Community connection with creative fun

9 May 2022
Violet Town friends Mick Frewin and Mary-Anne Higgs and their respective family members will participate in a Shared Sky Songwriting Workshop at Moglonemby Hall.

Community connection will be at the heart of Strathbogie Shire Council’s free songwriting workshop with acclaimed folk-music singer Lucy Wise at the end of May.

Mayor Laura Binks said residents aged from four to mid-60s had booked a spot at the three-hour workshop, with places still available at a session in the east or west of the Shire.

“The workshop is an opportunity for our diverse community to reconnect post COVID restrictions, try something new and have fun in the process,” Cr Binks said.

“Whether participants have limited or no music experience, or are emerging or professional creatives, all ages are invited to come together for some creative fun and learn something new.”

Bookings are available for the afternoon workshop at Nagambie Lakes Community House on Saturday, May 28; or a morning session at Moglonemby Hall on Sunday, May 29.

Central Victorian singer-songwriter Lucy Wise has toured nationally and internationally, renowned at musical festivals for heartfelt and storytelling performances.

“Lucy will lead participants who live under our shared sky of Strathbogie Shire in exploring themes and structures inspired by our environment, cultures and relationships,” Cr Binks said.

“Participating in this unique event will foster a sense of belonging, connectedness, community pride and the opportunity for creative stimulation.”

Workshop to inspire all ages

Music enthusiast Sile Coleman enrolled for the Moglonemby workshop with her five-year-old daughter “to build a sense of community with people of all ages” under the tutelage of “a wonderful songwriter”.

“Lucy has been an inspiration to me and many other musicians over the past 10 years,” Mrs Coleman said.

“The songwriting workshop is an opportunity to learn about the beautiful place in which we live and potentially to create deep culture in writing a song of place collaboratively, encompassing participants’ stories and connection to place.”

Violet Town All-in-sing Group friends Mary-Anne Higgs and Mick Frewin are looking forward to a “lovely Sunday morning” at the Moglonemby workshop, attending with their respective family members.

Ms Higgs was inspired to join the community workshop as a shared experience for three generations of her family.

“The joy of making music with my daughter and grand-daughter in the same place brings [me] happiness,” she said.

“Everyone can belong here and is welcome. This is something for us all.”

Mr Frewin said he was keen to gain insight into songwriting from Ms Wise alongside Strathbogie Shire residents of diverse age and creative experience.

“I’m a huge fan of Lucy and looking forward to hanging out with other emerging songwriters and folks in the community,” he said.

“I have no real [songwriting] experience, however I love the idea of catching songs as they travel in the breeze.”

The Shared Sky Songwriting Workshops will be held on:

In line with the new Victorian health guidelines, there is no longer a need to show vaccination status to attend the workshops.