Adelaide revegetation group launches music festival fundraiser for young volunteers

The south coast sand dunes stretch many kilometres from Middleton to the Murray Mouth. 
(ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)

By Malcolm Sutton

A group that uses live musicians to attract dozens of young volunteers into South Australia's sand dunes to plant native flora is ramping up its appeal with a fundraiser concert.

Breathe Easy Revegetation Projects' Aussie Redden said the organisation had long used live music to connect with young people like himself.

"A big part of our planting days is to incorporate arts and music, so local musicians will come out and play music in the background at all our planting days," the 22-year-old said.

Breathe Easy started with Gerry Bain, 29, who was living in the surf town of Middleton south of Adelaide when he collaborated with the local cafe, surf shop and music venue Yeo Haus to plant a native species for every shirt they sold.

Aussie joined shortly afterwards and they expanded the scheme into other small businesses, giving them "an avenue to contribute to the local environment while also staying focused on getting people involved in revegetation".

Collaborators are usually businesses with a creative edge, including the likes of Daybed Records, which runs music festivals like Nice Day To Go To The Club, held in Port Noarlunga on February 22.

Gerry Bain launched Breathe Easy in 2022 while living on the south coast. 
(Supplied: Aussie Redden)

"That's where we have a stall and spread information, and a lot of merchandise, and we also collaborate with local artists," Aussie said.

Their approach has resulted in dozens of young people attending planting days at projects in the Middleton sand dunes and at the local creek, at a private revegetation project on Kangaroo Island, and at Aldgate in the Adelaide Hills.

"There's a lot of environmental volunteer groups out there, but they do struggle to target the younger age demographic," Aussie said.

"A lot of them are full of retirees, and there aren't many young people coming through and volunteering in that realm, so we're trying to make it a bit more attractive for younger people."

Volunteers also learn about the importance of native vegetation, how to spot a weed and, in the sand dunes of Middleton, where the African daisy runs riot, work to out-plant the pest with endemic species.

"That's the other part of getting people involved, awareness," Aussie said.

"Because you probably drive past and see all the beautiful flowers and think, 'Oh, that's quite lovely', without realising they're actually an invasive weed."

The group has also received support from local governments in the shape of plants and equipment — although the likes of their 2022 creek line project in the Adelaide Hills were self-funded.

Banding together

All proceeds from their Band Together festival, which takes place on March 1 at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club, will go towards a planting day at Moana Sands Conservation Park in winter.

Long John Silver is among local outfits playing at Band Together on March 1. (Supplied: Bridie Amour)

Organisers include agricultural scientists and university students, and the likes of healthcare clinical researcher Bridie Amour.

She said the group was targeting a modest amount through the fundraiser — just enough to pay for the planting day at Moana — and ticket prices had been kept low to keep the show accessible for everybody.

"And the bands that are playing, later this year they're also going to do an acoustic set during the planting day, " Ms Amour said.

"So whoever comes to the concert, we want them to follow through and come help us plant the plants that we raise money for on the night."

Bands include local acts King Jeff & the How Are Yous, Long John Silver, Daily Heads and Duck Lake and, like the venue, they are offering their services for free.

Ms Amour said the afternoon was also likely to start with an open mic for acoustic musicians before the bands started.

"We just thought this would be such a cool community event that raises awareness," she said.

Band Together festival will be held on March 1 at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club, Kingston Park.

First published at ABC News, February 7, 2025