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Host: Maegan Oberhardt Wildlife Artist
Location: Maegan Oberhardt Wildlife Artist stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Portable Sawmills Demos
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Ever wanted to see the Lucas Portable Sawmill in action? Now's your chance. Head along to their stall to see this fantastic machinery working and see how it could really add benefit to you self-sufficient lifestyle, help you with a self-build or create a hobby business with ease.
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Host: Lucas Mill Team
Location: Lucas Mill Pty Ltd stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Slow Stitch
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 10:00am & 2.30pm
Come and learn some basic stitches to decorate a fabric needle case, amulet or bookmark. These stitches can then be used anywhere that needs some embellishment or repair.
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You will get a kit with threads to get you started :)
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Skill or Age- be able to learn to thread a needle, limit of 6 per session.
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Host: Deb Parker
Location: Havally stall
Price: $25.00
Booking: Book at stall
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Reclaim the Void
Weave a Rag-Rug for Country
SUNDAY - Ongoing all-day
The Rescue Road and Artmania team will guide you through the process of making a woven rug from recycled fabrics. You piece will contribute to the overall 'Reclaim the Void' project happening Australia wide - Weaving Country Whole.
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Reclaim the Void is a bold cross-cultural project. It seeks to raise awareness of the story of country and its importance in Aboriginal culture in both its physical and spiritual dimensions. We invite you to join us to make and contribute your piece at the Off-Grid Living Festival.
This is a cool skill to learn and a wonderful project to be part of.
Host: Rescue Road supported by Artmania
Location: Rescue Road stall
Price: By Donation
Booking: Just rock up.
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Candle Dipping
All Weekend
Enjoy the pure joy of dipping your own wax birthday candles with Fiona the Candlestick Maker.
Host: Candlestick Maker
Location: Candlestick Maker stall
Price: $10-25
Booking: Visit stall to book in
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Tech - Health - Gardening
E-Bike Test Rides
ALL WEEKEND
Pop over to Blade Bikes to test ride one of their fantastic E-Bikes. Your guaranteed to fall in love with this mode of transport.
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Host: Blade Electric Bikes Australia
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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EV Car - Passenger Test Drive
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - FROM 1:30pm
The friendly and generous team from the Australia Electric Vehicle Association are bringing their own personal EV cars to the festival to display all weekend. They'll be available to talk you through what it's like to own and drive one and even take people on passenger test drive from 1:30 each day. If you have been in one before it's well-worth it and really different to a normal car.
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Host: Australia Electric Vehicle Association
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Grafting Fruit Trees
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2.30pm
Learn to graft fruit trees with Charlie Showers from Black Barn Farm.
Imagine creating new life that produces food! Learn the ancient art of grafting and turn your backyard into a food growing paradise.
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Host: Charlie Showers, Black Barn Farm
Location: At Black Barn Farm's stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Veggie Patch Planning
NOTE: Moved to Conversation Hub
Would you like to have your own veggie patch? Don’t know where to start? Haven’t got much time? Then this is the workshop for you.....
Natasha will cover where best to put your patch; What the soil should be like; explanation of pH; different approaches to setting up; crop choice and rotation; planting by the moon; techniques to save time.
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Wicking Beds
SATURDAY 2.30pm
What is a wicking bed? Wicking beds are an efficient design for keeping plants continuously well-watered from below (through wicking) rather than daily from above.
Is it easy to make? YES
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In this beginner session Natasha will show you how easy it is to make a wicking bed from a recycled polystyrene box for you to take home.
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Ages 12 and up.
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Host: Natasha Stafford
Location: Beingreen Permaculture stall
Price: $15.00
Booking: Book with host on the day - limited spaces.
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Beekeeping Outside the Box
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2.00-3.30 pm
In our talk at the Conversation Hub we'll be chatting about WHY to keep bees naturally. This workshop will take you one step further as we explore HOW to keep bees naturally.
Adrian will take you on a journey discussing the benefits of and looking through an alternative style of Bee-caring with the Kenyan Top bar Hive. This workshop is quite in-depth and goes for 1.5 hours.
Note: We will NOT be looking into a live bee hive but looking at the ins and outs of sustainable beekeeping!
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Host: Adrian Iodice
Location: Kenyan Top Bar Beehive stall
Price: $30.00
Booking: Limited spaces, pre-booking recommended.
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Cooking with Saffron
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2.00PM
Have you always wondered how to use saffron? What does it do to food? How can you include it in your diet for health benefits? Saffron and it's role in your health with Farmacy Co(time probably afternoon, but you can scheudle around our other committments) Saffron has a long history of medicinal use, whether used by the Romans to heal wounds or by Cleopatra as part of her skincare routine.
Join Naomi from The Farmacy and Gamila to hear how saffron can be used for eye health, sleep, hormonal balance and it's role in Ayurvedic medicine. Learn how to make a simple saffron tincture and the importance of using saffron with a known source and quality when looking for specific health outcomes.
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Host: Gamila of Beechworth
Location: Gamila of Beechworth stall
Price: FREE
Booking: Demonstration Only no booking required
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Essential Oil Distilling
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10:00am & 2.00pm
Learn how eucalyptus essential oil and hydrosol is produced through steam distillation with Owen and Karen Davidson of Snowy Mountains Eucalyptus Oil
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Host: Snowy Mountains Eucalyptus Oil
Location: At Snowy Mountains Eucalyptus Oil stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Permaculture Speed Consultations
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - Between 10am - 12.20pm or 2.20pm - 4pm
20 minute consultations with experienced Permaculture Educator from Murrnong Farm, David Arnold.
Use your session to discuss a particular design issues, or general problem solving/design approach for your property, project, or work.
If possible, bring whatever materials will help communicate/ illustrate the matter under consideration. For property planning, an aerial/satellite view of the property is very helpful. If in digital format be sure to save to your phone beforehand in case your reception isn't very good onsite.
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Host: David Arnold, Permaculture Educator
Location: At Murrnong Farm stall
Price: $45.00
Booking: Book Here
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Ayurvedic Pulse check
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Except when Naomi is presenting on talks stages.
Come to FarmacyCo stall and have your pulse checked to determine your inherent Dosha and what foods and herbs you can incorporate to support health with Naomi, an Ayurvedic practitioner, Chef and Horticulturist currently studying a bachelor degree in Western Herbal Medicine.
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Host: Naomi Ingleton, FarmacyCo
Location: FarmacyCo stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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The Art of Breathing Freely for Children and Parents
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10.30am
Kavitha is a breathing practitioner/educator, Yoga and life coach. In this workshop she will be covering breathing techniques that will help children/ families suffering from asthma and other respiratory troubles like sinuses, nasal blockages, sleep apnea, etc.
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Host: Kavitha Muthusami
Location: Healing Life Stories stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required. Just arrive at the workshop time.
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Intuitive Life Coaching
SATURDAY & SUNDAY (anytime from 1pm onwards)
Kavitha is a breathing practitioner/educator, Yoga and life coach. She will be generously offering in-depth advice in 30 minutes free consultation - Intuitive Life coaching. Just visit her stall anytime after 1pm to take up a session.
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"I have been working with people with chronic illness to help them find hope and happiness. Now, I am inspired to help people see their blocks before it manifests as a physical illness."
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Host: Kavitha Muthusami
Location: Healing Life Stories stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required. Just arrive after 1pm.
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Paint 'n' Splatter
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
09:45 - 11:45am, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, 2:15pm - 4:15pm
Please arrive 5 minutes earlier to choose your picture.
2 hour Paint sessions on stretched ready to hang canvas for adults and children. Choose from up to 80 images and learn to paint and take home, with assistance from Splatter Gallery artist Clairre Cumming.
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All materials supplied, maximum 25 per session.
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Host: Splatter Gallery
Location: Splatter Gallery stall
Price: $50.00
Booking: PRE-BOOK HERE or Book with host on the day before session start.
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Kokedama Ball Making
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 11.00am, 12:30pm or 2.00pm
Learn to make your very own Kokedama Ball in this fun hands-on workshop with all equipment and plants being provided for a take home living treasure.
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Kokedama (Japanese for "moss ball") is a style of potting up plants in a ball of moss and displaying them in a dish or suspended in the air. The style comes from a centuries-old tradition of exhibiting the exposed root ball of a bonsai specimen on a plate to highlight its elegant root system.
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Host: Trees & Greens
Location: Trees & Greens stall
Price: $30.00, limited numbers per session
Booking: PRE_BOOK or Book with host on the day before session start.
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Kids Mini Terrarium
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 11.00am, 12:30pm or 2.00pm
Learn to make your very own Kokedama Ball in this fun hands-on workshop with all equipment and plants being provided for a take home living treasure.
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Kokedama (Japanese for "moss ball") is a style of potting up plants in a ball of moss and displaying them in a dish or suspended in the air. The style comes from a centuries-old tradition of exhibiting the exposed root ball of a bonsai specimen on a plate to highlight its elegant root system.
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Host: Trees & Greens
Location: Trees & Greens stall
Price: $15.00, limited numbers per session
Booking: PRE_BOOK or Book with host on the day before session start.
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Ferment your way to Better Compost
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 3.30pm
Pop over and learn about secrets to better composting and composting tricky items such as meat, dairy and even pet poo
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Host: Ella Boyen, Compost Community
Location: Compost Community stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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What is Pelvic Steaming?
SATURDAY 10am
A quick introduction to Pelvic Steaming for Women's health. Katrina from Happy Flow is a Pelvic Steaming consultant and will talk you through the many benefits of this easy to do at home practice.
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This will be followed by a more in-depth chat at the Healing Hub on Sunday.
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Host: Katrina Anderson
Location: Happy Flow stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Creative Womb Connection
SATURDAY 2.30-3.30pm
Join Katrina for a creative exploration of connecting to our wombspace through art making. No art experience is needed, just curiosity and playfulness!
This workshop is suitable for women in any stage of their cycle.
Adults only , as the conversation might turn more mature at times, however a fun and welcoming vibe is the desired outcome.
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Host: Katrina Anderson
Location: Happy Flow stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Palm Reading Workshop
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10am
Join Gypsy Love for this fun and interesting Palm Reading workshop. Each year this is well attended and adored.
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Gypsy will also be available all weekend for personal palm reading, but be sure to get your name on the list early as she always get fully booked.
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Host: Gypsy Love
Location: Gypsy Love stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Shrouding Demonstrations
SAT & SUN 11am & 3pm
Conventional coffins and care for our dead involves practices and materials that are damaging for our planet. Shrouding offers a way of gently and respectfully caring for our dead using a simple wrap. Easy to do, legal, and environmentally friendly, shrouding is something that a family and those close can do for the person they love the most.
This workshop offers an opportunity for people to learn about shrouding and other natural, environmentally friendly alternatives, so we can take care of the dead back into our own hands.
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Host: Natural Death Advocacy Network
Location: Natural Death Advocacy Network stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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Sustainable Picnic
SUNDAY 1:00PM
Join the team from Picnics Unwrapped for this communal picnic that will emphasise the ways we can be more sustainable in our food eating practices.
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BYO a picnic contribution, or enjoy what's on offer and have a chat with the team as they get together to make small sustainable changes.
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Host: Picnics Unwrapped
Location: Near the Picnics Unwrapped stall
Price: FREE
Booking: No Booking Required
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FEEL GOOD AREA!
Family Feel Good Breathwork Session
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 9.45am - 10.30pm
A fun session to lift everyone's spirits!
During this session we will do practical breathing exercises that will fill everyone with life force to their bones, so that at the end of this session all the children and adults can leave feeling good about themselves.
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All ages welcome.
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Host: Kavitha Muthusami, Healing Life Stories
Location: Feel Good Space
Price: FREE
Booking: Just arrive and start dancing with Kerry
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Drum Circle - All ages
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 10.45am-11.45am
Music is a powerful uniting force. We harness the power of rhythm to connect individuals and communities in a fun and unique manner.
Come along and experience the fun and energetic vibes with the In The Groove team.
All ages and abilities welcome.
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Host: In The Groove Education
Location: Feel Good Space
Price: FREE
Booking: Just arrive and start dancing with Kerry
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Tribal Grooves - Dance Workshop
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 11.45am - 12.45pm
A fun dance fitness session requiring no previous experience. Just follow the leader.
We dance to funky world beats, and connect with one another using earthy, grounding tribal belly dance moves that celebrate the divine feminine.
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BYO water, dancers can go barefoot or wear supportive flat, flexible footwear. Clothing - whatever you’re in!
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Host: Kerry Hansen, The River Spirits
Location: Feel Good Space
Price: FREE
Booking: Just arrive and start dancing with Kerry
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Hula Hoop Fun
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 1.00 - 4.30pm
Grab a Hula Hoop and have some fun.
Bust out some moves, try some tricks, have fun with kids.
All ages welcome.
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Price: No Host, just you and the hula hoops
Location: Feel Good Space
Price: FREE
Booking: Just arrive and go for it.
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Family Fun
Tyre Playground
OPEN ALL WEEKEND
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A fun and crazy space where kids can get creative with recycled tyres, straw bales and other bits and bobs.
Kids only - with adult supervision from the side-lines.
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Wooden Toy Making
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
When we're at a festival, we offer a Sword personalisation workshop where participants can choose an Imaginary Adventure tool from our range then proceed through 5-6 step process of finishing off the item. Choose your adventure and pay on the day.
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Host: Schloss Toys
Location: Schloss Toys Stall
Price: Various
Booking: No booking required
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Music Dance Floor
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Head along to the Music Stage to enjoy live music all weekend. Featuring Formidable Vegetable who are an absolute favourite with kids.
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Host: Formidable Vegetable
Location: Music Stage
Price: FREE
Booking: No booking required
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Hula Hoop Fun
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 1.00 - 4.30pm
Grab a Hula Hoop and have some fun.
Bust out some moves, try some tricks, have fun with kids.
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All ages welcome.
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Price: No Host, just you and the hula hoops
Location: Feel Good Space
Price: FREE
Booking: Just arrive and go for it.
Animal Petting Nursery
ONGOING ALL WEEKEND
Witness the joy on children's face as they get to meet and pat some of their favourite animals. Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ducks, Chicks, Miniature Goats and more!
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Host: Hay Ho Animal Nursery
Location: Hay Ho Animal Nursery
Price: $5-10
Booking: No booking required
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Face Painting
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - Ongoing
Visit Linda and her team from the local RiverArts for some creative face paint.
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Location: RiverArts Stall
Price: $5-10
Booking: No booking required
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