Weekends on Bribie Island are always good but it will be a particularly fun place to be during the Bribie Island Nature festival. It’s touted as a festival “where art meets nature” and it’s on from October 18 to 20.
On that weekend, Bribie Island will be abuzz with a fantastic range of events including creative workshops, talks, studio art trails, guided walks, a jazz concert and a fashion showcase – all celebrating beautiful Bribie Island.
This festival is for residents and visitors to experience and learn more about Bribie Island – its diverse habitats and wildlife, its important cultural heritage and its creative people. Every day over three days there will be activities to participate in with many free events.
Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association, Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Bribie Island Library, CSIRO and many of Bribie’s favourite visual artists are hosting events and activities over the weekend.
Festival producer Libby Anstis, a local Bribie resident, advises people to book early for events and activities.
“The Bribie Island Nature Festival is dispersed throughout the island and many events and activities have limited capacities,” Anstis says. “Last year some people were disappointed to find sold out events and activities. And we don’t want that happening again!”
This year, the festival team has added Wild Wonders, a morning program of children’s activities, and an opening night fashion event – Canvas to Catwalk – featuring original fabric designs inspired by Bribie Island.
Yarun Cultural Experience, run by the Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yarun (Bribie Island). Participants will be guided to culturally significant sites by PIEEC jarjums (children), acting as tour guides and providing cultural dances at selected sites.
The opening night event Canvas to Catwalk features original fashions and live music. The culmination of a year-long project, Canvas to Catwalk will showcase garments modelled by young designers who created works under the guidance of fashion label Red Ridge.
Emerging jazz sensation Lily Dauod, accompanied by the JMI Ensemble, will perform as part of Bribie Jazz.
Bribie Island’s diverse wildlife will also be in the spotlight with events and activities including a Microbat Survey, a night time adventure with wildlife ecologist Dr Elizabeth Williams to trap and record the remarkable tiny microbats.
Birds in Your Neighbourhood Walk is an early morning guided walk with Professor Darryl Jones, who will teach the basics of field observation. And Feeding the Birds at Your Table Talk will also feature Prof Jones exploring how to feed native birds safely with tips and tricks to ensure your engagement with wildlife does not cause harm.
Ancient Mariners is a chance to learn about loggerhead turtles and the dedicated work of local citizen scientists who seek to protect them. The Wings Over the World event will rely on knowledgeable local guides who will help you get to know species such as godwits, knots and sandpipers. You may be lucky enough to spot the critically endangered Far-eastern Curlew.
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Acclaimed author of young adult fiction, Gary Crew, lives on the island and will be running a creative writing workshop called Creating Natural Fictional Characters at the Bribie Library.
The Treecreative Walkshop, run by Bribie Island artist Tracey Benson, invites participants on a guided walk experiencing the sights and sounds of the environs. Participants are encouraged to express this via an artistic medium at stop-off points along the way. Mediums include drawing, writing and photography.
And in Drawing with the Bush, Geoff Ginn leads a creative workshop inspired by Bribie’s most famous artist, Ian Fairweather. This workshop is on site at Ian Fairweather Park and will focus on drawing the outdoors using resources and materials from the bush and taking inspiration from the art and home of the iconic artist.
Artist Glenda Charles will share one of her favourite Bribie locations on the Elements of Red Beach for a gentle afternoon of drawing and reflection.
For bookings or info: bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au
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