Bush Orchestra Goes Bush!

On Friday 08/04/11 a number of Newport Bush Orchestra members travelled to the Central Victorian Goldfields at the invitation of the National Trust and the Central Goldfields Shire.

We were privileged to play two gigs on the day. The first gig was at the opening of the National Trust Heritage Festival which took place at the historic Grand Duke Mine at Timor a few kilometres away from Maryborough. This mine was one of the State's richest deep alluvial gold mines in the mid to late 1800's. Five members of the Bush Orchestra (Bruce W, Kathryn, Bruce S, Alasdair and Greg) played for the guests as they arrived and provided accompanied a group of local students as they demonstrated a variety of Bush Dances. About half of the tunes played were actually written within about 40 kilometres of the place we played!

We then moved on to the Tren DuBourg Hall in Maryborough for an evening Bush Dance. More Bush Orchestra members made the trip up and a great time was had by all! Many thanks to all Bush Orchestra members who made the trip a success.

The photos above show the evening Bush Dance crew, Alasdair, Kathryn and Bruce S at the mine, Greg entertaining early arriving schoolchildren, and the remains of the Grand Duke Mine.

Bruce W