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"River of Life" youth festival |
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Friday 15 October 1999
Apex Park, Cohuna a celebration of youth & community, featuring...  'River of Life' primary school parade
'River Dance' by primary schools
Percussion by 'The Rhythm of the River Band'
Drama and musical performances by local secondary schools
Floating sculptures
Bridge murals
Face painting
Circus workshops
Community art project
'Battle of the Bands'
Food stalls
Displays
The 'River of Life' festival celebrated young people and the valuable contribution they make to the communities in which they live. The festival provided a unique opportunity for young people to showcase their talents as performers and visual artists in what is hoped will become recognised as an annual event. A parade heralded the start of the event, leading the audience across the Gunbower Creek bridge at Cohuna to Apex Park at 2.00 p.m. Colourful costumes worn by primary school students in the parade reflected the theme "River of Life". The students made the costumes with input from local visual artist Carol Webb. Members of the Allinjarra Aboriginal Association designed and painted murals to be placed on the bridge across Gunbower Creek. At Apex Park schools performed a 'River Dance', choreographed by festival organiser Robyn Ballinger, and performed to the accompaniment of the specially formed 'Rhythm of the River Band', coordinated by local musical director Bill Elder. A packed program followed, including drama and musical pieces from Cohuna Secondary and Kerang technical High schools and performances by students of local dance schools. At the same time, visual artists worked in the park with interested people to create artworks, including the painting of water tanks that will serve as bike shelters. The madcap Frattelini Brothers conducted a number of circus skills workshops. A highlight of "River of Life" was the 'Battle of the Bands' contest. Prize money of $300 first prize, $200 second prize and $100 third prize was on offer. Festival organiser, Robyn Ballinger, was extremely encouraged by the positive support the festival received from the local community. "Primary schools, secondary schools, community organisations and individuals all showed great enthusiasm for the festival. The local festival steering committee provided the practical support, and there was a great deal of community energy associated with the event", Robyn says. "The festival also encouraged people of all ages to come along in celebration of youth and the regional environment in which communities live." |
Festival organiser, Robyn Ballinger, and the "River of Life" parade 
Sculptures made from locally found materials by Kerang Technical High and Cohuna Secondary schools art students were 'lit up' and floated on Gunbower Creek at the conclusion of the festival.  |
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Design and Production by
Talkin' Technical Communications |
Updated: December, 1999
Contact LM2000 plus: Kelly.McKnight@nre.vic.gov.au |