Camp Oven Festival paradise for food and nature lovers
A paradise for food and nature lovers was created over the June long weekend, as Nymboida Camping and Canoeing Centre played host to the 8th Clarence Valley Camp Oven Festival.
As though three days of live music in a natural setting wasn’t enough to entertain the large crowds assembled, particularly on the Saturday Family Gala Day, a constant flow of nature-themed activities, workshops and talks ensured festival attendees were enlightened and entertained.
Dr Greg Clancy’s nature walks drew maximum capacity audiences of 30 at a time, while dozens of bushcraft enthusiasts lapped up the detailed instructions and survival tips shared by Gordon Dedman of Alone Australia. Conducting his sessions in a circle seated under a parachute, Gordon gave valuable insights on building shelter, finding food and water, lighting and managing fires, navigating by the stars and even toilet etiquette in the bush – top tip – always burn your toilet paper!
Forest campaigner Zenzi Grace shared stories of her efforts to save old growth forests from logging in the 1990s, at times countering blatant contraventions of licences by logging firms.
This theme of actively engaging in protecting our environment was then picked up by Costa Giorgiadis in a wide-ranging and fascinating talk in which he outlined various current threats to ecosystems and how our everyday actions and consumer choices can make a difference.
Elsewhere, and in his child-friendly guise of Costa the Garden Gnome, Australis’s most charismatic nature communicator and his mate scrapboy entertained hundreds of kids and parents building a nature art gallery, marching to the bank of the Goolang Creek to conduct the Grubby Bucket Show and even appearing as legendary pirate Blackbeard alongside Hoozatt? Entertainment’s Whale’s Tales: A Pirate’s Story.
The ceremonial Gumbaynggirr Giirwa song and dance performance was followed up with language workshops and fire making demonstrations shared by Dean Loadsman, Clark Webb and Nathan Brennan. Other festival goers spent time under the Bendigo Bank marquee creating large, decorative orbs from vine branches. A super-sized orb dubbed ‘The Celestial Pearl’ was ceremonially burned on Sunday evening, the rising sparks accompanying onlooker’s hopes and aspirations into the night sky.
The Saturday morning cooking demonstrators shared cooking tips and recipes insights with eager onlookers, who were then able to sample the dishes which included a chicken madras and chicken satay both served with rice, and kangaroo meatballs with bush tucker flavours and lemon myrtle fetuccine. The Sunday morning breads, dampers and scones competition saw, among other delicious treats, a succulent chocolately brioche take out the sweet category.
Prizes for the various People’s Choice evening meal competition categories were shared among Diane Erskine and the sibling rivalry of Sons and Daughters of the Ponderosa.
Creative Director Laena Stephenson said, “This is the type of event we have dreamed of running for years. Now, finally the weather Gods were kind and people came out in droves to enjoy the great Aussie outdoors here in Nymboida.”
