Louise Brand, part of our Panel of Oomph. Photo: Alasdair McDonald & Ian Campbell.

While the Festival of Open Minds looks to bring some of the nation’s big thinkers to our regional community, there is always a place for local voices to take centre stage and add their own weight.

After lunch, this Saturday (September 14), our ‘Panel of Oopmh’ will convene, addressing a range of issues and experiences.

These are people from the hills and beaches of the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla, locals who have been spurred into action by a need they see in their community and in themselves.

The Festival of Open Minds, Panel of Oomph:

Louise Brand –  Louise’s husband David was fatally injured in a road rage incident while he was riding his bike in June 2018. Louise is vocal about our need to become more patient and tolerant to all who use our roads.

Erica Dibden – Erica is passionate about food provenance, sustainability and nutrition. Along with her husband Nic, she manages a large family, a herd of Jersey cows, and the burgeoning Tilba Real Dairy.

Hannah Doole – “Civil disobedience is where things change,” says 19-year-old Hannah. Since finishing school in Bega, Hannah has been on the frontline of climate action in Queensland.

Warren Foster Jr – Young Dirringanj performer and creator Warren is a member of the Gulaga Dance Group, runs the Cypher Friday Hip Hop event at the Grand Hotel in Bega, and is a mentor for music development organisation, Grow the Music.

Darren Jones – an ex-police officer, Darren is Event Director for the upcoming Band Together Music Festival, which brings the Sapphire Coast and visitors together to support disaster relief in the Bega Valley.

Kate Toyer – Kate said she wanted to be two things when she grew up, a veterinarian, and a girl. As a veterinarian, married with children, in 2011 she told her wife she wasn’t a ‘normal’ guy. In 2015, Kate started her gender transformation journey.

Lend your weight and voice to the discussion, tickets for the Festival of Open Minds this Friday night and all day Saturday (September 13 & 14) are on sale now. Rush to the Festival website for more and to claim your place.

Other locals taking to the stage with their story and talent during the program are; Sassi Nuyum, AKA Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer; Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra; Corrine Gibbons, songstress and choir director; and Damon Davis, long time singer-songwriter and the original man of oopmh;

The theme for Open Minds in 2019 is ‘People With Oomph’ inspired by Bega Valley song man Damon Davis and his song of the same name.

“People with oomph – they’re not lyin down. People with oomph – spread the good life. People with oomph – keep their own style. People with oomph – walk mile after mile,” Damon sings.

The 2019 Festival of Open Minds line up includes:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, AKA Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
• Corrine Gibbons, songstress and choir director;
• Jonathan Kenna, Australia’s Ambassador to Sweden;
• Captain Phil Holliday, Sydney, Port Kembla and Eden Harbour Master;
• Damon Davis, long time singer-songwriter and the original man of oopmh;
• A local panel of leaders including Erica Dibden – Tilba Milk, Louise Brand – road safety campaigner, Kate Toyer – Eurobodalla vet and transgender advocate,  Warren Foster Jr – Aboriginal artist and leader, Darren Jones – Band Together, and Hannah Doole – climate change activist.

The night before this day of discussion, we launch the festival with a FREE community celebration – Parklight in the heart of Bega. Littleton Gardens will light up with magical occurrences and happenings, a celebration of our community with a focus on the contribution and talent of youth and Indigenous culture.

Hannah Doole, part of our Panel of Oomph  Photo: Supplied.

Adult tickets for Saturday’s program are on sale now, including lunch option, people 12 to 19 years get in FREE, but you do need to reserve your place. Students there on the day will also be in the running to win $500 to put towards a science education experience of their choice thanks to The Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Inspiring Australia.

Rush to Eventbrite now to claim your place at the Festival of Open Minds.

• Southern Phone
• Julie Rutherford Real Estate
• Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre 
• Bega Valley Library Service
• Bega Valley Regional Gallery 
• Tathra Beachhouse Apartments
• Bega Valley Innovation Hub
• Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub
• North of Eden Gin
• Honorbread
• Verona Road Olives
• Tilba Real Dairy
• Port Authority of NSW
• Regional Express Airlines
• Bega Valley Waste & Recycling

Erica Dibden, part of our Panel of Oomph. Photo: Supplied

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

A spontaneous rehearsal in the ruins of the Portuguese Customs Post at Betano. Photo: Supplied.

A 22 member choir from Bega, the Belun-Melu Choir, has just returned from 10 days touring Timor Leste in a “pimped up bright green minibus with no air-con,” making friends and have made life long connections to our closest neighbouring country.

The goal of the group was simple, choirmaster and Executive Director at Four Winds in Bermagui, David Francis says.

“Everywhere we went, we tried to show people – we are here to make friends through singing, and that message was very warmly received, often people would burst into applause while we were singing. ”

The most common request was “sing it again,” David says “and after hearing it once, they could join in.”

The choir sang to and with thousands of people while they were in Timor, at both pre-arranged concerts and in exchange for hospitality or in spontaneous rehearsals or village concerts.

The group learned two songs in the native Tetun and were taught a third while they were there.

Former ABC presenter, Tim Holt, was one of the travellers.

“East Timor is a Catholic country and most adults only sing in church,” says Tim “but we are not a sacred choir, so we took a nice assortment of songs which included our take on Nick Cave’s ‘The Weeping Song’ and Paul Kelly’s ‘Meet Me in the Middle of the Air.’

The dusty, bouncy “pimped up” bus which took the Bega choir through waist-deep river crossing and along roads “which were not there.” Photo: Supplied.

But while they are not a church choir, Tim and David say that the whole group reported many moments of feeling a spiritual presence.

“I chose the music carefully,” David says “because even when no-one was listening, I felt like we were leaving a footprint of song around the island. There was one rehearsal when we were singing a song called – How Long? which asks a series of questions like – how long until peace? and we all just stopped and stood and felt the impact of that song in that place.”

The skill of the Timorese people in learning through listening is particularly impressive because of the way their traditional music is different from western songs.

“East Timor is an islander nation and their harmonies run parallel, if you listen, it’s that very distinct islander sound. Our harmonies cross so we sound different and they were very interested in that,” David comments.

But the most surprising thing for the group was how their demographic was received.

“Timor-Leste is our closest neighbour and has a fraught history, having been occupied first by the Portuguese and then the Indonesians, finally gaining independence in 2002,” Tim says, “and one of the most striking things about it is that the average age is 17.”

Brogo local Don Firth entertaining the infant’s school near Balibó. Photo: Supplied.

The fact that past violence wiped out most adult men meant that the choir, sporting about half men over the age of 40, made an impact on local people in ways that surprised the travellers.

“Anyone over 30 is considered older,” Tim comments, while David adds “there was this overwhelming response to the age of our singers before we had even opened our mouths.”

The Bega choir’s trip will be followed by a 15 members Timorese choir travelling to Australia in 2020, led by Ego Lemos, “The Paul Kelly of Timor-Leste,” according to Tim, and Choir Master Paolo Pereria.

“Locally we have raised nearly $15,000 with a local target of $35,000 or more,” Tim says “and an overall goal of $65,000 along with friendship groups in other parts of NSW and Victoria who will host the Timorese choir while they are here as well.”

You can hear the three Tetum songs of the Belun-Melu Choir in Bega at Parklight, from 6 pm on Friday, September 13 in Littleton Garden, the launch event for the Festival of Open Minds which follows at the Bega Civic Centre on September 14.

Check out Belun-Melu Choir and follow the Bega choir on Facebook for more information about upcoming fundraisers.

Original Article published by Elka Wood on About Regional.

The region’s future leaders, movers and shakers, are invited to attend the Festival of Open Minds on us.

A limited number of FREE tickets are available for students 12 to 19 years old. As an added incentive, Region Media, The Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub, and Inspiring Australia are offering a $500 prize to one of our student guests.

The program for Open Minds 2019 has real depth, heart and humour and we want to make that easy to access for the region’s young people, but more than that, we want their/your perspective to be part of the conversation on the day.

Running with the theme ‘People with Oomph’ on Saturday, September 14, the Bega Civic Centre plays host to:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
• Corrine Gibbons, songstress and choir director;
• Jonathan Kenna, Australia’s Ambassador to Sweden;
• Captain Phil Holliday, Sydney, Port Kembla and Eden Harbour Master;
• Damon Davis, long singer-songwriter and the original man of oopmh;
• A local panel of leaders including Erica Dibden – Tilba Milk, Louise Brand – road safety campaigner, Kate Toyer – Moruya vet and transgender advocate,  Warren Foster Jr – Aboriginal artist and leader.

The night before this day of discussion, we launch the festival with a FREE community celebration – Parklight in the heart of Bega. Littleton Gardens will light up with magical occurrences and happenings, a celebration of our community with a focus on the contribution and talent of youth and Indigenous culture.

Adult tickets for Saturday’s event are $40, but people 12 to 19 years get in FREE, but you do need to reserve your place, the number of student tickets is limited. Rush to Eventbrite now to claim your place.

Students there on the day will also be in the running to win $500 to put towards a science education experience of their choice thanks to The Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Inspiring Australia.

Jackie Randles. Photo: Supplied.

Jackie Randles, NSW Manager for Inspiring Australia will be there to announce the winner on the day.

Jackie is on a mission to connect science and technology to big audiences. Working with diverse communities, she’s developed interesting and creative ways to connect scientists with community members through collaborative projects and lasting partnerships that promote the relevance of science and innovation to everyday life and enable greater access and participation.

Jackie will also share her joy in working with diverse communities and talk about how she finds and keeps ‘people with oomph’.

Hope to see you there! With just two weeks to go, tickets are selling.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

A stellar line up of speakers attracted around 350 people to the 2018 Festival of Open Minds. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

One of the guiding lights behind the Festival of Open Minds this September in Bega is that of sharing new and different perspectives and experiences.

At a time where what we see in our news feed is curated by algorithms, Open Minds looks to disrupt that and present people and ideas that might be screened out of the echo chamber of social media.

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
• Corrine Gibbons, songstress and choir director.

And now something new, two men with a global vision and background keen to connect Southern New South Wales to the world.

The Festival of Open Minds is proud to present Ambassador Jonathan Kenna and Captain Phil Holliday in conversation with Genevieve Jacobs and Ian Campbell.

Jonathan Kenna – is currently serving as Australia’s Ambassador to Sweden with non-resident accreditation to Finland, Latvia and Estonia.

Mr Kenna has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Bangkok and concurrently as Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of the Asia Pacific. He has also served as Counsellor, in Australia’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization, Geneva.

In Canberra, as a senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Mr Kenna was most recently Assistant Secretary, India and Indian Sub-Continent Branch. Prior positions include Assistant Secretary, Tobacco Plain Packaging Taskforce; Deputy Chief Negotiator on the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and Director, Asia Trade Taskforce.

Prior to joining DFAT in 2004, Mr Kenna worked as a lawyer for 12 years, across the private, public and community sectors. He holds a Masters of Law from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Jonathan Kenna is married to Geraldine Tyson and together they have three daughters.

Ambassador Jonathan Kenna (top) and Captain Phil Holliday (bottom). Photos: Supplied.

Captain Phil Holliday – is Chief Operating Officer Sydney, Port Kembla and Eden and Harbour Master Sydney.

Mr Holliday joined Sydney Ports Corporation in May 2011 as Executive General Manager, Operations and Harbour Master. He has been in his current role since 2014 following the amalgamation of the Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla port corporations.

In this role he is responsible for leading port operations in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Port Kembla and the Port of Eden including pilotage, vessel traffic services, marine operations, security and hydrographic survey services. As well as the Port Authority’s operational and commercial management of cruise operations.

Mr Holliday has spent his entire career in the shipping and ports industries, starting as a 16-year-old cadet when he joined Ropner Shipping Services and later moving to Souter Shipping where he gained his Class 1 (FGN) Masters certificate.

In 1998, Philip joined the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP) in a port operations role.

Following a number of roles within ABP he became the Harbour Master for the ABP Port of Southampton and the Marine Advisor for the group’s 21 UK ports.

Mr Holliday is a former Chair of the Ports Australia’s Port Operations Working Group and took a lead role in the development of the Australian Port Marine Safety Management Guidelines.

His time at Open Minds coincides with the first berthing of a cruise ship at Eden’s new wharf in Snug Cove.

Ambassador Jonathan Kenna and Captain Phil Holliday are indeed ‘People with Oomph’ and will bring something distinctive to your festival experience.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

Corrine Gibbons out front at the 2018 Rural Woman’s Conference in Merimbula. Photo: Supplied.

In a valley of talented voices, Corinne Gibbons shines bright in the Bega Valley and come the Festival of Open Minds she will have everyone singing.

This much loved, globe-trotting singer, songwriter, choir director, team builder, and friend to many has drawn a line in her diary to be at Open Minds 2019 to help those gathered perform as one in a mass choir performance that will build during the day.

“There is magic power in choirs and an organic good feeling that flows after singing for just 10 minutes,” Corinne says.

“It takes a lot more energy to hold your voice back than to let it go. Singing positive lyrics is so good for the subconscious mind and really supports your spirit! I have no doubt the people gathered will rock the house.”

Corinne will pop up three times during the day-long speakers program – a burst of energy and perspective to help us process and take in the ideas and conversation developing.

Together the Open Minds audience will progressively learn a special festival twist on the 1967 hit ‘Happy Together’ by The Turtles.

“I personally love sharing songs with positive lyrics, it helps raise the vibe for the individual and for the collective,” Corinne says.

Corinne’s love and talent for music started and was fostered in the Bega Valley but she has gone on to sing with the world.

Throughout her career, Corinne has shared a stage with some of the globes leading musicians and performers including The Count Basie Big Band, members of The Ramsey Lewis Trio, Tower of Power, Dire Straits and has collaborated with Phil Collins.

Linda Ronstadt acknowledged Corinne for her vocal prowess on her album ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’, saying “This girl has great musicianship and sex appeal!”

Corinne made her own recording debut in 2000 with the album, ‘Dusk’ a loving exploration of sunset featuring some of Australia’s most exciting jazz musicians.

‘Sunday Afternoon’ a live album capturing an extraordinary show from her five-year residency at Sydney’s Shakespeare Hotel followed, and in 2009 the album ‘Melt’.

Outside of the Festival of Open Minds, Corinne is teaching the world how to sing and bringing people together as one voice.

Her exhilarating team building workshops began taking shape over a decade ago in her home away from home in Singapore via – Discover Your Voice.

Teaching the craft of singing in harmony, has become a passionate expression of her life one that she has shared with some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. She has dedicated her life to making music and gently introducing the unfamiliar to this magical experience.

“I am living what I’d like to support within corporations and communities,” Corinne says.

‘Search for the Sparkle‘ is another passion, the first-ever mindfulness musical inspired by and for children. Watch this space!

Corinne Gibbons. Photo: Lisa Herbert.

Most recently, Corinne has been co-producing and song writing with award-winning pianist and producer Mo Pleasure on a range of projects in Singapore, Los Angeles and Australia. She is also in the early stages of writing and recording her next album with a world-class group of musicians and Australian producer and recording artist Sarah Belkner.

“It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that carry the wound of being told they can’t sing,” she says.

“If you were told you couldn’t smile as a child you would never believe it and there is as much validity in you can’t smile as in you can’t sing.

“For me, I believe every voice matters. Singing is a birthright, there is evidence that we sang before we spoke, it’s in our DNA.

“I have witnessed so much joy through people releasing their voices in song. I’ve coached people from well over 50
countries and one thing I can say is music is the language that connects us all.”

Come lend your voice to the Festival of Open Minds.

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
• Corinne Gibbons, songstress and choir director.

Tickets and Saturday lunch options are on sale now via Eventbrite. High schoolers 12 to 19 years are FREE.

A stellar line up of speakers attracted around 350 people to the 2018 Festival of Open Minds. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

The Bermagui Trail of Light & Sound held earlier this year, the inspiration for Parklight. Photo: Supplied.

In 2019 the Festival of Open Minds ignites with Parklight  – a night of light, sound and movement in the heart of Bega on Friday, September 13.

Littleton Gardens will light up with magical occurrences and happenings, a celebration of our community with a focus on the contribution and talent of youth and Indigenous culture.

The centre of Bega will come alive with projections from the internationally renowned VIVID Sydney light festival. Original projections from The Bermagui Create & Make Crew will take things further and add local spunk and flair.

Plus performances by Sassi Nuyum, COPE, FLING Physical Theatre, The Gulaga Dancers, Mica Mahani, Yunion, Sam & Robyn Martin, Timor Leste Belun-Malu Choir, and The Navigate Explorers.

Timor Leste Belun-Malu Choir performing at the Cobargo Folk Festival. Photo: Supplied.

This first of its kind creative event for Bega is being steered by Louise Morris of Navigate Arts.

“It’s a real honour to come on board to help deliver this wonderful community event,” Louise says.

“As a new artist in the area, it’s been such a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with such a dynamic team of artists and creatives. Facilitating the Bermagui Create and Make Crew with Scott Baker (Bega Valley Shire Library) has been a great experience and the crew has created some beautiful content for the Parklight event.”

Betty Burger, one of the projections from VIVID Sydney that will feature at Parklight. Photo: Supplied.

Parklight starts with projections onto the buildings that surround Littleton Gardens – expect stories, soundscapes and First Nations language.  Expect light, dance and movement, glowing orbs and shimmering umbrellas! Expect music on the back of a classic flat-top ute, clap sticks, bamboo flute and Japanese Taiko.

Aside from launching the Festival of Open Minds and the day of speakers, conversation and ideas that will follow on the Saturday, Parklight also signals a start to South/East Interference III at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery featuring the works of Shivanjani Lal.

This spellbinding exhibition is set against the backdrop of Indo-Fijian history and will lead you through a sensory exploration of personal loss and intergenerational trauma.

Shivanjani Lal comes from a background of indentured labour across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. She works across mediums to explore her dislocation that seeks to account for memory, erasure, healing, and an archive.

As curator of the exhibition, Bega Valley Regional Gallery Director, Iain Dawson, explains that “Bega is located on the south-eastern edge of New South Wales and through the South/East Interference exhibition series, I hope to expand our sense of place beyond local boundaries.”

“I want to reframe the notion of ‘southeast’ in terms of Australasia and introduce the idea of being part of Southeast Asia to our audience.

“Whether it’s through technology or cheap travel, we are all global citizens now; our regions aren’t backwaters – we are able to influence the agenda,” Iain says.

Parklight and the Festival of Open Minds fit nicely with this world view.

The Gulaga Dancers. Photo: Gulaga Dancers Facebook.

Join us at 6 pm on Friday, September 13 for the Parklight experience, at the Dr McKee Fountain in Littleton Garden, from there you will be led on a journey weaving through the gardens, watching strange and beautiful things as you go.

The night will culminate in song from the wonderful Belun-Malu Choir, recently back from a tour of Timor Leste, a high impact performance by local poet Sassi Nuyum (Meaghan Holt) and the stunning projection from VIVID Sydney onto the gallery wall, before heading inside for South/East Interference III.

Local restaurants and cafés are supporting the event by staying open to trade before and after the event.

Issi & Co will be serving wine and cheese before-hand and will be open for dinner. Nook Espresso will be staying open and putting on live music in their arcade leading up to the event. Mal’s Pizza Bite will, of course, be open and The Bistro at The Commercial Hotel will keep the kitchen open late.

Parklight – one night only, a fabulous evening out, soaking up visual and musical wonders from talented locals, with added oomph from a few visitors.

Supporting this unique regional event are – Bega Valley Shire Library, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Bermagui Create & Make Crew, Navigate Arts, Bega Valley Shire Council, NSW Family & Community Services, Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, UNSW Art & Design, and About Regional.

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
• Corrine Gibbons, songstress and choir director.

Tickets and Saturday lunch options are on sale now via Eventbrite. High schoolers 12 to 19 years are FREE.

A stellar line up of speakers attracted around 350 people to the 2018 Festival of Open Minds. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

350 people packed the Bega Civic Centre in 2018 for the Festival of Open Minds. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Passionate people drive our communities, our businesses, our creativity. Skippered by Ian Campbell, About Regional, like many small businesses in Southern New South Wales, is powered by a small, passionate team.

We love our community, we look for ways to support and promote our people and organisations through articles and interviews, telling their stories, and now with an event designed to inspire, expand and energise our hearts and minds – The Festival of Open Minds.

In order to present this festival to you, we looked to partner with similarly community-minded organisations and business leaders.

But first a little bit of background. In 2016, radio broadcaster Ian Campbell left his position with ABC South East NSW and set out to establish a new media service focussing on local news and stories, thus About Regional was born; which this month is on track to reach 55,000 unique visitors – real people.

In 2012 Erica & Nick Dibden bought the empty ABC Dairy and now make Tilba Cheese in Tilba. Photo: Supplied

After partnering with the Bega Civic Centre to present the Sydney TEDx live stream talk-fest, Ian wanted to try something more interactive, more local and more real. The first Festival of Open Minds followed in September 2018 and created a huge buzz.

Reflecting on the 2018 Festival Ian says, “about 350 people turned up, all the early bird tickets sold out, there was really a terrific response.” This gave Ian the confidence that About Regional, the regional stories journal, did have a role to play and a future in the region.

The intention of the Festival of Open Minds is to bring people together to share an experience and build understanding and knowledge. This year under the theme, “People with Oomph” on Saturday, September 14, and Bega Civic Centre.

“We live in a time of overwhelming amounts of digital information, About Regional is part of that,” Ian laughs.

“But I really hope we go beyond the clutter and help people talk about some of the stories of our time, the stuff we are all confused and bamboozled about, stuff that needs to be talked through, and community events and conversation helps us to process what’s going on in the world.

“As far as the Festival of Open Minds goes, it was the connections made in the foyer or sprawled over the gardens at lunchtime, eating and chatting, that added depth to the experience.

We are proud of our award winning producers, as good as it gets. North of Eden Gin. Photo: David Rogers

“More and more people are feeling isolated, for all sorts of reasons, people coming together to share an experience creates a bond. There’s sometimes a magic that happens within an event and the people there are all privy to this shared moment – isolation is broken.”

Leading the conversations in 2019:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, founder of Oceanworks, focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer.

With more announcements to come.

To support the Festival of Open Minds 2019, we approached twelve organisations, big and small, operating in our region, people and businesses we felt were trading in what is great about where we live. Each business is building skills, creating sustainable entities, and viable businesses that contribute to community life and health.

“Without sponsorship the Festival wouldn’t happen. We’re grateful to the organisations and people who see value in bringing communities together,” Ian says.

REX is helping the Festival of Open Minds by literally bringing the speakers to us! Photo: supplied

Normally we would have to travel to the city, or pay a high ticket price for an event like this. Our speakers are also keen to come here to interact with regional audiences, and our sponsors have made it possible.

We are very proud and excited to be working with Southern Phone Company. This amazing company is one of the largest and most successful providers of fixed line, mobile and internet communications services in regional Australia.

Formed in 2002, only Australian Local Government Councils can hold shares in Southern Phone Company. Dividends are paid to Local Government shareholders and used for the benefit of their local communities. As well as providing more than 130 jobs at their Moruya head office Southern Phone has returned millions of dollars to regional communities since they declared their first dividend in 2009.

Erica and Nic Dibden of Tilba Real Dairy believes in looking after the land and the soil that grows their food. This dynamic duo has created a much-loved dairy business using creamy milk from their equally loved herd of charming Jersey cows.

REX Airlines are literally bringing our inspiring speakers to us, and returning them safely home. In true valley hospitality Rob and Lesley White at Tathra Beach House are again providing accommodation for our speakers and their families, giving them beautiful beds in a delightful environment, and the local property experts at Julie Rutherford Real Estate who were About Regional’s very first advertisers three years ago deepen their commitment to regional stories through Open Minds 2019.

Julie Rutherford is passionate about her business, and where she lives – Bermagui. Photo: Supplied

Bega Valley Shire Library and Bega Valley Regional Art Gallery are co-presenting our first spectacular launch evening in Littleton Gardens and the Gallery space. ‘Parklight’ will see Littleton Gardens transformed into a magical wonderland to launch the Festival on Friday, September 13 from 6 pm. Get ready for a night of projections, soundscapes, live performance, music and dance created and installed by local youth from the Bermagui Create and Make Crew, this special event will also feature a projection from Sydney’s Vivid festival and the launch of South East Interference Vol 3, Shivanjani Lal’s, described as incense your spirit must burn. We’ll be releasing more info about this event soon.

Business growth experts the Bega Valley Innovation Hub are supporting us, also the pro-active Waste Department of Bega Valley Shire Council and the Port Authority of NSW.

Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub has offered a prize to an attending student on the day. The winner will be able to take a group of mates on a science based experience. Don’t forget – students from 12 – 19 years can attend the Festival for FREE, go HERE to reserve your spot.

We see these businesses and people as partners in growing a strong community. Each is involved in a specific way, including a fabulous band of producers, our ‘Regional Food Sponsors’ which includes Tilba Real Dairy, and also Bermagui’s beautiful Honorbread Sourdough, Bega’s own award-winning gin distillery North of Eden, Mystery Bay’s chemical-free food producers Figtree Food Company and burgeoning olive oil outlet Verona Road Olive Grove.

As our fearless leader Ian Campbell says “it’s people stepping up and making things happen, people with oomph that drive regional communities.”

To explore our speaker’s program and get your tickets head to the Festival of Open Minds website. Early bird tickets sales close August 14!

To inquire about partnering with About Regional in the future email – hello@aboutregional.com.au or lherbert@region.com.au

Original Article published by Lisa Herbert on About Regional.

Photos: Chris Sheedy

Australia’s most respected and experienced social researcher, Hugh Mackay, believes something is wrong with our nation and in the lives of its citizens.

At the inaugural Festival of Open Minds in September 2018, Hugh came to Bega to explain what and why, but more importantly how he thinks we can change for the better.

“It’s at the local level that we will transform Australia and where we will be able to begin addressing the twin problem of social fragmentation and rising anxiety,” he told the 350 people who gathered to listen on that sunny spring day.

“The state of the nation starts in your street.”

It’s a rallying call we revisit and publish for the first time as a podcast ahead of the 2019 Festival of Open Minds.

Hugh Mackay. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Hugh is the bestselling author of 19 books, including The Good Life, The Art of Belonging, and his latest, Australia Reimagined.

Hugh has had a 60-year career in social research and was also a weekly newspaper columnist for over 25 years.

He is currently a patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre and an honorary professor of social science at the University of Wollongong.

Hugh Mackay. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Among many other appointments, he has been deputy chairman of the Australia Council for the Arts, chairman of trustees of Sydney Grammar School, and the inaugural chairman of the ACT government’s Community Inclusion Board.

In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, Hugh has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt, Macquarie, NSW, Western Sydney and Wollongong universities.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015.

Hugh Mackay. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

In the discussion he led at Open Minds 2018, Hugh touched on disappointment in our political leadership, a loss of faith in once-respected institutions like the church, faltering education standards, a fracturing of families, and the erosion of community, and the proliferation of social media leading, paradoxically, to more loneliness and less privacy.

A deep, heavy discussion on one hand but as only Hugh Mackay can mix with an optimistic but challenge for the future.

You may not agree with everything he says, but you won’t be able to ignore the intelligence of his argument or not be moved by the passion of his convictions, his warmth and easy humour.

Click play to revisit and share in the conversation with Hugh Mackay…

Want to hear more from the 2018 Festival of Open Minds? Click HERE!

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, founder of Oceanworks, focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
• Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer

• Southern Phone
• Julie Rutherford Real Estate
• Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre 
• Bega Valley Library Service
• Bega Valley Regional Gallery 
• Tathra Beachhouse Apartments
• Bega Valley Innovation Hub
• Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub
• North of Eden Gin
• Honorbread
• Verona Road Olives
• Tilba Real Dairy
• Port Authority of NSW
• Regional Express Airlines
• Bega Valley Waste & Recycling

Hugh Mackay. Photo: Chris Sheedy.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt. Photo: Lisa Herbert.

One of the region’s rising artists is the latest to sign on for the Festival of Open Minds in Bega this September.

Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, has been writing since she was a little girl – writing runs in her family’s blood.

Meaghan lost her mother at the age of 9 and has since been raised predominately with her Aboriginal family, extended and otherwise. That said her mother’s spirit is strong and burns bright, it guides Meaghan’s writing along with her very large bloodline of ancestors.

Her writing and subsequent performance can pack a punch, hence her creative name ‘Sassi Nuyum’ – Nuyum meaning spirit in the Wakka Wakka language. A spirit that is always edged with a lively, bold, stage presence that supports the idea of a ‘sassy spirit’.

Sassi now lives on Yuin Country in the Bega Valley but was born on the lands of the Kurnai People in Yarram, Victoria.

Her mother’s family are of European background – dairy farmers who were very connected to the countryside they made a living on. Her grandmother (Pickering) is from Wakka Wakka Country, her grandfather (Holt) was born on Bidjara land at Springsure, west of Gladstone in Queensland and her father is a Gayndah man also a Queenslander.

Meaghan’s ancestors also had periods of being removed to Worrabinda and Cherbourg missions.

It’s heritage Sassi has a deep connection and respect for, values that impress and leave a mark on audiences.

Sassi writes on subjects ranging from – mental health, colonisation, domestic violence, substance misuse, environment, and grief, with each performance guided by the moment and the spirits at her side.

Last year’s Giiyong Festival at Jigamy between Pambula and Eden was the first time this thirty-something artist performed publically, it lit a spark in her and the rest of the community, both wanting more and a deeper understanding.

Sassi described the experience as amazing and almost transcendent, “My ancestors were here and they helped my voice rise,” she told Region Media at the time.

Sassi Nuyum, performing at Navigate Arts, inside Tanja Church. Photo: Lisa Herbert.

Renowned Aboriginal writer, Ali Cobby Eckermann was in the audience that day at Giiyong and one of the many people touched by Sassi’s strength and vulnerability, and one of those who rose from their seat to give Sassi her very first standing ovation.

From there, Sassi was successful in securing a mentorship with Ali for unpublished Aboriginal poets she believes writes poetry that ‘has the capacity to heal’.

Sassi, is currently engaged in that process and will bring that experience to her time at the Festival of Open Minds.

“Writing is a tool for me, for self-expression, but also a healing tool,” Sassi says.

“I have chosen some broken paths, writing has been a saviour. Through my writing, I will be able to gift back to the lands and its people that have embraced me.

“I think if we can be united in the simplicity of some of these stories then we come together as a human race – that’s what it is all about,” Sassi says.

The Festival of Open Minds is proud to showcase Sassi Nuyum, a performer, person, and soul traveling life’s road with a compelling insight and honest creativity that rises above the barriers that sometimes block cultural understanding and open conversation.

Meaghan Holt, both as herself and as Sassi Nuyum, channels the hurt, pain and resilience of her own background and that of her peoples in a way that open minds, hearts and shared understanding, she is indeed one of our ‘people with oomph’.

“I’m not stuck in those places of grief. I want to display pride in Aboriginal people’s travesty,” she says.

Come to the Festival of Open Minds on September 14 at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre and experience what I struggle to put into words for yourself.

The theme for Open Minds in 2019 is ‘People With Oomph’ inspired by Bega Valley song man Damon Davis and his song of the same name.

“People with oomph – they’re not lyin down. People with oomph – spread the good life. People with oomph – keep their own style. People with oomph – walk mile after mile,” Damon sings.

The 2019 Festival of Open Minds line up so far includes:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, founder of Oceanworks, focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra.

More announcements will be made very soon, stay in touch via the festival website.

Early bird tickets and lunch options are on sale now via Eventbrite. Early bird prices end August 14!

Thank you to our Festival partners – 

• Southern Phone
• Julie Rutherford Real Estate
• Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre 
• Bega Valley Library Service
• Bega Valley Regional Gallery 
• Tathra Beachhouse Apartments
• Bega Valley Innovation Hub
• Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub
• North of Eden Gin
• Honorbread
• Verona Road Olives
• Tilba Real Dairy
• Port Authority of NSW
• Regional Express Airlines
• Bega Valley Waste & Recycling

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.

Emma Booth riding at Willinga Park at Bawley Point. Photo: Emma Booth Para Equestrian Facebook.

Obsessed with horses from a young age, Emma Booth’s dream of riding one came true when she won a competition run by the TV show ‘The Saddle Club’ to win a pony and riding lessons.

Her raw talent was clear early on and in 2011 she accepted a job in Germany riding and training horses for international dressage rider Holger Schulze.

Emma’s equestrian ambitions were put on hold in 2013 when she was involved in a near-fatal car accident causing paraplegia. Other injuries included a basilar skull fracture, compound fracture of her left ankle, bleeding on the brain and abdominal trauma.

Emma Booth at Willinga Park at Bawley Point. Photo: Emma Booth Para Equestrian Facebook.

Seven months later, Emma found the strength to return to riding. Learning of her options as a Para-equestrian, she set her sights on selection for the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team.

Emma competed in two events at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, placing fifth in the mixed dressage individual championship and ninth in the team open with teammates Sharon Jarvis, Lisa Martin and Bega’s own Katie Umback.

Emma then went on to represent Australia at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, last year, she comes to the Festival of Open Minds with her sights firmly set on making the team for Tokyo, 2020!

“It’s always important to know what the big goal is, but equally as important to work out the steps that are going to get you there,” Emma says.

“Reflection – looking back so that the view looking forward is even clearer. I’m taking a second to look back so that I can plan for the future.”

Team Booth includes Mogelvangs Zidane. Zidane is a 15-year-old, Danish Warmblood gelding, who was imported to Australia from Denmark nearly four years ago.

With incredible movement and an extremely willing nature, he is the perfect para horse. Zidane played his part in getting Emma a spot on the Equestrian Team at the Rio Paralympics, where they rode to fifth place in the Individual Championship Test. Emma says he is one in a million, she feels extremely lucky to have him as her competition partner.

Lone Joergensen is Emma’s coach originally from Denmark, Lone represented her country at many Olympics and World Games. She now lives in Australia with her husband Ulli Eggers. Emma trains with Lone at least once a week, increasing in the lead up to important events.

Katelyn Thompson is Emma’s head groom, helping daily with her team of horses. She is 19 years old and lives in Langwarrin South, and has successfully competed to 2* in eventing. She is currently studying Health and Education at Monash and also successfully competes her own horses while still managing to assist Emma.

Emma has her sights set on Tokyo 2020. Photo: Emma Booth Para Equestrian Facebook.

Emma is a regular visitor to South East NSW drawn to the world-class Willinga Park at Bawley Point.

“I thoroughly enjoy visiting this incredible facility and spending time with such amazing, kind people,” Emma says.

Emma also has family at Tathra and can’t wait to share her passion for life and horses at the Festival of Open Minds on September 14 at the Bega Civic Centre.

The theme for Open Minds in 2019 is ‘People With Oomph’ inspired by Bega Valley song man Damon Davis and his song of the same name.

“People with oomph – they’re not lyin down. People with oomph – spread the good life. People with oomph – keep their own style. People with oomph – walk mile after mile,” Damon sings.

Apart from Emma Booth, the 2019 Festival of Open Minds line up so far includes:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
• Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
• Aly Khalifa, founder of Oceanworks, focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra.

More announcements will be made in the coming weeks, stay in touch via the festival website.

Early bird tickets and lunch options are on sale now via Eventbrite.

Thank you to our Festival partners:

• Southern Phone
• Julie Rutherford Real Estate, Bermagui
• Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre
• Regional Express Airlines
• Bega Valley Library Service
• Bega Valley Regional Gallery
• Tathra Beachhouse Apartments
• Bega Valley Innovation Hub
• North of Eden Gin
• Tilba Real Dairy

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.