Folk under
Leanganook
ON DJA DJA WURRUNG DJANDAK
Saturday 22 November · Fryerstown
Free* to attend and open to all ages.
A gathering of music-makers, story weavers and curious souls. You're invited to share tunes, tales and cups of tea in an acoustic and unhurried atmosphere.
Whether you’re a sprouting folky or have been playing for years, you are warmly welcome.
Spend the day in workshops and jam sessions. Learn a tune, sing in a choir, write a song, spin a yarn, or sit and knit. As evening falls, add your name to the blackboard if you’d like to share a song, story or poem. Then settle in for tunes ‘til you drop.
Come and go as you please. Camping is available on site for a *$10 fee.
On Sunday morning, you're invited to stretch out slowly with tea, yoga, and the option of a guided bushwalk through the Fryerstown bush.
Program
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Program overview
Our program is a mix of jams, workshops and slow spaces to learn, listen and make things together. You don't need to be a musician or an expert to participate. Between sessions enjoy the company of like minded folks, and the beautiful surrounds.
All of our facilitators are volunteers and are gifting their time and skills.
Saturday 22 November
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Sunday 23 November
Register to attend: Folk under Leanganook 2025
Complete this short registration form. It helps us plan meals, camping, and anticipate workshop numbers. Once registered, you’ll receive an email with practical details (address, meals, camping, what to bring).
Saturday 22 November
Welcome (10:30 - 11:00 am)
An acknowledgement, grounding into space and event overview.
Facilitated by Dave Stephens.
Mediocre Melodies (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Learn a simple, joyful old-time tune one note at a time. Perfect for beginners, returners, or anyone keen to play without pressure. All instruments welcome. Chords provided; melody taught by ear. Hosted monthly at the Chewton Town Hall join the community here.
Facilitated by Phil Brown.
Session: Old Time and Contemporary (12:30 - 1:30 pm)
A relaxed, all-in jam. Starting with the tune learned during the Mediocre Melodies session, then wander into old-time and contemporary folk. Slow to start, open to all levels, and guided by whoever suggests the next tune.
Crochet Workshop (12:30 - 1:30 pm)
Learn the basics of crochet or bring something of your own to work on! Wool and tools provided, all levels warmly welcomed.
Facilitated by Lydia Grant and Bella Johnson.
Song Sharing Circle (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
A supportive, facilitated space for sharing a work-in-progress or yet-to-be heard original song. This is not a space to learn how to write a song from scratch. Bring something you have been working on, any genre welcome and choose the feedback you want: warm fuzzies, constructive, or quiet listening.
This is a closed room for safety, no spectators.
Need an idea to get started? Work to this prompt in advance:
The Untouchable: Something that will always be out of reach
Facilitated by Erin Watt.
Tully Teaches: The Shoemaker (3:00 - 4:00 pm)
Learn The Shoemaker by Gus Tritsch. This tune is a contemporary classic in the old-time scene ideal for players ready for an intermediate challenge.
Facilitated by Tully Sumner.
Irish Storytelling Workshop (4:00 - 5:00 pm)
Explore the heart of Irish storytelling; rhythm, cadence, history, character, and place. Learn from examples and try a guided activity to shape your own small tale. You may leave inspired to sign up for the Blackboard Concert.
Facilitated by Tara and Kate.
Choir with Patch (5:00 - 6:30 pm)
Learn two uplifting songs with local legend Patch. Expect silliness, joy, harmony, and big-hearted singing. Open to all voices, no experience needed. You won't need to read sheet music.
Facilitated by Patrick Pheasant.
Blackboard Concert: Songs & Stories (7:30 - 9:00 pm)
Put your name on the Blackboard in the Main Hall and share a song, poem, story, or craft. A welcoming, low-pressure space to offer what you’ve been working on.
Session: Tunes 'till you drop (9:30 pm - onwards)
Late-night lock-in of tunes until the last one’s standing.
From 11:00pm music must be contained inside.
Sunday 23 November
First Frost Yoga (9:00 am)
A gentle morning practice to wake the body and settle the mind. Emma weaves yoga tradition, TCM wisdom, and modern movement science into a class that’s grounding, curious, and accessible to all.
Bring a mat if you have one; everything else is provided.
Learn more at firstfrostyoga.com
Facilitated by Emma.
Wildflowers and Birds: Bushwalk(10:00 - 11:00 am)
Meet at the Firepit and bring your drink bottle for an ecowalk to the Fryerstown cemetery, guided by Tully’s deep local and ecological knowledge. Notice orchids, birdlife and the small things the bush reveals in the morning light.
Relevant guides: Flora of the Mt Alexander Region and Birds of the Mt Alexander Region.
Facilitated by Tully Sumner.
Join our community
Folk under Leanganook is a growing folk group based around Castlemaine.
Find us in old halls, rotundas and bush clearings. Anywhere we can sit in a circle and share music.
Some are just starting out, others have been playing for decades. What connects us is the joy of making music together.
To stay in the loop or find your way into the next jam, join our WhatsApp Community. It's where we share updates about sessions and events like this one.
Folk under
Leanganook
We will gather on Djaara Country and acknowledge the thousands of generations of care for and connection to the land, waterways and skies of this place by Djaara mob.
This tending has been carried by Elders throughout time and continues now. When you are here, you are part of our intention to care for this Country.
We are fleeting. This will always be Aboriginal Land.