Our Bushland Festival
10-11 September 2022 at Poppet Head Park, Kitchener
Thank you for making Our Bushland Festival 2022 such a great success!
Help us plan for next year, complete this quick and easy survey:
OurBushland Festival Feedback Survey 2022
If you participated on the day we'd love to hear your feedback!
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WHAT TO DO AND SEE-speakers+activities
Hover or click on a photo for more info
OUR BUSHLAND FESTIVAL - 10-11 September 2022
Join us to celebrate Our Bushland in the Cessnock region. A natural gem with plants and birds found nowhere else on the planet!
In 2018 and 2019 we celebrated Our Bushland with BioBlitz events, where the community were encouraged to come along to find out more about Cessnock’s amazing bushland with walks with ecologists and other experts.
This FREE event has now transformed into a festival of the senses:
Saturday 10th September 2022 -
Evening Spotlight Adventure SOLD OUT!
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JOIN LOCAL EXPERTS FOR AN EVENING OF SPOTLIGHTING TO FIND NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE (Registrations required)
Sunday 11th September 2022 -
Our Bushland Festival Day
Official Opening 9:30am, activities from 10am-3pm
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PARTICIPATE IN WALKS WITH EXPERT ECOLOGISTS ON ALL THINGS IN OUR BUSHLAND (Registrations required)
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LEARN FROM SOME EXPERT SPEAKERS - Ed Tonks on local & mining history at 10am & 11am, and Ecologist & Koala expert, George Madani at 10:30am, then Mistletoe - Friend or Foe? with Kristy Peters at 11:30pm.
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ENJOY MUSIC FROM SOME LOCAL MUSICIANS - Ben Leece (12:40pm), Steel City Sue (1:15pm) & William Crighton (2pm)
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SEE DISPLAYS FROM A RANGE OF ORGANISATIONS
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INTERACT WITH LIVE NATIVE ANIMALS THANKS TO THE AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK
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TAKE HOME GOODS, WARES, HANDMADE ITEMS FROM STALLHOLDERS
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BRING A PICNIC AND ENJOY A DAY OUT AT THE FESTIVAL!
CULTURE AND COUNTRY
The traditional owners in this part of the Hunter Valley are the Wonnarua People. Their stories of Country and their connection to the land go back over 60,000 years, when the Creation Spirits began forming this unique landscape. Wonnarua People saw all of the sacred rivers, mountains and animals created with Baiame coming to earth to teach all Lore in order for Wonnarua People to sustain life on the land, and carefully manage their environment.
When Baiame returned to the sky, he took on the earthly form of Kawal to watch over and protect the people. Kawal is the magnificent Wedge-tailed Eagle, who continues to watch today.
We welcome you to Country on which this festival will be held on, to learn more about the environment, culture and history of the Wonnarua People.
Kawal-by Rachel Klyve