ConFest is an alternative bush campout festival held in the south-eastern states of Australia annually during and around Easter.[1] The name 'ConFest' is a concatenation of the words Conference and Festival.[2] ConFest was initiated in 1976, and organised by the former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Dr. Jim Cairns, his private secretary Junie Morosi and David Ditchburn. It was and is intended to bring together the various subcultures of the alternative movement, and was billed as "An Exploration of Alternatives".

The event has been run almost continuously by the same cooperative society; The Down To Earth Co-op (DTE), based in Victoria. ConFest now hosts some 7000 participants annually for a 5-day festival over the Australia's Easter long weekend. The current ConFest Site is located to the West of Deniliquin and about 12 km from Moulamein in New South Wales. The area is open forest with the Edward River running along the southern side of the property.

Features

Spontaneous choir Easter ConFest 2014

Confest is typically divided up in to a number of discrete "villages" situated along a tree-lined river. These villages host a number of themed "spaces" where participants host workshops that are listed on an open agenda board displayed centrally in the festival. Workshops typically include yoga, meditation, permaculture, arts, music, and sexuality.[3] However, many of the spaces are open to a range of eclectic and diverse topics. Villages also host shared kitchen spaces where communal cooking and food sharing is encouraged. The extensive Arts Village hosts many of the festivals major gathering points.[4]

Villages surround a central open paddock which hosts a food and arts marketplace. This marketplace is the only location within the festival where money is used. It also hosts a number of activities such as a spontaneous choir and informal fashion parade. Surrounding the marketplace is a dedicated area for Fire Twirling, an information tent where participants can find out about the various villages and workshops, and a silent disco space.

Villages and notable spaces (Easter Confest 2019)

  • Acro Town
  • The Arts Village
  • Permaculture Village
  • Tranquility (Drug and Alcohol free)
  • Cause Way
  • Aboriginal and Wemba-Wemba Villages
  • Consent Cove
  • Veg Out Village
  • 'Doing it Ourselves' Village
  • Drumming Village
  • Poly Village
  • Nudies Village
  • Family Village
  • Gypsy Village
  • Rainbow Village (LGBTQIA+ focused)
  • Uncertainty Village (Science and reason focused)[5]
  • Bliss (Vegan, wheat-free communal living located in Tranquility)
  • Open Stage (acoustic, impromptu performances of the arts)
  • Marketplace (vegetarian)
  • Silent Disco
  • Gokula space
  • Presence Tent
  • Eco Village
  • Wellness
  • Holi Colour
  • Seder
  • Workshop spaces

History

The first ConFest was held in 1976 on a property at Cotter River near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It was initiated and organised by the former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Dr. Jim Cairns, his private secretary Junie Morosi and David Ditchburn.

In the early days, the organising committee rented space from various property owners, normally on or near the Murray River. However, due to dramatically increased insurance costs, it became increasingly difficult to locate suitable locations, until in the early years of the 21st century a property became available for purchase. After an extraordinary general meeting of DTE the decision was made to purchase the property, located near Gulpa Creek, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Deniliquin, New South Wales. The site has outdoor camping facilities and has about 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) of river frontage and about 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of space.

Event Timeline

Confest History[6]
YearTime of yearLocationName/NotesPopulation estimate
1976DecemberCotter River (ACT)Shaping Of Alternatives9,000 - 10,000
1977/78New YearBredbo (Mt Oak, NSW)Focus for a Future15000
1979Autumn/EasterBerri SA (on Murray River)The Year of the Child5,500-7,000
1980January 25-28French Island, VicCairns' event not supported by DTE2000
1980MayRainbow Region Gathering at Wytaliba NSWLargely rained out
1981January 23-February 6Glenlyon I (Daylesford)Welcoming and Exploring the New Age3000
1982January 28-February 1Glenlyon IIViable Futures Through Loving Action8000
1983/84New YearBaringa IWangaratta, Vic Making Alternatives Work5000
1984/85New YearBaringa IIPeace4000
1986January 24-27Glenlyon III
1986/87New YearGlenlyon IV
1987/88New YearMt Oak NSW10 year anniversary1200
1988JanPermacroft (Seymour, Vic)Resurgence of the Call For a New Society
1988/89New YearWalwa IOn the Murray River3500
1989/90New YearWalwa II4000
1990/91New YearWalwa IIIHeal Thy Self - Thy Planet5000
1992Autumn/EasterToc I (Tocumwal NSW)Continuing the Tradition.
1993Autumn/EasterToc IIWeaving the Web.
1993/94New YearMoama I
1994Autumn/EasterToc III4000
1994/95New YearMoama II9000
1995/96New YearTocumwal Birdlands (diff site)A Birdlands Experience9500
1996Autumn/Easteroc IVBack to the River Harvest Festival4000
1996/97New YearMoama IV>6,000
1997Autumn/EasterMoama V5000
1997/98New YearGum Lodge I (Tocumwal)6500
1998Autumn/EasterGum Lodge II4000
1998/99New YearGuilmartens I (Tocumwal)Universal Togetherness3500
1999Autumn/EasterGuilmartens IIWhat's Alternative Now? 'unplugged'2000
1999/00New YearGuilmartens III (Tocumwal)2500
2000Autumn/EasterGuilmartens IV (Tocumwal)2200
2000/01New YearGulpa Creek I (between Echuca & Deniliquin)Earth Odyssey2500
2001Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek II (between Echuca & Deniliquin)2500
2001/02New YearGulpa Creek III (between Echuca & Deniliquin)3800
2002Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek IV (between Echuca & Deniliquin)3800
2002/03New YearGulpa Creek Bylands I (between Echuca & Deniliquin)At 'new' DTE owned site2500
2003Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek Bylands II (between Echuca & Deniliquin)3200
2003/04New YearGulpa Creek Bylands III (between Echuca & Deniliquin)2,200?
2004Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek Bylands IV (between Echuca & Deniliquin)3200
2004/05New YearGulpa Creek Bylands V (between Echuca & Deniliquin) ????
2005Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek Bylands VI (between Echuca & Deniliquin) ????
2005/06New YearGulpa Creek Bylands VII (between Echuca & Deniliquin)2,000?
2006Autumn/EasterGulpa Creek Bylands VIII (between Echuca & Deniliquin)3000
2006/07New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan HillHeld at a property purchased by DTE in 2005/6. 2nd property purchased, and owned by DTE3000
2007Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill2300
2007/08New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill1500
2008Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill3000
2008/09New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill1200
2009Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill3700
2009/10New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill2500
2010Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill4000
2010/11New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill3500
2011Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2011/12New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2012Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2012/13New YearEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2013Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2013/14New YearCancelled
2014Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2014/15New YearCancelled
2015Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill
2016Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill5857
2017Autumn/EasterEdward River outside Moulamein, between Deniliquin and Swan Hill6100

Climate

The property used for the March 2019 Confest gathering was one of two owned by the Down to Earth Cooperatives for the purpose of holding Confest gatherings. It is located approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south-east of the New South Wales town of Moulamein and 100 kilometres (62 mi) north-west of Deniliquin. This region generally has a warmer climate over Summer and Autumn, and a cooler climate over Winter relative to Melbourne where the highest proportion of event participants reside. The Summer Confest was cancelled and was not held for several years while fire mitigation work was carried out on the property. The Autumn Confest held over the Easter long weekend has continued while this has taken place. It is often referred to as "Easter Confest" due to its timing but is a non-denominational event with participants able to observe their own spiritual practices including candle lighting at designated events and spaces as long as there is no fire ban. In 2016 an additional Confest was organised for Spring. It was unable to go ahead due to flooding.

In 2015 police reported that 38 of 54 people searched on the approach road to the event were found in possession of illicit substances.[7]

There have been a number of assaults throughout the festival's history by a few individuals, including sexual assaults during massages and an attempted child abduction. In some cases, this has resulted in lifetime bans from the festival and police involvement.[8][9]

References

  1. "ConFest". Regional Arts NSW. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  2. Harlowe, Heather (15 April 2013). "Hippies in Paradise: ConFest". Yeahnah. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  3. "Confest". Patrick Sterlin Photography. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  4. Taylor, Andrew (29 December 2012). "Nudity a drawcard for this camp out". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. "Confest - Uncertainty Village". Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. "Confest - History". confest.org.au. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  7. McConachie, Alex (7 April 2015). "Police target illegal drugs at Moulamein's ConFest". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. McConachie, Alex (6 April 2015). "ConFest at Moulamein rocked by attempted abduction, alleged indecent assaults". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  9. Moskovitch, Greg (7 April 2015). "Man Charged After Two Boys Indecently Assaulted At Aussie Music Festival". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 5 April 2018.

35°08′05″S 144°09′23″E / 35.134615°S 144.156289°E / -35.134615; 144.156289

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