Helping divert textiles from landfill

Textiles are the biggest product segment at Reverse Garbage Queensland, prompting the launch of Worn OUT as an exhibition to celebrate refashion and creative upcycling.

At the RGQ warehouse in Woolloongabba on October 28, Worn OUT showcased 35 refashioned garments made by a dozen creatives from around Australia.

Co-curators Jane Milburn, left, and Elizabeth Kingston, right with a Karen Benjamin plastic dress.

Coordinator Bill Ennals said textiles had easily become RGQ’s fastest-growing segment in the past few years with local businesses diverting excess stock to the warehouse for resale rather than sending it to landfill.  Continue Reading →

A campaign of Jane Milburn’s making

wearing Textile Beat

There’s nothing like fresh perspective to recalibrate what is important in your life, how best to invest energy and utilise  talents to achieve something for the greater good.

Studying last year for a Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership through James Cook University and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation helped crystallise things and this year bring it all together with a creative campaign of my own.

I’m an agricultural scientist by training and my first professional job was as ABC rural reporter working in radio and television in Victoria and Queensland. Now I’m on a 365-day journey with the Sew it Again project to inspire creative upcycling of natural fibre garments and help revive home-sewing as a life-skill akin to cooking. Continue Reading →