Inaugural Op Shop Ball to unite the Illawarra's eco-conscious community and promote Global Climate Change Week
The global fast fashion industry produces 10 per cent of all humanity's carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of the world's water supply and pollutes oceans with microplastics. It also creates mountains of waste, trashed in poorer countries, far away from our eyes.
Australians contribute to it too. Every year, we buy around 27 kilograms of new clothing per person and throw out further 23 kilograms. This means up to 800,000 tons of clothing and textiles end up in landfill.
In a bid to celebrate the University of Wollongong's (UOW) vibrant eco-conscious community and in a strong commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the University - along with Green Connect and UOW Pulse - decided to organise an Op Shop Ball, an evening full of sustainable fashion, locally sourced and produced vegetarian food, funky music and inspiring conversations.
Taking place on Saturday October 15th at 6 pm in the Innovation Campus' Central Building, the event - a first of its kind for the University - will be a part of the UOW Global Climate Change Week celebrations, which this year focuses on 'Planet-Positive Partnerships'.
"UOW Pulse, UOW and Green Connect have long been committed to sustainability and climate action. The inaugural Op Shop Ball is a fun way to raise awareness and foster change during this year's Global Climate Change Week.
"Our guests will enjoy sustainably sourced and produced food, they'll be entertained by local musicians and enjoy an op-shop-inspired fashion parade to show how we can buy less fast fashion and reduce landfill," said Alf Maccioni, Chief Executive Officer of UOW Pulse.
The keynote speaker during the night will be Claire O'Rourke, an author, environmentalist and fierce climate advocate with two decades of work in journalism, communications and campaigns across Australia and around the world. In her newest book, Together We Can, Claire tells stories of people in Australia committed to making a difference: food producers, sportspeople, financiers, psychologists, First Nations people, entrepreneurs, public servants, scientists, teachers, actors, farmers, students and retirees.
The entertainment will be top-notch. The Con Artists and 1140 Street Band will play some tunes, and there'll be a pop-up fashion parade showcasing how to 'Op Shop Like a Pro', pick day-to-night outfits and reduce landfill waste.
Proceeds from the night will go towards funding a UOW scholarship for a student in the sustainability space.
