Confest
Encyclopedia
ConFest is an alternative bush
campout festival
held in the south-eastern states of Australia
at New Year
and Easter
. The name 'ConFest' derives from combining the words conference and festival. The festival was first held in 1976 near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory
. It was initiated and organised by former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
, Jim Cairns
, his personal assistant Junie Morosi and David Ditchburn as a means of bringing together the subculture
s of the alternative movement.
. The second gathering, in 1977, was on rented farmland (Mount Oak) near Bredbo, south of Canberra
. It attracted 15,000 people. The farm was subsequently purchased with the festival takings as an open community.
ConFest in its early years was a melting pot
of diverse worldviews. There was great passion for a better world. Conferences at ConFest attracted up to 1000 people. Workshops were held on all aspects of well-being for people and planet Earth
. Some examples were gestalt therapy
, massage
, politics
, meditation
, yoga
, polyamory
, mud-brick construction, geodesic domes, tantra
, self-sufficiency
, paganism
, vegetarianism
and music
. At the early ConFests, a number of co-operative communities held their first meetings and, at the conclusion of the festival, they went on to find and purchase land.
The Australian Down to Earth Network (ADTEN) was formed as a loose coalition. Festivals were held in every state and territory of Australia. Three state-based organisations were formed, in Victoria
, Queensland
, and New South Wales
. They organised further festivals, usually on forested private land bordering a river. Only the Victorian Down to Earth co-operative (DTE) incorporated and has survived and it continues to organise ConFests in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales.
In 1995, the emerging trance dance
movement first organised overnight outdoor doof
s at ConFest following a series of amplified staged music
events in the previous years. From 1995-1999 there was a period of conflict about appropriate music technologies at ConFest and amplified music was perceived by many to interrupt other activities at ConFest. ConFest music is now acoustic
and campout doofs run independent of ConFests.
Landowners' concerns about public liability resulted in suitable land for sites being extremely difficult to find and DTE Victoria consequently purchased land on Gulpa Creek near Deniliquin
in NSW in 2002 and held a series of ConFests on that site. DTE purchased a property on the Edwards River near Moulamein in 2006, which has since been the site for a number of Confests.
, the Middle East
, SE Asia, Oceania
and the Americas
say there is nothing like ConFest anywhere else in the world. Recent visitors from Bougainville
, Cambodia
and the Philippines
are exploring ways to adapt ConFest in their cultures. The majority of ConFest attendees come from Melbourne
. Others come from around Australia.
Attendees at ConFest typically are interested in alternative and better futures for themselves, others and planet Earth. Workshops are run on a self-organising do-it-yourself
basis. Around 12 workshops spaces are set up by site set-up volunteers and typically another 10 workshop spaces emerge. At ConFest, typically between 250 and 350 workshops and events occur. An open-stage concert is typically held on at least one evening and large drum circle
s play on some evenings. Fire twirling is a feature. The Art Village, energized by two ConFesters supported by others, provides a communal hot tub
, steam room
, massage area, life drawing and ceramics beside a ConFest beach swimming area. Around 30 massage tables are in constant use.
Confest is particularly attractive to families as it is a cheap adventure filled holiday for the kids.
The summer confest tends to be more about swimming and relaxing. The Easter confest tends to be more about workshops. Anyone can put on a workshop about anything at confest - that is both the strength and weakness of the workshops!
Nights are great fun at confest with most people choosing either to hang out in the Chai Tent, drum or dance the night away or go to sleep early!
People are free to go naked if they want at confest, with many people choosing to swim naked. It is definitely by no means a nudist festival though. The nudity at confest is what many first timers initially notice, but after a couple of days are tuned out of it.
Abuse of alcohol, drugs or any sexual harassment is not tolerated. However there is no official security so such issues tend to be 'negotiated.'
Confest is unique in that all participants are unpaid volunteers. The only exception are the official auditors.
. Since 2006, because of extremely high fire danger, permits have been granted conditional on having fires only in especially set up fire circles
in large cleared areas. Recently there have been around 16 of these fire circles each supported by a covered cooking area, tables, tap and enclosed gas cooking. Attendees are encouraged to form communities around these fire circles and share food. The Gypsy Kitchen has been vibrant and set an example for others. Participants are open to, and encouraged in evolving participant-initiated villages around fire circles.
The smaller size lends itself to community closeness. The Sydney Gatherings are evolving a unique feel. They differ from ConFest in a number of ways:
Sydney ConFest also has many of ConFest’s features - a hot tub, steam room, concert, entry fee, welcoming tent, workshop boards & tents, camping facilities, showers and toilets.
or at yahoogroups
The Bush
"The bush" is a term used for rural, undeveloped land or country areas in certain countries.-Australia:The term is iconic in Australia. In reference to the landscape, "bush" describes a wooded area, intermediate between a shrubland and a forest, generally of dry and nitrogen-poor soil, mostly...
campout festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
held in the south-eastern states of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
at New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
. The name 'ConFest' derives from combining the words conference and festival. The festival was first held in 1976 near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
. It was initiated and organised by former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the second-most senior officer in the Government of Australia. The Deputy Prime Ministership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1968, and the Deputy Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime...
, Jim Cairns
Jim Cairns
James Ford "J. F." Cairns , Australian politician, was prominent in the Labor movement through the 1960s and 1970s, and was briefly Deputy Prime Minister in the Whitlam government...
, his personal assistant Junie Morosi and David Ditchburn as a means of bringing together the subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
s of the alternative movement.
History
The first gathering was held at the Cotter Dam Reserve, southwest of CanberraCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. The second gathering, in 1977, was on rented farmland (Mount Oak) near Bredbo, south of Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. It attracted 15,000 people. The farm was subsequently purchased with the festival takings as an open community.
ConFest in its early years was a melting pot
Melting pot
The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture...
of diverse worldviews. There was great passion for a better world. Conferences at ConFest attracted up to 1000 people. Workshops were held on all aspects of well-being for people and planet Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. Some examples were gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy is an existential/experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility, and that focuses upon the individual's experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person's life, and the self-regulating...
, massage
Massage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, polyamory
Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved....
, mud-brick construction, geodesic domes, tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
, self-sufficiency
Self-sufficiency
Self-sufficiency refers to the state of not requiring any outside aid, support, or interaction, for survival; it is therefore a type of personal or collective autonomy...
, paganism
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
, vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. At the early ConFests, a number of co-operative communities held their first meetings and, at the conclusion of the festival, they went on to find and purchase land.
The Australian Down to Earth Network (ADTEN) was formed as a loose coalition. Festivals were held in every state and territory of Australia. Three state-based organisations were formed, in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, and New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. They organised further festivals, usually on forested private land bordering a river. Only the Victorian Down to Earth co-operative (DTE) incorporated and has survived and it continues to organise ConFests in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales.
In 1995, the emerging trance dance
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
movement first organised overnight outdoor doof
Doof
The slang term doof or bush doof refers to a type of outdoor dance party in Australia, generally held in a remote country area or just outside big cities in surrounding bush or rainforests and similar to raves or teknivals, but with a different, more empathetic atmosphere...
s at ConFest following a series of amplified staged music
Instrumentation amplifier
An instrumentation amplifier is a type of differential amplifier that has been outfitted with input buffers, which eliminate the need for input impedance matching and thus make the amplifier particularly suitable for use in measurement and test equipment...
events in the previous years. From 1995-1999 there was a period of conflict about appropriate music technologies at ConFest and amplified music was perceived by many to interrupt other activities at ConFest. ConFest music is now acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
and campout doofs run independent of ConFests.
Landowners' concerns about public liability resulted in suitable land for sites being extremely difficult to find and DTE Victoria consequently purchased land on Gulpa Creek near Deniliquin
Deniliquin
Deniliquin, known locally as "Deni", is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales close to the border with Victoria.Deniliquin is located at the intersection of the Riverina and Cobb Highway approximately south west of the state capital, Sydney and north of Melbourne...
in NSW in 2002 and held a series of ConFests on that site. DTE purchased a property on the Edwards River near Moulamein in 2006, which has since been the site for a number of Confests.
Confest Today
Typically around 2500 people attend ConFest with new-comers and old-timers describing ConFest as alive and well. International visitors from EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, SE Asia, Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
and the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
say there is nothing like ConFest anywhere else in the world. Recent visitors from Bougainville
Bougainville Province
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, previously known as North Solomons, is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. The largest island is Bougainville Island , and the province also includes the island of Buka and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
are exploring ways to adapt ConFest in their cultures. The majority of ConFest attendees come from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. Others come from around Australia.
Attendees at ConFest typically are interested in alternative and better futures for themselves, others and planet Earth. Workshops are run on a self-organising do-it-yourself
Do it yourself
Do it yourself is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals...
basis. Around 12 workshops spaces are set up by site set-up volunteers and typically another 10 workshop spaces emerge. At ConFest, typically between 250 and 350 workshops and events occur. An open-stage concert is typically held on at least one evening and large drum circle
Drum circle
A drum circle is any group of people playing hand-drums and percussion in a circle. They are distinct from a drumming group or troupe in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance...
s play on some evenings. Fire twirling is a feature. The Art Village, energized by two ConFesters supported by others, provides a communal hot tub
Hot tub
A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy....
, steam room
Steam room
A steam room is an enclosed space with large amounts of high temperature steam, creating a high humidity environment. People sit in this room in a similar way to a sauna , for relaxation and purported benefits to health and well being. They can be commonly found in gyms, sanitariums and health...
, massage area, life drawing and ceramics beside a ConFest beach swimming area. Around 30 massage tables are in constant use.
Confest is particularly attractive to families as it is a cheap adventure filled holiday for the kids.
The summer confest tends to be more about swimming and relaxing. The Easter confest tends to be more about workshops. Anyone can put on a workshop about anything at confest - that is both the strength and weakness of the workshops!
Nights are great fun at confest with most people choosing either to hang out in the Chai Tent, drum or dance the night away or go to sleep early!
People are free to go naked if they want at confest, with many people choosing to swim naked. It is definitely by no means a nudist festival though. The nudity at confest is what many first timers initially notice, but after a couple of days are tuned out of it.
Abuse of alcohol, drugs or any sexual harassment is not tolerated. However there is no official security so such issues tend to be 'negotiated.'
Confest is unique in that all participants are unpaid volunteers. The only exception are the official auditors.
Heat
In recent years the weather at Confest has sometimes been quite warm, prompting the organizers to consult the community about the idea of moving the event to Spring. In 2008, the forecast is for cooler weather.Fireplace restrictions
ConFest used to have hundreds of fires. DTE operates ConFest under permits from the Local ShireShire
A shire is a traditional term for a division of land, found in the United Kingdom and in Australia. In parts of Australia, a shire is an administrative unit, but it is not synonymous with "county" there, which is a land registration unit. Individually, or as a suffix in Scotland and in the far...
. Since 2006, because of extremely high fire danger, permits have been granted conditional on having fires only in especially set up fire circles
Campfire
A campfire is a fire lit at a campsite, to serve the following functions: light, warmth, a beacon, a bug and/or apex predator deterrent, to cook, and for a psychological sense of security. In established campgrounds they are usually in a fire ring for safety. Campfires are a popular feature of...
in large cleared areas. Recently there have been around 16 of these fire circles each supported by a covered cooking area, tables, tap and enclosed gas cooking. Attendees are encouraged to form communities around these fire circles and share food. The Gypsy Kitchen has been vibrant and set an example for others. Participants are open to, and encouraged in evolving participant-initiated villages around fire circles.
Sound Restrictions
As of July 2009 - All electronically amplified sound is now banned at Confest except with equipment supplied and controlled by Down To Earth. This means that everyone must have permission from DTE to use anything that amplifies sound at a Confest. Parties wishing to use such equipment must adhere to set guidelines including recommended curfews.DTE Victoria
DTE Victoria is an incorporated body under the Victorian Cooperatives Act. The change to the Victorian Cooperatives Act in the late 90s required that members of any Victoria Cooperative have to be Active Members engaged in activity directly related to a cooperatives core activity. As well, a quorum of members has to be present for meetings to take place. Previously DTE had over 1000 members many of whom never attended ConFest and DTE did not have their current addresses. Between 6 and 120 of these members would attend meetings depending on the waxing and waning of energy. As a direct result of the legislation change the number of members is currently around 50 members.The seeding of the Sydney ConFesters Group
A growing group from Sydney have since 2003 been evolving the Sydney ConFesters Group Gatherings. Between 200 and 300 attend its gatherings typically held three times a year over long weekends. DTE Victoria has provided around $8000 seed money per gathering which is repaid after the gathering. As well DTE provides its public liability insurance cover and tickets. These gatherings have always run at a surplus, which is used to buy equipment for their gathering.The smaller size lends itself to community closeness. The Sydney Gatherings are evolving a unique feel. They differ from ConFest in a number of ways:
- All attendees are fed (vegan only from April 2006)
- A central fire (when permitted by authorities)
- Opening & closing circles ceremonies
- Smaller and more intimate
Sydney ConFest also has many of ConFest’s features - a hot tub, steam room, concert, entry fee, welcoming tent, workshop boards & tents, camping facilities, showers and toilets.
External links
- Official ConFest Webpage,
- ConFest Chat Forum,
- ConFest Car-Pooling messages only,
- Brisbane ConFesters,
- Sydney ConFesters,
- Sydney ConFesters Gatherings and Meetings,
or at yahoogroups