Gum Ball Meeting (rough) Notes

Date: 19-Jan-08
Author: Peter Firminger
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The public meeting before the DA was to be lodged was held yesterday at Café Wollombi attended by only eight locals.

Brenda from the Tavern was away and sent her apologies.

It was very interesting to note that six of the eight locals in attendance were female, with myself and Charles being the two males (other than Matt). 

Matt and Colleen Johnston from Red Floor Productions went through the history of the event, that it had been running for 4 years, starting on their own property in Lower Belford and later at James Estate in Pokolbin.

In searching for a new and more appropriate venue, Wollombi seemed to fit the brief.

The Gum Ball is a (Blues and Roots) Music and Arts festival aimed at a family audience.

Some of the artists booked include:

Urthboy, Mia Dyson, The Fumes, Dan Sultan, Hat Fitz & Itchy, The Detonators, Laura Imbruglia, Dead Letter Chorus, Blue Zone, Zoophtye, Peregrine, Ooh la la, Rogerthat and The Evening Son.

There will also be artists painting each music set in real time as the performances are on.

The dates planned are Friday 11 April to Sunday 13 April. This is (apparently) the first week of the school holidays.

The date is a bit of an issue with two local (Wollombi Cattle Sales and Valley Artists production of "Away") and another Hunter Valley event (K.D. Lang at Tempus Two) on the same weekend. It was also noted that April is traditionally one of the wettest months.

The event will be in support of Beyond Blue - The National Depression Initiative.

From what was said in the meeting, it seems that all appropriate measures have been put in place, insurance, security, first-aid, rubbish and effluent removal etc. In fact the event planning is very "green" in it's nature with the use of composting toilets, and the insistence of "smart packaging" for all stall holders that may be selling  from a small marketplace area in the venue or vicinity.

It is hoped that other areas will be utilised, such as the school grounds, the Museum etc.

The schedule of the event is:

Friday - 5:30pm to Midnight
Saturday - 10:00am to 1:00am
Sunday - Light entertainment and BBQ lunch - no concert program

Ticket prices are:

$100 for a weekend pass ($120 with camping) per person
$70 for Saturday only and $40 for Friday night only
$300 for a family pass (2 adults and 2 children)
Children under 12 will be admitted free

Wollombi businesses would be given first choice for stalls (food etc.) and would need to organise the appropriate health regs and insurances etc.

It seems to me to be a good opportunity for Greater Wollombi Valley businesses to put themselves on show.

It is also a good opportunity for  local artists and musicians, with one stage dedicated to local Hunter/Central Coast emerging performers.

There is of course a down side, especially for the handful of village residents. Noise and (foot) traffic will be an issue but with adequate security and Responsible Alcohol policing in place, other issues should be minimised.

The organiser has been in contact with NSW Tourism and a successful initial event could be built on into the future with grant money being applied for from 2009 on.

Staffing will be an issue and some people will be brought in by the promoter, but others will need to be volunteered from local organisations. Unfortunately there will not be enough overhead to pay people, but I (now) believe Wollombi will benefit greatly.

There will be a NO GLASS policy and no BYO alcohol. All alcohol would be supplied by the license holder (seemingly the Tavern at this stage). Responsible Alcohol use woul