Far West Festivals

Our region has just hosted another hugely successful Mundi Mundi Bash Music Festival which drew approximately 10,000 people here for the second time since the inaugural festival in April.

The Bash is one of many festivals branding the Far West as a cultural tourism hot-spot, drawing people from across Australia. Interestingly, the festival attracts an older demographics, who really embrace the camping in the outback experience, rigging up for travelling in caravans and camping vans. The journeying to and from the festival was aided by a strategic social media campaign from the organisers, designed to build engagement.

A number of local Far West artists participated in the Art Market, located on-site at the festival. Visitor’s enjoyed the diversity of the artwork on show and yarning with the artists. It was great to see our artists really shine with work representative of the region and culture.

The festival gave a number of local musicians a chance to use their voices and talent on a larger stage. After a beautiful welcome to Willykali Country, Wilcannia Central School Choir performed with Nancy Bates, Allara and Leroy Johnson in the opening set. The choir performed with Missy Higgins on her song ‘Big Kids’. Leroy Johnson, a Malyangapa/Barkandji park ranger at Mutawintji National Park, launched his debut single ‘No Baaka, No Barkandji’, with his local band Leroy Johnson and the Waterbed Band. Leroy also joined Midnight Oil to perform the Warumpi Band’s song, ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’. The audience was treated to a great dance performance from the Wilcannia Barkindji Dancers in the opening set. Worimi and Minjinbul musician, Cory Poulson, played didgeridoo alongside Midnight Oil.

Our Far West festivals are helping to build a visitor relationship to place, with annual festival pilgrimages building on anticipation, immersive experiences and hands on engagement. All of which increases the visibility and value of the arts to our region.

This month sees the return of the much loved Broken Heel Festival 8-12 September. The festival’s entertainment, comedy, cabaret, live music and social activities paying homage to the iconic cult movie and stage musical, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.