Lots of activity and work behind the scenes again made for a successful and most enjoyable festival last Easter, thanks to our volunteers who spent many long hours slashing, mowing, installing and fixing toilets, taps etc. and making sure everything was spot on for the campers’ arrival.
Thanks must also go to Mike who has done the gate for us for 17 years and says this was his last year.
We certainly hope not!! It’s a big job for him and we need more assistance for this important part of the festival. The heavy rain on the Tuesday may have deterred a few but most sat it out until the road dried out enough to come on in. The spirit of the campers was certainly not dampened
A great start to the entertainment was the ‘dancing under the stars’ night with the dance music played by the effervescent Peter Horan who made sure all enjoyed tapping the light fantastic on the grass.
It was a beautiful starry night and the fairy lights in the trees gave a lovely atmosphere. Again the entertainment both at the main stage and the campfire nights was just amazing; so much talent and the audience are always just so appreciative of the walk-ups as well as the guest artists. The highlight for us is the final night where anything can happen on stage … and does! But when Tommy turns off the lights and the audience turn on their torches and wave them in the air, it is a magical finale to the end of a perfect Easter.
2011
Next year we have the legend of the old Bandstand days, the “I’ve Been Everywhere Man” Lucky Starr joining Roland Storm, Ian B Macleod, Dale Hooper, Dianne Lindsay, Craig Giles, Charley Boyter and Sharon Benjamin, as well as Peter Horan, Tommy Maxwell and myself, so it will be a cracker of a show. Also, as Easter Monday is Anzac Day, Clarence Ormsby will be conducting a special Anzac Day Service at the campground stage.
On A Personal Note
We now have a new addition to the family with a chocolate Burmese kitten named Rahni which is Hindu for princess. She is just delightful, but also can be very naughty. She and Oscar get on very well but I think Rahni has the upper hand!
I am finding my time being taken up with maintaining the farm and our home in Buderim. I have completed many jobs that have previously been put aside. How I found time for touring I don’t know, but I do miss it sometimes and hope to do a few more concerts down the track.
The dam is full again at Hartwood so it will be looking a picture again when we get back there in September before heading off on a caravan trip to Victoria.
The Hartwood 2011 flyers are now available so please email or ‘phone Hele if anyone would like some.
See you at Hartwood 2011
Cheers,
Paul
