Our Survival Day is carbon neutral 2022

Media release August 2022

Our Survival Day (OSD) intertwined their 'Reconnection' theme of 2022 throughout the year by being a carbon neutral Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander festival, through imparting caring for country practises and protecting mother earth for future generations, and a carbon offsetting community tree planting day in NAIDOC Week.

Our Survival Day is an Indigenous-led community event, providing a safe and culturally empowering space for First Nations people and their allies, to gather on January 26th. The day focuses on celebrating the survival, continued growth, and access to Indigenous culture, with a strong focus on the underlying values of Our Songlines and its founder; Kayla Cartledge.

In alignment with the 2022 Reconnection theme: to land, to community, to culture; and the Our Songlines values which are ingrained in protecting Mother Earth, the OSD 2022 edition which had over 1000 mob and allies in attendance gathering from all over Wurundjeri country, was a zero waste event.

Sustainability and Caring for Country at Our Survival Day

Sustainability principles were initiated such as: encouraging patrons to bring their reusable items with them {including keep cups, shopping bags, water bottles, straws, and cutlery}, utilise ride sharing, biking or walking to the event and public transport options. OSD vendors, artists, stallholders and workshops practised caring for country by using environmentally responsible packaging, materials, and saying no single use plastics. Plastic-free signage was used on the day to educate people, and the incredible Sustainability volunteers spread awareness about correct ways to compost, recycle and landfill, as well as manning the wash up station with a reusable scheme bringing in reusable cutlery, plates and cups for those who forgot to BYO. Waste and water consumption was reduced by diverting what would have gone to landfill through the reusable scheme, compost facilities for stallholders, and recycle bins, as well as having a compostable toilet system to reduce water consumption and pollution.

Tree Planting Day

On top of the sustainability practises on the festival day in January, Our Survival Day hosted a Community Tree Planting event in NAIDOC Week in July to carbon offset the festival. Together with Landcare, the community planted over 800 trees on Bunurong land, connecting to country and taking action for our climate. Through this community day where 72 guests planted Indigenous and local species, we made Our Survival Day carbon neutral. This will continue to be an annual event where people can connect to culture throughout the year.

Through this event, Our Survival Day supported 3 Aboriginal owned and operated businesses: Our Songlines, Jillian and Josh West who welcomed us to Bunurong land, and performed a special smoking ceremony, and Cooee Cafe by Sharon who left everyone full and happy with her damper and Indigenous treats, after a morning of tree planting.

Change the Date

January 26 is: segregation, isolation, and white supremacy. If Australia is to be unanimously celebrated it cannot be on January 26. 1938 in Sydney, the First Day of Mourning was experienced. Since then, it has been annually recognised by First Nations Australians across Australia as a day of suffering. It wasn't until 1994 that Australia decided to unanimously celebrate January 26 as Australia day. For white people, this holiday represented a public holiday to gather and celebrate. But with a dark history of the stolen generation and stolen land, this date is a reflection only of white supremacy, with no intention to unite. We all want to celebrate Australia.

The Opportunity for Our Survival Day 2023

Our Songlines is proud to have implemented a sustainable event in 2022 which was carbon neutral. Being passionate about making Our Survival Day 2023 even more sustainable, we welcome any ethically-aligned businesses, sponsors and collaborators to support this mission.

Quotes: "We are the Custodians of this land. We do not own the land. We are part of it." - Kayla Cartledge, Our Songlines Founder

Our Survival Day is presented by Our Songlines, who are passionate about making Indigenous culture accessible to anyone in a supportive safe environment. Learn more and connect to Our Songlines here.

Media Contact:

Kayla Cartledge 0413 505 225 | kayla@oursonglines.com | Founder - Our Songlines