January 8, 2014
Children’s activities at this year’s Fiddlehead Festival in Yinnar have been boosted courtesy of a $15,000 Federal Government grant.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the funding would be provided through Festivals Australia for the development of an all-inclusive musical sculpture known as ‘The Whack-It’.
Mr Chester and State Member for Morwell Russell Northe are encouraging Gippsland families to head to Yinnar for the festival which is being held on Saturday, March 15, 2014.
“The Fiddlehead Festival has been a great success for the Yinnar community since beginning in 2012 and I’m pleased that the Federal Government has been able to further boost the capacity of this year’s event,” Mr Chester said.
“The concept was initiated and continues to be run by grassroots volunteers and its continued success is a testament to their hard work.
“Organisers believe in bringing people together through music and art. Everybody who attends the festival can participate in music making first hand as well as relaxing to the performances of a range of musicians and artists.”
Carolyne Boothman from the Yinnar and District Festival Management committee said work had already started on planning, designing, and collecting materials for ‘The Whack-It’, which will be completely inclusive and accessible to all children.
“This funding allows us to design and construct a multi-sensory, musical, transportable sculpture which all children can enjoy,” Ms Boothman said.
“Local artists Anthea Williams, Dana Ashlakoff and John Abery have been engaged as the specialists to design and construct the sculpture while local school children will be involved in testing some of the elements of the design and giving feedback to the artists.
“The ‘Whack-It’ will have pride of place at the festival and after the festival it will be placed at the front of the Yinnar Art Resource Collective to remain accessible to the community.”
Mr Northe said the State Government was also a supporter of the festival, providing funding of $4,500 in 2013 and $1,500 in 2012.
He said there was also a market and added children’s entertainment for families to enjoy at the festival.
“While music is the theme of the day, there’ll also be over 60 market stalls selling everything from food to musical instruments, toys, jewellery and gifts,” Mr Northe said.
“In addition to ‘The Whack-It’ children will also be able to enjoy a jumping castle, petting zoo, face painting and an appearance from Koko the Clown.”
Anyone seeking further information about the Fiddlehead Festival should log on to www.facebook.com/fiddleheadfestival, email fiddleheadfestival@yinnar.vic.au or phone 5163 1261.