Members of the Equip Project team had a busy long weekend from the 18th to 21st September supporting three separate events in the NSW Equip site of Nymboida. First up was the Nymboida Harvest Moon Festival, a music festival held on the Willow Tree Stage set amongst the glorious grounds of the Nymboida Canoe and Camping Centre. There were more than 25 performers comprising country, blues, jazz, flamenco, experimental, and rockabilly. The country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley arrived late afternoon to delight the crowd of 300 people with a surprise 40-minute set just on dinner time. Our own Jo Robinson volunteering on the gate got to flag Troy and some of his family driving into the festival and managed a sneaky selfie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equip was a major sponsor of the festival and the team of Chloe Hurrell, Amy Lykins, Warren Bartik, and of course now new groupie Jo, volunteered on the gate throughout the two days as well as assisting with other tasks to support the festival committee. The weather was glorious across both days with the Equip team camping on site. Festival attendees received flyers and jellybeans, and a steady stream of people coming up to our stall meant there was some broad dissemination about Equip. Just before the final acts on the Saturday night, Chloe and Warren were invited onto the stage to talk about Equip and the importance of community engagement and connection. Chloe drew the raffle prize for a one lucky attendee.

Sunday morning was not just pack up, clean up, and go home. Chloe and Jo attended the RFS Get Ready Day at the Nymboida Hall from 10 to 1pm supported by some of our Community Connectors and Advisory Group members, and Warren attended the Aboriginal Youth and Family Day at Dundurrabin Community Hall (Blicks River) part of the Nymboida Equip site with the support of Community Connectors Leonie Pankhurst and Shakti Mudra. Warren had the pleasure of meeting and yarning to local elders Uncle Alan and Uncle Phil who were both very happy to talk more about Equip and how the local community can be involved. Kangaroo stew and damper was on the menu with also didge shaping, making of clapping sticks, and the women and girls weaving with Llanos grass.   

It was an exhausting four days but so fulfilling to be working in these locations and to see how the Equip project is helping to support community cohesion.

(Photos of the Aboriginal Youth and Family Day taken with permission).