Last Saturday, on a beautiful spring day in Melbourne, in partnership with STREAT, the City of Melbourne and UNAA Victoria held the fifth event in the 2026 Climate and SDGs event series – Climate and Circular Economies: Implications and actions for Melbourne.
Showcasing practical examples of sustainability, circular economy innovation and community-led action, participants discovered ways to reduce food waste and witnessed a circular economy in action at the Queen Victoria Market (QVM).
We were delighted to have the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece open the event and then hear from Jackson Quinn on behalf of our event collaborators World Food Forum Australia Youth Chapter, who let us know about the important work they are undertaking.
Then it was over to the remarkable STREAT team!
Thank you to Rebecca Scott, OAM (CEO STREAT) and Llawela Forrest (General Manager, Purpose Precinct) for facilitating the unique behind the scenes QVM & Purpose Precinct Tour, highlighting the history of QVM, and sharing visions for the future of the QVM and efforts to reduce food wastage alongside various other social enterprises.
Thanks to Vaughn Robbins (STREAT), for operating the Loopy Lab, demonstrating how recovered plastic materials can be transformed into useful tools for everyday use; and Fiona Meighan (STREAT) for the Collaborative Design Lab where participants had the opportunity to design a low environmental impact dinner party; and thank you to Fi Smith & Anna Boltong (STREAT) for inviting participants to learn about quick pickling and food waste prevention while creating their own take-home jar of preserves using surplus produce from the QVM, plus tasting products made from rescued market produce.
During the day, participants also contributed to the City of Melbourne’s interactive pop up about the new Climate and Environment Strategy sharing their ideas for a thriving and resilient city.
Finally, a shoutout to Chethana Mudunna from the UNAA Victoria Future Leaders Network for moderating the first part of the event!
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and made the day very special! We were certainly inspired by all that the STREAT team does in the Purpose Precinct at the QVM. We hope you took away practical tools you can use in everyday life and share with your friends and colleagues to reduce food waste, keep items in use and promote regenerative measures for the future.
Watch out for our next event on October 15.