Connecting Song 2019 clips debuted at Geelong After Dark, Friday 3 May.
Chloe St Claire, Jack Meredith and Alby Jay each performed a set at The Workers Club Geelong in support of the project as their respective clips played on the big screen in Lt Malop Street.
Last weekend I did the MOUNTAIN TO MOUTH 80KM EXTREME ARTS WALK creating a contemporary Songline. It is a two day walk from the Sacred Rock Hole of the Wadawurrung in the You Yangs (near Geelong) to the mouth of the Barwon River at Barwon Heads.
The focus of the walk is to do a ceremonial pilgrimage honouring and connecting to the land. The walk incorporates, as well as walking, art, song, ritual, dance, performance, community engagement and environmental awareness and regeneration.
It is one of the most wonderful, rewarding, deepening, spiritual, physically challenging, emotional and enjoyable things I have ever participated in.
The conception is sublime. The walk includes three major ceremonies which include the local Wadawurrung people. They do a ‘Welcome to Country’ and smoking and dance to start the walkers off acknowledging Country.
The icon of the walk is a canoe ‘sculpture’. I.e. a light canoe made by artists which is carried by teams from the community all the way to the Barwon river mouth. The carriers change over every 5-10 kms. The canoe was a truly beautiful creation made of bamboo and parchment.
Travelling with Canoe (she becomes personified) is sacred water drawn from the Big Rock waterhole in the You Yangs by a Wadawurrung elder, and all the walkers. Canoe is carried at 4 km per hour – which is quite a fast walk. I walked from Big Rock to Lara which is 12 kms in two hours fifteen minutes.
There are 12 ‘Songline Stations’ where Canoe stops for a short rest. At each of these, including Big Rock in the You Yangs, there is a choir to sing the canoe in and out, a major art work installation and performance artists. As well as food vans, tea & coffee facilities, water and other conveniences. The team set up an information tent and you can get your ‘Pilgrim’s Passport’ stamped.
The walk organisers commission 100 (yes, one hundred) artists to create sculptures, paintings, installations, dances, performance art, etc all along the walk. They also commission music to be composed for the walk and there are repeating chants for the walkers and choirs to sing.
As you walk into a Songline Station there are usually quirky art pieces positioned along the track and every now and then there is a group of performance artists doing a tribute to Country when you least expect them.
The organisation behind the walk is remarkable. Traffic control people closed off roads and intersections so we could get through safely. There are mini buses that will pick you up if you conk out and take you to the next stop. Canoe arrives and leaves pretty much on time.
The art work is all ‘ephemeral’. It is only view-able up to an hour before and after Canoe arrives and leaves. Canoe is accompanied by colourful banners held by walkers. On arrival Canoe does a circle around the major art installation while the choir sings, then is put down and the banners positioned around. Some of the sacred water is poured around the circle. When it is time to leave a special bell is rung and the choir sings everyone out.
The choirs vary from local adult choirs to rehearsed groups of school children and some had been coached, especially for the three major ceremonies, by Jonathan Welch.
I didn’t know before I did the walk just how magnificent in conception and execution it was going to be. I had heard about it (this is the 3rd public walk and the 4th year the concept has happened.)
As it travels through the Country I was born and raised in I just knew it was a chance to connect with and pay homage to the indigenous Country which has formed my deep connection to Land. I believe, like indigenous people do, that the particular spirit of the land where we are born infuses our being and we remain special to that place and it remains special to us. Even if we are not fully conscious of that in this mad mechanical world. I was born in Geelong and raised in Ocean Grove. I always feel more at home there than anywhere else in a very elemental way.
I walked only about 22Km of the walk – because I hadn’t trained myself up for walking (a big gap in my planning) and my feet have been giving me a bit of trouble from the pounding they get during my approx 6-7 hours of competitive badminton a week. And let’s face it. I am an ‘old age pensioner’ now.
There is no expectation that all walkers will do the whole trek. Hundreds of walkers do parts of the distance, and a few dozen do the whole length. Some just do one section. The organisers have people scouting around the walkers on bikes to check if everyone is OK and will call the mini bus to pick you up if needed. They provide transport to the start from Geelong, on to the next station if you can’t keep up with Canoe or can’t make it, back to your car if you need and on to Geelong at the end of the walk. Amazing.
For all this I paid a fee of $40 for two days. That money goes to regenerate the flora along this new ‘songline’, which where ever possible goes off road along walking tracks and the Bellarine ‘rail trail’ and along the beach. This year it was a very high tide so they put us on buses from Pt Lonsdale to Ocean Grove.
The corporate and government sponsorship of this event, to my way of thinking, is the best value for money imaginable. It makes it very affordable and engages up to 11,000 people in the event. Apparently this year it may have been a bit down in numbers. Perhaps because the weather on Friday was pretty rough. Gale force winds blowing in gusty rain storms. I had on full rain gear and hoody and beanie the whole day. Despite walking fast it still felt cold and I didn’t stop once on the 12km for fear of seizing up. Talking to other walkers kept me going. Meeting people being part of the fun.
On the first day I went off after walking to Lara to pick up accommodation keys and Liz from the train (as she was going to walk with me the next day). Later I met up with Canoe and the walkers in Geelong along Corio Bay. Some of them had been at the Opening Ceremony at 9am and been walking from noon till 9.30pm. Arriving in the night at Johnston Park we were greeted by a huge crowd. Geelong was also having an After Dark light festival with laser projections,etc.
Canoe did a circuit to the cheers of the crowd and caroling of the massed choirs and then was set down while there was a marvelous series of performances. The Wadawurrung dancers and didgeridoo, massed dancers both young and old doing some very well rehearsed beautifully executed routines, a brass band playing “What A Wonderful World, as a group of four women carried Mother Earth on their shoulders in a performance indicating she is in much stress and we have important work to do for Her. Such as the Mountain to Mouth Extreme Arts Walk.
That whole ceremony was very exciting, beautiful and moving. Reminding us of our responsibilities to Country/Mother Earth and how much joy She gives us. Part of the ceremony was many children carrying candle lanterns and lots of children and school groups participated all along. Not many walked – as they would be hard put to keep up the ‘extreme’ pace for long. Many were excited and caressed Canoe as she was very charismatic with her icons of animals on her panels.
The ceremony finished well after 10pm and Canoe was setting off at 6am the next morning so it was time for walkers to get to their lodgings and grab what rest they could!
I got down to the Barwon River Song Line Station at 7am to see the art work – a giant eel. It is eel migration season and this was a major food of the indigenous people of Victoria. This eel and her spawn was made out of recycled plastic and fairy lights (it was still dark when Canoe arrived).
I went to our lodgings and picked up Liz and we went to see the art work and Canoe at a couple more stops before we actually started walking. It is possible to experience all the art and song, and see Canoe come and go, and be handed on to the next Landcare Group, Fire Brigade, Scouts, Health Workers, Lifesavers, Football Team (!), Friends of Swan Bay, etc. etc . That is you can follow the walk without even walking if you want to.
At Drysdale Station there was even a lesbian art work. Canoe came in to a stone circle with children clapping a chant with stones which we could join in to. The Station artist had made a representation of the couple Miss Drysdale and Miss Newcombe who were some of the first white colonists of the area. On our way there I took Liz and Pat to see their original house. Still a feature of the area. Pat dropped us off and we were walking towards Queenscliff on the Rail Trail.
I walked past what had been my brother’s farm and where my father’s ashes are still buried. Down to where I had gone to High School on the shores of Swan Bay. We didn’t make the whole length of this long stage. So we asked the bike ‘minder’ to call the mini bus for us and were taken in early so we could go to the toilet, get food and drink and have a bit of a rest. The day was still windy but at least dry so we could sit on the grass.
We did some of the peripheral activities. At each stop women would come by with a basket offering us pieces of cloth, gum leaves or paper to write our wishes for ourselves or the earth and then collect them to be used in the finale of the walk.
The major art works at each station were amazing. A giant mandala made of sliced up fruit and vegetables arranged in an amazing pattern, fairy lights frozen within giant tear drops suspended over the ocean which they were dripping into. All worth seeing for themselves alone. As were the smaller art pieces planted along the walk as a little surprises if you happened to look that way.
People from the community gathered to welcome and see off the walkers. Some baked muffins and brought them down to the river at dawn to hand out and fuel up the walkers. People waved to us from the special steam train chugging along the track beside the walking path. There were endless special touches.
The whole event had a special feel. Non-competitive, integrated, multi-tasking. Sure there were some participants who were obviously high achieving walkers keen to prove they could do the marathon. But some of the all distance walkers were obviously there in service to Canoe and the spirit of the pilgrimage.
Canoe arrived in Barwon Heads just on sunset. As planned. The bridge was decorated with flags and the Bluff was glowing with the last golden light of the sun as all were welcomed in with cheers, claps and kind words from the woman on the microphone who had been pepping up the crowds and making us feel special all day.
Without delay the final ceremony began. It was an event worth travelling for in its own right. There were drummers, dancers, performers, choirs, fire twirlers (mirrored by others positioned across the other side of the river), There were masses of children parading with candle lanterns, travelling eels, women carrying the large Globe of the Earth which had some of our wishes made along the walk wrapped around her.
The Wadawurrung sang, called in language, danced and smoked Canoe for one last time. Hundreds watched in awe from the sand and the bridge, and the beach was cloaked in the growing darkness lit by lights and light sculptures and projections and the atmosphere built up with special music vibrating in the night air.
Flaming torches were lit and the wishes we had made were ceremonially placed in Canoe and she was put on a boat in the river which was piled high with branches and leaves, Canoe was christened with sacred water from Big Rock in the Mountains which overlook the whole Country we had walked through.
The three dancing torch holders bowed to us all and then set Canoe alight and the flames immediately shot up high into the sky. Canoe was pushed off and rapidly moved out along the river mouth into the ocean flaming all the way.
It was a most profound and moving moment. No-one could fail to be moved. I am sure it moved more than just I to tears.
The tide kept going out and we made our way to the conveniently waiting bus to be taken back to Geelong. Our pilgrimage through the Country was over for now. But our spirits were still soaring high and stayed elevated for a long time afterwards. Even when we got back to our lodgings and I fell exhausted into bed after two days out in the elements walking and taking in so much stimulation I was still buzzing with excitement and couldn’t stop talking about it.
For me this was, and is, LIVING. Walking and singing and dancing the land. The organisers call it ‘creating a contemporary songline’. This is working for the Land. This was work worth doing.
Mountain to Mouth takes place ever second year. Surely too complex to organise every year. 2018 was the third one in this current incarnation. The first was conceived differently. It was all conceived by a woman [Meme McDonald] (who passed away late in 2017). That time water was gathered from the mouth of the river and carried to the mountain. It was carried by various means of transport: canoes, bicycles, runners, horse riders, utes, women with prams, train, etc.
Each year has a different theme. This year was Earth. One year fire was carried in that Canoe from Mountain to Mouth.
Having done this journey once I will do it again next time. May 2020. I invite those who want to join me. Either as walkers or support team. Many walked in groups with support teams (or individuals). Support teams may drive to the next ‘Station’ and have cups of tea and food ready. Or they could be relay walkers and supporters. Changing roles.
Next time I will be more trained up to walk long distance. Maybe you will be too. Who would miss a chance like this?
Chris Sitka
The reasons:
Top 5 things you’ll see at Mountain to Mouth Friday 4 May to Saturday 5 May 2018
We have had an overwhelming response to the call for applicants for our Connecting Song project. Amazing! The 3 mentors: Trem, Tim Neal and Adalita are now sorting through and listening to them all, trying to make decisions about who will be the ones they will mentor. They are not finding this an easy job - so many great applications.... Stay tuned because next week we'll be announcing their selections.
Walking Circle Stamp
With Mountain to Mouth 2016 just around the corner, Geelong’s Extreme Arts Walk has announced its 2016 artist line up, following an extensive artist call out late last year.
Artists from the Geelong region will be involved in the creation of 12 “Walking Circles” – which will be located at stations along the 80km journey from the You Yangs mountain range, to the mouth of the Barwon River, at Barwon Heads.
Tasked with a theme of “AIR”, artists are to create ephemeral artworks inspired by traditional labyrinth designs, that explore themes or issues facing the Geelong region. Arts & Culture Portfolio holder Councillor Andy Richards said the multi award-winning Extreme Arts Walk will showcase some of our region’s best artistic talent.
“Renowned artist, Glenn Romanis is set to create 'Banjo Ray' at Swan Bay - a large temporary basalt installation, that will be an ode to the many majestic creatures which reside in Swan Bay.”
“Interdisciplinary artist, Mirjana Margetic will install a sculptural installation 'Grey Tree' at Christies Road, Leopold which will invite and provoke people’s understanding of the environmental issues facing Geelong.”
“Jennifer McElwee will develop a walking circle on the Barwon River called 'Lost River View' that draws inspiration from von Guérard’s iconic View of Geelong painting whilst Merinda Kelly and students from Deakin University will take people on a 'pop archaeology dig' at Moorpanyal Park.”
“These artists will be joined by other exciting and dynamic Geelong region based artists.” For more information about the walk and for a full artist listing: please visit www.mountaintomouth.com.au/artists
WHAT IS MOUNTAIN TO MOUTH?
Mountain to Mouth is a two day “journey of discovery” across the Geelong region on 6 – 7 May 2016 – an 80km walk from the You Yangs mountain range, crossing Geelong’s industrial heartland at nightfall and arriving into the city centre to collide with Geelong After Dark, central Geelong’s pop up night of arts.
At dawn the next day, walkers follow the Barwon River through rolling Bellarine farmland. Tired legs have the option of riding a historic Bellarine Railway locomotive service across the Bellarine peninsula - or just keep walking – with all participants then walking along ocean beach to reach river mouth at sunset. Register now.
MEDIA CONTACT: JOEL CARNEGIE 03 5272 4985 / jcarnegie@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Geelong’s multi-award winning extreme arts walk – Mountain to Mouth (M~M2016) and the iconic Bellarine Railway are teaming up to give M~M2016 participants a choice of walking or riding a train (in one section) hauled by a historic locomotive during M~M2016.
M~M2016 is an 80km extreme arts journey of discovery over two days (6 - 7 May 2016) and 11 stages, with participants walking from the You Yangs mountain range through Central Geelong, along the Barwon River, via the Bellarine Peninsula and out to the mouth of the Barwon River at Barwon Heads. The route is punctuated with edgy artworks commissioned especially for M~M, bringing people together through shared experiences of extreme arts that celebrate the region.
The walk gives a rare opportunity for Geelong residents and visitors to walk across the land, with the 11 stages of the walk offering varying distances.
Now, M~M participants on day two of the event will have the opportunity to be on the historic train between Drysdale and Queenscliffe - participating in activities at the Drysdale Station and the Swan Bay Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre.
City of Greater Geelong Bellarine Councillors John Irvine and Lindsay Ellis are encouraging people to either walk or ride the train during the extreme arts walk, which will take in stunning sights across the Bellarine Peninsula.
“During the journey you will pass through remnant bush land of the Bellarine Peninsula, before skirting the picturesque Swan Bay to arrive at Swan Bay Railway Station. The railway corridor features a variety of vistas to enjoy from the train, including an olive grove, vineyard and views of Queenscliff and Swan Bay,” said Cr Irvine.
“Upon arrival into Swan Bay, passengers are encouraged to include a visit to the Discovery Centre to gain an understanding of the marine and birdlife Swan Bay supports. The Centre has aquariums with local marine and freshwater life and a touch tank where visitors can get closer to animals like seastars and crabs,” said Cr Ellis.
Mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe Hélène Cameron is encouraging people of all ages and abilities to hop onboard the M~M Railway and enjoy the experience from a unique perspective.
“The railway is an integral part of Queenscliff’s local history and the combination of arts, culture and community provides for a wonderful day trip for both walkers and passengers alike.”
Tickets for the M~M walk train special are $20 (adults), $15 (child, senior) and $40 (family ticket, 2 adults , up to 3 children) and can be purchased directly from the Bellarine Railway: http://bellarinerailway.com.au/mountain-to-mouth. Tickets for the walk can be purchased by visiting the M~M2016 website: www.mountaintomouth.com.au.
M~M2016 (Mountain to Mouth) is now calling for nominations for community ambassadors to carry a municipal ward flag, during Geelong’s Extreme Arts Walk on 6 – 7 May 2016.
Flag Ambassadors will be part of an 80km extreme arts journey of discovery.
Arts & Culture Portfolio holder Councillor Andy Richards said M~M2016 Flag Ambassadors would be part of the award-winning event, that showcases our region like no other.
“Walking 80km through Greater Geelong is unlike anywhere else – its diversity is spectacular - taking in rural and mountainous regions, industrial and commercial precincts, urban and residential areas and inland and coastal waters,” said Cr Richards.
Over 2 days and 11 stages, M~M2016 Flag Ambassadors will lead the walk from the You Yangs mountain range – crossing Geelong’s industrial heartland at nightfall and arriving in the city centre to collide with Geelong After Dark, a night of extreme and unexpected arts. At dawn the next day, walkers will follow the Barwon River through rolling Bellarine farmland, along ocean beach to reach river mouth at Barwon Heads by sunset.
Flag Ambassadors will carry the 12 emblematic flags of the 12 Municipal Wards of the Geelong and Queenscliff region. Route stages vary in distance (from 3-14kms), and Flag Ambassadors walk one stage only. In longer stages, the flag-bearing role may be shared among several Ambassadors.
Corio Ward Councillor Kylie Fisher shared her thoughts on the walk, which takes in Geelong’s northern suburbs and shows off parts of Geelong rarely explored by residents.
“Coming from the north into the city there is so much rich history and contrast. Residential and industrial areas meet tucked-away sandy bay beaches with spectacular views right across Corio Bay,” said Cr Fisher.
“The M~M2016 walk will enable Geelong residents and visitors an opportunity to discover hidden aspects of the region.”
Cr Richards encouraged the community to get involved by nominating someone who has made a special contribution to their local community.
Community Flag Ambassadors are to be nominated for their significant contribution to their municipality or neighbourhood. Community Ambassadors can be nominated from all wards of the Geelong region, and from all walks of life.
Do you know of someone who has made a special community contribution to your ward who you would like to nominate? Nominate them to become an official M~M Flag Ambassador today!
Extreme Arts Walk – M~M is now calling on artists based in Australia or overseas to submit an Expression of Interest for a major $20,000 Australian Ephemeral Sculpture Commission – called Canoe.
The Canoe Commission has been made possible by funding from the Australia Council for the Arts. As one of most unique ephemeral sculpture commissions now offered in Australia, the Canoe sculpture will be the lead processional image of M~M2016 (Mountain to Mouth) – Geelong’s multi-award winning 80km extreme arts walk.
As a biennial “journey of discovery” over two days (6-7 May 2016), M~M begins at the You Yangs mountain range, crosses Geelong’s industrial heartland at nightfall and arrives in the city centre to collide with Geelong After Dark, a night of extreme and unexpected arts.
At dawn the next day, the extreme arts walk continues through the city centre to join the Barwon River, through rolling Bellarine farmland, along ocean beach to reach river mouth at Barwon Heads by sunset.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was looking forward to seeing the Canoe, in action during M~M2016. “M~M is about land and people and it’s about art bringing these two together which is fantastic,” said Mayor Lyons.
“I encourage local, national and international artists to be part of this major cultural event.”
Tasked with a theme of “AIR” , the successful applicant will be responsible for the design, build and transport of Canoe and will have experience in the field of processional image making, installation art, and/or three dimensional construction. Collaborations will also be considered for this commission.
City of Greater Geelong Councillor Andy Richards Portfolio Holder for Arts & Culture thanked the Australia Council for the Arts for providing a significant cash contribution to the project.
“M~M is an inspiring and unique event and I am delighted that M~M has received funding from the Australia Council for the Arts. I’d also like to thank our core partners, Deakin University, Corangamite CMA, Borough of Queenscliffe, Karingal, Diversitat and Wadawurrung for their ongoing commitment to the event.”
M~M Artistic Director, Meme McDonald said that M~M is a bold artistic gesture in timid times.
“This extreme arts walk anchors us to the land. Canoe will be carried along the 80km route by Geelong ambassadors – an iconic image of journey, of migration, of carrying memory, and carrying the story of this land.”
Expressions of Interest close on 8 February 2016. Further information about the commission can be obtained by contacting the M~M Production Team on +61 3 5272 4703 or jrowe@geelongcity.vic.gov.au. Artists are to submit (up to 10) images of previous work, a Curriculum Vitae and a Statement of Interest.
