Environmental charity Co-Exist launches Rising Up Fest to inspire young generations

A Sunshine Coast-based charity is hosting the region’s first festival focused on the environment with a movie screening to give insight into issues and encourage young people to take action.

20-year-old Kurt Jones, CEO of Co-Exist. Photo: Patrick Woods.

An environmental charity based on the Sunshine Coast is hosting its first major event complete with live music, food and market stalls and a movie screening to celebrate the oceans and inspire change.

Co-Exist Australia is hosting the Rising Up Festival at The Station in Birtinya on September 20, celebrating “our ocean, environment and the people that protect it”.

The festival is named after the film Rising Up, which will be premiered on the night and follows the journey of Take 3 for the Sea ambassador Kal Glanznig travelling the globe to visit the “frontlines” of environmental issues and solutions to inspire the young to take action.

The event will also offer live music, food and drink and market stalls as well as the opportunity to talk with other environmental groups and “like-minded individuals”.

The bar will also be open.

RIsing Up Festival hosted by Co-Exist Australia.

Co-Exist was founded by 20-year-old Kurt Jones who has hosted clean-ups, tree-planting excursions, hikes and other activities across Australia to connect young people with nature and positively impact the environment.

Mr Jones said the event was the first of its kind on the Sunshine Coast celebrating the environment as well as the first time his organisation would host a large-scale community festival.

“If I can get anything out of this event, I want to gather those that love the oceans and the environment and re-inspire them to go and create change in the community,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Glanznig had approached Co-Exist asking to premiere his film through the charity, which has been hosting small screening events across Australia.

Owners Chris and Lauren Hignett of The Station/old Night Quarter venue will be reopening in March. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The festival will have a Q+A session and panel with Mr Jones, Mr Glanznig, Sunshine Coast Council Biosphere youth advisory member Ella Woodburn and The Good Human Factory founder Cooper Chapman.

If successful, Mr Jones hopes to host the festival annually.

Mr Jones said he had kept tickets cheap at $15 with all funding to be directed to marine debris and reforestation projects.

He said Co-Exist had taken a risk splurging and hiring out a huge venue but has received sponsorship from various organisations including Sunshine Coast Biosphere, Hello Lendy and Go to Zero as well as The Station providing a significant discount.

Originally published as Environmental charity Co-Exist launches Rising Up Fest to inspire young generations