Champion’s Greg Champion (on guitar) and friends (from left) Dave Walker, Chris Young and John O’Neil. 53951
By Kath Gannaway
A MUSIC festival at the Healesville racecourse on 20 November will see an extraordinary collection of talented artists on stage from midday to midnight.
Music at the Healesville Track 2010 brings together a line up which singer/songwriter Greg Champion described as a snapshot of the best Victoria has to offer in a mixed genre which has broad appeal.
Launching the inaugural festival in Healesville, Mr Champion said artists like Shane Howard, Mick Thomas, Damian Howard and the Bushwackers were representative of the best of country-folk artists of the last 20 years.
‘They have all contributed something to Victorian music in a part-folk, part-rock, part-country, part-pop style,’ he said.
Greg Champion will join them and others, including Jeff Lang, Tinpan Orange, Looking for Jude, Peter Denahy, Steve Eales, The Blue Moon Lodge, Ewan Cloonan and Bonnie Anderson.
The festival is an initiative of the Healesville Amateur Race Club.
Festival director Chris Young said the Yarra Valley – and in particular the Healesville racecourse – was one of the most scenic locations in Victoria for a festival.
‘This combined with existing infrastructure and facilities, lends itself to the format of a great festival,’ he said.
‘It is our belief a reasonably priced music festival with a great line up, designed for music lovers of all ages and families, will not only be a great event but also boost community spirit, post the impact of the Black Saturday fires.’
Making events at the racetrack family-friendly and accessible is something HARC president John O’Neil is passionate about.
‘We have adopted the same philosophy with this festival as we have for our race meetings – and that is to make it affordable and enjoyable for families,’ he said.
A family ticket will cost under $60 and children under 14 are free. Individual prices are $27.50 for adults and $10 for 14 to 18-year-olds.
There will be free children’s entertainment. While reasonably priced food will be available, BYO drinks and food is allowed.
Mr Young is predicting the 2010 festival will be the first of many.
‘We believe it is an event that will become a big part of the music festival calendar in Victoria,’ he said.
For further information visit www.musicatthehealesvilletrack.com.au or phone 0417 380 298.
