General News
16 May, 2025
Event to spark residents’ electric interest
An electric event next Saturday promises to show locals how electricity can fit into their lives, from the best appliances through to electric vehicles (EV), while improving sustainability and cost.
The free event, ‘Living with Electricity’, is organised by the Goldfields Sustainability Group who believes informed decisions are vital for locals to make better and more cost effective choices.
Event organiser, Tony Macer, said confusion in the community surrounding electric alternatives is his biggest frustration.
“It’s absolutely the way to go, it’s a fraction of the operating cost,” he said.
Saturday afternoon , May 24, will include presentations from experts and owners on the power grid through to solar panels, home batteries, and EVs.
“I think there’s a lot of interest now, a lot of curiosity, so it’s really an exciting thing,” Mr Macer said.
The event follows EV and energy efficient home workshops held by the group, furthering their efforts to show ways to ease cost of living pressures and become more sustainable.
“Cost of living is very much a part of what we’re doing,” Mr Macer said.
The event will cover low cost options right through to EVs.
“We are really excited to have a range of EVs on display in the showroom and people can ask the owners about their driving experiences,” Mr Macer said.
“A special drawcard in the showroom will be a brand new Ford Mustang Mach E (EV) courtesy of Eclipse Ford Ballarat — we are very lucky to have this car for the event.”
Greg James is a self-described EV convert having owned his Kia EV 3 for less than a month. For him it was another piece to the electric puzzle.
“We’ve tried to go electric at home with everything, with lawnmowers, and pumps, and the whole gamut, so this was the next step,” he said.
Mr James’ experience with his “battery with four wheels” has had its ups and downs, but overall it’s been a strong positive.
“We’re going as electric as we can,” he said.
Mr Macer has had his Hyundai EV for two and a half years and he said it’s still going strong.
Not only has the car got him to central Queensland and Kangaroo Island but he said charger availability has only improved.
“There’s more and more chargers. We drive past heaps of chargers now,” he said.
Mr Macer expects a big crowd for the event with registrations already coming in.
“If anyone wants to register, all they have to do is type ‘Eventbrite Living With Electricity’ into an online search and the Maryborough event will come up,” he said.
Interested locals can also ring on 0400 029 068.