What do you reckon? Connecting People, Land, Food, Life

Stacie, Oasis Cafe Elmore

Happy place is "Outside by the bonfire. Nothing better than a hot fire and a cold can!" Favourite activity is "watching my daughters play footy" "I think people needs to look after it more and be more aware."

Sparrow Daley, Wild Food Workshops

"My happy place in nature is Lake Tom Thumb in Eaglehawk because I've walked there since a child and enjoy harvesting wild foods there. My favourite activity is playing live music and achieving catharsis during it. I think people have been disconnected from nature for my whole life and we must reconnect if we, as humanity, wants to survive and flourish"

Wayne, Heathcote Newsagency

"My happy place is by the big gum tree on my property" "My favourite activity is riding my motorbike, particularly love Trentham but anywhere is good" "I don't think there is a strong enough connection between people and the environment, and I think every chance we can get we should take and enjoy nature"

Yvette, CreatAbility

Yvette is active and loves the opportunity to walk through the natural environment

Travis, Elmore Bakery

Bec Huddy, Bendigo Regional Food Alliance

"My happy place in nature in One Tree Hill because it's peaceful. My favourite activity is bush walking at One Tree Hill. It's important to have time in the natural environment, it benefits our mental health."

Sandra, Heathcote Changemaker

"My happy place is out bush by a stream because of the peace, quietness and stillness. You can sit and reflect." "My favourite activity is walking; keeping healthy and embracing nature and meditating while walking. I also like gardening, I like to nurture and see things grow. I learn a lot from gardening, how it copes with the environment, wind, weather, rabbits. It's about how it survives." "People who are connected to the environment are similar minded and you can connect anywhere in the world and relate and communicate with them."

Kelsey Griffin, Bendigo Spirit and Ambassador Fresh Fruit Fridays

"My happy place in nature is in Homer, Alaska where I use to go camping with my family growing up. I love playing basketball, mountain biking and hiking. I love being competitive in sport, but I also love being outside and enjoying nature. I think the connection is so important!"

Habibeh, Htee & Say, BSSC

Habibeh: "My favourite place is lakes and parks to go with our family and play soccer." "We do physical activities at the parks and stay healthy and it is also a good gathering place for families." "A nice natural environment can impact peoples lives in different dimensions such as mental. I think people need to go outdoors to have a connection with nature." Htee: "My happy place is in Rosi park." "My favourite activity is soccer because it really makes me happy and it's a beautiful game." Say: "My favourite place in nature is Rosi park because the place is beautiful and smells fresh" "My favourite activity if soccer because it is fun"

David, North Central CMA

"My happy place in nature is on a boat off a NQ island and my favourite activity is fishing and playing with grand children

Outdoor Education Students at BSSC

Maxine, Rock Hard Kettle Bell Club

Nicholas, CreatAbility

Nicholas draws inspiration from the natural world

Belinda Moore, Geelong

"Down by the beach with the dogs makes me #happy"

Zara and Bridie, BSSC

Kyra, CreatAbility

Kyra loves getting out in her modified bicycle

Rohan Hogan, North Central CMA

BSSC

"My happy place in nature is in the garden with my dog Tess." "Gardening is where I get peace within myself whilst I pull out the weeds." "The connection of people and nature is in the partnership"

Kathryn, Billie & Thomas, BSSC

Kathryn: "My favourite place in nature is my family farm. I love the simplicity and uniqueness of the landscape." "My favourite activity is simply spending time with the ones I love." "The connection is vital; the trees give us life and the parks keep our heads clear." Billie: "My happy place in nature is the bush" "My favourite activity is writing because it allows me to express my ideas and it is very peaceful" Thomas: "The bush behind my house in a seat carved into a tree." "Taking my boxer puppy for a walk through the bush."

Lisa, Ballarat

"My happy place is in nature with the fresh air because there you can feel a freedom and connectedness with everything. It puts things in perspective and being alive makes sense when in nature. It’s a good calm place to be." "My favourite activity is gardening and anything to do with nature. I love having a productive garden and a beautiful outdoor space. I also love teaching yoga for my own health and wellbeing. Doing yoga in the garden is the perfect activity!" "People and nature are all united, there is a connection between everything. If we see things that way we are kinder to ourselves and the planet."

Raychell, North Central CMA

My happy place in nature is listening to the kookaburras during the early hours. My favourite activity is snowboarding - Yeh!

Kate, CreatAbility

Kate enjoys the social aspect of being outdoors

Sandra, Life FM Bendigo

"This sums up my connection with nature - a meal from my garden. There's also connection with family, physical and mental wellbeing and it's accessible every day."

Rainer, Bendigo Senior Secondary College

"My happy place is at the beach. My favourite activity is motorbiking out the bush and I think it is important to have a connection with the outdoors so we can understand why we need to protect it."

Andy Sloane, Bendigo Health and GREATER

Bridie, BSSC

"My happy place is everywhere there is native, but particularly in a forest or mountain place. Or the beach or Lake Weeroona." "My favourite activity is playing guitar, chilling in the park." "People need to have a connection with nature. I think that is important to relax with nature and to create a deeper connection with it"

Taradale Community Trees

Jon from Taradale and Glenn from Golden City Support Services enjoy tending to old fruit trees

Tony, BSSC

"I enjoy the smells, sights and sounds of the forest. I love bushwalking and in particular observing closely." "The connection is vital if the environment is to be appreciates and cared for."

Cheryl, CreatAbility

Cheryl spends time in the garden noticing the birdlife that is attracted there

Zara, BSSC

"My backyard- I live in the bush surrounded by Greybox trees and native birds." "Painting outside and playing with my doggo" "My connection with nature is beyond strong. I love animals and I love trees and connect with their spirits"

Cass, North Central CMA

"My happy place in nature is when I'm surrounded by the Box Ironbark Forest and my favourite activity is taking photos of mushrooms"

Paul, Haven; Home, Safe

"Walking the Goldfields Track on Mt Alexander is just one of my many happy places in nature"

Students at BSSC

Krista, North Central CMA

"My happy place in nature is camping and fishing. My favourite activity is spending time with my family."

Judy Crocker, Mid Loddon Landcare Network

"My happy place in nature is in the forest, it's peaceful. My favourite activity is being in the environment. The connection between people and the natural environment is absolutely necessary."

Bendigo Senior Secondary College

"My favourite activity is fishing"

Greg from CreatAbility

Greg enjoys what is found here in Central Victoria

Sarah Lee, Rock Hard Kettle Bell Club

Community Leaders John, Andy and Rohan

John Willis, Andy Sloane and Rohan Hogan, part of the team bringing "Connecting" together for the Greater Bendigo Curriculum for Change

Sonia, North Central CMA

"My happy place in nature is on the beach and my favourite activity is being in the great outdoors with family..."

Greg and Cheryl, from Young Australians Plan for the Planet

"My happy place in nature is anywhere there’s trees. They’re everyone’s friend, the more the better." "My favourite activity is promoting positive change, cause it feels good and laughing, cause it’s funny." "We never could live without the environment, some seem to have just forgotten this. If it collapses…"

Kyra, CreatAbility

Kyra loves getting out in her modified bicycle