Message From Susy

Welcome to Edition 16 of Fair News.
It's been a busy few months, lots and lots happening in the lead-up to Fair@Square, some fun stuff as well.
Our Program Guide is finalised. You will be able to get a copy at the event. In the meantime check it out or download from our website and please don't be shy, share it around, see Program.
For the curious ones wanting to get a sneak preview of what to expect at Fair@Square this year, here is a snapshot.

Fair Fashion
Fair Fashion Show is going to be one of the highlights and the official opening of festival. Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out, buy your ticket now Fair Fashion Show Tickets.

We had a pre-event photoshoot at Federation Square, have a look at the amazing looks created by The Body Shop and De Lorenzo
While you are still in fashion mode, our Fair Fashion Media Partner Peppermint is giving away yearly subscriptions, don't forget to Register for your chance to win.

Fair Kitchen
Our Fair Kitchen Program Partner
Youth Projects is bringing along their long standing Celebrity Chef Ambassador, Ian Curley of Conviction Kitchen.

Last week Ian Curley came with us to Cultivating Communities in Fitzroy to pick some fresh produce and invited us back to Siglo the rooftop at The European for a taste of what he is planning to cook at Fair Kitchen
But wait we have more, our friends at Oxfam have organised for Celebrity Chef Daniel Wilson of Huxtable to do a live cooking demo and share one of his recipes.

Fair Living
We worked hard to attempt a world record for the longest row of Carpets for Communities rugs, a whole 150 metres of carpets. You will find these amazing carpets on a creative display at the Fair Living Tent together with the work done by RMIT Textile students

Clothes and shoes by: NMBQ, Melissa, Social Studio

Carpets for Communities longest row of rugs

Ian Curley preparing salad from Cultivating Communities

RMIT Cushion Project for Fair@Square

The work that we do at Moral Fairground gives us the opportunity to meet with some amazing organisations and the people that work in them. We have decided to meet with them and get them to tell us their stories. Over the next 6 months we will be sharing their journeys with you.

Aggie Policafico - Customer Relationship Officer Bendigo Bank

Q. Tell us about Bendigo Bank
A. Bendigo Bank was founded in 1858 in the Bendigo Gold fields. The Bank’s philosophy is to be customer-connected and also to generate positive community outcomes. Bendigo Bank thinks outside the square and partners with its customers in building a better community.

Q. What do you do at Bendigo Bank and how long have you been working there?
A. I’ve been working for the Bendigo Bank for 13 years in many different roles within the customer service field. My job has always allowed me to put people first, hence giving me the enormous personal satisfaction and achieving my ultimate work passion.
Through my banking career with Bendigo Bank I have been able to work with closely with local communities and have had the opportunity to witness and be part of successful community outcomes.
I feel I have contributed to the empowerment of my community and at same time have gained huge personal development and achievement.

Q. What is the favorite part of your job?
A. I try to imagine a life without people who stand up for what they believe in and strive to make the world a better place and that concept is frightening. Hence, the favorite part of my job is to be able to share my philosophy with my customers, colleagues and communities.

Q. What are some of the highlights of your career?
A. The highlight of my career is being able to have a broad range of interactions with the broader community and people from all walks of life. There is a great level of trust and it’s great to see when a community member comes to me for consultation or advice not only at a business level but also at a community level.

Rebekka Carey-Smith

Q. Tell us about Ethical Clothing Australia
A. Ethical Clothing Australia is a joint business–union initiative governed by an independent and not-for-profit committee of management with representation from major stakeholders in the textile, clothing and footwear industry. Ethical Clothing Australia’s primary objective is to assist the local textile, clothing and footwear industry to ensure Australian workers receive fair wages and decent conditions. Through an accreditation and labeling system, textile, clothing and footwear businesses manufacturing in Australia can apply for accreditation with Ethical Clothing Australia to ensure that their supply chain is transparent and legally compliant. Accredited businesses are licensed to display the Ethical Clothing Australia trademark on their Australian-made products to highlight to their consumers that the product they are purchasing was made ethically in Australia.

Q. What do you do at Ethical Clothing and how long have you been working there?
A.I have been working with Ethical Clothing Australia for four months, I am the accreditation advisor for NSW, SA and TAS. I assist businesses to obtain and maintain accreditation by advising them on their legal obligations under the relevant textile, clothing, footwear and associated industries award and ensure they understand what steps they need to take to get there. I also help with promotional initiatives, events and various corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at promoting and facilitating ethical procurement.

Q. What is the favourite part of your job?
A.I get to work with a lot of passionate and creative people in my role and help them to understand the importance of supply chain management. It is great working with so many like- minded people who regard everyone involved in their business as important and deserving as each other.

Q. How does Ethical Clothing empower communities and people?
A. Through our outworker outreach program we empower workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry by educating them on their rights and entitlements in the workplace and help to educate businesses of their obligations to these workers through the compliance assessments as part of our accreditation process. By ensuring that businesses and their employees understand their legal entitlements and obligations and walking them through the process to manage their business in such a way ensures that the future of the textile, clothing and footwear industry and its workers has a solid grounding in Australia and a support system within the industry is maintained.

Fair@Square brings together an amazing array of exhibitors, here is a snapshot of who you are likely to meet and what you can expect to buy:

People & Planet Diary, Calendar and Gift Cards help to raise funds for – and support the work of – a network of 42 Australian partner organisations doing vital work for social justice and the environment.