Dungog Film Festival 2010

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Though still fairly young, Dungog is becoming a significant platform for screen creators to watch their work. In the 2010 programme there were 12 new features including Lou, Road Train, Surviving Georgia and Beneath Hill 60, plus 12 Documentaries and 134 short films, 10 of these were from WA (my home town). Along with viewing a vast array of films there were street parades which welcomed Festival visitors and a shire of decorated floats, school bands and enthusiastic local participants, along with window displays from local businesses of their much loved aussie movies. There were Masterclass sessions with Gillian Armstrong, Q & A time with Underbelly producer, Des Monaghan, market stalls, art shows, antique shops and a fantastic historical museum.
Opening Night Premiere and Gala Party:
After the film presentation guests are whisked away to the main event for dinner and live entertainment including Australia's very own star of musical comedy and cabaret, Caroline O'Connor
NSW Mining's Rock 'N' Reel Party:
Where sleepy Dungog is amazingly transformed into the country's hottest nightspot. Dance till you drop to the rocking music of Lisa Hunt and her talented band.
Closing Night Premiere and Party:
On closing night there was a warm, wild and teary eyed farewell to 4 days of fabulous films, exceptional film makers and the memorable live events that made the 4th Dungog Film Festival so special.
Sunday 30th May
A special performance from travelling busker, Alitia Martin was enjoyed by passersby. Alitia will be back next to fight the locals for the best bench in town. (written by Natalie and Alitia Martin)

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Photos

Dungog Festival 2010
And the cow jumped over the moon...........

Dungog Picture Theatre
Dungog Picture Theatre is the oldest running theatre in Australia. Absolutely love the architecture of this old lady.

Underbelly - Des Monaghan
Underbelly in the Clarkekann Theatre with producer Des Monghan......Q & A after the Golden Mile. What an interesting 30 mins.

James Theatre
Popcorn anybody

Dungog Festival 2010
Priscilla, Queen of the desert Dungog Bakery. Love the way all proprietors dressed their windows for Festival weekend........embracing the Aussie film industry

Dungog Parade - Ian McDougall and Tom
Ian McDougall and son Tom with dairy cattle parading in the Dungog Film Festival

Alitia
Alitia busking at 199 Dowling street, Dungog ( next to Billabong Box Office).

Alitia - busker
Alitia belting out a couple of tunes

Alitia
Alitia busking and Marie to my right (alias manager.....getting me all the gigs...its not what you know but who you know in this town)

Alitia - Dungog Busking
God I had the best fun.......I'm coming back for 2011

Dungog Festival Parade - Bollywood
Local school strutting their stuff Bollywood style!

Dungog Festival Parade - Dowling Street
Main street in Dungog .....................

Dungog Festival Parade - Simpson WW1
Patriotism is alive and well in Dungog. Simpson and his horse - Hero of ANZAC
Twenty-two years old, English-born and a trade union activist, John Simpson Kirkpatrick was an unlikely figure to become a national hero. Having deserted from the merchant navy in 1910, he tramped around Australia and worked in a variety of jobs. He enlisted in the AIF, expecting this would give him the chance to get back to England; instead, Private Simpson found himself at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915, and was killed less than four weeks later.
Simpson would not have made a good peacetime soldier, and he was recklessly independent in war. Instructed to recover and help the wounded he undertook this work enthusiastically. Famously, he used a small donkey to carry men down from the front line, often exposing himself to fire. The bravery of this "man with the donkey" soon became the most prominent symbol of Australian courage and tenacity on Gallipoli.
Although Simpson carried no arms and remains an enigmatic figure, the nature of his sacrifice made a vital contribution to the story of ANZAC.

Dungog Festival - Cangon Park
Cangon Country Cottages is a quiet retreat in picturesque countryside. Situated on the beautiful Williams River Valley, south of Dungog, it offers a unique country experience. Leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind and relax in the quiet country surroundings of their completely renovated two bedroom cottage.
Built on a 3,000 acre working beef cattle property, the cottages offer wonderful valley views of the surrounding area, and all within walking distance of the Williams River, recognised for its beauty and great fishing. All this and more is only two and a half hours from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Dungog Festival Parade
Line Dancers

Dungog Festival Parade
Dungog Arts Society

Dungog Festival Parade
Dungog Public goes Bollywood

Dungog Festival
Dungog Pedalfest is a celebration of cycling and sociability in the beautiful Williams Valley. Pedalfest happens every year over the second weekend in September and is a major fund-raising event for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter - a cause well worth pedalling for!

Dungog Festival Parade
Blues Brothers

Dungog Festival Parade
Hunter Valley Vintage Farm Machinery Club

Comments

[Kellie Brennan]

DFF
Hi Alitia, I love your blog and your photos are great. Great to meet you and I hope to see you back in Dungog next year. Cheers and enjoy the rest of your trip Kell

[Alitia]

Hi Kellie Thanks for the reply and thanks for having a peak at the blog. Its really the easiest way to keep a journal of our trip. We had such a great weekend at the film festival and we would love to come to the next one. Keep up all your good work, you have a fantastic business and of course the best right hand helper, Natalie.....:-)....Take care and see you next time.....Ciao....Alitia