Archives

Almost Summer Music Festival is kicking off summer festivities in Bendigo

Words by Tehya Nicholas
Images Supplied

As the state begins to peel back their layers of duffel down, cast aside the woolly hats, and reveal their vitamin-D deficient skin to the sun, so too is the planning for warmer days ramping up. Musical festivals are often the first cab off the rank in the booking-up of sunshine months and Bendigo has gifted us a new ripper: Almost Summer Music Festival.

The regional festival is exploding into its inaugural year with a huge lineup of local and national acts. Its headliners include Kardajala Kirridarra—the incredible all-female First Nations act from the Red Centre—singer-songwriter extraordinaire Gabriella Cohen, and critically acclaimed Melbourne five-piece Bananagun. Punters can also expect to catch a range of other artists across almost every musical genre: Geoffrey O’Connor, Pookie, PhoebeGo, Cool Sounds, Greatest Hits, Sunfruits, Freeds, Suzi, Carissa Nyalu, Nadia Phillips, Flora, and Aplegate all feature. To keep you dancing into the night, DJs Joey Lightbulb and DJ Friday are on deck with their original mixes of disco, house, funk, and more.

All acts will take to the one outdoor stage, located right beside historic Capital Theatre, across three days. The event is family-friendly and has been curated by experts to keep the vibes high. Plenty of locally sourced food and drinks are available for a pitstop in between boogies, and Bendigo Vinyl will host a pop-up record store throughout the event if you’re hoping to add to your record collection.

Creative Director of Hear Them Holler, the independent agency behind Almost Summer, Lior Albeck-Ripka says, “Curating Almost Summer Music Festival has been a dream come true. We’re getting to put on a festival that we want to go to! We’re beyond excited to have booked Kardajala Kirridarra — a band I’ve personally fawned over and who haven’t played in Victoria for over four years. Whilst we’re all experiencing one of the coldest winters ever in Victoria, we are busy planning this super fun all-inclusive festival of great music and food. We want the experience to be easy, relaxed and fun, and we’re thinking of all the things audiences will want so we have them on the ground ready to go.”

Almost Summer is a part of Victoria’s celebrated new statewide Always Live program centred on bringing world-class live music events to hungry gig-goers. Other acts include Dua Lipa at the Palais Theatre (sold out), Toro Y Moi at Northcote Town Hall, and many more.

Tickets to Almost Summer are limited to 500 per day to keep the shows intimate and to ensure plenty of dancing room. Punters can choose to purchase a pass for the entire three-day event or to pop in on individual days/nights. The full timeline of acts can be found on the Almost Summer website linked below. Tickets are available now.

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Almost Summer Music Festival
WHERE: View St, Bendigo VIC
WHEN: November 25-27 2022
MORE INFO: Almost Summer Music Festival

We wish to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

What to expect at this year’s Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival and why it will be the final one

The Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival launched in November 2011 and in that time has really set the standard for what a grass-roots, community-led regional music festival can achieve. 

With the 2022 program just announced, we spoke with the festival founder, direct and programmer Colin Thompson about the history of the festival, its impact on the community and why it’s time to call it a day.

It’s sad to hear that this will be the last Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, why has the committee decided not to continue?

The short version is that we need a break from the year-round work it takes to put on a festival of this size.  People on the outside might think “hang on, haven’t you had a break in 2020 and 2021 [during the height of the pandemic] from running the festival?”, but the reality is that we worked on the festival in case it could happen each of those years while creating online events and other smaller events along the way, to continue creating paid work for artists and production crews, so it was never actually a restful time.

Essentially we’ve been working on our 10th annual festival for 3 years now and we’re understandably a little burnt out from it.  If it was a commercial venture, that’d be another story, but myself, my wife and our core committee and crew have worked on this festival for over a decade on a purely volunteer basis, working our day jobs and raising kids, etc, all while working (what is for some of us) a second full-time unpaid job.

It’s been an incredible time, making so many new friends and sharing so much amazing music with thousands of happy punters, so we can walk away from this project with a lot of pride and satisfaction.

What is the background and history of the festival?

The live music scene locally was suffering back in 2009, not from a lack of quality bands to be enjoyed, but a lack of punter engagement, which resulted in more and more venues turning away from staging gigs.

It’s hard to convince venues to keep paying musicians to play if it’s not proving commercially viable, so I set about starting up an event that encouraged audiences to get off their bums and engage in live gigs again locally, therefore proving to venues that live music can be commercially viable again – not just culturally enriching to the community as a whole.

What has been the social and economic impact of the festival over the years?

The figures arrived at by Bendigo City Council tell us that the financial impact on the city over the last few years has been in excess of $ 5 million per year – just counting the 4 days of the festival itself each year.  This obviously doesn’t count all the other smaller-scale events we run or partner with year-round.

We hear about the social and cultural impact all the time as well, which to me is even more important.  Anecdotally, a lot of musicians and punters say things like: “you guys have put Bendigo back on the music map” or that we’ve set a good example for other cities or regional centres on how they can run events that help nourish and grow the local music scene and arts scene in general.

When we hear that, that obviously fills us with pride, but it’s an ongoing mission and I’m always excited to see others in our community starting events that have similar goals to ours.  If no one else is out there doing the same kind of work we’ve done, then it might end up feeling like it was for nothing.  I’m confident Bendigo will continue to be a destination for major events of all sorts, including music festivals, well into the future.

What are some of your own favourite memories of past festival years?

As any event director or manager would appreciate, I’m usually too rushed off my feet getting jobs done over the four days of the festival to stop and enjoy any of it. But over the years I’ve managed to force myself to take a moment here or there to just soak in some of the awesome music we’ve programmed and watch audiences lap it up.

Even when I’m buzzing around picking up and dropping off drum kits and PAs and helping out here or there, it’s always a thrill just to see how happy everyone is around town at all the venues I call into along the way.

What’s next for the festival organisers?

Enjoying the knowledge that we don’t have to turn around and start the work all over straight away will be the first thing I think.  But we all enjoy staging grass-roots-sized events and so The Blues Tram will continue into 2023 and beyond (staged on the second Saturday of each month).

We’ll also continue supporting touring and local artists by promoting and staging concerts at The Old Church on the Hill on an ad hoc basis.  We’ve already been approached by a couple of bigger venues in town who’d like us to stage something specific with them, on the November weekend that BB&RMF would have normally fallen on. But we’ll consider those proposals in early 2023 or thereafter I think.

Last November we staged a very popular ticketed event called Live’n’Local at a custom-made event space in White Hills (on the north side of Bendigo), just as Victoria came out of the most severe COVID lockdowns and restrictions.  There’s every possibility we’ll look at doing something like that in the future – a one-site, one-day event that can celebrate local and visiting independent artists, and local food and beverage providers.

We’re certainly not saying goodbye to live music events, just looking forward to not working year-round on a 4-day event that hosts well over 100 acts in 4 to 50 venues.

What can we expect for the 2022 swan song festival?

Many of our favourite acts over the last decade will be returning to work with us this November.  We’re about to re-announce the line-up very shortly as the program is almost finalised (again!).  Our partnerships with the many venues that have come on board over the years will mean that we again provide top-class music in the largest theatres, park spaces and wineries, as well as pubs, clubs, cafes and street parties.

More ticketed events than in previous years, but still plenty of accessible and free entry events on offer as per usual.  Whether it’s Aussie blues icons like Geoff Achison and Dave Hole, or more mainstream recognisable names like Colin Hay and Goanna, local school bands showing their wears, and everything in between.

The streets of Bendigo will again be filled with the sounds of music of all kinds, from all over Australia (with a small number of international artists thrown in for good measure).

Where do we find out more details?

Our website is the best source of all news, ticketing links and other gig news relating to BB&RMF events.  I urge people to please follow our social media pages and sign up to our website as a subscriber, for email updates.

THE DETAILS

What: Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival
When: November 3 – 6
Where: Various locations around Bendigo
More info: Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival

We wish to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Pride is coming to Regional Victoria with a landmark new festival

Words by Tehya Nicholas
Main Image by Nikki Russian Photography
Others supplied

This summer, people all across Victoria will have the chance to celebrate LGBTIQ+ pride, thanks to a $6.8 million investment from the Government.

Aptly titled Victoria’s Pride, the statewide festival will kick off its inaugural celebration this summer with a two-month long stint in regional cities and towns across the state, as well as in metropolitan Melbourne. And you better gird your loins because the festivities have been tipped by organisers to rival Sydney’s famed Mardi Gras in size, vibe, goodwill… and colourful feathers.

The Andrews Labor Government, who announced the venture on August 12, has committed to at least four years of Victoria’s Pride to be held annually from December to February. The festival builds on the success of Melbourne Pride which was held over the summer of 2021-22 to mark more than 40 years since the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria. A massive crowd of 67,500 people are estimated to have attended last years’ events, with almost 30,000 people participating in 22 regional activities last summer, with events including a pop-up festival in Bendigo, art exhibitions, theatre shows and a movie screening. This can only mean that Victoria’s Pride will be one helluva festival.

The new festival will celebrate and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians, and, crucially, be accessible to our regional and rural rainbow communities.

“Victoria’s Pride will be a welcoming and inclusive celebration of LGBTIQ communities across the state – a chance for all Victorians to show visible love and support and for our community to celebrate who we are,” Equality Minister Harriet Shing said.

In a bid to capture and celebrate queer voices and stories in Victoria’s regional areas, a statewide funding program — the Regional Activation Program — has also been announced. Proposals for LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural projects, including (but not limited to) commissions/artworks, theatre performances, documented community stories, and historical collections or exhibition, are wanted to ensure statewide representation, shared regional experiences, and overall engagement with this important event.

Non-for-profit organisations and individuals with dreams of showcasing their work can apply for up to $15,000 in funding, with a limited number of major projects above $15K also up for consideration. Applicants are also encouraged to consider accessibility in order to facilitate true multi-generational and intersectional inclusion.

Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando said the revamped event will give the opportunity for people in regional and rural communities to both show their support and feel represented.

“It’s fantastic to see that right across Victoria we will continue to have opportunities for people to showcase their support for our diverse LGBTIQ+ communities. Whether you are a member of our fabulous rainbow communities or an ally, I encourage you to attend Victoria’s Pride events this summer,” he said.

After two-months of festivities throughout the state, Victoria’s Pride will culminate in one epic street party on Sunday 12 February 2023 in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct. More details about the day are still to come, but our guess is that it’s going to be one to remember.

“The final day will be the shining jewel to wind up the whole of those celebrations on a statewide basis,” Karen Bryant, Midsumma chief executive said. “We’ll bring the whole state together.”

The new festival is presented in partnership with Victoria’s leading LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural organisation Midsumma, whose annual festival will return next year from Sunday 22 January to Sunday 12 February.

To apply for a Victoria’s Pride regional grant or to find out more, please visit the Midsumma Festival website. Applications are open from now until Monday 26 September at 5pm.

THE DETAILS
WHAT: Victoria’s Pride
WHERE: Statewide
WHEN: December 2022 – February 2023
MORE INFO: Victoria’s Pride

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Vegecareian Festival is back, along with a new immersive lightscape

Words by Tehya Nicholas
Images Supplied

If it’s universal compassion you’re after, a day trip to Vegecareian Festival might be an excellent place to start.

In 2013, the Western world’s largest stupa — aptly titled the Great Stupa, standing tall just a short drive outside of Bendigo — began hosting an annual spring festival dedicated to the love of animals and plants. They called it Vegecareian Festival (emphasis on the care) and fast became one of the state’s most popular multicultural family-friendly events before it was shuttered by the pandemic. The one-day extravaganza returns this October 1st, marking a new period of exciting events brightening the Great Supa calendar.

Vegecareian teaches a lot more than just the joys of eating vegetables. The day is infused with the stupa’s central principle of compassion; market stalls of locally made produce are available to purchase, cooking demonstrations feature dishes from around the globe for some free education, and family activities are dotted throughout the day. In an outstanding act of 21st Century altruism, a Buddhist monk will be present to bless your pet if you’re up for bringing them along. Dogs, cats, chickens, and donkeys have been known to receive a blessing in the past.  Even if vegetarianism isn’t your thing, soaking up the goodwill in the air does something nice to your insides.

Marketing and Events Manager at Great Stupa Matthew Griffin told us recently visitor numbers can be expected to grow to between 1000 and 2000 people on the day, plus animal companions. “We wanted to bring people together for education about animal care, introduce people to a vegetarian lifestyle, and give them an opportunity to learn how to cook vegetarian food,” he explains. This free, multifaceted festival is an awesome expression of compassion (a rare and valuable practice in today’s fast-paced world) and marks an exciting opportunity to mingle with the local community.

Once your belly is full with uniformly excellent food and you’re ready for more pleasantries at Great Stupa, head back once a month for their brand new lightscape experience, Enlighten. Vermillion red, cobalt blue, canary yellow, and more vibrant lights have been designed to shimmer off the canvas white of the stupa and flow across their garden, Peace Park. The immersive show presents an exclusive opportunity to view the stupa after dark while live performers roam throughout the evening for your entertainment. Their first event is slated for August 13th, and will be held throughout the year on multiple nights and on special occasions. Tickets are available via their website.

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Vegecareian Festival
WHERE: Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat (Bendigo) VIC 3556
WHEN: Saturday October 1st, 10am-3pm
MORE INFO: Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

We wish to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Australia Post Stops Delivering on Farmhouse Direct

Words by Richard Cornish
Images Supplied

Just over ten years ago Australia Post developed a brand new online marketplace for farmers across the nation to distribute their food and products around Australia.

This groundbreaking eCommerce site was a central marketplace and took online orders from customers and sent the order plus cash, minus commission, to the farmer. The farmer then fulfilled the order and used Australia post to deliver the product. The programme was trialled in April 2012 and rolled out nationally after that. At the end of September, Farmhouse Direct will come to an end, forcing some food and beverage producers to find other methods of taking orders.

Australia Post believes that with the development of eCommerce apps and software, there is no longer a place for the Government-owned delivery service in food distribution. A statement from Australia Post read, “due to declining demand and a changing eCommerce landscape Australia Post has made the difficult decision to close Farmhouse Direct, effective Friday, September 30.”

It cites COVID as being an accelerator of the eCommerce field, stating, “During the pandemic, Australia saw around five years of eCommerce growth in the space of a year, prompting many small businesses to build their eCommerce capacity to accommodate the more than 5.6 million households now shopping online each month.”

Australia Post faced severe criticism in 2021 when it informed producers of foods such as butter, cheese, truffles, small goods and native bush ingredients that it would no longer deliver their perishable products offering just three months’ notice. It was a blow to many small producers who had already suffered sales setbacks due to COVID. Blowback from the food community saw the tax-payer-owned service backflip on its decision.

The decision to axe the groundbreaking service came as no surprise to many. Upkeep on the website has been lacking in recent times, with newsletters dating back to 2020 on the home page and hotlinks on recipes no longer working.

Food producers will still be able to use Australia Post to deliver their products but not the ordering system. Customers wishing to use Farmhouse Direct need to get their last order in by September 1.

After ten years, the site will go dark on September 30.

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Farmhouse Direct
WHEN: Closing September 30
MORE INFO: Farmhouse Direct

Top winter festivals to warm the senses this season

Words by Della Vreeland
Images Supplied

It’s no secret that we’re quite the winter champions here in Victoria. We don’t just mean in terms of leading the way when it comes to the season’s execution (does any other ((mainland)) state do it better?). But also in terms of advocating for the cooler months. God knows the winter gets a bad rap sometimes, but we’re here to tell the rest of Australia it is actually quite magical if you just give it a chance.

Since we’re so experienced at navigating the winter landscape, it comes as no surprise that our winter festivals and events are especially alluring. So when your visiting friends and relatives feel like harping on about how cold it is in Victoria, perhaps just take them along to one of these festivals and simply observe as the warmth penetrates their entire being. (Maybe also ask them to chuck on a few layers and a Kathmandu. For good measure.)

Borealis on the Lake: July 15 – September 4

BOREALIS On the LakeIt’s toured the world, and now it’s coming to Daylesford to light up the night sky as well as our own eyes. Created by internationally-renowned Switzerland–based artist Dan Archer, Borealis on the Lake is set to be a captivating display which transports us to the Arctic Circle. Taking place at the iconic Lake Daylesford, the installation combines technology and art to create unique auroras with colour, movement, music, density of light beams and changing weather conditions to give infinite variations.  So rug up, pull up your picnic chair and hot choccie, and get set for a surreal northern experience down under.

Find out more here.

Nillumbik Open Cellars: June 18 – 19

Nillumbik Open CellarsCelebrating 21 years, Nillumbik Open Cellars is a winter showcase of the finest wineries of the region and a celebration of https://www.nillumbikwineyarravalley.com.au/events-the thriving culture of the Nillumbik community. The festival will feature 10 family-owned wineries each with their own individual style and will also serve up an array of local fare, art and live music. Vino-lovers will have a chance to sample traditionally-produced wines at wineries not always open to the public as they relish in the surrounding charm and history that the region’s backdrop provides.

More here.

White Night Shepparton: June 25

White Night SheppartonPlay all night. ‘Tis the White Night Shepparton motto. And while you might earn yourself a few extra degrees in Shepparton, we still recommend you rug up as you explore the town into the early hours of the morn. Heading to Shepp for the first time ever, hosting White Night is quite a coup for our friends up north. Enriched with a celebration of art and culture to showcase Shepparton’s history, the program will feature a plethora of enlightening experiences that pay respect to the past and present, and it’s set to be quite the delight.

Find out more.

Ballarat Winter Festival: June 25 – July 17

Ballarat Winter FestivalThis month-long festival has become a must-do on the annual winter calendar. A family-friendly festival with a whole multitude of events scattered across the city, punters can experience everything from ice-skating in the heart of the CBD to fire jousts at Kryal Castle, a design market to the spectacular Sovereign Hill Winter Wonderlights. This year’s festival will also welcome the highly-anticipated Skywhales balloon sculptures. Created by Australian artist Patricia Piccinini, the monuments will fly over Ballarat on July 9 accompanied by music written by Canberra musician Jess Green.

Take a look at the program here.

GLOW: June 25 – July 17

Bendigo After DarkTaking place as part of Bendigo’s Ignite winter festival, GLOW is a sensory after-dark experience taking place in the city’s Rosalind Park. Produced by local audio-visual specialist Power AV, the showcase celebrates Bendigo through a vibrant display of light, colour and sound with 11 immersive installations and light projections to entertain the entire family.  GLOW is only one facet of the Ignite program, which is packed to the brim with food, fun and frivolities for all ages.

Details here.

Island Whale Festival: July 1 – July 3

Island Whale FestivalAn annual festival that celebrates the whale migration, this three-day extravaganza features a range of activities and educational endeavours spread across the famous Phillip Island. Locals and visitors alike will be able to engage with a range of entertaining activities including a whale discovery trail, dolphin and whale cruises, presentations, and a whole lot of arts and crafts sessions – deepening their appreciation of the wildlife and natural habitats of Phillip Island and the Bass Coast region.

Take a look here.

Yarra Valley Fireside: July 9 – July 24

Yarra Valley FireseideThis 16-day festival is perfectly-suited for those yearning to warm up their bellies this winter season. A delight for all the senses, Yarra Valley Fireside has a firm focus on showcasing the region’s outstanding culinary experiences – celebrating the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the finest locally-produced food and drink. With the festival set against the mesmerising landscape and moody skies of the Yarra Valley, you’ll find yourself cosying up by warming fires as you savour the crisp nights and ever-so-palatable dining experiences.

View the program here.

East Gippsland Winter Festival: June 17 – July 10

East Gippsland Winter FestivalThis winter festival is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the season as you embrace all that makes the cooler months so magical. Featuring a wealth of art, fine food and drink, and live music, you’ll find yourself welcomed by friendly locals and creative communities as you discover a whole series of pop-up events, lavish winter feasts, art installations, lantern parades, tours, workshops and much more.  Details here.

Take a look at our Regional Events & Festivals calendar to plan your weekends.

 

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Aboriginal Street Art Project welcomes a new inspiring mural

Words: Teyha Nicholas   
Images: Supplied

The Aboriginal Street Art Project has unveiled a new sweeping mural in the regional city of Shepparton.

Nothing gives a city its character quite like street art. A vital part of cultural communication, street art (be that a mural or graffiti) can pop up on a telegraph pole, alongside train tracks and adorn once-government issue grey buildings.  While some of it is fleeting, the vast, visually arresting murals from the Aboriginal Art Street Project are anything but.

Just this month, the project’s newest mural has been unveiled along the length of the Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) building on Welsford Street in Shepparton. The mammoth new piece pays homage to two highly regarded Yorta Yorta elders, the late Aunty Violet Harrison and late Aunty Mary James. Both women played significant roles in their local Aboriginal communities across their lifetimes; such as co-founding both the Rumbalara Cooperative and Bangerang Cultural Centre, among other important community-based work.

The mural comes from the hand of one of street art’s most influential big wall painters, Matt Adnate, which marks his fourth mural for the project. Adnate is well regarded in the local Aboriginal community for his culturally-sensitive arts practice and his incredible craftsmanship. His other murals can be found at GVW walls on Fryers Street and Stewart Street and the Department of Health and Human Services wall on Welsford Street.

An important part of a city’s expression, street art not only transforms the aesthetic of a city, it also leaves an imprint of the zeitgeist. Commissioned and delivered by Greater Shepparton City Council, in collaboration with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, the Aboriginal Street Art Project is making visible the vibrant cultural heritage local to Shepparton – an important gesture of social activism.

The project,  named by locals ‘Dana Djirrungana Dunguludja Yenbena-l’, means ‘Proud, Strong Aboriginal People’ in Yorta Yorta language, is a provoking, inspiring celebration and recognition of local Aboriginal history. Take a wander through the region; there are five murals to be found.

THE DETAILS
WHAT: New mural for the Aboriginal Street Art Project
WHERE: Welsford Street, Shepparton
WHEN: Open at all times
MORE INFO: Visit Shepparton

We wish to acknowledge the Yorta Yorta people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Under the Surface ready to be traversed in East Gippsland

Words: Amanda Kennedy
Images: Supplied

This May, Under the Surface, a multi-dimensional public art experience is launching across East Gippsland, encouraging visitors to ponder and deepen their connections to the natural landscape.

The site-specific art trail, which follows the East Gippsland Rail Trail from Bairnsdale to Orbost, begins with and builds on stories from the Gunaikurnai people, the Traditional Owners of much of Gippsland. Through a cultural awareness program, the Gunaikurnai artists collective and visiting artists shared traditional stories and land management practices, as well as artistic practices and skills. The result? Five unique, large scale works that draw attention to and honour the environment and its ecology.

Local Indigenous artist Alice Pepper, in collaboration with non-Indigenous artist David “Meggs” Hooke, who is well-known for his large scale murals interweaving nature and industry, have artwork showing at Nowa Nowa underpass/tunnel in Nowa Nowa. Further west, Yuin artist and Gippsland local Patricia Pittman is presenting work Nicholson River Bridge in Nicholson.

Visiting artists also include graffiti/street artist Ling and Minna Leunig, an accomplished painter and muralist whose work focuses on native Australian plants and animals (and yes, she is also daughter of acclaimed cartoonist Michael Leunig). Ling’s artwork can be found at Orbost Butter Factory in Orbost; Leunig’s at Partelli’s Crossing, Tostaree.

A fruitful cross-cultural exchange between the Gunaikurnai community and the visiting artists, Under the Surface posits a timely reflection of our connection to land within an era of climate change.  The event designers and producers, The Social Crew, say they hope “the works will draw attention to the natural environment, assist in visual storytelling and connect and grow human relationships with the land through art.”

Tracing across farmland and forest, Under the Surface weaves along the former Orbost railway line and joins existing public artworks at the beginning of the rail trail by Alfie Hudson, another in Nicholson by local artist Tracey Solomon, and the water tank in Bruthen by Alan Solomon.

The project has been created with support from Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, the Victorian State Government, East Gippsland Shire Council, and the East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee, and is now live and ready for to be experienced.

THE DETAILS
WHAT: Under the Surface art trail
WHERE: Bairnsdale to Orbost, East Gippsland
WHEN: Opens May
MORE INFO: Under the Surface

 

We wish to acknowledge the Gunaikurnai people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Gippsland’s Creative Harvest festival January 2022 – growing from strength to strength

Words by Amanda Kennedy
Images Supplied

Did you buy some indoor plants over the last couple of years? Maybe you planted out a window box with a few herbs for your pandemic cooking sessions?  Perhaps you got the kids out into the backyard and started a no-dig garden. Not for nothing, did garden centres sell out of seedling and potting mix in early 2020.

The Covid pandemic has highlighted the tenuous nature of our food systems, prompting many people to invest in growing some of their own food. Whether your harvest was small or grand, there’s no denying the simple joy of eating something you’ve grown.

If that has left you hungry for more, Creative Harvest Festival (January 22nd  & 23rd ) could be the weekend event you’re looking for. Now in its fifth year, the group behind the event – Baw Baw Sustainability Network – are hoping to top last year’s record-breaking number of attendees, and they’ve pulled out all the stops to get you there.

There are 15 gardens open to visitors, from small suburban backyards to larger family-run farms. But it’s not all about growing your own food. The weekend also brings together more than 30 local artists and producers across a number of locations, showcasing their work and practice. Because as we also all learnt over the last couple of years to tap into our own creativity, when we’re not buried under the day-to-day busyness of commuting, working and socialising.

Creative HarvestGIVEAWAY

To celebrate the launch of Creative Harvest 2022 – the first weekend pass ticket purchases, will receive a tote bag designed by Helen Timbury Design valued at $30.

 

Creative Harvest Committee Chair, Wendy Savage sums things up perfectly.

Making our event more accessible to broader communities is a celebration of connectedness and creativity in all forms. It is fundamental to our wellbeing, especially in these uncertain times, and it is wonderful to see how a day out in the garden can inspire and create positive change.

So, here’s a taste of just some of the growers, makers and producers featured across the weekend.

  • AgriSolutions will be on hand to help gardeners get the most out of their soil and composting with their targeted approach to soil health management.
  • Join Come Fly With Me Beekeeping with their hives at Green Hills Farm in Yarragon South and learn what bee colonies have to teach us if only we pay attention.
  • Green Hills Farm produces grass-fed beef and garlic, as well as an orchard and vegetable plot that supplies local cafes & restaurants.
  • Based at the Butler Garden in Warragul, print-maker Helen Timbury will be displaying her work which celebrates the Australian landscape in all its wild, natural beauty.
  • Paul Stafford, self-taught tree craver and chainsaw sculptor will be on hand at Paul & Maureen’s Patch in Warragul, along with Kouark Wines and their wild-ferment pinot noir.
  • In Neerim South, you’ll find Kay Lancashire and her permaculture garden creating all manner of jewellery and wearable art, inspired by the natural shapes and textures she finds in her garden.

Children 17 and under are free and what better way to encourage the next generation of gardeners to get their hands dirty. There are plenty of treats and refreshments to keep you going throughout the day.

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Creative Harvest
WHERE: Various locations across West Gippsland
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday 22-23 January 10am-4pm
MORE INFO: creativeharvest.org.au

We wish to acknowledge the Bunurong and Gunaikurnai people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

A rise from the ashes for the Grampians Music Festival

Words by Della Vreeland
Images supplied

Four years ago, a newly-envisioned idea blasted out of the Grampians region.

And no, it wasn’t a volcano.

And while the effects of this venture were indeed volcanic, emotionally speaking, the surrounding effects were much more sublime.

The Grampians Music Festival (GMF) was established in 2017 with the initial aim of encouraging tourists to explore the region, particularly during its quietest tourism months.

But festival director Carly Flecknoe says the plan was quick to take on more complexity, implementing sustainability practices while also taking on a more diverse approach.

Initially joining as a committee member before taking on the reins as director, Carly says the festival also embraced the opportunity to educate and support local youth through its newly-formed GMF Mentor Program.

“That first festival, the committee and I saw the role a festival could actually play both in the local community and in the broader music scene,” Carly says. “So the aim of GMF changed dramatically over that second year.”

“We took our waste profile and environmental impact seriously and created strong environmental policies around what could and couldn’t be brought to the festival and how it was to be disposed. And we realised that we could not only give incredible up-and-coming artists a platform, but that we could choose to represent diversity on our stage – creating a policy of inclusion around gender, cultural background and sexuality.”

Quite an ambitious objective for a small-town festival. But one that was seamlessly achieved.

GMF was held in Halls Gap’s aptly-dubbed Valley Floor – a stunning sprawling paddock in the heart of the town, surrounded by the panoramic views and majestic mountains the Grampians is known for.

Over the years, acts such as Alex Lahey, Saskwatch, Polish Club, Ruby Fields, Sampa The Great, Wafia and Horsham’s own Alice Sky took to the stage.

At the last festival, the likes of Julia Jacklin, Ecca Vandal, DreamingNow, and Clypso and The Buoys filled the bill.

“There were so many amazing moments with larger than life artists being up close and personal with our audience in an intimate festival setting,” Carly says. “It was just incredible.”

The GMF team recently announced they would have to cancel the festival – indefinitely.

With the last event taking place in February 2020, the advent of the COVID pandemic had led to much financial duress, meaning it was no longer viable for it to continue.

“To be totally transparent, the 2020 festival, unfortunately, left us in debt after the impact of both the perception of bush fires in regional areas and the fear of COVID,” Carly says.

“If GMF were to resume at any point, it would be with the ability to still maintain the magic of what it was. If we can’t do that, then it just doesn’t feel right to start up again.”

As has been the case for many in the entertainment industry, the festival was faced with challenges related to insurance during the pandemic’s ruthless reign.

“We attempted to actually claim insurance last year from the impacts of COVID-19 and it was declined, Carly says. “Costs have also gone up since then and there is a mountain of paperwork, additional infrastructure and a COVID Marshall that is needed to be able to get insurance. As a small festival, this would be incredibly difficult to afford.”

All that being said, the GMF team seems undeterred from achieving its initial aims of community connection and the strengthening of the music scene.

As such as in keeping with the volcanic theme, it was announced that the festival would rise out of the ashes – so to speak – with a series of ongoing intimate events. Set to be held in smaller venues around the region, Carly says these soirees will encourage local communities to come together and experience the talent Victoria has to offer.

She says the events will be focused around the Grampians area in spaces that can host up to 200 people.

“We’ll be bringing back that intimate family feel in a way that is manageable in this new COVID environment,” she says.

Carly says the GMF team is currently working with state government bodies in order to secure funding and re-establish the festival – albeit in a different context.

“Currently, we have two events booked thanks to Creative Victoria and Music Victoria that will be happening in March and April. They haven’t been officially announced yet so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled.”

And even if the festival doesn’t return in its previous form, Carly says the incorporation of music into community life is unlikely to be hampered.

“Music is part of community, of healing, of inspiring and of soothing. Song and sound have been the celebratory glue for people for as long as memory,” she says.

“The chance for people to come together, to experience music together, is part of our life blood. And if we can be part of that, by bringing amazing musicians and storytellers out to people, then that is a privilege.

“We would love (GMF) to come back. I feel like there was something special that was created there, and I don’t want that to fade away. But in the meantime, we’ll keep the magic and the connection alive in smaller ways, while we find our new ways of living in this COVID-19 world.”

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Grampians Music
MORE INFO: Grampians Music

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.