Affectionately known as one of the Sunshine Coasts’ favourite family events, an estimated 3000 people flocked
to Noosa Pengari Steiner School last Sunday to enjoy a wonderful and enriching day at the Steiner
Children’s Festival. Set on 16ha in Doonan, this bright and sun filled hinterland setting
provided the perfect back drop for a festival that very much lived up to its vibrant grass roots reputation.
This year marks the 100 year anniversary of Waldorf education globally and with the international theme
of ‘Bees and Trees’, which is close to the heart of the school. The students of Noosa Pengari Steiner
School have been developing a living bee ecosystem over the past three years and there are now 20 European
honey bee hives located around the school. Students participate in the bee husbandry required to
naturally look after bees and in return sell their honey in their own micro business called Pengari Honey.
The schools much publicised sustainability efforts also paid off, with waste reduction to almost zero due
to the carefully positioned recycling and composting bins resulting in very little waste headed for landfill.
Families young and old could be seen enjoying the festivities of the day and taking part in the many
handicrafts and adventure play activities on offer.
