Blue Mountains News

Established in 1925, World Animal Day is marked every 4 October to celebrate wildlife and highlight the importance of animal welfare. The theme this year is ‘The World is Their Home Too’.

Blue Mountains City Council CEO, Dr Rosemary Dillon, said: “This event will showcase the extraordinary diversity of animals in the Blue Mountains, and the essential role they play in our lives.

“With an abundance of talks, activities and workshops on offer, this is the perfect day for the whole family to come and enjoy.”

The event will be a fun-filled and informative day with stalls, presentations, storytelling for children by Sharon Baldwin and Naomi Crew, children’s craft by Julie Rafferty, a wildlife exhibition including work by Merryl Watkins and Holly Jayne, and live music by Mem Davis, Joe Flood and Duck Keegan.

Plant-based food will be provided by Bibi’s Kitchen and Clean Cravings, anda plant inspired community cooking project will be launched by Teya Brooks Pribac, author of NotJust Another Vegan Cookbook, with a plant-based cheese degustation.

At 8.30am, Breakfast with the Birds will be led by Paul Nagle from Blue Mountains Bird Observers. People are encouraged to bring binoculars for a guided bird walk around the Planetary Health Precinct, visiting different habitats on the site to observe and talk about the local birdlife.

Blue Mountains Bird Observers will also join WIRES, Wombat Rescue, Action for Animals Blue Mountains, the Blue Mountains Conservation Society and others to provide information on how we can best live with the many species that share our common home.

Members from the Blue Mountains Women’s Shed will demonstrate how to make a possum box and provide suggestions on how to manage possums that have chosen our roof spaces for their homes. There will also be a session on ‘biodiversity sensitive urban design’ and an opportunity to observe and learn with the Planetary Health Bushcare Group from 1.30 - 4.30pm.

Guest speakers throughout the day will include Elizabeth Ellis, lecturer and author of Australian Animal Law; Hal Ginges, a local lawyer and animal activist from Action for Animals; and Mark Berriman, President of the Australian Vegetarian Society NSW.

Stalls and presentations will run from 9am to 2pm.Bookings for the day are available via Eventbrite.

To find out more, phone 0407 437 553 or email%116%221%196%227%213%131