YouTube sensation, esteemed author and upcycling guru Beau Miles will headline this year's Living Smart Festival in Lake Macquarie.
Miles, whose quirky online videos include efforts turning "junk" into usable items like paddles, desks and chicken coops, will feature at the 19 September event alongside a host of presenters and other guests celebrating sustainable living, innovation and cultural connection.
"I remember seeing a friend of mine pick up rubbish once when she had no idea anyone was watching," Miles said.
"I will forever think of that moment and that human action as a brilliant moral foundation, and I know that my best storytelling often shows moments that register this kind of genuine truth."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the Living Smart Festival was in its 15th year of inspiring people to protect the planet by thinking globally and acting locally.
"Everyday sustainable choices can make a big difference," he said.
"Beau Miles is a shining example of that principle and I'm looking forward to him sharing his thoughts and life experiences with the Living Smart crowd."
Miles, who describes himself as "odd, offbeat and authentic", will host a 45-minute presentation as part of the day's program, along with a separate 45-minute hands-on workshop.
He will also judge the perennially popular school garden bed competition, where teams from schools across Lake Macquarie create imaginative and whimsical garden beds that reflect the festival's sustainability and inclusion themes.
Applications are now open for stallholders and food vendors interested in participating in this year's festival, set to take place in Speers Point Park.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships Matt Holloway said stallholders were encouraged to "walk the talk" when it came to their own sustainability practices.
"We're keen to partner with stallholders and food vendors who source local products and services, avoid waste and single-use items, use recyclable materials and/or tap into our circular economy," he said.
Living Smart Festival 2026 is proudly sponsored by Hunter Resource Recovery, University of Newcastle, Hunter Water, Solo Resource Recovery and Source Separation Systems.
Go to livingsmartfestival.com.au
