Pulse festival comes alive this Friday

September 4, 2019

Much effort, time and planning has been involved to create the Pulse of the Earth Festival, which promises to be a marvellous event. Happening this weekend from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th September at The Living Classroom, the program is indeed full to capacity.

“The committee is extremely excited for this weekend, as we’ve been working hard for months behind the scenes to bring this festival to life,” explains committee member John Bishton. The event kicks off this Friday with gates open at 4pm with festivities commencing at 5:30pm.

Be dazzled by Bellydance Earth and Sky, followed by didgeridoo and indigenous dancing whilst the sun sets. To finish the night with a bang, “Things of Stone & Wood” will then take the main stage. There will be campfires, a wide range of great food, and plenty of activities for the kids. Please don’t forget to bring your own chairs, rugs, and drinks (no glass).

Saturday breakfast is already organised by one of the many stalls coupled with music and keynote speakers to continue the festival atmosphere. For the early risers, there is Yoga at the Aussie Farm Dam as well as a special performance from the Earth Oracle. The Festival officially opens at 9:30am by retired Senator, John ‘Wacka’ Williams.

The mix of events is intriguing, including fire twirlers, Screaming Zuccinis, an eclectic band from Canberra followed by local country star, Amber Lawrence. Across the entire weekend is the Groundswell marquee where twenty different and highly talented people are involved and are offering specialised displays and workshop collaborations between Artists, Farmers and Scientists.

Their collaborations bridge different perspectives on agriculture, soil, Aboriginal country, carbon, solar energy and wild foods. The program will feature talks, walks, food, film, demonstrations, performances and installations.

“Things are quietening down for the local economy so this is a timely event that will hopefully attract visitors to the area to inject money back into the local economy and into local businesses who are struggling in this drought,” said John.

Marnie and Diego, guest speakers at The Pulse of the Earth Festival, Bingara.

Marnie and Diego, guest speakers at The Pulse of the Earth Festival, Bingara.

Also on the Saturday, the Festival is excited to host the monthly Bingara Lions Market Day. “There will be the local and regular stallholders as well as new stalls from across the region that haven’t been to our area before”, explains committee member, Meg Stamer. “Our main focus is to showcase homemade and handmade local products and businesses with some even offering a unique perspective on their industry by also offering mini workshops across the weekend such as the Essentially Barefoot with Rachel or Dreamtime Healing with Jacqui.”

The Pulse Creative Space is a great place to hang out in the shade with your kids and get creative. There is a bubble station with the ladies, a petting zoo, story telling between 12pm – 12:30pm, a native bee workshop with Amilae from 12:30pm – 1pm, creative charcoal drawing with Georgie, and kid size stations to create river clay faces, bark art, fairy homes and more.

Saturday concludes after another great dinner around the campfire coupled with the special screening of Damon Gameau’s film “2040”. “This internationally acclaimed documentary is not a negative film focusing on climate change but rather informative, educating the audience about what we can do now and what people are already doing,” explains John. There is camping available in the Showground, directly opposite the Living Classroom. Please book at the Bingara Visitors Information Centre.

“Without the support of Drought Angels, Rydes Eastewood Leagues Club, Primary Health Network, Gwydir Shire Council, Bingara IGA and Hardware, Regional Australia Bank, the River House as well as Northern Slopes Landcare who have recently come on board, we would not have been able to host this drought relief event,” explains committee member Garry McDouall.

“There will be representatives from our sponsors here over the weekend, so please stop by and have a chat with them.”

“It is incredible to be able to host this event and to offer the community a break from the devastating drought as well as boosting the economy by attracting visitors to the area,” concludes Garry McDouall.