More than 600 people enjoyed e-bike rides, expert advice and induction cooking demos on June 22 at the Go Electric Open Day in Thirroul.
Organised by the Rewiring Australia team and Electrify Illawarra volunteers, the free event was a family-friendly showcase of renewable energy, feeding into residents’ growing desire to electrify their homes, save cash and reduce their carbon footprints.
It also celebrated the launch of the new book Plug In! The Electrification Handbook by Rewiring Australia’s co-founder, Austinmer engineer Dr Saul Griffith.
Electrify 2515 delivered an update on its Community Pilot program and experts shared information about solar, batteries and household electrification. The expo also included an electric car show, door prizes, stalls and activities for all ages.
It was all part of a busy winter Sunday on the coast, with the expo taking place at Club Thirroul, while soccer games played out next door at Thomas Gibson Park.
The Illawarra Flame asked four locals – including Dr Saul's dad – to tell us more.
Ross Griffith, Thirroul
“I came out to watch my granddaughter play soccer and to hear my son, Saul, talk. I taught him everything he knows," Ross said, joking.
“We raised Saul to want to understand the world and how it works, and he does. He had the opportunity to build things at home and that was important. His mother is a very creative person, and he is very talented with being able to draw anything. In some of his lectures, he actually draws everything as he goes.
“We had a workshop and I had the philosophy that if it needed fixing, we could probably fix it, and we should try. He learned a lot about re-engineering, pulling things apart and putting them together with a new bit in it. We’re very proud that he's chosen to take on the challenge of helping the world to understand that it’s possible to do things differently.
“We also had a philosophy that our two children were not allowed in our house to say they were bored. They had plenty of things to do and we would encourage them, giving the kids opportunity to to make things, to experiment – learn to cook, learn to cut their own tree branches off, fix up the fence and all that sort of thing. Just be capable of running your own life and understanding the importance of being involved in it. You don't have to be bored. Life is not to be boring. Life is meant to be much more valuable than that.
“It’s been a fantastic day for me, because I saw my granddaughter score a goal, it’s a beautiful day in the South Coast of New South Wales and it’s great to be alive.”
Luke Gelder, Thirroul
“I’ve come out today to see how Electrify 2515’s pilot program went," Luke said. "And I am very happy to see it’s doing well. [Cunningham MP] Alison Byrnes and [Greens councillor] Jess Whittaker are here, and Saul Griffith will be on stage later. I’m excited about his new book, I’ll have a geez and give it to my parents so that they can read about the renewable electrification journey.”
Rachel, Bulli
“I’ve been a member on the mailing list for Electrify 2515 for a while," Rachel said. "We started with our electric scooters, and when we need to replace our stovetop, we’ll do that, and the water heater as well, and then we’ll be completely electric. Today we’ve brought our electric scooters to show.
“Apart from feeling good, and being fun to ride, the scooters are also very cheap. Every time we ride past a fuel station, the prices are still sky high, and we just plug these in at home and [it] costs us virtually nothing. The rego is cheaper, the insurance is cheaper, the upkeep is hardly anything. It’s way, way cheaper than a car.
"It feels good and it’s completely silent when you’re riding it.”
Anne, Balgownie
“I’ve come to help out a group called the Knitting Nannas who are supporting everything to do with renewables," Anne said. "And also because I’m interested in finding out a little bit more about induction cooktops and heat pumps. I want to find out about the costs involved in getting off gas and replacing it with induction.”
