Sowing Kindness Incorporated hosted a free craft activity of making goldfish paper lanterns at Knox Festival on 28th February 2026. Radio Eastern 98.1 interviewed us and this is the rough transcript of the interview. (Credits of Script goes to Linna)

This is the facebook page of Radio Eastern on Knox Festival.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1849KaMX5M/

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C3k7Tcvx6/

OPENING – What is Sowing Kindness?

Sowing Kindness is a community based not for profit project built around one very simple idea. Kindness matters.

We believe kindness is something that should be taught, modelled and celebrated, especially for the next generation. Many of the people involved in this project are migrants who have deeply benefited from the generosity of the Australian community. We are here because someone showed us kindness.

Now we want to give that back.

WHY IT STARTED

We started noticing that children today are growing up in a very different environment. A lot of what they see online is not always age appropriate, and sometimes not very kind.

We felt that instead of just talking about the problem, we wanted to create something positive. Something hands on. Something families can experience together.

Kindness is not just a word. It is something you practise. With your parents. With your classmates. With your friends. Even with strangers.

WHY GOLD FISH?

We make gold fish crafts as a way to engage children and families.

We get our inspiration from the saying “having a heart of gold”, which means “being kind.

The gold fish is symbolic. It is simple, joyful and approachable. When kids sit down and create something with their hands, it opens up conversation. While they are crafting, we talk to them about what kindness means.

What does it mean to be kind at school?

How can you be kind to your parents?

What does kindness look like when someone is different from you?

It becomes a bridge. It allows parents and children to connect in a meaningful way. 

Finally we give each participant a handmade card for them to write a thank you message and show appreciation to someone who has been kind to them.

SAFE CONTENT AND PARTNERSHIP

We also recognise that online content plays a huge role in children’s lives. So we looked for platforms that promote safe, educational and positive content.

We found a platform called GAN JING WORLD (which literally translate to CLEAN WORLD) whose ethos aligned very closely with ours. They focus on educational content, traditional stories, and values like respect, sharing and kindness, delivered through engaging and animated videos.

What we loved most is that they teach children through entertainment. 

They also run an annual competition called “Be Kind Be Cool”, where children and families can create their own videos about kindness. We thought this was such a powerful idea. It encourages kids to think about what kindness means to them and express it creatively. The Kindness Art Competition is specifically for students below age of 12.

WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY

You’ll see us doing several activities:

•⁠  ⁠Free gold fish handcraft sessions

•⁠  ⁠Kindness Bear appearances: a giant cuddly character that reminds kids to be kind

•⁠  ⁠Community engagement events

•⁠  ⁠A food truck sharing traditional Chinese food at affordable prices

The food truck is also part of our mission. Food brings people together. Many of our volunteers come from migrant backgrounds and cooking is how we express love and gratitude. By sharing affordable traditional food, we are feeding both the stomach and the heart.

Next step we are also looking to partner with schools to provide interactive and fun activities that promote kindness.

THE BIGGER MESSAGE

At the end of the day, Sowing Kindness is about planting seeds.

If one child goes home and thinks, “Tomorrow I will be kinder to my friend,” then we have done something meaningful.

Kindness may seem small, but when multiplied across a community, it becomes powerful.

#interview#kindnessbears#radioeasternfm98