What an amazing community event this was – from 27 December to 1st January, in the beautiful valleys of Woodfordia, Queensland.
Not just hundreds of incredible musicians, but all kinds of cultural and political seminars, lessons, street performers and art were delivered seamlessly.
Highlights were listening to the Australian Conservation Foundation and their impressive vision for an emissions free future, Bob Hawke talking about the need for us all to get, ‘more involved’ in the political process – and of course many inspiring musicians including Colin Hay (Men at Work – pictured) Xavier Rudd performing with some amazing Aboriginal artists, incredibly haunting sounds from monks of tibet for sunrise welcoming the New year at the top of the hill… and amazing party scenes from the brilliant Japanese group Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro…
I was lucky enough to be Stage Managing at the event, and working with some incredible artists and real characters.
Festivals like this bring together thoughtful community minded people with vision and heart. They are an epi-centre of culture and creatives, and those working towards a better, brighter and more equitable future for us all. These environments are non-competitive, and full of good energy and ideas. They are an amazing place to meet like-minded, open, active and community focussed people, to collaborate towards positive change and to learn about key issues and ideas for the future. There was a broad and bold collective of talks and information sharing.
It was and remains an extra-ordinary, significant and important Australian event.
It symbolises much of what we at MEM believe in – a positive, conscious, equitable and sustainable future for all, and the need for us all to get involved to create this.
‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ – Margaret Mead
