By Leon Gettler, Talking Business >>

YOUNGER PEOPLE are increasingly turning away from alcohol.

This is one of the insights of Meredith Walsh, the organiser of the popular FlowJam Healing Arts Festival in the US. The festival takes place annually around the July 4 weekend. It features music genres like jam bands, bluegrass, deep house, and reggae, focusing on soulful connection and spontaneous jamming.

Ms Walsh is a serial entrepreneur, online business strategist, and multi-day festival founder on a mission to help powerful women turn their signature offers into in-person experiences their clients are obsessed with – and that keeps them coming back for years. 

She also offers businesses yearly experiences in East Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar and an African safari. The safari is happening from August 2-12, this year.

Serving Australian markets too

Ms Walsh has also spent time in Australia, getting to know the market here.

She said one of the issues in the US was that the pharmaceutical companies were going “pretty crazy” and a lot of opioids were entering the market – which resulted in “a lot of people” overdosing and getting sick.

“Since I’ve been producing, there’s been as huge shift of people moving towards healing,” Ms Walsh told Talking Business.

“I think the party of getting trashed is moving out with the younger generation,” she said.

“They really want to solve the global issues.

“It’s a generational shift. It’s happening slow.”

Taking the alcohol out can work better

Ms Walsh said she and her teams have also seen businesses making a lot of money from smaller scale festivals that are not serving alcohol.

“A lot of event producers think you need tons of people to make it profitable,  but it’s realty not the case,” she said.

“Smaller micro events can be more profitable, especially focusing on healing instead of serving alcohol, especially if you’re marketing towards the younger generation.

“It can be pretty profitable.”

It is also important for the older generation as they face health issues.

Helping businesses host better events

Ms Walsh also helps organisations and businesses who are hosting events. This is important for brand building for all businesses, she said.

However, she said, hosting events had a whole lot of hidden costs.

“Events is a risky business,” she said.

“It’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. It’s for the ones who are super passionate and it’s a great thing to add on to what you’re already doing in business.

“But as far as scaling events, there are so many coats – which is why I recommend not scaling quickly.”

“I’ve scaled my event over 12 years and I’ve done it really slowly, which is one of the reasons why I’m still around.”

Ms Walsh said COVID had been the big game changer for these sorts of events, because people became more aware of health issues.

“A lot of people woke up and a lot of people shifted their consciousness not only to health but also (about) how they were working,” she said. 

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Hear the complete interview and catch up with other topical business news on Leon Gettler’s Talking Business podcast, released every Friday at www.acast.com/talkingbusiness  

https://shows.acast.com/talkingbusiness/episodes/talking-business-22-interview-with-meredith-walsh-from-flow

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THE deadline for the 2026 My First Speech competition has been extended to Wednesday July 29.

Developed by the Department of the House of Representatives, the My First Speech competition provides senior secondary school students a platform to connect with, and learn about, the work of the Australian Parliament. 

The competition invites students in Years 10-12 to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of Parliament and to write a maximum three-minute speech on an issue they are passionate about.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP said, “One of my key priorities as Speaker has been to promote parliamentary education to students across the country, and this is yet another exciting way that young people can take an active role in our democratic system.”

One winner from each year group will receive an expenses-paid trip to Canberra to deliver their speech at an award ceremony hosted by the Speaker at Parliament House. Winners will also tour the building and other sites of national significance in Canberra.

The My First Speech website has tips and resources to aid students in writing a standout entry.

Entries close at 11:59pm AEST on Wednesday July 29, 2026. For more details and to enter competition, visit My First Speech competition.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science will hold site visits and a public hearing in Sydney this week as part of its inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry, and any challenges and opportunities for the industry within the context of a circular economy.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP said, "The committee will be making its final pit stop in Sydney to speak with researchers and other tyre industry representatives about work underway to improve circular outcomes for end-of-life tyres.

"On Tuesday, July 14, the committee will visit tyre recycling, retreading and research facilities across Sydney.

"The following day, on Wednesday, July 15, the committee will hear from a range of organisations at a public hearing, including those involved in the tyre, motoring and mining industries. Among those appearing is the Australian Tyre Industry Council, the peak industry body for tyres."

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Time: 9:15am – 2:30pm (AEST)
Location: Dexus Place, Bennelong Room, Level 15, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will hold public hearings in Perth (Monday July 13), Darwin (Wednesday July 15 and Thursday July 16) and Alice Springs (Friday July 17) for its inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The committee will hear from community organisations, leaders, experts, from a range of sectors including health, law and justice, media, and women’s safety, as well as from individuals with lived experience of racism.

Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said, “These hearings provide opportunities to hear from crucial and underrepresented voices, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and women. It is important to the committee to hear from a broad spectrum of the community.

"Systemic racism has emerged clearly as a major issue in both the submissions and previous public hearings. We want to keep building our understanding of how systemic racism is experienced in the lives and work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, and use this understanding to hold institutions at all levels accountable to make practical, meaningful change.”

The inquiry is examining the prevalence, impacts and drivers of racism, hate and violence, with a strong focus on online racism, reporting mechanisms, and how governments and institutions can better respond. Evidence gathered during the hearings will inform the committee’s final report to Parliament.

Witnesses scheduled to appear include Boorloo Aboriginal Alliance, the National Indigenous Times (NIT), Ken Wyatt AM JP, who is chair of the University of Western Australia’s Public Policy Institute, Legal Aid WA, the Northern Land Council, Justice not Jails, the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC), Tangentyere Women's Family Safety Group, and the Stars Foundation.

The committee has also invited government agencies from the Northern Territory, including the Northern Territory Attorney-General’s Department to appear.

Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and the public hearing program, is available on the committee’s website. People can attend the hearing as an observer, by contacting the secretariat via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (02) 6277 4559.

Note: The committee and secretariat are unable to provide counselling, advice, or support for individuals. Help is available:

For First Nations people at:

• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799
• Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563

For all people:

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Headspace: 1800 650 890
• Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

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