Cessnock Fesrival


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CESSNOCK FESTIVAL SURVEY 2007. To help the organisers to make a better festival, please take time to answer the following- : WHERE ARE YOU FROM? : HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE FESTIVAL? : WHAT DID / DIDN’T YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE WEEKEND? : WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE NEXT YEAR AT THE CESSNOCK FESTIVAL? : HOW DO YOU RATE THE VENUE? : WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO STAY ON FOR THE PORT STEPHENS FESTIVAL? IF YES – WHY? IF NO - WHY NOT? Thanks for assisting in this survey. Replies can be sent to PO Box 70 Weston. NSW. 2326 or email to kfpars@networksmm.com.au .
Photo Index
(more coming soon)
Social at Cessnock Festival
Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French
Karl Broadie
Victoria & Barbara Baillie
The McClymonts,
Wolverines
Lisa White with Makaylie Foodey and Melody Pool
Alby & Melody Pool, Makaylie Foodey + Horseshoe Bend Band
Kirsty Lee Akers
John Wilson, Rob Wilson, Amber Lawrence and Kellie Cain
Sharnee Fenwick
Slim Newton
Bruce McCumstie
Karen Lynne & Acoustic Shock Saturday
Karen Lynne & Acoustic Shock Sunday

Anna Rose Report
First ever Cessnock Festival a huge success

Karl Broadie and Rhonda Astill. Photo: Anna Rose
Following a hugely successful weekend, the inaugural O’Neills Tyres Cessnock City Country Music Festival is now firmly established on the Australian country calendar. The event that was the dream of Hunter Valley music enthusiast Rhonda Astill became a sparkling reality over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 25-27, with hundreds turning out to enjoy the quality music on offer. From Friday’s official opening by the Cessnock mayor, Cr John Clarence, featuring the award-winning Wolverines through to the first major concert that night – it was quality all the way. The delightful Victoria Baillie opened Friday night’s concert at the East Cessnock Bowling Club to an audience of 300 happy punters, who stayed to enjoy smoky-voiced troubadour Karl Broadie and dual 2007 Golden Guitar winners, The McClymonts. Click here for more photos of this concert
The McClymonts – Brooke, Mollie and Samantha. Photo: Anna Rose
They were back bright and early Saturday morning for the free concerts, beginning at 10.30am with Hunter-based singer-songwriter Rob Wilson backed by a fine band of musicians – Brad Bergen (lead guitar), Peter Figures (drums), Simon Johnson (bass) and Chad Plane on keyboards. Paxton entertainer Kellie Cain proved her worth on the agenda, stepping up to the microphone, with her guitar and stompbox, completing a six-song set, joined for her final two numbers by the band. Father-daughter act Alby and Melody Pool were the next crowd-pleasers on the program, then Melody was joined by fellow Camerata graduate Makaylie Foodey, singing gorgeous harmonies. 2007 Toyota Star Maker Kirsty Lee Akers was another fine example of Hunter-grown talent, proving that size doesn’t matter one little bit when it comes to delivering the goods. 2006 Golden Saddle Award winner Amber Lawrence made lots of friends during her action-packed performance and traditional bluegrass with Karen Lynne and Acoustic Shock was a fitting finale to that day’s free entertainment enjoyed by some 400 to 500 people. John Wilson set up in the bar to entertain patrons from around 5.30 before that evening’s big show with The Wolverines, which started at 8pm. Four hundred paying customers streamed through the auditorium doors and didn’t stop rocking til the last note was played by country’s favourite party band composed of Chris Doyle, Darcy LeYear and John Clinton. Sunday’s agenda of Lisa White, Makaylie Foodey, Sharnee Fenwick, Slim Newton, Bruce McCumstie, Karen Lynne and Acoustic Shock and Camille Te Nahu and Stuie French gave patrons a great dose of country. Event organiser Rhonda Astill was absolutely delighted with the outcome of her first festival, and said plans were already well underway for next year’s event. “So many people there were talking about ‘next year’, I don’t think there’s any way I will get out of putting another festival together,” Rhonda said. “I’m just so thrilled with the support of the local business houses, and in particular, our wonderful host venue, for their unstinting support. They all had faith in the project and what it could do for Cessnock and I believe that faith was well founded, with the results we achieved this first time round.” Marlene Hartog, from the East Cessnock Bowling Club, was also delighted with the weekend of music, and is very keen to continue that association in the years to come. “The club was buzzing with people all weekend and they were a very happy crowd to have around,” Marlene said. “We would be more than pleased to see them all back again next year – and they’re more than welcome to bring plenty of their friends too.”
2007
LOCAL FUND-RAISER SUPPORTS NATION’S QUEST FOR CF CURE Award-winning band The Wolverines will lend their support to the official opening of the inaugural Cessnock Country Music Festival on Friday at high noon. The Wolves, longtime supporters of Cystic Fibrosis Australia, will be part of a fundraising launch for national CF day, where the public is asked to purchase merchandise such as the Breathe Life wristband, or 65 Roses Day ribbon. There will be a fundraising sausage sizzle organised by LJ Hooker Cessnock in Harold Sternbeck Park (opposite the LJ Hooker Cessnock office) from noon to 3pm and all it will cost is a donation of $1. The day will be full of fun for locals with the LJ Hooker Bear handing out balloons and there will be face painting for the young ones. Locals will get a taste of what’s to come for the weekend of music with The Wolverines performing live. Cessnock mayor, Cr John Clarence, will officially launch the festival during proceedings. 65 Roses Day raises national awareness of cystic fibrosis (CF), which affects one child born every four days in Australia. “LJ Hooker has raised over $1.7 million to date for CF research. The serious genetic condition affects the ability to breathe and digest food, and seriously impairs life expectancy; and as yet there is no cure,” real estate principal Todd Fisher said. He explained that Cystic Fibrosis Australia adopted the ‘65 Roses Day’ name from a young boy’s inability to pronounce his sister’s condition. “Ironically, he thought she had a gift of sixty-five roses.” Visitors to Cessnock can call into the LJ Hooker office at 51 Vincent St to buy your wrist band or lapel ribbon, and to buy Raising More Dough, a funky celebrity cook book, and an eye-catching tote bag. If you’d like a full rundown on what’s happening in Cessnock over the weekend, visit www.tamworthragepage.com for the story and program.
25th -27th May
O’NEILLS TYRES - CESSNOCK CITY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Cessnock City is proud to announce the birth of the latest addition to its family of many great events and festivals. In the town of Mines, Wines and people a dedicated group of Cessnock Business houses and Country Music fans, including the Mayor John Clarence and well-known dedicated country music fan Rhonda Astill, have put together the first exciting line-up for what will now be an annual event on the Cessnock City calendar. As always someone has to “foot the bill” and local businesses who, without hesitation, have provided the financial support to make this event happen are Cessnock City Council, East Cessnock Bowling Club, O’Neills Tyres, Comfort Inn Cumberland, Commonwealth Bank Cessnock, Goanna Print, LJ Hooker Cessnock, Reg Lindsay Rodeo Promotions, SSS BBQ Barns and Sylvesters Bakery. Secretary Manager of the East Cessnock Bowling Club, Marlene Hartog, has committed great support for this initiative by providing the perfect venue for the inaugural event. The festival will be held over three days Friday 25th May to Sunday 27th May and for this year will be held entirely in the Auditorium of the East Cessnock Bowling Club. Each year the festival committee will select a charity to support and this year it will be Cystic Fibrosis NSW. It is planned for the festival to grow over the next few years and for other venues in the City to join in the concept and help the festival grow in strength every year. The first line-up headlines 2007 Golden Guitar Winners The McClymonts ($15) on the Friday night 25th May and the ever popular Wolverines ($20) on the Saturday night – tickets for these two great show are available from the Club (02 4990 1444) The FREE daytime entertainment will feature Karen Lynne and Acoustic Shock and Camille TeNahu and Stuie French and 2006 Golden Saddle Award winner, Amber Lawrence. The festival has an emphasis on supporting local Country Music identities and who more famous than the local and legendary Reg Lindsay. There will be a special tribute to Reg and his music showcasing songs from the newly released CD “The Secrets of Life”, a collection of Reg’s recordings - available during the festival. Other features on the list of FREE entertainment over the two days are Bellbird resident Slim Newton, famous for his award winning song “Redback on the Toilet Seat” and 2007 Starmaker Winner Kirsty Lee Akers. Other local entertainers appearing are Bruce McCumstie, Alby Pool, Lisa White, John Wilson and Rob Wilson. All in all it makes a great lineup for the newest festival on the Country Music Lovers Calendar – the committee is dedicated to ensuring the longevity of the festival by “KEEPING IT COUNTRY”! Enquiries Contact Rhonda Astill 02 4990 6861 Ticket Enquiries and Bookings East Cessnock Bowling Club 02 4990 1444
25th ..27th May 2007 -New Festival for Cessnock

Fri 25 to Sun 27th May




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