Saturday’s Inspire Festival at Strathnairn was everything we hoped it would be and more. As we’re still buzzing from the incredible energy that filled the Strathnairn Arts site, we wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who made the day so special.

From the families who arrived bright and early to the volunteers who stayed until the last workshop wrapped up, you created something truly magical together.

We welcomed thousands of visitors throughout the day, with many telling us they’d travelled specifically to experience what Ginninderry’s Inspire Festival was all about. But more than numbers, it was the genuine enthusiasm that made our day. Watching children pot plants alongside their parents, seeing neighbours discover new local businesses, and witnessing those “aha!” moments during sustainability workshops.

In the main tipi, Dr Karl had the crowd hanging on every word as he made complex science feel accessible and exciting. Gina Chick’s connection to nature resonated deeply, with her wilderness skills leaving people feeling more confident about embracing a nature-connected lifestyle right here in Canberra.

Indira Naidoo’s practical gardening wisdom had everyone frantically taking notes, while Lish Fejer’s local perspective reminded us why the Canberra region is such a special place to call home.

The workshop areas were absolutely humming with activity all day. From families learning to make toxic-free cleaning products together to dedicated composting enthusiasts diving deep into soil science, the hands-on learning was a big hit. 

The Strathnairn Arts open studios were a revelation for so many visitors and the sculptures on show as part of the Small Sculpture Competition were immensely beautiful. Our local musicians provided the perfect soundtrack, from acoustic sets that had people lingering over their coffee to upbeat performances that got families dancing.

Thank you to the families who brought their questions and eagerness to learn. Thank you to everyone who supported our local vendors, engaged thoughtfully with our speakers, and threw themselves into the workshops with such enthusiasm.

The spirit of the Inspire Festival doesn’t have to end when the event does. We hope you’ll carry that inspiration forward through the plants you potted, the skills you learned, and the local businesses you discovered.

We’d love to hear your favourite moments from the day! Share your photos and experiences with us on socials by tagging @ginninderry