JunkFest 2025
Magnetic Island
JUNKFEST 2025
Inspired by the vibrant spirit of the Katherine Junk Festival, this exciting event on Magnetic Island transformed waste into wonder!
JunkFest was a celebration of art, culture, and sustainability, where discarded items became extraordinary sculptures, fashion, and more. This family-friendly festival promotes creativity, community, and a greener planet. This is also a Zero Waste event.
It's a wrap!
This short film captured the colour, energy, and innovation of a community turning waste into art, fashion, and climate action at JunkFest 2025. Be inspired to rethink waste, support the island’s sustainability goals, and see how creative community action can spark a cleaner, greener future — not just for Magnetic Island, but for all communities.
JunkFest 2025 Sustainability Report
This report was prepared with stakeholders Eco Trilogy and Boomerang Alliance. JunkFest 2025 successfully demonstrated how a community-led event can combine artistic creativity with environmental responsibility. Through planning, messaging, and collaboration, the festival achieved over 90% waste reduction compared to conventional events. It provides a model for future Zero Waste festivals — proving that sustainability can be both inspiring and achievable when the community works together.
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READ THE > JUNKFEST SUSTAINABILITY EVENT REPORT
READ THE > MAGNETIC ISLAND ZERO WASTE STRATEGY
WHAT WAS JUNKFEST 2025?
win up to $500 CASH ON THE DAY!
Come in your best outfit ON THE DAY, enter the FASHION competition between 10am-11am and join the fashion parade for your chance to WIN up to $500 CASH!
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See over 50 fabulous junk creations on display!
PRIZE CATEGORIES!
JUNK FASHION
Adults: $500 cash prize
Under 16: $250 cash prize
Sponsored by: Town Island Couriers
and Containers For Change
JUNK ART
Adults: $500 cash prize
Under 16: $250 cash prize
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Sponsored by: Magnetic Group
and Containers For Change
JUNK SCHOOLS/GROUPS
JUNK ACCESSORIES
Adults: $500 cash prize
Under 16: $250 cash prize
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Sponsored by: Maggie Island Brewery
and Containers For Change
JUNK SCULPTURE
JUNK PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Entries have now closed for the Junk Art, Junk Sculpture and Junk Schools/Groups BUT remember to come in your best outfit ON THE DAY, enter the FASHION competition between 10am-11am, and join the fashion parade for your chance to WIN!
PLEASE NOTE!: We’ll treat your junk creation with care, but can’t take responsibility for its antics. By entering you agree that you will leave your artwork at your own risk. It will be displayed outdoors, and possibly overnight. See you at JunkFest!
BIG EYE THEATRE
DANCE PERFORMANCE & Market
FREE PERFORMANCE!
11am - 11.20am in the Markets
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We're excited to have Big Eye Theatre at JunkFest! They'll be doing a special dance performance on the day, where you will be invited to join them.
They'll also have a market stall, so come along and be part of something special!
JUNKFEST ACTIVITIES
WEAVING PROJECT
FREE
10am to 2.00pm
Inside Main Gate
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Join Terri Aldridge from Katherine Junk Festival at this fun Weaving Project. Stay as long as you like and add to the junk masterpiece that will be created on the day!
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Suitable for kids, families and adults.
COLOUR IN COMP
FREE
10am - 2pm
Inside Main Gate
Hey kids, come and colour in 'Tinker' our mascot on the day for your chance to win a prize!
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Want to start in the School Holidays and bring your completed artwork to JunkFest?
Simply download the colour-in outline artwork here.
KIDS' Craft Zone
FREE
10.30am - 12.30pm
At Markets
Kids come and join local artist Hannah Aiello and create fun art projects on the day!
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Suitable for kids and families.
RESIN
WORKSHOP
Cost: $5 - $10
10.15am - 2.00pm
At Markets
Turn Waste into Wearables & Objects with Sara Cole.
Using bio-resin combined with recycled glass, coffee grounds, and eggshells, you’ll use a mould of your choice to make your own pot, ring, bracelet, or small object. After 2–3 hours of curing, your piece will be ready to take home.
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Suitable for kids, families and adults.
MARKETS & FUN
10am - 4pm
Come and browse our markets, info and demo stalls under the cool trees - the Horseshoe Bay Skate Park is also right next door!
LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY!
We'll have live music on the main stage all day for you to enjoy!
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10am - 1pm: Woody
Let the festivities begin as Woody fires up his accordion and some great tunes to get us into the swing of things.
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1pm - 4pm: Freaky Bizness
Offering a mix of funk, reggae, ska and artful soul, this 6-piece band features spicy horns, hypnotising arrangements and a rhythm section driving harder than a stolen Hilux, these recidivist funksters will get you moving!
JUNK FASHION PARADE
1.30pm - MAIN STAGE
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Remember to come in your best outfit ON THE DAY, enter the FASHION competition between 10am-11am, and join the fashion parade for your chance to WIN!
PROGRAM
It's FREE ENTRY so come and enjoy the fun!
ZERO WASTE AT JUNKFEST
How is JunkFest aiming to be the first large event on Magnetic Island that is Zero Waste?
SORTING WASTE
USING
REUSABLES
Eco Trilogy will provide a wash service for all food and drink service items like cups, cutlery, plates etc.
Yummy food and drink from food stalls will be served on re-usable plates and cups and use reusable cutlery.
BYO WATER
BOTTLES
BYO water bottles and refill them for FREE at our Water Refill Station/Hydration Station.
REDUCING WASTE
Minimal single use plastic at our excellent market, info and workshop stalls.
RECYCLING FOOD
All food scraps will be processed into soil conditioner in the Reef Assist Bio-Regen Centre right here in Horseshoe Bay!
Meet our judges!
Terri Aldridge
Weaver and Junk Festival Enthusiast
Terri is a basket weaver, social worker, and junk festival enthusiast and lives on Whadjuk Country, Borloo (Perth), WA.
Her passion for fibre and textile and reusing things discarded, unloved, unwanted and destined for landfill was ignited with a weaving opportunity at Barunga Festival, Northern Territory and later the Stronbala Wimun Grup.
Terri was a board member with Katherine Regional Arts where she contributed to the Katherine Junk Art Festival.
Terri is passionate about sharing her skills, having a yarn, and spread the word about recycling.
Maureen Alsop
Poet and Artist
Maureen Alsop, Ph.D. is an author of five poetry collections and the visual poetry collection Tender to Empress.
A winner of the Tony Quagliano International Poetry Award and other honors, her poems have been published in journals such as AGNI and The Kenyon Review.
Her visual art has been featured at the Riverside Arts Museum.
She holds an MFA from Vermont College, teaches at the Poetry Barn, and is a board member for AIM Higher, an organization promoting mentorship for women in the arts.
Daniel Qualischefski
Curator, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts
Daniel Qualischefski is a curator, arts professional and artist who has worked in regional and contemporary galleries across eastern Australia.
His roles have encompassed exhibition and project management, design, public programs, marketing and collection management.
Daniel has delivered a number of significant projects in his roles at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts over the past six years.
FESTIVAL LOCATION
Horseshoe Bay Community Centre
(Next to the Skate Park)
70 Horseshoe Bay Road
Horseshoe Bay
Magnetic Island QLD 4819
