After falling in love with the Woodford Folk Festival site at 2008’s Folk Festival, you just cant keep me away from the place. I Leapt at every opportunity to come back here including joining the sites own land care group aptly named the Woodfordia Tree Huggers.
Each month an enthusiastic group of volunteers head out to the site located just out of the town of Woodford about an hours drive north of Brisbane City, QLD, Australia. Arriving Saturday arvo, we all gather at festival hall to meet and get to know our fellow team members over a few drinks. The Variation of folks here is incredible. For those of you thinking we’re “just a bunch of hippies”, well, we maybe at heart, however when you get to know your new friends here, the variety of skills and knowledge you discover is astounding.
On Sunday morning, we are give a small task to complete. This time round we split up into groups to complete some more mulch dispersion around the festival site and out in the day camp area, cleaning up around the sedge pond and clearing a stagnant water drain.
Whilst Tim and I attempted to get the drain flowing again we discovered one of the local creatures living in the mud. Hopefully we made his habitat a bit more homely after the clean up. Also as we hunted for the origin of the drain we discovered Robbo’s Damn, something we had heard about but never seen until now.
After just a few hours of fulfilling labour, its time to pack up and head back to festival hall for the provided BBQ lunch. Its amazing how much can get done with a decent number of people in such a short time. Not to mention a chance to get away from the city and meet some positive like minded people.
If you would like to get involved with the Tree Huggers and become a part of the Woodford Folk Festival family please apply to the mailing list at the following address.. treehuggers [at] woodfordfolkfestival [dot] com .
After much head scratching in front of the drawing board, I’ve finally rebranded all my photography packaging. Cards, Print material and a completely new simplified Folio Website. I selected just 20 of my favorite images which can be viewed at the new redeveloped damienquick.com. I will continue to upload all other images to my Flickr account which can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkwhy/
During August 2009, I had planned to make the drive out to my parents place in Stanthorpe, Located in Queenslands Granite Belt. This was to be the first real test of the Machete the Rebuilt Eco bus. However due to running just a tad behind time, I still made the trip but instead with a car, and also as a chance for Rosanna to meet my Parents.
Everything turned out great as my Sister and Brother-in-law were out there too, which made for a very awesome eventful weekend. There are so many things to do out there that we had to choose a few places to visit this time round and leave the rest for next. So after arriving late Friday evening, and having a few wines with the family, we had to get some decent sleep for the awesome day ahead.
Saturday morning was FREEZING. typical Stanthorpe winter, Heavy Frost left the Dark Maroon car looking like a white blanket had been thrown over the top. We didnt even leave the house until around 11am, opting to relax and eat Breakfast by the Fire.
I had a huge day planned, so My Sister, Bro, Rosanna and I all jumped in the car and headed out to Girraween via Wineries and the Chocolate shop. First stop, Rumbalara Winery. However after coping a face full of unnecessary Attitude, we hightailed it to Ballendeen Estate. We didnt spend too much time here, being one of the most well known Wineries in the region, it was well packed. And for good reason. So being lunch time we headed to the local Ballendeen pub for lunch.
With a brief stop at my favorite multi award winning Wine producer, Robinsons Family Vineyard , it was time to hit the Wisteria Cottage Handmade Chocolate shop located on the out skirts of Girraween National Park. MY GOD. I love this place. I recommend the Extra Dark Hot Chocolate. Your life will be complete!
So after filling our selves with chocolate, it was time to walk it all off with the hike to the Pyramid summit. And yes, these huge lumps of solid granite are a hike and a half. Quite a short walk but somehow most of the massive climb had been erased from my memory. I had forgotten just how huge and strenuous this hike was, thus talking up how easy and short it was. Wow. I need more chocolate.
But by the time we reached the top just in time for the sun to tip into magic hour, all that effort was swept away. 360 views of the entire national park. An amazing place, and look forward to returning here. Saturday evening wound down nicely with BBQ and wine at the parents place in front of the fire. Ain’t life hard!
Sunday was pretty much a day to relax with the family and gave us a chance to catch up. Living in the middle of a 350 acre plantation gave us the privilege of being able to pick some ultra fresh cauliflowers and Leaks left by the Pickers. These are still in great condition but not perfect enough of the markets, so are left behind and ploughed back into the field. By then it was time to head back to the city again, feeling revitalised and ready to take on the next step in lifes new adventures.
Within 2 weeks, Machete the Eco bus will have all her new parts installed, including a zinc plated 350 Holley Carbie and manifold, and ready to take on the country.
So by now I was supposed to be well on my way, traveling the country in my old 1975 Bedford motorhome without a care in the world. That was the Plan anyhow. But as i feel more and more like somthing greater is guiding me, my original plan has somewhat changed, for the better.
There are many reasons why ive been kept back in Brisbane over these past few months. What i originally thought were major set backs, turned out to be , well, a massive stalling technique. Rebuilding a super eco bus, Finding new love and being welcomed into a new extended family, and generally finding myself again through art and music, something i thought i had lost long ago.
To start with, Machete the Eco bus decided to break.. in every way possible. Which in the long run, is a godsend. As now, after 4 months of work on her, with a complete top to bottom rebuild, she’s now very safe and reliable. This gave me a chance to make sure everything was up to scratch. And with only a few little tweeks to go, its now time for all the fun stuff. The artwork and fitting out the home being much better than i could have ever originally hoped for.
All my original travel plans have been rethought as well. And now with the addition of a lovely young lady in the mix, someone with the same outlook, and the will to experience life, the travel idea has become more of an addition rather then a complete lifestyle. Opting for lots of short trips. from 3 days to 3 weeks at a time, more of the multiple “Mini Retirments” idea as mentioned in Tim ferris’ book “The four hour work week”.
Among other things Taking up classical piano lessons on top of refining the new acoustic album, Ive taken up my artwork again after 7 years. Restocking my art supplies with good quality acrylic paints, and a high quality Iwata Airbrush has made the art experience so much easier then before. Its now a joy to paint rather then a pain in the butt.
Im also back on track with the CST Training, now using 15lb & 25lb clubbells, and studying for the CST instructor writen exam. And im about to return to Gymnastics training, still with the desire to back flip and push myself to a higher skill level.
Along with Remaining heavily involved with the Woodford Folk Festival site as Volunteers for the festivals throughout the year and as members of the Woodfordia Tree Huggers, Maintaining the revegitation of the property and generally caring for this planet and its people.
So even though what i originally though was a set back, being held ‘trapped’ here in Brisbane for a few months has yealded a much greater outlook on life then i could have ever wished for. I guess sometimes you just have to ride the wave. And see where you end up.
Immediately after leaving Greenfest I headed straight back to the bus and headed up to the Woodford Folk Festival site but this time, for the Dreaming festival. Australia’s International Indigenous festival, where This year, I had volunteered to work with the maintenance crew known as “Fixology”. Apart from having to deal with the other 40,000 people heading north for the long weekend, it was a lovely yet slow trip.
Because I was working at the festival I had the privilege of camping at “Cloudland” the BEST camp site on the entire property, right up ontop of the highest hill overlooking the entire festival on one side and spectacular scenery on the other. And as usual in bus, I got Bogged. But i was off the road enough, so I thought buggar it. Im camping right here. By this time it was dark and I was still recovering from a cold, so not long after arriving, it was off to bed.
Up early, it was time to head into the festival for the first volunteer meeting. But first, admiring the amazing low lying cloud roll in through the valley over breakfast.
I love this place as ive mentioned many times before. The scenery, and the vibe from the people that spend time here. Id never been to “The Dreaming” festival before so I wasnt sure what to expect compared to the main Folk Festival event, but really.. they are pretty much on par. A Lot of the same stalls and people, all be it a fair bit smaller scale.
I didnt have to start my shift till later that afternoon so I spent the day casually wondering around the festival catching acts here and there and checking out my crew’s office etc.. Meeting the crew for the first time was awesome.. Ive come along way over the years, from being quite a closed person that barely left the house, to someone loving meeting and getting to know new people.
Another Thing i love about this place is the vast array of food available. I discovered A place that sold Mayan Coffee which included the addition of Chilli. Yum, Man I drank so much of this stuff, even though the line up took what felt like a life time. I had conversations in that line that discussed such topics as being able to meet someone, get married, have childeren and watch them grow, all while waiting in this bloody line! But that Chilli Mocha was so worth it..
As well as many familier faces, the Torres Strait Islanders, Archie Roach, Blue King Brown, and my Tree Huggers Crew, I Checked out and met many other great acts , such as Adrian and his Band Tjupurru. With their incredible Electronica style Didjeridu, Beat boxing and experimental noise, with the addition of on stage Performing arts by Terry from All star Fish.
And the thing is I wouldnt have even come across them if I hadent met Terry in the festival street the day before with his Bass Tar. Check this Video out.
Another Awesome band I met, a Great TI Hiphop crew Called One Blood Hidden Image. These Guys went off. And I ended up having such a good night I pretty much wrote off the entire next day. lol. Probably wasnt the smartest thing to do when recovering from a cold. But I enjoyed drinking with these guys and thats all that counts.
The Dancestry Stage was another Favorite place to relax and enjoy new acts. Very entertaining with many Countries Indigenous Dance groups represented here. No mater where I wondered off too I always found myself back here to see whats happening next.
Over all I had a great time, working at the larger events here at Woodford has so many bonuses. Really, you arnt required to do many hours at all, which covers your entry into the festival, so well worth it. Its really the best of both world, being at and enjoying the festival while working behind the scenes and helping to make this great event run smoothly, As well as meeting many like minded people. Now im really looking forward to the main event at the end of the year, but for now I have the Woodford Treehugger weekends to attent up until then. Plus working on my Bus ‘Machete’ and getting her completely rebuilt as an Eco-mobile. A self sustained house on wheels.
