SCULPTURE FOR CLYDE
Batemans Bay Sculpture for Clyde is back! This 10-day event will commence on 25th May and will showcase over 100 unique sculptures from around Australia and overseas. The indoor sculptures and student sculpture exhibition will be held in a large marquee on the Batemans Bay foreshore, while the outdoor sculptures will be displayed along the foreshore. This will be the largest event held by Sculpture for Clyde, and all sculptures will be available for exhibition and sale.
The winner of the acquisition award will be granted $100,000, which is the highest annual sculpture prize money in Australia. The selected sculpture will be a permanent addition to the Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk that stretches from Batemans Bay Bridge to Corrigan’s Cove, joining the past winners on the foreshore.
sculptureforclyde.com.au/sculpturewalk/
SCULPTURE FOR CLYDE FACTS:
- The Sculpture for Clyde event had 25,513 attendees last year.
- Consultants engaged by ESC determined that 86% of attendees who visited from outside the area were unique visitors.
- Main visitor origins outside Eurobodalla in order of attendees were Canberra and suburbs, South Sydney suburbs then Queanbeyan-Pelerang Shire.
- Over $140,000 of sculptures were sold, making it a very attractive event for professional sculptors.
- As a single event, this represents one of the the largest annual events on the far South Coast attended by visitors
- Last years event allowed 4 new sculptures to be added to the Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk.
EPHEMERAL FESTIVAL
Images by Ursula in Aus.
Wander, print, listen, dance, carve, create, weave, picnic, sing, discover, enjoy!
Ephemeral 2024 promises to be a beautiful morning in Panboola vibrant with all sorts of things that will really get the senses going and your imagination firing.
The festival is being held on Saturday, April 13 – it’s free to enter and visitors will get to take in the sights and sounds of sculpture, installations of art, craft demonstrations and acoustic music with Latvian Independence Day.
FLING Physical Theatre Company will be performing, our Story Tree will feature stories read aloud by fabulous local literary lover Kate Liston-Mills, participate in the Singing Circle, or join Nick Keeling in his debut at the festival with an interactive musical exploration! Join us to sit under the trees on blankets and allow your senses to soak up the vibrant sights and sounds.
An exceptional feature this year will be our Garment Glow Up Bar! Funk up a pair of jeans, a linen top, or cotton cushion cover at our block-printing station where we will have artists Hilary Peterson and Ge Warburton on hand to guide you through the process. BYO items or purchase from us!
Refreshments will be available between 9am – 1pm with Jordan’s Coffee van, CWA with their sweet treats, Food Matters providing healthy snacks and Pambula Rotary providing a BBQ.
Terri Tuckwell will be our ‘artist in residence’ for the day – watch on as she creates a stunning mural right before your eyes. There will also be locally made beautiful products and plants available for purchase. Wyndham Basket Weavers and New Moon Spoons will also showcase their respective crafts on-site.
Also on offer are some wonderful opportunities to book into workshops led by professional artists. This year we have floral wreath making and spoon carving. Workshops require bookings and can be made via the Panboola website https://www.panboola.com/ephemeral2024
The festival’s name is a tribute to the ecosystem of Panboola being ephemeral wetlands that are a constantly changing and highly dynamic landscape. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a heartwarming atmosphere in one of the most special places in our valley!
MERIMBULA JAZ FESTIVAL – chill out and tune in
Every June long weekend jazz lovers and musicians flock to Merimbula as the town comes alive to the sound of jazz. From traditional to swing, big bands, modern and funk, the festival has jazz in all its forms.
There are over 25 hours of music in each of the six venues, all within walking distance of each other.
Merimbula Jazz Festival is the longest-running jazz festival in Australia and is proud to be doing it all again for the 42nd time in 2024.
As the sun goes down on Saturday evening, pop on an extra layer and meet at Merimbula’s Spencer Park for the atmospheric Lantern Walk into town led by our town crier. Bring your own lanterns (which should have battery lights) and the more creative the better!
One of the most anticipated events is Jazz Quest, which showcases the extraordinary talents of younger musicians under 25. There are prizes totalling $5000 thanks to Pambula and Bega Community Banks (Bendigo).
On Sunday morning the popular Ecumenical Service with its jazz/gospel flavour welcomes everyone to open their hearts and sing.
If you’ve ever thought how wonderful it might be to sing as part of a gospel choir or in front of a big band – this is the chance you have been waiting for and beginners are welcome.
The Merimbula Jazz Festival is excited to be offering two vocal workshops as part of the festival. Each comes with the opportunity to perform as part of the festival program with a large vocal group.
On Monday put on your jazz hat and join the Jazz Hatter’s Party at the Merimbula RSL Club 11am-4pm – six bands, non-stop music.
The Merimbula Jazz Festival is a not-for-profit event powered by volunteers. The festival gives back to the jazz community by sharing profits among the many musicians who perform. The festival also gives back to the local community with donations to local clubs who assist in the running of the festival.
Visit merimbulajazz.org.au for more details and tickets. Our early bird Jazz Lovers tickets are available until 18 March.
EAT FESTIVAL
BURSTS WITH LOCAL FLAVOURS ON THE SHORES OF THE SAPPHIRE COAST: SUNDAY MARCH 10TH, 10AM – 2PM
& EAT PARTNER EVENTS, MARCH 7TH – 10TH
Any local will tell you that the foodie scene on the Sapphire Coast is ever expanding. Our towns and villages hum with activity as local producers, and chefs churn out wild and delicious dishes, sumptuous brews and bevvies and offer bespoke dining experiences in stunning locations.
And just like our regional food scene, EAT is ever expanding too. In 2024 we’re back for an 11th year with 4 big days of the best tide to table, farm to fork and garden to glass experiences the region has to offer. This is the best chance for locals and visitors to the Sapphire Coast to enjoy local flavours, created by some of the region’s most talented chefs, and unique dining experiences all against the backdrop of our pristine surrounds.
The main festival event, EAT Merimbula, takes place on the foreshore of Merimbula’s lake on Sunday 10th March. This is the best place to find all the local foodies in one gorgeous location for visitors to meet, browse, taste and buy stunning and creative dishes imagined with the best of local produce. And visitors can’t miss the second ever running of the ‘oyster and spoon’ race where six of the region’s finest chefs, producers and foodie legends compete to determine who’s the fastest foodie of them all.
EAT Merimbula main event takes place Sunday 10th March from 10am – 2pm at Fishpen Merimbula. There is no need to book.
In addition to the big day on March 10th, the 2024 EAT Festival program will feature many partner events across 7th – 9th March including TOAST’s Small batch dinner, Merimbula Wharf Family Fish n Chip Fest, Oyster Shucking School at Broadwater Oysters, a Long Table Lunch at Wheelers, a seven course degustation with paired Canberra Region wines at recently hatted Mimosa Wines, a seafood extravaganza at Tidal Restaurant in Merimbula and not one but two Cat Balou Sunset Cruises around Twofold Bay. Phew!
Partner events take place 7th – 9th March at various locations and are ticketed events, numbers are limited.
For more information contact Amanda on 0407 191 142 and to book a partner event, visit www.eatfestival.com.au.
FOUR WINDS ‘24!
Experience a year of music immersed in nature as Four Winds unveils its 2024 annual program, Four Winds ‘24! From classical masterpieces to contemporary creations, the program features a dynamic mix of genres, showcasing the richness of Australia’s musical landscape. Audiences can also enjoy reduced ticket prices and flexible pass packages!
Kicking off March is Caravãna Sun on the 9th with Benji and the Saltwater Sound System & Felicity Dowd. Followed by an insightful conversation between writers Bruce Nash and Sophie Cunningham AM (March 10). Spend Good Friday with Butchulla songman Fred Leone & Samuel Pankhurst’s Yirinda, and Easter Weekend with the Goldner String Quartet’s mesmerizing Easter concerts (March 30 & 31). Later in the year, the site will be enlivened by David Bridie, Heath Cullen, Affinity Quartet and Omar Musa, alongside Cheryl Davison’s Barragga Yangga Festival & more!
Departing from the traditional 3 day Easter Festival, Four Winds ’24 offers a fresh perspective on music, inviting audiences to explore new sounds and experiences. Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP praises the program encouraging audiences to ”attend the stunning Four Winds site multiple times throughout the year to experience music in nature in its many forms.”
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this extraordinary musical journey at Four Winds.
For more information and to secure your tickets, visit fourwinds.com.au
Use your special discount code: FWimag for 10% off General Admission Tickets!
fourwinds.com.au
GET READY TO ROCK OYSTER AT NAROOMA OYSTER FESTIVAL
Embark on an unforgettable journey from tide to table as Narooma Oyster Festival hosts its 17th rock oyster shellabration in the heart of Rock Oyster Country on May 3 and 4.
With around 70,000 oysters shucked and savoured each year, the two day program blends cosmopolitan and Indigenous seafood and produce delights with extraordinary competitions, transformative tastings, live music, gourmet food markets, and an impressive selection of celebrated beers, wines, and spirits.
Music greats Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier head up Friday Night’s Warm Up along with Robyn Martin and Benji & and the Saltwater Sound System, so join us around the MG Main Stage as we feast from the Oyster and Liquor Bars and watch the fireworks over the inlet before the big day on Saturday!
Saturday, May 4 is a huge day of tastings, oyster competitions and exploring the foreshore festivities.
Taste the merroir of rock oyster estuaries at Oyster Farmers Alley, delve deeper with an Ultimate Oyster Experience and enhance your culinary skills in cooking demonstrations with local, regional, and celebrated chefs. Feel the excitement of Australia’s Oyster Shucking Championships, where farmers vie for the chance to compete at the World Oyster Opening Championships, and don’t miss the spectacle of Australia’s Biggest Oyster – you won’t believe how big an oyster can grow! Dom Turner & the Rural Blues Project and the SunBears lead Saturday’s music program with support from Jackson Carroll, Dan Cully and Los Zafiros.
Remember, coaches travel from Batemans Bay to Bermagui on Saturday, May 4, so consider stays at nearby towns including Moruya, Tilba and Cobargo.
- Tickets and coach timetables available at www.naroomaoysterfestival.com
NAROOMA GEARS UP
New Trails Attract First Racing Event to Boost Tourism
Narooma is abuzz with excitement! The newly built mountain bike trails, a passion project of the dedicated Narooma Mountain Bike Club, are already turning heads, and now they’re about to host a premier event that will put the region on the national map. Rocky Trail, one of Australia’s leading mountain bike event organizers, is bringing their flagship Fox Superflow® series to Narooma on March 9th & 10th, 2024.
Rocky Trail doesn’t choose venues lightly, and they were impressed by the variety, quality, and flow of the Narooma network in the beautiful Bodalla State Forest. From winding single tracks through lush forests to exhilarating climbs and berms, these trails cater to all skill levels, offering a thrilling experience for beginners and seasoned riders alike.
What makes their Fox Superflow® event unique is its “Race the Way You Ride” motto. Racers tackle three tracks and the rest of the network remains open for exploration and shuttling, encouraging you to “come early and stay longer.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the trails is contagious. Since their opening, the riding community has showered them with overwhelmingly positive feedback, recognising them as a major asset to the growing mountain bike scene on the NSW South Coast. Local businesses are also jumping on board, recognizing the potential and actively connecting with the riding community.
The excitement has reached the ears of the local Eurobodalla Shire Council who are supporting the Rocky Trail event. Mayor Councillor Mathew Hatcher expressed their enthusiastic support, “The excitement keeps rolling for mountain biking in the Eurobodalla. We’re thrilled to see an event showcase the new Narooma trails so soon after opening – this will be a great taste-tester event for businesses and the community to get a feel of this type of tourism.”
New Album
So, mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and get ready to cheer, explore, and maybe even catch the mountain biking bug!
Mountain Biking Magic is coming to Mogo: TRAILBLAZING A BRIGHT FUTURE!
Exciting news is rolling into town, promising not just adrenaline-pumping rides, but a vibrant future for our region. Rocky Trail Entertainment secured the World’s largest Cycling Festival brand with Sea Otter Australia and it will land at the brand-new Mogo Trails next year!
The network is currently under construction by Rocky Trail Destination and Next Level MTB and is set to become a world-class mountain bike destination. Nestled in the Mogo State Forest and designed to span over 130km, the trails will cater to all skill levels with diverse terrain encompassing flowy descents, technical challenges, and scenic vistas. Stage one opens mid-2024, with the entire network complete by early 2025, ready to welcome Sea Otter Australia in October.
Imagine world-class athletes racing through meticulously crafted trails, an industry showcasing the latest innovations, and a buzzing atmosphere drawing visitors from across the globe. Just like its original in California, Sea Otter Australia will be racing, riding, tradeshow, expo, summit and entertainment for the whole family all in one in and around the Mogo Trails.
Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said Sea Otter Australia coming to Mogo Trails is a dream come true for the Eurobodalla. An MTB rider himself, Mathew explained that the strategy behind Mogo Trails was to support tourism and economic growth in Eurobodalla and the broader region.
“South-east NSW is fast becoming the premier MTB destination in the country,” he said. “We’ve got stage one of Mogo Trails to open in a few months promising world-class riding. Narooma Trails are pumping visitors since they opened in December, and further south there are brilliant trails at Tathra and Eden, plus all the Snowy Mountains riding just a few hours inland.”
Rocky Trail echoes this sentiment. “We’re not just about pinning on numbers and chasing podiums – we’re about getting people out into nature, igniting a passion for cycling in every heart that rolls through our gates,” says Juliane Wisata, Rocky Trail founder.
Join the journey by signing up for the newsletter to stay tuned.
For more information visit seaotter.au
BATTLE OF THE BANDS IS BACK!
Currents Battle of the Bands is back on for 2024 during Youth Week! On Saturday 13th April at the Moruya RSL Hall, youth bands and solo performers from local high schools will put on a show and compete for the big trophy. Young people aged 12+ are encouraged to attend the concert, complete with food trucks, chill out spaces and much more, all for free! If you’re a young gun keen to share your musical talent, head to Eurobodalla Council’s website for info on how to enter. Just want to see the amazing show? Book now via Eventbrite!
This event is proudly funded by NSW Government.
BEGA ARE YOU READY?
Get ready to rumble as the All-Stars of Australian Wrestling make their way to the Bega Civic Centre for a special school holiday event – THE BEGA BASH!
Your favourite All-Star competitors will be in attendance for this huge 2 hour event including the likes of former All-Star Wrestling Eastern States Champion Aries, All-Star Wrestling Women’s Champion Jasmin Brettle, former All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Keegan Brettle plus plenty more!
Fans in attendance can expect to see the best of Australian Wrestling as hard-hitting heavyweights, high-flying junior heavyweights, women’s wrestling, tag team matches and plenty more!
You don’t want to miss this exciting night of professional wrestling action..
Wrestling fans will also get the opportunity to meet & greet their favourite wrestlers after this epic 2 hour event.
DATE
Saturday 20 April 2024 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (UTC+11)