With kids thinking about funding their own projects, change was in the wind. MK Member, Shay, pitched at the Vic Park Soup, a community event developed to fund local projects. Shay won the pot of coins and was able to start his own turtle bag initiative. MK then pitched in and gave him a loan to get his project up and running. Silk screening calico bags, selling the bags and spreading his plastic free message at Vic Park Markets not only raised awareness of the plastic bag issue but was a fabulous opportunity to learn new skills.
Funds raised by Shay helped women in Indonesia start their own small business through a donation to Bamboo Micro Credit

But sourcing ethical bags was the problem. How to make the bags without falling into the trap of child labour?
Bella P and Bonnie had an idea to rescue clean fabric destined for landfill.

CEO Cat needed to get skilled up so in 2015 she saw the writing on the walls and pitched the idea of a recycled bag concept to School for Social Entrepreneurs to learn about social enterprise and the skills needed to meet the needs of a changing world – how to fund your own initiatives?

Guided by co founders Thea and Ani with artwork by Bella T, The Willy Wagtail Project was born – in memory of dear Pip, a feisty ‘come follow me, let’s change the world” type of girl.

With kids sourcing clean fabrics destined for landfill, a series of workshops were held across the Perth metropolitan area. With funding support from Jack Johnson, Suez Grants and the Waste Authority kids explored ways to keep clean waste out of landfill and raise awareness about how each of us can make a difference to our waste footprint.

Highlight of 2016

Low Carbon Schools – One Thousand Actions for the Planet 

With support from PROSH UWA and City of Fremantle Millennium Kids collaborated on the Low Carbon Schools program to launch One Thousand Actions for the Planet. Over 500 young people from across the Perth metropolitan area participated  in the leadership training and subsequent Pitch for the Planet events held in South Perth, Kalgoorlie and Cockburn.

Inaugural Climathon – Climate-KIC Winners Perth 

Our MK team of Thea, Bella, Anita, Cat and Craig, an intergeneration team,  came up with a crazy innovative solution to the WA Challenge: “The experience of a low emission street lighting in Fremantle”. With Biofluorescence and interactive solar lighting  sharing the footpaths our team designed a lighting  experience that not only lit up the City of Fremantle, but gave tourists an experience to remember – think a cycling experience to power the lights.

Why not check out this years event at Climathon