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(photos © Sandra Nixon)
BUSH TRADITIONS SPRING GATHERING
October long W/E at The Goulburn Club. Review by Mike Martin.
thanks to Mike for allowing us to publish his report which was
also published in Trad and Now.
Firstly the Venue. The historic Goulburn Club (formally ‘The Gentlemans
Club’). A building of cultural architectural significance unchanged from its
beginnings and weeping/creeping with the history of times past. Its three
sensitive and intimate venues provided the perfect space for a gathering of
acoustic instruments keen to share the joys of Australiana - contemporary,
historical, traditional. A total folk mix but a genre that deserves the respect
this gathering acknowledges. A respect that will endure, entertain and
inspire future generations of this wonderful country. I felt the sense of home
coming, the surround sound of happiness, the laughter, the welcoming
smile and musicianship. It’s not for everyone - as there is not enough room
for everyone, but for those lucky ones it was a joyful musical blast.
Friday afternoon started with a ‘no book’ session. A meet and greet for the
instruments - concertinas, button and piano boxes, fiddles, guitars, piano
flutes and whistles which continued on after a supper break provided by the
Club volunteers. What a way to start ! The tunes pirouetted from one to the
other in a type of dance that reflected memories! Gorgeous.
On each morning there was a slow session workshopped to encourage
new tunes. No better place to test your ear or note reading and learn a new
tune.
Saturday morning moved into songs of the poets, an interesting variation
for musicians, which led into a session led by the consummate man himself
Mr. Stuart Simm from ‘The Gay Charmers Dance Band’. Who remembers
Stuart and the ‘Gay Charmers’ on the left as you walked into the Session
Bar of the NFF. - Not everyone's cup of tea but nobody was drinking Tea!!
Respect and fabulousness.
A couple of workshops - Joe Yates Schottisches, Hornpipes, reels well
presented by Tony Stuart ( brought a tear to my eye). Stuart Leslie - No
such thing tunes. The ‘musical saw’ by Shayne Kerr who also did a
workshop on Accordion repairs. I had my accordion fixed and it gave me
the confidence to continue to fix it myself. Thanks Shayne and George
Bollinger.
After supper, again by the wonderful volunteers that supplied, cooked and
delivered the necessities including the beautifully stocked bar, we again
sessioned and the dance tunes kept coming. How many are there? Thanks
to the collectors - heaps more!
Sunday came an hour earlier than usual - daylight savings made the late
night even harder to justify! Kicked off with a rehearsal of ‘On The Wallaby’
a musical play put together by Dave Johnson to be performed on Sunday
night by the interested participants of the gathering. Entertainment PLUS
and a great way to finish the Sunday night formalities. Congratulations to
all.
Sunday also treated us to workshops and presentations of numerous
subjects including Contemporary Australian Composers led by Wayne
Millar. A film showing the Duke Tritton interview with Pete Seeger where
Duke sings Shearing in the Bar among other bits and pieces. The Saplings
session - the next generation of talent already in the ranks and then the
evening session to finish the night.
Monday brought with it the last day. The sad realisation that all good things
do come to an end. I attended the Ray Mulligan session/workshop on the
tunes of Charlie Batchelor which included listening to the recorded
collected tunes with Charlie and The Horton River Band. Alas the Bb/F
fixed instruments were far and few between - Ray had one! But on hearing
this music, once again, made me realise how unique the style and the
tunes are to Australia. It is Australian Dance Music.
What a Weekend. Thank you so much to the Goulburn Club, The
Volunteers, Organisers and participants/musicians that made the event
work so well. It provided the opportunity for the younger saplings to enjoy
the company of the older River Red Gums that practise their passion.
A gathering for all ages of like minded souls bent on preserving our
National multicultural Heritage.
Hope to see you all at the next Gathering/Festival/Event/Session.
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| 1. Early birds in session |
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| 2. Mike Martin |
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| 3. Mike Martin & Dave Johnson |
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| 3. Stewie, Reg & Joan Mundy, Denise Hibbs |
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| 4. Shayne & Roz Kerr, Carole Helman |
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| 5. Stewie & Reg |
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| 6. Carole & Mike |
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| 7. Carole, Mike, Dave |
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| 8. Dave, Sean |
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| 9. Helen, Vanessa, Ray |
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| 10. Ray, Catherine, Shayne |
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| 11. Moir with Instrument Lockup keyring |
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| 12. Moir |
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| 13. Friday night dinner queue |
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| 14. Kitchen volunteers |
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| 15. Volunteer barman |
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| 16. Rob |
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| 17. Dave, Michelle |
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| 18. Elaine, Catherine, Shayne |
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| 19. Tony, Steve Wilson |
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| 20. Lesley, Helen from Adelaide, Helen |
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| 21. Carole, Mike, Ray |
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| 22. ? |
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| 24. ?, Anish, |
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| 25. ?, Ralph, Vanessa, Elaine, Catherine |
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| 26. Ray, Denise & Richard |
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| 27. Anish |
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| 28. Moir |
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| 29. Shayne, Roz, Doreen, Carole, Mike |
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| 30. Moir & Anish in purple |
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| 31. modern technology |
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| 32. Steve's re-fashioned jig dolls - previously Turnbull, Morrison & Hansen |
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| 33. Lesley, Helen |
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| 34. instruments |
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| 35. Friday night session - ?, ?, Alan &Linda, Rob, ? |
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| 36. Friday night session |
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| 37. mouth organs |
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| 38. Friday night session |
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| 39. Steve & Santa (formerly Morrison) The other doll is Malcolm the Swagman. Then we have Antonio the pirate, appropriately one eyed, Pauline the dancing Queen and Santa-mo. (Steve, 22/11/24) |
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| 40. Jig dolls - formerly Hanson, Turnbull, Abbott |
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| 41 Knee operated jig doll |
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| 42. Foot operated jig doll |
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| 43. Elaine's jig doll, made by the Men's Shed! |
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| 44. Steve with Elaine's jig doll |
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| 45. Stewie & Doreen's session |
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| 46. Stewie & Doreen's session |
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| 47. Stewie & Doreen's session |
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| 48. Marcus |
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| 49. Sean, Tristan & Millicent rehearsing for On the Wallaby |
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| 50. Annette, Alan, Tony, Helen |
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| 51. Saplings session - Tony, Helen, Vanessa, Sean, Tristan, Millicant |
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| 52. Alan, Tony, Helen |
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| 53. Concertina consultation with Dr George |
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| 54. somebody dropped something |
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| 55. Dave, Steve |
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| 56. Around the Boree Log - Tristan, Tony |
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| 57. Around the Boree Log - Elaine, Vanessa & Tony Stuart |
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| 58. Around the Boree Log |
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| 59. Around the Boree Log |
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| 60. Denise & Richard, Sally & Stuart |
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| 61. Ralph |
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| 62. Stewie & Jacquie |
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| 63. accordion |
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| 64. Wayne Miller |
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| 65. Wayne, Robin, Vanessa, Elaine |
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| 66. Michelle, Sean, Brian, Stewie |
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