Peats Ridge Festival is a sustainable arts and music festival, held in Glenworth Valley, Peats Ridge, 1 hour north of Sydney and 90mins drive from Newcastle, New South Wales. Established in 2004, one year after the passing of the founder of the Glenworth Valley Horse Riding facility, the Festival is recognised as one of the world’s leading sustainability events. The festival runs for three days around New Year's Eve, from 29 December to 1 January. The event organisers rely heavily on volunteer support, and this service is rewarded with a free ticket to the person. This type of employment strategy highlights one of many of the sustainable options chosen by organisers to set up, run and close the event.

In addition to the music artists which form the line up, it features an arts program packed with visual and installation arts, performance, comedy, contemporary dance and theatre. Peats Ridge is recognised for discovering and presenting up-and-coming bands and artists, supported by an application process for emerging acts. In 2010 Angus and Julia Stone, previous up and coming artists, headlined on the first night of the event, showing the goodwill that the festival harvests between organisers and performers alike.

The festival is a camping event and is open to all ages, with free entrance for children under 6 and a full program of events and activities for families and children, in addition to family camping areas.

Awards and Accreditations

The Peats Ridge Festival has been recognized on both a national and international level for its focus and achievement in sustainability. The Festival has been awarded:

• Outstanding Greener Festival for The Greener Festival Awards in 2007, 2009 and most recently 2010
• The Environmental Sustainability Award for the 2008 NSW State Government Green Globe Awards
• The Small Business Award for the 2009 NSW State Government Green Globe Awards
• Best Achievement in Sustainability for the 2009 & 2010 Australian Event Awards
• Most Green Friendly award the 2009 FasterLouder Festival Awards

The Peats Ridge Festival is officially acknowledged by the UN for their work in Environmental Education and in 2010 is the founding partner of the UN Music and Environmental Initiative.

Glenworth Valley

Glenworth Valley is 1 hour north of Sydney and 15 minutes from Gosford, located in the hinterland region of the NSW Central Coast. 90mins drive along the freeway from Newcastle, the valley features 3000 acres (12.1 km²) of wilderness and is situated around the winding Popran Creek, which leads to the Hawkesbury River. The festival site is located in flat green meadows and is surrounded by a 200m high-wooded escarpment. There are three designated swimming holes, two in the Festival precinct and one alongside the non-vehicle camping area, all of which have lifeguards on duty each day. In addition to the arts, music, workshops and performance programs, The Glenworth Valley Adventure Centre offer a range of activities aimed at enjoying the natural surroundings of the valley.
One such example of the beauty of Glenworth Valley and its Horse Riding facility was witnessed in 2010 when horses were run by Cowboys on motorbikes around the festival grounds for grazing.

Sustainability

Peats Ridge Festival is the first festival in the world to promote, and continues to advocate sustainability. This spirit remains in 2010. It is also the first major Australian event to run solely on renewable energy. Peats Ridge engages its suppliers to minimise waste from the festival. For example, stallholders are required to sort their waste into three different types; Recycling, General and Compost. Such an activity was witnessed in 2010 by the Hare Krsna Food Life tent, where all scraps were composted, recycling sorted and waste disposed of in a sustainable manner in accordance with the Festivals guidelines. Just about everything bought or sold at the Festival is either recyclable or compostable. Volunteer staff collect the rubbish and sort through it before it leaves the grounds. Though some flooding occurs on the grounds the water is managed so well that in 2010, without rain, the festival was unaffected by flooding issues as seen in previous years, i.e. 2007 when the festival was cancelled for the first and only time.

The festival features many initiatives for running a sustainable event such as using composting toilets, rafted reed bed grey water management system, source separated waste streams, composting, low impact cleaning products, reclaimed materials for Festival décor and container return systems on all drink containers and cups.
Other initiatives include:

• ECO LIVING VILLAGE

As part of the sustainability program, Peats Ridge features an Eco Living Village, which is an educational space promoting sustainability activities. Here, a diverse series of workshops, running across the entire duration of the festival, examine a broad range of sustainability issues including: waste reduction, grey water management systems, composting, community gardening and improving workplace sustainability. The Eco Village also features an organic shopping market with organic food and coffee outlets. Markets featuring clothes, crafts, music, toys, food and more are open every day.

• EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Peats Ridge team are involved in an educational capacity to promote event sustainability through university lectures, guest speaking to new event managers, event case studies, collaboration with government and community programs and in 2010 were the only Southern Hemisphere founding partner in the United Nations Music & Environment Initiative.

• ONLINE COMMUNITIES

The Festival has developed the online “Model Event” gateway on the Peats Ridge Festival website. This portal shares information on areas such as green procurement, waste management, grey water systems and emission reductions for events of all sizes.

Indigenous Program

The Peats Ridge Festival includes a program dedicated to Australia's indigenous heritage and features strong indigenous components within all elements of the program, including music, dance, food, workshops, movie screenings and artworks. An Indigenous Boardi Space is organised and run by the local Darkinjung people and is dedicated to their stories and culture. Workshops and knowledge sharing sessions are held examining the stories of the land, bush foods, medicines and culture of Australia’s indigenous people. The opening and closing ceremonies of the festival feature elements of Australian indigenous rituals, which are aimed at acknowledging the spirits of the land.

Childrens Program

In addition to the dedicated family camping area, the festival features a children’s program. There are three areas that cater for all ages of children; ages 3 to 7, ages 7 to 12 and ages 13 to 17, each with a program filled with art, music, dance, performance and more. The youngest children can enjoy the Rainbow Garden; an under seven’s children’s play area, puppet shows, face painting, children’s yoga, children’s theatre, circus skills workshops and many other children’s performances. For young teens aged 13 to 17, the Chillout Lounge features workshops on song writing, body percussion, cartooning, fashion and jewellery making. In the evenings, the Chillout Lounge is where young people can showcase their talent and sing, recite, dance, juggle or perform. The Lounge also provides space to relax in the couches, paint the space and enjoy live performances and DJs.

New Years Eve

New Year's Eve is celebrated by a Masquerade Parade in which everybody at the festival, including performers and artists are involved. Costumes and masks are encouraged and there are mask-making workshops where there is access to fabrics and accessories. The New Years parade kicks off in the early evening, and snakes its way through the festival, picking up people as it goes. The remainder of the evening features the usual musical acts and dance parties and continues late into the night.

Workshops and Healing Area

The Festival features a wide range of free workshops, all of which are designed to suit adults of all ages. Workshops include Pilates, stand up comedy, tae kwon do, poi, bollywood, singing, yoga, African dance, juggling, laughter yoga, capoeira and more. The Healing Haven is a focused area for calm and healing and includes workshops and sessions with a focus on natural healing.

Arts and Music Programs

The Peats Ridge Festival is recognised for discovering and presenting up and coming bands and artists. There is an application process for artists and musicians which allows new arts and music projects to apply to perform at the Festival. Hundreds of bands and thousands of artists perform each year at the festival.

Arts Program

The Peats Ridge Festival features a dedicated area for arts and theatre, called SideWays Alley, located along the riverfront. The arts program features over 1, 500 artists from all art forms including puppetry, mime, spoken word, dance, music, circus and visual arts. A main feature is the Bohemian Love Theatre, which is described as “a barefoot velvet vaudeville club, boho glam rock ‘n roll circus, a bohemian absinthe den and lost-in-tie faerie tale speakeasy dream world,” and features a number of comedy, dance, circus, cabaret and musical acts. The backyard of the Bohemian Love Theatre is the Avant Garden is a space for painting, organic wine and Sangria and enjoying the surroundings. The application process provides opportunities for new artists to establish themselves in an internationally recognised arena.

Musical Acts and Line-Ups

The Peats Ridge Festival appreciates all different styles of music and features new and developing bands. Musicians may also apply via a similar application process to the artist’s applications. The festival features eight stages of music, including the dub shack and a disco tent and feature partner stages with sponsors. Stages featured are:

• Bellbird; the main stage featuring many of the larger bands and is the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies,
• Lyrebird; a big top with a focus on dub/reggae, blues and chilled out beats,
• Underworld; features cutting edge, new artists,
• Chai Temple; the acoustic music stage accompanied by cushions and chai,
• Phoenix; features a range of new musical acts from electro to jazz to folk to post punk
• Vic’s Disco; an Eastern European dance and disco party tent,
• Dubshack; a dedicated dub stage presented by three of Sydney’s biggest bass pushers,
• Drum and Dance Temple; a host of seasoned performers and facilitators lead the temple with workshops, drumming and dance.

The line-up features a combination of Australian acts and internationally acclaimed artists.

2005

Cornerstone Roots Cornerstone Roots Cornerstone Roots are a successful contemporary New Zealand reggae band from Raglan/Whaingaroa in the Waikato.Formed in 2001 after a session at the infamous local Raglan Musicians Club, the original three-piece outfit singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian and drummer Turongo Dixon and bassist Naomi... Lior Lior Lior is a male, independent Australian singer-songwriter based in Melbourne.-Career:In early 2005, Lior independently self-released his debut album Autumn Flow, certified gold by ARIA... The Red Eyes Waiting for Guiness

Jess Randall & Friends Darth Vegas Orient Express Orient Express The Orient Express is the name of a long-distance passenger train service originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. It ran from 1883 to 2009 and is not to be confused with the Venice-Simplon Orient Express train service, which continues to run.The route and rolling stock... Rastawookie

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2006

Afro Moses with Moses O’Jah Carla Werner Carla Werner Carla Werner is a singer and songwriter from New Zealand who began her music career at age 11.Her first major record deal was in 2002 with Columbia Records, Sony Music and was followed by the release of her debut album Departure in 2003... Angus & Julia Stone Angus & Julia Stone Angus & Julia Stone are an Australian brother-sister duo from Newport on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Forming in 2005, their parents are both musical and played as a folk duo before Angus and Julia were born. At very young ages, their father introduced them to music and encouraged them to join... Tim Freedman Tim Freedman Timothy "Tim" James Freedman is the mainstay lead singer and keyboardist of the Australian band The Whitlams formed in 1993... Hermitude Hermitude Hermitude are an Australian hip hop group, originating from the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.- Biography :The two multi-instrumentalists Luke Dubber and Angus Stuart have been in bands together since 1994, at the ages of 16 and 11 respectively...

Blacqseedz Dancers Akasa Elana Stone Elana Stone Elana Stone is a vocalist, songwriter, pianist, accordion player, and band leader based in Sydney, Australia. Described by John Bailey from Sunday Age as 'One of the most impressive singing voices in the country' , her album In the Garden of Wild Things was released in 2006 on the Jazzgroove label... The Black Seeds The Black Seeds The Black Seeds are a musical group from Wellington, New Zealand. Their music is a fusion of dub, funk, afrobeat and soul.The Black Seeds have two double-platinum selling albums at home, and successful European album releases through the German-based Sonar Kollektiv label...

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Kate Miller-Heidke Kate Miller-Heidke Kate Miller-Heidke is a singer-songwriter from Brisbane, Australia. Although classically trained, she has followed a career in alternative pop music. She is signed to Sony Australia, Epic in the US and RCA in the UK.-Career:... King Tide King tide King tide is the popular name for an especially high tide. The phrase is used mostly in Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific nations.In the lunar month, the highest tides occur roughly every 14 days, at the new and full moons, when the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun are in line... Martinez Martinez -Argentina:* Martínez, Buenos Aires* Coronel Martínez de Hoz, Buenos Aires Province* Villa Martínez de Hoz, Buenos Aires Province* Martínez del Tineo, Salta... The McMenamins

2007

In 2007, the Peats Ridge Festival was regrettably cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. Improvements were made to the site, ensuring that this would be extremely unlikely to reoccur.

2008

(This was 'take two' of the cancelled 2007 Peats Ridge Festival. A similar line-up of performers, as listed below, had previously been booked to perform in 2007. All artists apologised to the crowd during their performances.)

Salmonella Dub Salmonella Dub Salmonella Dub are a Dub/Drum n Bass/Reggae/Roots band from Kaikoura, New Zealand. They were formed in 1991 by Andrew Penman, David Deakins and Mark Tyler...  (NZ) Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an Indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language.He was born in Galiwin'ku , off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. He is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother from the Galpu nation... Jon Cleary Jon Cleary Jon Stephen Cleary was an Australian author.-Biography:Cleary was born in Erskineville, Sydney. He wrote many books, among them The Sundowners , a portrait of a rural family in the 1920s as they move from one job to the next, and The High Commissioner , the first of a long series of popular...  (USA) Frightened Rabbit Frightened Rabbit Frightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...  (UK)

Hawksley Workman Hawksley Workman Ryan Corrigan , better known by the stage name Hawksley Workman, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter who has garnered critical acclaim for his blend of cabaret pop and glam rock. Workman has released eleven full length albums throughout his career...  (CAN) Mamadou Diabate Mamadou Diabaté Mamadou Diabaté is a kora player. He began playing quite early in his life, became known as a musician in the area of Mali in which he lived, and has since moved to the United States, recording several albums.-Life and career:...   (MALI) Bluejuice Bluejuice Bluejuice is a rock band based in Sydney, Australia. The group consists of Jake Stone, Stavros Yiannoukas, Jamie Cibej, Jerry Craib and James Hauptmann.They have released three studio albums; Problems, Head of the Hawk and Company.... Hermitude Hermitude Hermitude are an Australian hip hop group, originating from the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.- Biography :The two multi-instrumentalists Luke Dubber and Angus Stuart have been in bands together since 1994, at the ages of 16 and 11 respectively...

The Temper Trap The Temper Trap The Temper Trap is an Australian indie rock band which formed in 2005. The core members are Jonathon Aherne on bass guitar and vocals, Toby Dundas on drums and programming, Dougy Mandagi on vocals and guitar, and Lorenzo Sillitto on guitar, keyboards and vocals. They are supplemented on tours with... Monsieur Camembert Monsieur Camembert Monsieur Camembert is a five-piece Gypsy fusion band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1999. They have won three ARIA Music Awards for Best World Music Album in 2002 for Live on Stage , in 2003 for Absynthe and in 2005 for Monsieur Camembert... Mista Savona Mista Savona Mista Savona is a Reggae, Dancehall and Hip-hop producer and keyboardist based in Melbourne, Australia. He is best known for his third self-produced album Melbourne Meets Kingston released on Elefant Traks in 2007... Pivot Pivot (band) Pivot is a United States rock band from Raleigh, North Carolina featuring Brian Kelly on vocals, Eric Hambright on guitar, Mike Hambright on bass, and Phil Cicco on drums.-Discography:*1999 - Self Titled EP*2003 - Simple Machines...

The Fumes Chris Kayana Gudu Sparkadia Sparkadia Sparkadia is the project of alternative pop musician Alexander Burnett. Originally a band, Sparkadia formed in Sydney, Australia, in 2004. Up until 2009, Sparkadia was a four-piece band.-History:... Basslines

2009

Sarah Blasko Sarah Blasko Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which... The Panics The Panics The Panics are an ARIA Award–winning indie rock band originally from Perth, Western Australia, and currently based in Melbourne, Victoria.-History:... Blue King Brown Blue King Brown Blue King Brown are a Melbourne-based, Australian urban roots band. They have released a self-titled EP and a full length album, Stand Up . They released their follow-up Worldwize Part 1 - North & South on 20 August 2010... Liam Finn Liam Finn Liam Mullane Finn is a New Zealand musician and songwriter. Born in Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child... Mark Pritchard/Harmonic 313 The Jezabels The Jezabels The Jezabels are a four-piece musical group from Sydney. They formed after meeting at the University of Sydney. Their music is hard to define into one specific genre, and has been described as a blend of indie pop, indie rock, rock, and disco pop...

Dappled Cities Whitley Whitley -Places:United Kingdom*Whitley Bay, town in Tyne and Wear *Whitley, Berkshire, suburb of Reading*Whitley, Cheshire, village near Warrington*Whitley, Coventry, suburb of Coventry... Bertie Blackman Bertie Blackman Bertie Blackman is an Independent Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist. She rose to fame with her debut album in 2004, entitled 'Headway' which came after years of prolific performances around Sydney's Inner city venues, where she developed a dedicated following.-Early life and... Jeff Lang Jeff Lang Jeff Lang is an Australian songwriter, singer and slide guitarist. A leading performer in the Australian roots music scene and purveyer of his self-described "disturbed folk" style, which incorporates primarily folk, blues and rock... The Nomad (NZ)

Ash Grunwald Ash Grunwald Ash Grunwald is an Australian radio announcer and blues musician.-Early career:... Leader Cheetah Leader Cheetah Leader Cheetah are a four-piece band from Adelaide, South Australia with roots in Americana, alternative country and indie rock genres. Formed in 2007 by members of defunct Adelaide bands Pharaohs and Bad Girls of the Bible, the band have toured nationally and appeared at festivals such as... Jack Ladder Astronomy Class Astronomy Class Astronomy Class are an Australian hip-hop / reggae group from Sydney. The group comprises Ozi Batla , Sir Robbo and Chasm .... The Bird The Bird "The Bird" is a song from The Time's third album, Ice Cream Castle. The song was initially recorded in the studio in 1983 with all instruments by Prince, except guitar, which was performed by Jesse Johnson. This version was replaced by a live recording with the full band at the First Avenue on...

Lamb Lamb (band) Lamb is an electronic music duo from Manchester, England, whose music is influenced by trip hop and drum and bass. The duo consists of producer Andy Barlow, who also produces under the pseudonym Hipoptimist, and singer-songwriter Lou Rhodes... Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea Diafrix deepchild

External links

• Peats Ridge Festival official website: www.peatsridgefestival.com.au
• www.glenworth.com.au