Mandy Schoene-Salter guiding a participant at the Street Art Wall
Story and photos by Tamsyn McGrouther
An overcast Sunday evening at Springwood parking lot doesn’t usually evoke community connection. Usually the lot is a dull underused space and the staff parking area gates are closed. This wasn’t true for the last Sunday of March when the car park at Springwood Train Station was transformed into a vibrant community space with food stalls, art opportunities and live music.
Key Points:
Springwood Lot Party was held on Sunday the 24th of March at Springwood Station parking lot, hosted by Blue Mountains City Council.
This community-focused event was entertaining for people of all ages, encouraging creativity, the arts, and connection.
The success of this event will hopefully encourage more community events down the line.
At the Zine space
I talked to Estee Sarsfield, a designer and Blue Mountain Zine Club member who was facilitating the Zine space stall. She taught me that Zine was pronounced ‘Zeen’ like magazine, not Zine, rhyming with line.
Their Zine making tent offered participants the opportunity and guidance to make their own Zines. They have a club once a month at Good Earth Bookshop in Wentworth Falls: an informal gathering where they chat, draw and create.
The stall was filled with people of all ages: glueing, cutting, sticking, stamping, sketching, collaging and painting – creating the chaotic multi-medium artistry that Zines are known for.
The Zine space, facilitated by Blue Mountains Zine Club
Finding out more aboutMYST
In the tent next door was Blue Mountains MYST (Mountains Youth Services Team), a youth-driven service for people aged 12-24. MYST provides free individualised support for young people in the form of youth centres, counselling and a plethora of other support services such as free internet for students and free driving lessons. At the Lot Party they were offering badge making, lollipops and a chat.
Badge making and art workshops hosted by MYST
I talked to Paige Thurlow-Want who explained how MYST is a ‘soft contact service’ that aims to be as accessible and non-judgemental as possible, as it can be an extremely daunting and vulnerable experience to seek support as a young person.
Paige explained how MYST is more than just young people and mental health (my previous conception). ‘We meet young people where they are’ she explains, semi-shouting over the music, ‘and get them where they want to be’.
Beyond mental health support, MYST provides:
Queer drop-in sessions for LGBTQ+ young people
Outdoor explore social groups
A music space at the Katoomba Youth Centre
The Street Art Wall
Local mural artist Mandy Schöne-Salter supervised a collaborative street art wall. This workshop allowed people to experiment with spray paint, a medium that people rarely have the opportunity to explore because of the stigmas attached to it.
The street art wall begins to take shape
Fiddling with spray paint caps and with spray paint on my hands (after picking two colours and making my own awkward stencil), I chatted to Mandy about mural art and how it is so much more than graffiti.
“I want to see more street art,” she explained, noting that the Springwood street art developments have been positive and a way to brighten up empty walls.
As the event progressed we watched the canvas get covered by more and more artist works. It was amazing to see the piece take shape.
The street art wall at the end of the Lot Party
Street art can bring culture and infuse local meaning into an empty wall. It makes places brighter and can bring out character. Mandy noted that street art shares art with a larger audience: “It brings art to people – not many people attend art galleries.” This is certainly true of Mandy’s piece near Springwood station, with thousands of people seeing this mural daily.
Mandy Schoene-Salter’s mural at Springwood Station
Reflecting on the event I think it was incredible how a few crates and tents can transform an under-utilised space into a vibrant free community event, especially in our current cost of living crisis where it can be too expensive for many to go out and socialise regularly, increasing individual isolation.
The Rotary Club of Springwood
There was a variety of affordable food on offer as well, thanks to a range of food trucks and the Rotary Club’s fundraising sausage sizzle. Rotary’s fundraising at events like these has helped build community resources, including the exercise equipment at Winmalee Skate Park and the Buttenshaw Park accessible carousel.
Thanks to its convenient location right next to the train station, attendees from as far as the inner city were able to arrive and appreciate what the Blue Mountains has to offer.
I also love how the inclusion of art workshops helped support local artists and fostered creativity within the community: exposing attendees to new art making practices, ideas, and mediums. It also provides job opportunities for local creatives and collectives who then share their skillsets with young people.
I hope to see more Council-sponsored events like these in the future. By bringing people together in new ways we create a stronger community and foster new connections between individuals and organisations.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Tickets now available here for the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on 2nd August. A day of internationally renowned speakers, forums, live entertainment and family activities to grow an urgent groundswell for peace (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Today is the 80th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bomb test. Three weeks after today the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan. Help us grow a groundswell of support to ban these horrific nuclear weapons that have caused so much cancer, death and suffering. Check out this fabulous screen print produced by Don McGregor and Indigenous artist Burri for a Peace Festival in Katoomba 37 years ago! It will be on display with other peace posters at the Peace Symposium and Community Picnic on Sat 2nd August. Don is one of the founders of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective which will be meeting at the Planetary Health Centre at 10am this Saturday. All welcome to help us prepare for the Symposium where we’ll be hearing from internationally regarded speakers on how we can work to stop wars and get nuclear weapons banned. Book your place early here as places are limited for the talks (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re thrilled to be hosting a delicious lunch to launch the new Greater Blue Mountains Rotary Club on Sunday 27 July at the Planetary Health Centre. The Rotary Clubs of Central Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Blackheath are joining forces and their first project is to fundraise to purchase `rooming-in` cribs for Blue Mountains Hospital. It`s an opportunity to meet the new Club members, and become part of a global network of more than 1.2 million people who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Rotary has 7 areas of focus that all contribute to the health of our planet: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy; Community Economic Development; and Protecting the Environment. $5 of every lunch ticket goes towards purchasing a rooming-in crib for the hospital. You can purchase a ticket here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/celebrating-the-launch-of-greater-blue-mountains-rotary
At the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on August 2nd, Robert Tickner AO, the Ambassador for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), will explain how ICAN is building a powerful global groundswell of public support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Dr Siswo Pramono, the Indonesian Ambassador, will explain why Indonesia ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in September 2024. They will both discuss the implications of the Treaty for regional and global peace. This discussion is part of a full day of activities at the Planetary Health Centre at which you can join the global groundswell for peace! View the program and get your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium (link in profile)
We`re thrilled that the Bearded Ladies Community Choir will be performing at the Peace Picnic which is part of the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on Saturday 2 August. Check out the full day program and book your ticket here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re offering a great opportunity for 6-8 yr olds to learn some fun basic textile skills next Thursday 17 July, that will give them the confidence and inspiration to eventually learn how to sew, upcycle and repair! You can book a place here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/weaving-and-embroidery-workshop-for-6-8yr-olds
Did you know that the Peace Symbol, designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958, is based on flag semaphore signals? The vertical line represents the semaphore signal for "D" (for disarmament), and the downward lines represent "N" (for nuclear). Design and make your own Peace Badge at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Peace Picnic on Saturday 2nd August at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre (bookings here (link in profile: https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium).
On another one of the badges below, the phrase "Hell no, we won`t go" is one which gained prominence in Australia during the Vietnam War, when conscription was introduced. Many young men refused to be conscripted, leading to protests, demonstrations, and the formation of anti-war movements. These movements, including the Moratorium campaigns, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and ultimately contributing to the end of Australia`s involvement in the war.
The Planetary Health Peace Symposium is bringing together veterans of the Peace Movement (including an organiser of the Moratorium campaign), Rotary and Quakers, Robert Tickner AO (ambassador for ICAN: the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), Mayor Mark Greenhill, a signatory of Mayors for Peace, Susan Templeman MP, Indonesian Ambassador Dr Siswo Pramono on Indonesia’s ratification of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, as well as community members concerned about a world increasingly consumed by war. On the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, participate in a program of talks, film, stalls, music, art and a Community Peace Picnic as, together, we take urgent action for nuclear disarmament and peace.
It`s been 80 years since the horror of nuclear weapons was first unleashed with the US bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Find out how we can work together to stop this madness and grow a Movement for Peace at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on Saturday 2nd August. The day will include presentations by Robert Tickner AO, the Ambassador for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN); Mayor Mark Greenhill on Mayors for Peace; Susan Templeman MP; Dr Siswo Pramano: Indonesian Ambassador; veterans of the Peace Movement and young activists; Rowe Morrow OAM from Quakers; Jennifer Scott AM from Rotary International; journalist Harumi Hayakawa; and Dharug man Chris Tobin. It will also include a film screening, and a Community Peace Picnic with food, exhibition, stalls, badge and origami crane making and live music with the Bearded Ladies Community Choir. The Symposium has been organised by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Please share to help us grow a movement and book your tickets at the link below (link in profile):
The Bushcare Seed Collectors are meeting today from 10am to 3pm at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s a great way to learn more about propagating native plants. Watch our video below and read more in Katoomba Area Local News: https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/bushcare-seed-collectors/...
The Bushcare Seed Collectors are meeting today from 10am to 3pm at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s a great way to learn more about propagating native plants. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News: https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/bushcare-seed-collectors/ (link in profile)
We are holding School Holiday workshops for young people on Thursday 17 July. In these fun workshops with Sherlie Mcmillan (known for her Fashion Upcycling and Women`s Shed workshops) young people will be introduced to woodwork and textile crafts with a great teacher! Accompanying adults welcome.
Book for the Weaving and Embroidery Workshop for 6-8 yr olds here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/weaving-and-embroidery-workshop-for-6-8yr-olds
Book for the Workshop for 8-12 yr olds to Create a Pom Pom Launcher, Pom Poms and Headband here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/create-a-pom-pom-launcher-pom-poms-and-headband
Our new Planetary Health Newsletter includes the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium, School Holiday Workshops, today`s Planetary Health Bushcare, a story about a Men`s Group in Lawson, a workshop on Designing Your Future Home, and information on how to prepare for Bushfire Season with Council`s chipping service. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/3TkWGRj (link in profile) #planetaryhealth #peace #peacesymposium #bluemountains #schoolholidayworkshops #hope #solutions #mensgroup #katoomba...
Tamsyn McGrouther is a local writer, creative, and university student. They are passionate about Climate Justice and using journalism to build new narratives about the world. You can find them wistfully staring into the middle distance on public transport or very stressed out on a roundabout.
The Birds of Australia STORYBOX interactive exhibit at the Springwood Hub showcases John and Elizabeth Gould's bird illustrations and First Nations knowledge. It highlights the threats to Australian birds, promotes conservation efforts, and is complemented by the Planetary Health Centre's bird photography exhibition.
Enjoying this site? Please help spread the word :)
Support the Future of Solutions-Focused Neighbourhood News
