Charlotte Varcoe
THE past decade has been a fairy tale for organisers of the Recycled Runway fundraiser, with the 2022 event marking 10 years since its humble beginnings.
Promoting reducing, reusing and recycling second hand clothing, the theme this year of Enchanted Forests is expected to bring out the best in local sewing creativity.
Participants purchase a reusable bag full of material they can use to create new clothes according to the theme, which will then be modelled in a fashion show on August 27.
Initially, the event was held in conjunction with the Belltower Opportunity Shop and the Mount Gambier Library as a finale for environmental awareness month, but now the annual event is a well known and loved fundraiser for Mount Gambier’s ac.care organisation.
Organiser and Belltower volunteer Trudy-Anne Doyle said she never expected the event to last a decade.
“At first we just thought it would be a fun idea to run alongside the environmental month and we did that for a number of years through the library, but it kept getting bigger and bigger until we couldn’t do it anymore because it was too much work for the library,” Ms Doyle said.
“That was when we decided to take it on as a fundraiser for ac.care and although we weren’t sure if it would be successful, we just went with it and it has since grown into what it is now.”
Ms Doyle said she was excited to see what contestants would come up with to incorporate the theme this year.
“We have sold a great number of bags so far which is fantastic and a lot more schools and fresh faces have also gotten on board,” she said.
“The theme has gained a lot of traction and everyone loves it as it is quite broad and gives a lot of options.
“If people make a mistake with some of the garments in the bag then they are able to come into the shop and have a chat with volunteers and we can find something similar for them to use instead because we really want people to have the opportunity to give it their best go.”
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary, Ms Doyle said there were also a number of VIPs invited for the event, including Mount Gambier Library team leader Kristi Brooks who helped organise the event during the early years.
Ms Brooks said she thought it was wonderful to see the event develop into an annual highlight for many people.
“It has been a great way to showcase local talent and the incredible skills of local people as they pull together amazing outfits from bags which would normally go to landfill,” Ms Brooks said.
Bags are still available for sale at the opportunity shop until sold out, with all completed outfits due to be returned to the Belltower shop before August 1.
