Empowering solutions for a resilient future

Welcome to Empowering solutions for a resilient future!
We warmly welcome community members from the city, the country, interstate, and overseas.

This event is about building connections, sharing knowledge, and strengthening resilience as we navigate changing economic and climatic times—together.

Join us for a dynamic event focused on sustainability, innovation, and community. Together, we will explore practical solutions to build a more resilient future. Our lineup of speakers and workshops will inspire and empower you to make a positive impact. Come network with like-minded individuals and collaborate on creating a better tomorrow. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the change!

Date: 13th & 14th September

Location: Candelo Town Hall, Candelo, NSW

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Brogo Permaculture Garden with John Champagne – Food Forest Theory
The ultimate guide to planning and growing a food forest for family nutrition.
A leading voice in permaculture education, John Champagne brings over two decades of hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture. He is a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) teacher across Australia and Southeast Asia, former President of the South East Producers Association (SCPA) for 18 years, and currently serves on the board of Permaculture Australia. As the founder of Brogo Permaculture Gardens, John has guided countless individuals and communities toward creating sustainable, food-secure systems.
At Empowering Solutions for a Resilient Future, John will share practical insights into the questions, planning, and nurturing needed to evolve a resilient food forest—ensuring a stronger future for family nutrition and community resilience.

The Circular Economy – Presented by Andrew Taylor
As CEO of the Regional Circularity Cooperative, Andrew Taylor is leading bold new approaches to sustainable living in regional Australia. With a vision to make the Bega Valley one of the most circular economies in the country by 2030, Andrew brings real-world strategies for reducing waste, regenerating resources, and strengthening local communities.

At Empowering Solutions for a Resilient Future, Andrew will introduce Bega’s leading drive and transition to a circular economy, and lead dynamic discussions with guest speakers and the audience. Together, they’ll explore practical, take-home templates for community and business action, covering topics such as recycling, resource efficiency, waste reduction, regeneration of natural systems, designing for durability and reuse, and fostering community sharing.

Prepare for a motivational journey through the power of circular thinking—showing how community-led innovation can create lasting impact.

Off-Grid Solar Solutions – Presented by Simon Gibbs
With over 15 years of experience in renewable energy systems, Simon Gibbs is passionate about helping communities become more self-reliant. His work focuses on designing resilient, off-grid solar solutions that provide reliable power—whether as backup systems or fully independent setups.

At Empowering Solutions for a Resilient Future, Simon will showcase practical off-grid solar solutions and lead discussions that help build innovative ideas for managing your own energy production and costs. He’ll explore how we can reduce our reliance on large-scale infrastructure and secure our own energy futures in the face of growing uncertainty.

Robotics & Automation
Why investments may turn from energy to robotics.
At Empowering Solutions for a Resilient Future, we’ll also take a futuristic glimpse into the world of robotics and automation. This conversational session will explore the possibilities and changes that advances in robotics and automation could bring to our financial systems, workplaces, and everyday lifestyles. Get ready for an engaging discussion on how these emerging technologies may shape the future—and how we can adapt and thrive alongside them.

This is a two-day event designed to inspire, connect, and empower—your ticket includes full access to both days of talks, workshops, and networking. While you’re welcome to attend just one day, we highly encourage joining us for the full experience to make the most of everything on offer.

Bring your crew—groups of 5 or more receive a discounted rate.

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Extend Your Experience – Exclusive Day Tour
Monday, 15th September
Early Bird Offer: Only 10 places available!
$210.00 per person | Includes pick-up and return

Take your Empowering Solutions for a Resilient Future experience even further with this special guided day tour, showcasing some of the Bega Valley’s most inspiring leaders in permaculture and youth engagement.

Brogo Permaculture Gardens
Enjoy a personal guided tour with renowned permaculturist John Champagne. Wander through these flourishing gardens and see permaculture principles in action—an unforgettable experience of regenerative design and practice.

Tour of Grow the Future
Visit Bega’s inspiring youth education centre, where young people are learning the skills to build a sustainable and empowered future. This hands-on tour highlights leadership, resilience, and innovation at its best.

Lunch Stop – Red Cafe, Bega
We'll break for lunch at the beloved Red Cafe (please note: food and drinks are not included in the tour price). https://www.redcafebega.com/

Spaces are very limited—secure your place early!
Any questions? We’re happy to help.