By Abbey Cannan
Turning beach plastic into sustainable jewellery has earned a Noosa school girl an episode on a popular television series.
Olivia Gilchrist, 14, will showcase her business Ocean Ears Noosa on Channel 9’s My Way documentary, which is due to air on 12 February at 5:30pm.
“The idea of cleaning up and making something attractive is a win win,” Olivia said.
“I love where we live and hate to think of it being polluted by all the micro-plastics.
“Lots of people see us picking up plastic and think it’s great and then they start doing it as well. Every little bit helps.”
It all started when she was walking her family dog Barkley on Sunshine Beach and couldn’t help but notice all the plastic washed up on the shoreline.
“It was so colourful, I thought it might look nice set in resin,” Olivia said.
“I had a business course at school which involved creating an eco friendly product to sell at Eumundi Markets and everything seemed to fall into place. I was cleaning up the beach and up-cycling the plastic at the same time. My sister came up with the tag line Pretty Rubbish.”
Her earrings are now stocked at Entity Coffee in Sunshine Beach, Laneway, Revival Wellness studio, Tres Noosa and the Tourist Information Centre on Hastings St as part of their eco gift guide display.
“I love the process of making the earrings. We collect the whole rainbow of coloured plastic, so I can make what I like,” Olivia said.
“My signature range is like the beach with sand and blue to white ombre, but I also love rainbow and fruit designs. People request all sorts of colours from my Etsy and Instagram sites.
“I am so happy that people like what I do for a hobby. I keep saying I would like a job, but my parents say ‘You have a job making earrings’.
“I am saving my money to buy a house where I can have lots of dogs.”
Olivia said filming for Channel 9’s My Way documentary was a little bit intimidating at first.
“I didn’t really like the attention and the camera in my face,” she said.
“The crew were really lovely and put me at ease.
“They filmed me collecting the plastic and it was a perfect Noosa day.
“They spoke to Ben from Entity Coffee, who was the first person to stock my earrings and also to my business teacher, Mr Nevin, who has been very supportive. They then filmed me at home making the earrings. I am nervous about how it will turn out.”
Check out Ocean Ears Noosa on her Etsy shop and find her on Instagram @oceanears_noosa.
“I hope my business will keep going even though my business course has finished,” Olivia said.
“I have learned a lot and still love making the earrings. There is a competition later this year that I am being entered in and I would love to do well in that.”
