Taste of Summer has announced Speak UP! Stay ChatTY as its charity partner for this year, with festival-goers able to donate when purchasing tickets and through a new can and bottle recycling initiative.
The Hobart festival, which opens today at noon, selected the Tasmanian mental health organisation after receiving strong interest from multiple charities through an expression of interest process.
Taste of Summer General Manager Katharine Dean said Speak UP! Stay ChatTY aligned well with the festival’s values.
“They were very interested in coming on site and having a presence during the festival and having some activations which we felt was really valuable,” she said.
Festival-goers can make contributions when buying tickets online, with Dean encouraging even small donations to support the cause.
A new partnership with Recycle Rewards will also see funds from returned cans and bottles donated to Speak UP! Stay ChatTY throughout the event.
“This year, by working with Recycle Rewards, it’s removing another whole element from our waste,” Dean said.
“We’re really excited to test it this year and see how successful it is.”
Last year’s inaugural charity partnership with Hobart City Mission raised over $10,000, prompting organisers to expand the initiative.
Speak UP! Stay ChatTY works to promote positive mental health and prevent suicide through awareness campaigns and community programs.
The festival runs from 27 December to 3 January at Princes Wharf, with several sessions already sold out.
Organisers say ticket sales have surged in recent days, with the Yacht Club selling out for the first few days and New Year’s Eve proving particularly popular.
New features this year include a sports garden with a large outdoor screen showing cricket and summer sports, allowing visitors to watch from the Salamanca lawns while enjoying Tasmanian food and drinks.
Dean said the team was excited to open doors at noon on Saturday.
