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"My vision is to bring a fun, fresh approach to the issues of Climate Change and Sustainability. What does that make me!?"
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"My connection with Liz is through my involvement in non-profit social-environmental advocacy and action. She has demonstrated a sharp mind and a strong and focused commitment to effective action - a very potent combination. She has impressed me a great deal with her approach to challenges (and I am not easily impressed). Liz will achieve a lot of worthwhile goals and have a big impact on those around her in the years ahead." -- Peter Driscoll, Learning & Teaching Project Officer, The University of Sydney, was with another company when working with Liz at Liz Page Presents.
Liz Page Bio -
Liz Page Presents is dedicated to the creation of events and spaces that reflect the sacred and bring community together in celebration.
Liz has been a key contributor to personal and social change for over 20 years. She has studied and facilitated a variety of personal development and self empowerment skills for over 20 years and has now coupled this up with her passion for creating events. She has worked as an events manager for over 10 years, developing fun, creative and educational projects and events that have touched the lives of thousands.
One such project is the School of Transmogrification, a school where magic and manifestation are taught to kids and adults of all ages. Liz brought her knowledge and passion for emotional intelligence education and the art of manifesting our chosen reality to the S.O.T program.
Liz Page is also the creator, producer and artistic director of Troupeclectico Alternative Circus which brings magic, circus and sideshow alongside education about climate change issues.
She currently programs and promotes a community venue at Sydney’s Bondi Beach called Ruby’s Place Performance Café and travels Australia as a Sustainable Communities Consultant. Working with communities and promoting sustainable living is Liz’s passion and life’s work.
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"We have been teaching magic tricks and the secrets of Real Magic to kids from 7 to 107."
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Interview with Sydney-based Community Builder and Social Alchemist Liz Page by Willi Paul
“I've had a look at your profile and feel a great affinity with what you do in the world. I am involved with many areas at this time and could not be sure what exactly to talk about in an interview. At this stage of life I am looking to focus my activity into a more directed route and so have more impact on the areas I am most passionate about.
These are Community Development, Sustainability and the Arts as medium for change. I live in Sydney Australia but am currently residing at a Permaculture Community in SE QLD called Crystal Waters. Here I am hoping to bring an Arts program together that will unite the community more and give a platform for social change to happen in a fun yet passionate way.” LP
What do you mean by creating programs to that promote sustainability and the arts as medium for change?
I have worked on arts projects and events that bring information about sustainability and self empowerment to audiences of all ages, particularly youth audiences. These have included:
* The School of Transmogrification, where we have been teaching Magic (tricks) and the secrets of Real Magic to kids from 7 to 107. The Magic tricks are what lures them in and then we sow the seeds of how to create your life as you want it to be and not as it has been presented to you.
* Troupeclectico is an Alternative Circus that delivers a message of hope for a world going astray throuigh an eclectic mix of characters that audiences are drawn to. The magicians, hoola hoopers, sideshow performers and many more weird and wonderful characters speak through their individual performance styles of what’s not working in the world and the importance of taking personal responsibility in making a change.
And most recently I am developing a self-actualizing social event called The Manifesto.
How are working your values for kids and youth?
Youth respond very well to stimulus that engages them in a fun and exciting way, so by combining magic, circus and some fun experiential, interactive games with education about climate change issues we have a passionate audience that is ready and willing to get involved with creating change.
The most important element that often is forgotten is to give them tools to work with to create the change they want to see in the world, otherwise we are just disempowering them.
Is your vision different for these groups vs. adults?
The vision is much the same for adults as for kids. We find that a formula that works well with youth will be effective with all ages. We do not create events or any program that is patronizing to young people, treating them like (children). The programs are for all ages essentially.
Are you more of an urban planner or a program designer?
My vision is to bring a fun, fresh approach to the issues of Climate Change and Sustainability. What does that make me?
Define Community Development at Crystal Waters!
One of my hats is working as a Sustainable Communities Consultant. At Crystal Waters I am looking at introducing some structures that will enable the existing community to function more creatively and cohesively.
Who are the key enemies of green change in Australia?
The term Sustainability and anything Green has come to be exploited by business people looking to make a quick buck from the ‘movement’. It’s very important for people to get together now and form collectives and communities that are in clear communication with one another. We have to be sure not to fall into the pitfalls of commercialization of all things Green or we will fail in our mission to save our home, the Earth.
What metrics are you using to measure the impact / effectiveness of your work?
At this stage I am going on references and recommendations from people and groups I have worked with. I would love to know the effectiveness and actual impact of my work, any suggestions how this can be achieved?
Tell us about your creative tools for global/personal transformation?
The key to global transformation lies in learning to work together in community with open hearts and minds. That is probably one of the most creative things we can do.
For personal transformation there are many tools, and here the key is to keep it fun and not put pressure on ourselves. We will achieve our outcomes through love and acceptance.
It looks like MySpace is hot in your youth media-dominated world. How do you critique this tool?
I view Myspace as predominantly a music search engine. It is a great tool as this, bands have found a free and effective media for their work and we are all happy for that.
What are your preferred social networking sites?
I use Facebook as a networking tool. Not sure of its effectiveness but it’s the best I’ve found at this stage.
Green is rapidly becoming a commercial blurr in the media and the global mind; a clique?
I think it is. Governments and commercial enterprise are all jumping on the green money train. It’s all aimed at derailing us from the real issue and getting us back to where they want our focus to be, buying stuff.
How do you keep the sustainability movement fresh and focused in your circle?
By keeping it playful.
We are not using the ‘green’ words that have been hijacked by the media much. We promote fun and entertainment and make a strong point of who we are where we stand on matters of the earth. This is effective in attracting audiences who are not already ‘the converted’ and sharing our message with a wider demographic.
How have you re-defined localization since you began working? Examples please!
Often communities are not aware of their power as a local group.
A co-operative group of 10 to 1000 people living within a region, coming together on an issue can have the power to affect Government policy and create major change.
We bring information to existing groups within various regions about Government rebates and group purchases on sustainable energy systems such as solar panels and water tanks.
Connections –
Liz Page Presents
Lizpage at yahoo dot com
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