2019 - present

The Ocean Lovers Festival was born in Bondi in 2019 with a mission to bring action and attention to the oceans to the widest possible audience. It is a festival of hope and knowledge, engaging the community with ocean science and innovative solutions, including everyday activities to share. It has a festival platform of Ideas, Art + Music and Actions to create a vibrant destination in Bondi for an annual five-day festival.

The first festival in April 2019 was staged at the Pavilion and Icebergs swimming pool offering films, eco market stalls, environmental ocean focused art, workshops and talks as well a spectacular ocean science installation at the pool.

The festival is the brain child of local ocean lover Anita Kolni. Raised by an Olympic sailing father and passionate environmentalist mother, she saw the need to connect people who love the ocean for their sport and recreation with the awareness, knowledge and solutions to the critical issues now facing the world’s oceans.

With fellow local event expert Carolyn Grant, they developed the uniquely Aussie concept of “Science in your Swimmers”, bringing engaging projects of science and eco innovation right onto the beachfront to connect with the community.

A highlight has been the support of the Bondi Icebergs Club to display the Sea Science installation sunk into the pool. The marine scientists from Sydney Institute of Marine Science, with the support of Volvo as a sponsor, create a Crayweed forest and living sea wall tile display for viewers to literally swim through underwater and find out about amazing ocean restoration projects the public can rarely see beneath Sydney harbour and coast.

The organisers also championed an internationally recognised Mission Blue Hope Spot for the Sydney Coast to highlight the immensely important marine environment and habitat right in our blue backyard.

Local musicians, artists, indigenous custodians, numerous scientists and environmentalists attend with talks and showcases free to the public, alongside practical workshops, eco market stalls, a spectacular Trashion parade and actions for the oceans that have included an Ocean Lovers Lap swim, yoga, surfing and a Big Bondi Beach Clean.

A highlight in year one also saw legendary local filmmaker George Miller present Australia’s shark supremo Valerie Taylor with an Ocean Lovers Lifetime Legend award.

Courtesy Ocean Lovers Festival.