PatchFest 2018: ‘It takes a village’

Post by Stephanie Lightfoot. 

This Saturday 27 October, The Patch Primary School community comes together for the first ever PatchFest. I spoke with The Patch School parent and festival committee member, CJ Baxter, for her insider’s tips for the day.

Over the last several months, kids, parents, teachers, alumnae and the wider hills community have been working towards whole-school fundraiser, PatchFest; its theme: ‘It takes a village’, a proverbial nod to these efforts, as well as its aims. Given the small scale of both the school and the town, pulling the event together has meant seeking support beyond these bounds – among the event’s major sponsors are winery Helen & Joey Estate, in Gruyere, and vintage retailer, Fleetwood Collection, in Belgrave. The breadth of the day’s program, too – spanning live music, arts activities and workshops, a Marketplace, chai tent, beer garden and community bonfire – speaks to diverse ages, interests and curiosities. The idea, CJ says, is to create a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in which both those within and outside of the school community feel involved and welcome; to affirm that ‘we’re all here to support one another’.

This allusion to wellbeing is pertinent. Though not geared toward one particular cause or project, CJ tells me that some of the funds raised will be allocated to the development of a Wellbeing Centre at the school. This will provide a space for both students and parents to support themselves, and one another.

CJ and her partner, Kathleen Snowball, or Snowy – who has headed the PatchFest music committee – have been running businesses and events in the area for a number of years – notably, the End of the Line Festival in Belgrave (which ran from 2012–2015), and the Skylark Room in Upwey. Following their departure from Skylark earlier this year, PatchFest has been in the works. So, what can we expect from the Fest?

Right off the bat, CJ mentions The Bean Project – whose members include past Patch student, Ben Langdon; and the more recent Patch alum, the ‘ridiculously talented’ Sadie, performing on the day. They’re in good company; with Spiritus, Eddie Cole, Miller, and the Chops also playing sets. These diverse, ‘top-notch’ acts, among others, will perform across three stages, one of which will also be graced by current Patch students. Together with a buskers’ area, there’s no shortage of musical delights on offer. And, though the line-up may give some of the better known arts and music festivals a run for their money, entry is free!

Clockwise from top left: Miller; Spiritus; and The Bean Project.

This amalgamation of talent from both inside and beyond the school community is consistent throughout PatchFest. The Marketplace, curated by Danielle De Valence, of the Fleetwood Collection, will peddle the wares of Patch students, professional artisans, and local vintage collectors. The school’s emphasis on the environment is highlighted here – with sustainability being one of the key criteria upon which Year 5 and 6 students’ pilot Marketplace products were judged. In line with this, PatchFest is plastic bag-free, and there will be no balloons, or disposable plates, cups, or cutlery on site.

When it comes to fuelling up, CJ tells me the school’s woodfire pizza oven will be ‘cranking all day’, among other goodies homemade and homebaked by Patch students and families. And, for some more mature refreshment, there’s beautiful, Yarra Valley wines from Helen & Joey Estate.

For those keen to fit in some learning, there’s also a Workshop Hub, with a number of ‘Pay as you feel’ classes. Here, you can flex your dramatic muscles with The Patch-based Storey Players, learn the basics of the ukelele with Patch School ukelele teacher Jess Dunn, or discover the joy of communal singing with Jessica McNabb and the Sweet Sassafras Choir.

The day concludes with a community bonfire on the school oval. When I asked what will fuel the fire, CJ tells me that the home of one of the parents on the PatchFest committee backs onto the oval; having recently had to chop down a tree, they will provide the goods. Not to mention, the dozens of local businesses that have donated products, services and vouchers towards fundraising via a silent auction and raffles on the day.

This patent sense of generosity and collaboration is by no means anomalous in the hills – where, CJ corroborates, many people move to, to immerse themselves in community. Certainly, the Patch Primary community seems to be thriving.

For more information, check out PatchFest on Facebook.

PatchFest 2018: ‘It takes a village’
Cost: Free entry
When: Saturday 27 October, 2pm–9pm
Where: The Patch Primary School
53 Kallista-Emerald Road, The Patch

 

From Forest Haiku to Spring Poem

Post by Cameron Semmens

As editor and designer of the 2018 Winter edition of the hillscene ‘zine I decided to open it up to all those aspiring writers out there – to write a haiku for the forest! ‘Cause I love the forest, and I know a lot of other people out there do too.

Haiku holds a unique place in many people’s story. They are one of the few poetic forms taught in school that don’t rhyme, and that can be deliberately open and ambiguous. Which I think is a healthy acknowledgment of the mystery and ‘poetry’ of reality, rather than the spreadsheets and certainty we are sometimes sold.

The tight constraints of haiku: allowing only 5 syllables for the first line; 7 for the second and 5 for the third – act like a focussing lens; like a magnifying glass – cutting out all that isn’t needed, utilising just the most effective and evocative words.

I think this form of poem is at its best when simply capturing a single suggestive moment; an emotive word-photo of a landscape; or a fragment of a scene that is emblematic of a whole world. And so many people did this really well.

I got about 40 haiku submissions – which was great. But it wasn’t easy to whittle them down to the final ones published in the ‘zine.

My selection criteria was pretty simple: it had to be in and around the forest; to be original and fresh; to be vivid and evocative. And on top of that I was looking for both ‘heart’ and ‘craft’ – words that felt honest and emotional that also showed precision and deliberate crafting.

After making the selection, I paired them with an appropriate photo, and then tried to match them with a space or story in the ‘zine.

A big shout out to Katie Cremean at Ferny Creek Primary School – she got her whole grade 3 class writing haiku and producing complimentary art – which was just delightful.

So, I hope you enjoy the haiku selected… 

But before that – the next poetry challenge! Since the last call out went so well, I’ve made a new poetry challenge for the Spring issue.

Write a Spring poem for Hillscene!

For potential publication in the Spring/Summer edition of Hillscene. To qualify, your poem must mention: 

– 1 colour

– 1 type of plant or tree, and

– 1 place name from The Dandenong ranges.

5 lines MAXIMUM.

Send in by Oct 10, 2018.

Have a go. Let the inspiration flow. Put pen to paper. 

Send it through to me, Cameron, at cam@webcameron.com

An example:

Stepping away
from grey-skied, tourist-busy Sassafras
wet ferns kiss me with ancient love
and fog-lavished forest rehydrates
my data-parched soul

The key words being: grey, fern, Sassafras.

I look forward to reading your entires. And of course, sadly, we won’t be able to publish every entry. But good luck.

In the meantime, enjoy these haiku!!!!

Halloween on the Green

Tell us a bit about your event?

With big crowds and amazing costumes being the main feast for the eyes, expect the unexpected!

The growing popularity of Halloween is a wonderful vehicle to set as the theme for our fundraiser. It has become evident over the past couple of years that there is no real central gathering point on the mountain to celebrate this occasion. Pockets of fun have begun to appear locally, however families mostly leave the mountain. We would like to draw on this momentum by providing a child safe and family-friendly environment for all our community to celebrate.

What music and activities will be held on the day?

We have a fully packed program of activities these include:

We will have an amazing array of entertainment this year at Halloween on the Green. Our Master of Ceremonies the wonderful Rosalind Mackay will commence the day with a ‘welcome to country’ and introduce Mayor, Cr Len Cox with an opening speech.

Local musicians, The Bean Project, with their vibrant French horn clad quintet will be stopping by to play their jazz/folk set on the main stage at 12.40 – 2:30pm. Parkville the band will be entertaining the crowds on the main stage from 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm.

Join the crowd at the main stage in the final hour of the day with ‘Name that Tune’ music competition. It’s free to enter and loads of fun. The first person to guess all tunes wins a prize. A stunning musical landscape in sound of popular culture will be brought to you by the masterful talents of art teacher Rod Price and supported by student Harrison Lawrence. Come guess and come dance good bye to Halloween for another year.

As well as this, we will have roving Wizard story teller Sim Salla Bim 12:30 – 3:30 pm. Performers and musicians Los Trios and stilt walkers will delight by roving the green from 1:00 – 4:00pm.

Join in the conga line at 1:45 – 2:30 pm and the Best Dressed prize parade and announcement at 3:45pm.

Watch our business identities, school principals, Bendigo Bank manager and Fire Captain be dunked in our dunking machine throughout the day. Free carnival rides, face painting, CFA Fire Brigade truck, Scouts rope bridge, hair braiding and trick or treat for the kids and surprise music sets in the main Hall (trick or treat includes free lollies and apples.

What to eat

A variety of taste sensations from different cultures will be on offer from our food stall vendors’ tents and food trucks. These include: The Spud Shack, Raithai Traditional Thai Food Van, D’LISH Turkish Street Food, Golden Poffertjes and Bring Braai South African Food.

Our four schools and the home-schooling network will also be offering food at reasonable prices for all to enjoy such as: sausage sizzle tent, healthy homemade soups, fairy floss, fresh homemade lemonade, lemon deserts, popcorn and Melba Coffee expertly prepared by local baristas.

What to buy

Around the green a variety of stall vendors will be showcasing the best of their wares for you to purchase. Vendor stalls include: Corkies Creations, Little Lucy’s Garden, Sues Laughing Clowns, Pretty Strange Crafts, Kiddies Food Kutters, Farrahs Cakes, Dreams to Creations, Cabochon Harmony, Luna Co, Artful Splodgers, T is for Treehouse, Beauty Stayz All Day, Kongas Kreations

Plus Tarot Readings – Our team of Tarot Readers will be in tents and providing 15-minute Tarot Readings for $25.00, with all proceeds going back to our schools.

Why did you decide to have a Halloween celebration?

It was evident that Halloween was becoming more and more celebrated each year and adopted as a fun vehicle for our Hills families. We wanted a means to gather the community which brought all sectors together to help and support each other while having fun. Who doesn’t like to dress up!

Why do you think Halloween has become so popular?

We feel Halloween is so popular because it enables a means of self-expression and exploration of all that Halloween encompasses. This year we have gone to great lengths to produce information pillars at this year’s event to show how Halloween is expressed through different cultures. From the Christian celebration of All Saints Day to the Mexican celebration of the Day-of-the-Dead. So much more to Halloween than people first understand.

What/Who will the money raised go towards?

The monies raised on the day are divided between our participating schools and the Philanthropic Collective to stage the following years Event. Last year the Philanthropic Collective raised almost 17 thousand dollars, and this was divided up and donated back in the same way.

Who are the Philanthropic Collective and what do they want to achieve for the community?

The Philanthropic Collective are a group of parent volunteers which offer their time, services and expertise to support our schools, students and community. We have a focus on supporting families facing hardship whether that be via our free food program or simply providing free tickets to the Royal Melbourne Show.

The Philanthropic Collective is committed to creating child safe environments within all our projects where children and young people are safe and feel safe.

Anything else you’d like to add?

This year we are working towards a cultural celebration of Halloween and to bring our community together once again. Through this Festival, The Philanthropic Collective is focused on creating beautiful and lasting memories for our families and our community by having a wonderful time with each other once a year.

It remains our intention to once again offer as many free activities to children as possible, including some rides. Our aim is to eliminate the disparity between families who can afford to pay for rides and activities for their children and those who cannot. This is the spirit that we would like to spread. Our success on the day cannot be measured by how much money is raised, rather should be judged by the joy that will be generated.

Last year our call to ‘good will’ in order to bring this event to life, reached many people from our immediate three schools, from our local community but also and surprisingly from outside of our hills. Many volunteers unrelated to our schools as well as artists sensitive to our aim offered to perform for free and help on the day. This in itself was a wonderful achievement in ‘good will’ and a great reward for our efforts to this aim.

When & Where

Saturday 27th October 2018
Start time 12:00 noon – concluding at 6:00 pm
Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve Hall
16 Clarkmont Road, Sassafras 3787, Victoria

Admission

Limited online tickets available
$6.00 per person – children three years of age and under free of charge
Ticket purchases online at www.halloweenonthegreen.com.au with a two hundred dollar value early bird prizes for purchases before the 1st of October.

For more information go to halloween on the green facebook page.