Fruit Trees and Geese
Friday, May 25, 2018
Lines
Sunday, May 20, 2018
What Makes a Vibrant Community?
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Tales to Connect with Your Community
Amanda Fisher
Embracing the environment, community and culture through the creation of a contemporary ‘songline’ —the ‘Mountain to Mouth; Geelong’s 80 km extreme arts walk’ is inspired by pathways that for thousands of years have been used to navigate across country through song, story, dance, ritual and visual art (Mountain to Mouth).
Intrepid walkers took to the track from the You Yangs to Barwon Heads foreshore – stopping along the 12 songline stations between burst of gale-force-winds, rain and sunshine.
Like nature, not all elements could be neatly packaged into the well-planned two-day event, with high tide blocking access to the beach between Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove. Although disappointing not be able to walk the full distance, it gave welcome relief for tired feet in the shuttles buses.
One step at a time
For a first timer, just one section of 13.9 kms was enough to get a taste for Mountain to Mouth from Drysdale Station to Swan Bay. The Swan Bay Marine and Freshwater Discover Centre was interwoven into the fabric of the event – starring as a songline station, opening it’s doors to the public with free entry for participants. Volunteer educators were on hand with an intricate knowledge of local fish and other water-life on display — reinforcing the festival message of the community as environment protectors. Make sure you take another look at the Swan Bay Marine and Freshwater Discover Centre during the school holidays with educational and fun activities for kids.
The Care Taker
Artist Dan Goronszy created the interactive installation ‘The Care Taker’ at the Swan Bay songline exploring the role of intimacy and care between strangers in public places. Participants had the opportunity to sit on comfortable cushions in a private area and quietly contemplate their cares —writing down a ‘care’ for public viewing to be displayed inside the care caravan and then later burnt with the ceremonial canoe.
Canoe
Canoe sculptors Leslie Pearson (USA) and Kerrie Bedson.
Artists Leslie Pearson (USA) and Kerrie Bedson sculptured the canoe using pig’s gut, hessian and cane to create the ceremonial canoe with the durability and strength to survive two days of exposure to varied autumnal weather and the final act of disappearing into flames as it is sent off into the sea. The artists were on hand at the songlines to make last minute repairs and alterations before being entrusted into each new set of hands along the journey.
Wadawarrung Traditional Owners
Mountain to Mouth acknowledges Wadawarrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong Community today (Mountain to Mouth).
Together from Mountain to Mouth
Bellarine Times, Australia
written by Jessica Nicol 09/05/2018
written by Jessica Nicol 09/05/2018
The third biennial Mountain to Mouth event saw walkers follow the lead sculpture Canoe (created by Ocean Grove artist Kerrie Bedson in collaboration with US-based artist Leslie Pearson) from the You Yangs to Barwon Heads.
WALKERS from across Victoria converged on the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe as part of the third biennial Mountain to Mouth (M2M) event.
M2M is an extreme 80-kilometre arts walk that draws thousands of people to take part in three main ceremonies, the gathering of the Elders at Big Rock; the gathering of the city as part of Geelong After Dark and on Saturday night, the gathering of the elements on the Barwon Heads foreshore.
Walkers followed the lead sculpture Canoe (created by Ocean Grove artist Kerrie Bedson in collaboration with US-based artist Leslie Pearson) from the You Yangs to Barwon Heads; Canoe was a commission made possible by Deakin University.
Following tradition, the walk culminated in the burning of Canoe, sent out to sea on the Meme, named in honour of founding artistic director Meme McDonald.
Mayor Bruce Harwood said the event managed to showcase a different side of Geelong.
“The weather certainly didn’t dampen spirits and Mountain to Mouth once again proved to be one of our most community-spirited events, showcasing a unique side of Geelong,” Cr Harwood said.
“Thank you to all of the supporters that enable this award-winning event to take place and congratulations to the hardworking officers at the City, whose commitment delivers an exceptional experience for the community.”
In keeping with the 2018 theme, artistic director Margie Mackay wove a narrative of hope for the earth; that which sustains; that which nourishes; and that which heals.
The nine songline stations and the three ceremonies embodied Mackay’s ethos and in turn, further consolidated the foundation of this multi-award-winning event.
Members of Geelong Sustainability
Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS
The Mountain to Mouth extreme arts walk came to a spectacular end at the mouth of the Barwon River on Saturday night.
MOUNTAIN TO MOUTH BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
May 2018
In its third reiteration, Mountain to Mouth has once again proven to be a great unifier of local communities, consolidating its reputation as a must-do event.
Walkers from across Victoria converged on the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe to participate in this biennial event.
The three main ceremonies, Gathering of the Elders at Big Rock; Gathering of the City as part of Geelong After Dark, and, on Saturday night, Gathering of the Elements, on the Barwon Heads foreshore, were among the many highlights of the 80km extreme arts walk covering the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe. Drawing thousands of people, the Ceremonies were described as ‘uplifting’, ‘moving’, and ‘life-affirming’.
Walkers followed the lead ephemeral sculpture, Canoe, created by Ocean Grove artist Kerrie Bedson in collaboration with US-based artist Leslie Pearson, from the You Yangs to Barwon Heads. Canoe was a commission made possible by Deakin University. Bedson and Pearson were successful in obtaining the Commission after a rigorous Expression of Interest process. Many walkers expressed their appreciation of the extraordinary diversity of the landscape and the way different communities came together to create art that was an expression of their local land. As is the tradition, the walk culminated in the burning of Canoe, sent out to sea on the Meme, named in honour of founding Artistic Director Meme McDonald.
In keeping with the 2018 theme, Artistic Director Margie Mackay wove a narrative of hope for the Earth; that which sustains; that which nourishes; and that which heals. The nine songline stations and the three Ceremonies embodied Mackay’s ethos and in turn, has further consolidated the foundation of this multi-award winning event.
Mountain to Mouth is made possible by the support of Founding Partners Deakin University, Gen-U, the Borough of Queenscliffe, Corangamite CMA, Parks Victoria, Diversitat and, most importantly, the guidance, knowledge and wisdom of the Wadawurrung Corporation and the Wathaurong Co-Operative, specifically Uncle Bryon Powell and Corrina Eccles. The support received from Partner Sponsors WorkSafe, TAC and Geelong Connected Communities go a long way to ensuring that the City of Greater Geelong is embracing a Clever and Creative future.
Desiree Jacobson
Cultural Marketing and Communications Officer
City of Greater Geelong
Barwon Water
Barwon Water
May 4, 2018
You Yangs Forest Park, Australia
Barwon Water is proud to take part in Mountain to Mouth (M~M), an 80 kilometre extreme arts walk from the granite ranges of the You Yangs, to the mouth of the Barwon River at Barwon Heads.
In the tradition of Wadawurrung, M~M creates a contemporary songline across the region, bringing together art, sport and the community to connect with our land and waterways.
Canoe Sets Off with a Message
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/news-story/dc0694bab5d73e1ca164a604c13c813e
Mountain to Mouth 2018: Ocean Grove artist Kerrie Bedson works with American Leslie Pearson
OCEAN Grove artist Kerrie Bedson has joined forces with American Leslie Pearson to create the lead artwork canoe for Friday’s cultural Mountain to Mouth walk.
The biennial event will see the artwork travel 80km through Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Queenscliff, from the You Yangs to the mouth of the Barwon River.
Ms Bedson said it was a great honour to be given the opportunity to create the canoe for an event that celebrated the earth, environment and the traditional owners of the land.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates a lot of what I am deeply passionate about,” she said.
“Leslie and I have been corresponding for over two years working on this project and making connections about what we both like.
“We’re very excited to see it come together.”
Mountain to Mouth begins at Big Rock at the You Yangs, crossing through Geelong before arriving in the city centre for the Geelong After Dark event.
The canoe will begin its journey again at dawn Saturday, following the Barwon River through the Bellarine Peninsula hinterland. The event is expected to reach the Barwon Heads rivermouth at sunset for a closing ceremony.
Mountain to Mouth artistic director Margie Mackay praised the work of the two women for their creation of a work that fitted so perfectly with the event theme.
“The beautiful dark and edgy design of canoe, reflecting the 2018 theme of earth, will create a visceral response in the Mountain to Mouth audience,” she said.
Other commissioned art pieces will line the 80km track.
Refugees who fled conflict find solace in Victorian Indigenous cultural ceremony
Refugees who fled conflict find solace in Victorian Indigenous cultural ceremony
PHOTO: Refugees said taking part in the traditional ceremony helped give them a sense of belonging. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
Dozens of refugees in Victoria's south-west have discovered parallels between Aboriginal culture and their own, after taking part in an ancient Indigenous ceremony.
Refugees from South Sudan, Burma and Iran climbed up to the top of Wurdi Yawang or Big Rock in the You Yangs, south-west of Melbourne for a gathering of the elders ceremony.Wurdi Yawang is a culturally significant site, set amidst the distinctive granite peaks of the You Yangs, which rise from the volcanic plains between Geelong and Melbourne.
It is a spiritual place that has been used by Indigenous ancestors for thousands of years as a gathering place.
James Reuei was born in South Sudan and became a refugee while living in east Africa.
He said he would remember what he had seen so he could better understand Australia and the city he now lives in; Geelong.
"Indigenous people are part of this community and we want to join them and respect their tradition," he said.
Mr Reuei said similarities between Indigenous culture and his own helped give him a feeling of belonging.
Augustino Moedu from Burma said he also wanted to celebrate Aboriginal people.
"It's very important for the community to get a good spirit, and to get peace and harmony. It's a way of unity," he said.
"We come to celebrate the elders. Because elders in the community are very important, especially in the African community and we need to honour them."
Celebration with music and dance
Wadawurrung traditional owner Corrina Eccles led a song and dance in language with other women."Those stories are important to pass down to other generations … we find that people from other cultures really embrace it," she said. "They want to know more about the first peoples, they want to know more about the stories, they want to connect to the first peoples of the land."
Ms Eccles said dance was particularly helpful for sharing history with people from other countries.
"We all have different languages. We find they [people from other countries] really embrace, respect and value what we have to share.
"It's really significant that it starts with the first peoples sharing our story," she said.
"It's people being knowledgeable of the first people that cared for this land, for this country."
"If we don't have healthy country, we don't have healthy people" she said.
The ceremony was also attended by Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale who agreed caring for country was essential.
"When we protect country, we protect ourselves," he said.
A call to ceremony was performed by Barry Gilson who sang in the Wathaurung language.
"What I sung means rejoice and celebrate," he said.
"Singing has strong historical values and we try to educate people and keep the culture fresh, revitalised.
"To bring it out of the hibernation it was put in through colonisation."
The Mountain to Mouth event will finish when walkers arrive at the head of the Barwon River on Saturday night.
Frozen
Liz McGrath
ARTIST BRINGS LEGENDS TO LIFE FOR GEELONG AFTER DARK
For this year’s Geelong After Dark (GAD) renowned local artist Liz McGrath tapped into the Bellarine’s rich history uncovering two amazing muses in the process.
As the city streets transform into works of art on May 4 by local, national and internationally renowned artists, this year’s theme Earth will be evident in Ms McGrath’s works.
Ms McGrath said she has constructed two large scale colonial dresses representative of Anne Drysdale (1792-1853) and Caroline Newcombe (1812-1892); two lady squatters that arrived in Australia separately and after a chance meeting in Geelong, went on to run successful farms together.
“I was keen to do something about local women and Geelong history, when I tried to find an individual I found this amazing pair who ended up having suburbs named after them,” Ms McGrath said.
“They were very unusual early settlers and successful farmers, they were quite social on the Bellarine and highly respected. They built Coriyule, a grand house in Drysdale at their final farm and were devoted to each other.”
Ms McGrath said the concept came to her straight away and the dresses took about a month to complete.
“They’re very exaggerated proportions, my vision was two ladies coming back from 150 years ago, wafting through the crowd and having a stroll through modern Geelong,” she said.
“They haven’t got faces or hands because I found the frocks were enough to represent them, these women were so prominent and well respected it makes them astounding women of their time.”
Drysdale Steam Engine
Canoe - Close Ups
These are some detail shots of Canoe, which was made with bamboo, cane, gut, paper, and fabric
Characters and Black Swans
I walked quite a bit with Wolfie, a really inspiring character who managed to go the entire 50 miles!
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