Danielle Carey and Amelie Ecology (AKA Dr Amelie Vanderstock) welcomed guests to the MAGNIFY event at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Story and photos by Gabiann Marin
Ever wondered what the world looks like to a tiny insect? It’s something we don’t often ask ourselves, but that very question was the basis of a recent interactive community performance MAGNIFY, hosted by Wildground Creative Adventures and featuring environmental songstress Amelie Ecology. The event was designed to help locals, young and old, think about the wonderful contributions insects make to our lives and show how we can support them, and their vital role in our environment.
Key Points:
Insects are the key driving force in our ecosystem. Rethinking and reframing our attitudes towards them and educating children and adults about their importance can have a huge positive impact on planetary health.
The recent MAGNIFY event at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre focused on the importance of insects.
Local entertainer, singer and environmental scientist Amelie Ecology launched her debut album and her scientist activity kit and workbook at the event.
On the 8th June the courtyard of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre was transformed into a magical world of giant mushrooms and metre high flowers buzzing with activity. Literally buzzing, as eager young people and the occasional adult dressed up as butterflies, bees, spiders and beetles, enjoying the interactive activities that characterised the MAGNIFY event.
Organised by Danielle Carey of Wild Ground Creative Adventures and Amelie Ecology (AKA Dr Amelie Vanderstock), the event was a day of fun-filled activities, performances and interactive play designed to encourage young people and their parents to rethink their ideas around insects.
Amelia loved being a butterfly.
“I think immersive experiences like MAGNIFY are groundbreaking for the community. We’re merging outdoor adventure, ecological storytelling, and creative art. But we’re doing it in ways that the audience co-creates alongside us at each step of the process,” Danielle enthuses.
“So we’re exploring connective practice and ecological relationships. It’s deeper learning. And an approach that hopefully inspires the community with hope, joy and wonder.”
Bushcraft and creative interactive events were a key focus at MAGNIFY.
As well as dress-up and creative craft activities, the day featured jaw dropping circus acts by the multi-talented performers of Stuart Christie’s Bah-Hah Circus. The performances comprised of several beautifully choreographed vignettes – each featuring a different tiny creature – from native bees to ladybirds.
As young girls dangled from trapeze or floated in clouds of silken fabric above the heads of the awestruck crowds, the beauty and elegance of the insect world was perfectly demonstrated.
The acrobatic sisters Ella and Anna transformed into bees as part of Stuart Christie’s Bah-Hah Circus performance.
The centrepiece of the day was the launch of Amelie Ecology’s album and educational science kit ‘Let’s Bee Scientists’ which aim to inspire children of all ages to fall in love with environmental science through a mixture of playful songs and educational activities.
Amelie and Gabi, introduced by Danielle Carey, launched their debut Album ‘Let’s Bee Scientists’ at the MAGNIFY event.
The album and educational pack feature songs and activities explaining why we should care about soil micro-organisms, native bee diversity and the importance of pollinators in providing the food we eat. In Amelie’s own words the whole project is all about providing an “ecosystem of learning!”
While Amelie’s songs and activities are light-hearted and fun, the information contained is surprisingly thorough, thanks to Amelie’s PhD studies in environmental science and ecology at the University of Sydney. Her doctorate focused on native bees in urban environments. Although she could have followed a more academic path, Amelie believes that the key to effective environmental preservation and education is through hands-on and creative engagement with children and adults through song, play and enjoyment.
Amelie Ecology as a Blue Banded Bee gets a closer look at the audience.
Amelie Ecology’s debut album launch and Danielle’s 10 year business anniversary were the catalyst for creating the event, but both women wanted it to be more than just about their own work, and something that the community could enjoy and learn from.
“All of my immersive work has focussed on allowing the unseen to be seen,” Danielle says. “Playing around with the micro vs macro. My work is playful and quirky, which invites the audience to develop meaningful ecological relationships in creative ways that inspire joy, well-being and connection.”
MAGNIFY not only provided an opportunity for the community to enjoy local creativity, it was also an innovative way to address negative thinking about insect species.
As Amelie Ecology explains beautifully in her catchy new tune “They’re not all pests!”, insects are the foundations of our ecological systems, yet very little is known about them.
Dr Kate Umbers, a Blue Mountains local and Head Lecturer in Zoology at Western Sydney University, is quick to point out that insects make up over 95% of the species of animals on Earth, with an estimated 300,000 species living in Australia alone.
“Of that only 100,000 have been properly documented and studied,” Kate reveals. “We don’t even know exactly what is out there.”
A native Australian Blue Banded Bee: the inspiration behind Amelie Ecology’s outfit at MAGNIFY. (Photo: Creative Commons license)
Danielle and Amelie understand that getting to know these creatures and developing a respect for them is a key driver for environmental health more widely.
Certainly, the children at the event had no negative assumptions about our friendly bugs and were delighted to become an insect for a day, as they fluttered, scuttled and crawled about the courtyard in fabulous handmade costumes.
Children buzz around Amelie Ecology during her performance.
Danielle also joined in the dress-up fun, appearing as a Dragonfly, while Amelie Ecology presented as a blue banded native bee, interacting with the children and parents throughout the event.
Danielle Carey as ‘Dragonfly’.
“We’ve always believed that nature isn’t separate from us: it’s woven into the fabric of who we are,” Danielle reveals. “Events like MAGNIFY and Wildground Creative Adventures programs, from bush school, playgroup, to literacy and science learning initiatives, are designed to reinforce this connection, and inspire wonder in the world around us.”
The Magnify event was made possible thanks to support from a Blue Mountains City of the Arts Trust grant, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and the generous work of volunteers.
Watch Amelie Ecology perform one of the tracks from the new album in this short video
Get Involved
Find out more about the exciting world of Insects and how you can help them.
The international website iNaturalist hosts photos and information about insects from across the world and their app is designed for budding citizen scientists. Find out more here:
Invertebrates Australia has great resources and information about our native insects as well as opportunities to get involved in upcoming events and citizen science projects to help preserve and protect our insect populations:
Blue Mountains Planetary Health Events Calendar is also a great way to find out about community events happening in your local area. Check out the Katoomba event calendar here:
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.
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are you ready for the next bushfire, heatwave or flood? Why not take steps to prepare at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Award-winning Hempcrete designer Kirstie Wulf from @shelter.building.design will share 10 steps to build or renovate for sustainability and resilience; engineer Mark Liebman will share how you can build a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and cool your building; Dr Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause will share research results on the most appropriate actions to lower heat in summer and help you use a thermal imaging camera to identify which surfaces retain the most heat; Frank Inzitari will introduce you to the @firehalo.au which can help reduce ember attack; and a team from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will work with you to use the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit to design your own personal bushfire plan. We`ll also be launching Firecoat`s new Bushfire Home Protection Kit. Learn more and register to attend here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many extraordinary volunteers keeping us and wildlife safe all year round! Come along and meet them at the Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22nd Nov. Learn what you can do to be ready for emergencies, and how you can volunteer or help in some other way. Together we can be more prepared and reduce the risk of disaster. There`ll be a free sausage sizzle so help give us an idea of numbers by registering here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Thank you Blue Mountains community for the generous donation of 11 sewing machines which we`ll be using for our free sewing workshop with Boomerang Bags at the Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. It`s an opportunity for the whole family to make free Christmas presents that `don`t cost the earth`! Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (and you`ll get a free fire retardant plant from Santa while you`re there!)
Did you know that Australia has the world`s highest incidence of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world, killing more than 4,000 Australians every year - three times more than the annual road toll; and that asbestos-related deaths are predicted to rise! Asbestos isn’t just in fibro homes and sheds - it was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 asbestos containing products with many of these products remaining in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home or apartment built or renovated before 1990. Asbestos was used everywhere in homes - lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even in dog kennels. Exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations has been linked to 51% of mesothelioma deaths. There is no cure for mesothelioma. The average survival time following diagnosis is just 10-12 months. Homeowners, renovators and tradies are most at risk of exposure if they disturb asbestos containing materials. On Saturday 22 November, “Betty – The Asbestos Education House” will be a prominent feature of the Blue Mountains City Council’s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo to help educate local homeowners and tradies about the dangers of asbestos that remains lurking in 1-in-3 Aussie homes including many throughout the Blue Mountains region as part of National Asbestos Awareness Month (November). There will also be workshops and stalls on asbestos and a range of other hazardous materials and how you can manage them to protect youreself, your family and your community. Find out more and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Emily from @handsheartfeet will be leading a free drumming workshop at the Planetary Health Centre Expo and Family Day in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. It`s suitable for all ages and so much fun! Places are limited so reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (link in profile)
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4o1FflK (link in profile)
It includes: • Expo and Family Day on Nov 22 • A Story of Purpose & Mental Health with Rotarian Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute on Nov 29 • How to Use a Sewing Machine Workshop on Nov 29 • Qigong, Upper Mountains Seed Saving & Gardening Group and Planetary Health Bushcare on Dec 6 • Legalising human composting as a sustainable death care option in NSW • The Climate Risk and Adaptation Plan for the Blue Mountains
We are so excited to be launching revolutionary new fire protection coatings that can stop your home burning down and slow the spread of fire. Learn more and pick up a sample pot at the Planetary Health Expo on Sat 22 Nov at 10am. FIRECOAT interior and exterior undercoat has been developed by scientists at UNSW and is already available for this fire season but new products will also be shared at the Expo, including a flexible fire-protective covering designed for temporary use on windows, doors, poles, fences, vehicles, equipment and other small assets. There is even a product that can create a fire-protective barrier around your home and these assets. FIRECOAT is waterproof, non toxic and game changing. Register here to attend the launch (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J and PLEASE SHARE. This breakthrough technology can help make our communities safer.
We’re thrilled that engineer Mark Liebman, who built a green roof in Blackheath, will be giving a free talk at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 November. Green roofs cool buildings, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get tips on how to do it yourself. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are there native bees and insects in your garden? Today is the first day of Australian Pollinator Week and native bee ecologist and musician @amelie_ecology has just released a new single with Costa Georgiadis @costasworld called ‘Not all Pests’. We’re thrilled that Amelie will be performing her songs and running a free interactive workshop on what we can do to support our native pollinators at the Planetary Health Expo and Family Day on Saturday 22nd November. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
and you can stream ’Not all Pests’ here (link in profile): https://amelieecology.bandcamp.com/track/not-all-pests
There are so many ways to have a greener healthier Christmas! Ever thought of giving a voucher for Tai Chi and Qigong classes? You can try out one of our Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre this Saturday at 9am. Tutor Virginia Field is currently introducing Qigong`s 5-Animals Play, an ancient practice which developed from observing animals and mimicking their behaviour. Reserve a spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3JlOAXh Find other ideas for a greener Christmas on Council`s website here: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/greenchristmas
Or come along to our Expo and Family Day on 22 November and try out some other great options like drumming classes, sewing and fashion upcycling! Register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025
We’ve had some great news! Santa is coming to the free Community BBQ at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Saturday 22 November. He’s arriving early to help us celebrate Christmas in a way that’s safer and healthier for us and the planet, and he’s let us know that he’ll be giving everyone who comes a free fire-retardant plant for their garden. We’re so thrilled we’re putting on fun family events for the day: from a fabulous free drumming workshop with Emily from Hands, Heart and Feet, to live music and a pollinator hunt with Amelie Ecology, and workshops to create plastic-free Christmas presents. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet the RFS, NSW Fire & Rescue, Red Cross and other emergency services. Come and learn ways to keep the family safe while also having fun, enjoying a coffee, sampling some plant-based sweets and a free BBQ lunch, and taking home lots of useful information about hazardous materials and preparing for extreme weather events! Register here to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025?
Gabiann has worked as in-house writer/editor for Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières across Australia, Africa and the Asia Pacific. She is an award winning novelist and children’s book author, having won or been shortlisted for several Australian and international writing prizes. She was one of the key designers and the writer of the award-winning multimedia interactive narrative, Kids Together Now, which focuses on helping children deal with issues around bullying and racism. In addition to her role as storyteller for the Planetary Health Initiative, she tutors in narrative and writing at Macquarie University and works as a writer, story developer and script producer.
There is a little bit of magic happening on Wednesdays at the Planetary Health Centre as young volunteers from Kindlehill School, and Council staff, work together to create a demonstration site for the wider community. This hands-on program is inspiring all involved, including teacher Sarah Daniel.
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_threadsIcon_order" in /srv/users/katoomba/apps/production/public/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 165
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_blueskyIcon_order" in /srv/users/katoomba/apps/production/public/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 170
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_bluesky_display" in /srv/users/katoomba/apps/production/public/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 266
Enjoyed this article? Please help spread the word :)
Support the Future of Solutions-Focused Neighbourhood News
