The Enviro-Energy Expo is the opening event for a Macedon Ranges Shire Council 2-week-long festival called ChangeMakers

What’s on, when and where ……

10.00am to 10.15am: Welcome to Country / Welcome to Expo

• Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

• Official opening of the Expo

10.30am to 11.15am: Keynote Conversation

Title: The Chemical Experiment: The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Location: Multipurpose room of the stadium
Reservation for this session will be required

11.30am to 12noon and 1.00pm to 1.30pm: One-on-one free consultations

Location: Towards the front/sides of the stadium
Reservation for these consultations will be required

Experts on home thermal efficiency options, community buy schemes for energy saving devices, electrifying your home, going off-grid & home batteries, and Electric Vehicle purchasing and running.

• Maurice Beinat (EcoMaster) – Draught proofing, insulation, glazing - single/double/secondary - what is best. Find out where to start.

• Stephen Pepper (Go Renewable Energy Group) -  Electrifying your home, Going Off Grid, Home batteries. The economics of EV’s. Bring your power bills for Stephen to look at.

• Bryce Gaton (EVchoice)  - Choosing and charging an EV

Available Session Times

11.30am to 12.30pm: First Discussion Panel

Topic: What Works? Helping you to make choices
Format: 25min each panel member + 10min question time
Location: Multipurpose room of the stadium
Moderator: Olivia Hedge, Public Health and Epidemiology student at the University of Melbourne
Reservation for this session will be required

Panel members:

• Julie Weatherhead, Peppermint Ridge Farm : Creating a Native Pantry

  • Highlighting the amazing range of bush foods that can be grown in the home garden and how to use them in your kitchen. This aromatic presentation will include plant samples and tastings to enjoy.

• Electrify Your Home Macedon Ranges step-by-step action plan

  • The formal public launch of this valuable Household Electrification Planner

12.30pm to 1.30pm: Induction Cook Top Demonstration

What you will see: Demonstration of Induction Cooktops, including how they work, pros and cons, benchtop cutout considerations and the health benefits of not cooking with gas
Location: Outdoors near the food area
Reservation for this session is not required

1.20pm - 2.30pm: Second Discussion Panel

Topic: Challenges and opportunities of energy transitioning
Format: 30min each panel member + 10min question time
Location: Multipurpose room of the stadium
Moderator: Melissa Hatty, Research Fellow and Health Psychologist, BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University | [Profile]
Reservation for this session will be required

Panel members:

• Bryce Gaton, EVchoice - EV Choice Consulting and EV writer for “Renew” and “The Driven”

• Anthony Hooper, Peppermint Ridge Farm - Rural Property Electrification

  • Focusing on the development of energy, design and land management practices and initiatives at Peppermint Ridge Farm over forty years (1986-2026)

Throughout the day: Roving “Ask me about…” experts

• Dr Jenny Grounds

  Ask Jenny about her Off-Grid home, and her electric vehicle

• TREVOR KINSEY  

Ask Trevor about his Passivhaus

Throughout the day: Exhibits and displays

Electric Vehicles

o Essential Solar (BYD Seal Performance)

Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group Action Groups

o Go Renewable Energy Group

GREG is a volunteer‑run project within the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, helping local homes and businesses cut electricity costs, reduce fossil‑fuel emissions, and improve energy self‑sufficiency.

You can talk to GREG about Solar PV systems, Solar + Battery, heat pumps, air conditioning, and preparing your home to be EV‑ready.

You can also book a 10‑minute one‑on‑one consultation with Stephen Pepper, and attend the first Discussion Panel for the official launch of the planner Electrify Your Home – Macedon Ranges.

·        o Wash Against Waste

A mobile, volunteer-run, industrial-grade dishwashing unit designed to eliminate single-use cutlery and crockery at local events.

It features a high-temperature dishwasher, catering for up to 5,000 people, and sometimes operates using solar-powered electric vehicles. 

Wash Against Waste operates at community, school, and market events across the Macedon Ranges to help reduce waste, and will once again be at the Enviro-Energy Expo.

o Veg Action

Come and taste how delicious and simple to cook seasonal plant-based food can be! 🌱

Veg Action is offering tasting samples of four low-cost, seasonal plant-based dishes, created to show how easy it is to eat well on a budget.

Have a chat with them about the benefits of increasing fruit and veg in everyday meals, vote for your favourite dish and grab some free recipe cards. 

By voting, you’ll have the option to go into the draw to win an Edgy Veg gift card to enjoy a plant-based dish at a participating venue during the Edgy Veg competition.

Environment Groups

o Riddells Creek Landcare

o Greening of Riddell

o Rangeview Park revitalisation (Swampy Business)

This group is part of Riddells Creek Cool Changes, advocating for improvements to the drainage retention basins, community facilities, and overall environmental outlook within the Rangeview Estate in Riddells Creek.

Come along, see what the group is proposing, and show your support for creating an environment for the whole community to enjoy.

o Maribyrnong River & Waterways Association

Come meet the Maribyrnong River up close.

Visit the Maribyrnong River & Waterways (MRWA) stall and join staff and volunteers for engaging conversations about the Maribyrnong Catchment—and how you can help protect the lifeblood of our rivers and creeks in Melbourne’s west. Learn why environmental flows matter, what it takes to legally secure them, and why rivers are more than waterways—they are living entities that support ecosystems, communities and culture.

MRWA works across the entire Maribyrnong Catchment, with a strong focus on the vital headwaters of the Macedon Ranges. Bunjil Creek, Emu Creek, Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek each play a vital ecological role, collectively sustaining the river system from its headwaters to the bay. What happens upstream shapes everything downstream, making the protection of these waterways essential to the health of the whole catchment.

As a not-for-profit advocacy and education organisation, MRWA makes complex water issues accessible through clear explanations and powerful stories. Talk with us about hydrology, environmental flows, recycled water policy, farm dams, stormwater management, and the cumulative impacts of development on waterways—and learn how communities and landholders can make a real difference.

You’ll also discover MRWA’s innovative approach to community engagement, from Tramboat events and arts-based projects to river sensing programs that help people connect with waterways in new and meaningful ways.

If you care about rivers, community action, and the future of our waterways, come say hello. Meet the people standing up for the Maribyrnong River—and find out how you can help give our rivers a stronger voice.

o Volcano Dreaming

Volcano Dreaming is an epic mural showcasing the amazing diversity of life found in the wildflower grasslands of Victoria’s western plains.

This detailed montage of over 3,000 photos is the creation of Inherit Earth.

It depicts an intriguing grassy landscape, revealing the flora and fauna in a stunningly detailed panorama.

The mural comprises twelve x 1m-wide fabric banners. Each banner has a theme, describing various aspects of our native grasslands, what has happened to them, or how they are being preserved

o RRRAPT Recycled, Repurposed Remnants: wrapping and decorations for sustainable celebrations

o Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network

o Jacksons Creek EcoNetwork

SCHOOLS

o Riddells Creek Primary School

o Sacred Heart College Kyneton Sustainability Leaders 

Planet-positive Businesses

o Enviroflex

Retrofit insulation specialists for residential and commercial spaces

o EcoMaster

ecoMaster is an Australian leader in high-quality, energy-efficient solutions, proudly carrying the Australian Made certification for many products.  Specialising in products that enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy bills, ecoMaster offers a range of draught proofing, insulation, and secondary glazing solutions tailored to suit the home DIYer.
Visitors can expect an interactive experience at the ecoMaster booth, complete with live demonstrations, expert advice, and the opportunity to explore how ecoMaster's products can make homes more sustainable and comfortable. The team provides insights into the latest in energy efficiency technology, 10 min consultations, and special expo offers designed to help attendees make the most informed decisions for improving their home environments

o Advanced Energy Tech – Resource Recovery

Discover the research and development into entirely new ways to turn waste into a resource. 

AET is developing bioenergy, biochar and resource recovery projects through their EPA licensed RD&D facility based in Pyramid Hill.

o Essential Solar

Essential Solar delivers comprehensive solutions to their customers, aimed at creating homes that are not only cleaner and more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective to operate. Initially starting with solar panel installations over 15 years ago, they have expanded their expertise to provide a full range of clean energy products and services.

·       On display at the Expo will be a range of different inverters, panels, batteries and possibly a heat pump, amongst marketing materials.

o 99 Bikes

Take an E-bike for a ride. Various models will be available including town, trail, off road, and mountain bikes. The 99 Bikes team will be able to answer any question you have, and while at the display, go into the draw for a $1,000 voucher towards the wholesale purchase price of a 99 Bikes Hoppers Crossing E-Bike!

o Peppermint Ridge Farm [Full Bio and event info]

Peppermint Ridge Native Foods is located at Tynong North in West Gippsland, and has been dedicated to sustainable practices and growing and educating about Australia’s wonderful native bushfoods since 1996.

Their display will feature a wide selection of twenty plus native edible plants from their specialist nursery including favourites such as lemon myrtle and strawberry gum, as well as copies of their award winning book, ‘Australian Native Foods Harvest – a guide for the passionate cook and gardener’.

Peppermint Ridge Native Foods also produce native teas, herbs, spices and dukkah that will also be available on the day.

Owners Julie and Anthony will participate in both of the Discussion Panels with engaging and highly relevant presentations - so please book in for these.

Government & Council supporters

o Greater Western Water

o Melbourne Water

o Bendigo Health Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit

Visit this climate change and health exhibit to understand how climate change directly affects our health and well-being.

Learn about the health risks we face and discover how climate action can simultaneously protect our communities and improve public health

o MRSC Resource Recovery

Waste education, reusable alternatives display, soft plastic recycling pilot, any other recycling programs/initiatives being run by Council

The exhibit will have information, brochures and displays relating to all the recycling and resource recovery initiatives being undertaken within the Shire.

There will also be colouring-in and puzzle sheets for children to enjoy, plus an interactive recycling sorting activity.

Riddells Creek Locals

o Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House 

RCNH will feature Seed Savers, a connection hub for growing and saving seeds

o Dromkeen

Featured at the Dromkeen display will be a number of original artworks and books (for sale) with focus on environmental themes.

There will also be book reading sessions (see details above).

o Riddells Creek CFA

Throughout the day: Food & Drink

• freshly made coffee - global village learning coffee van

• Delicious Indian food - Dhaba Food VAN

• sausage sizzle and bake sale - Riddells Creek Scouts

• Water Refill Station located Inside Stadium - Please remember to Bring a water bottle. The greater western water furphy trailer will be on-site

2.35pm: Prize Draws and Expo Closing

Lucky Door Prizes

• Courtesy of EcoMaster

  • Find and Fix My Draughts (Online Course) value $87.00 x 1 

  • Buying a Home (Online Course)  value $247 x 1 

  • Gift Voucher $50 x 1

• A year’s supply of Yarn’n toilet rolls

• Year’s subscription to Renew magazine x 2 – valued at $54 each

• Year’s subscription to Sanctuary magazine x 2 – valued at $62 each

• Many local Riddells Creek businesses have also donated door prizes

Special Prize Draws

• Visit the 99 Bikes exhibit at the Expo, try out an e-bike and register for your chance to win a $1,000 voucher towards the wholesale purchase price of a 99 Bikes Hoppers Crossing E-Bike!

• Courtesy of Essential Solar, one lucky winner will receive $500 towards a new battery system (over 10kWh) or Ducted HVAC system (with ducted gas decommissioning) or Hot Water Heat pump (over 300L)
  …. Or alternatively ….

$1,500 off all three (Battery, HVAC & Hot Water) as an Essential Electrification incentive!

Non-transferable, must be redeemed and installed by 30th June 2026.

Must enter the draw in person, on the day only.

EXIT SURVEYS

• Please fill out our Expo survey (On-line or on paper).

  • This information is vital for future expo funding and improvements

Feedback from the 2025 Expo

“It was certainly the best organized community run Expo that I have been to .....”

- Professor Emeritus David Karoly, FAA, University of Melbourne

“It was a great gathering, and I felt inspired by the conversations with people at the expo and listening to the talks.”

- Kate Phillips, Museums Victoria Research Institute’s Youth Climate Cafes

Thank you to our sponsors!