And how good is Patchewollock? Truly a shining example of dogged Aussie resilience!
This tiny northwestern Victoria town (population 149 according 2021 census) with the push of dynamic leadership, got together and enticed an amazing cross-section of musical artists local and further flung, and an estimated up to 1000 visitors and campers in 2023, for a vibrant celebration of music and getting together in an iconic rural location for their 9th Patchewollock Music Festival.
Apart from a rich diversity of musical artistes, there were raffles, childrens activites, a street parade(!), sheep races, and of course, a rich diversity of Aussie spring weather presentations from stinking hot one day to b….y freezing the next!
Patchewollock is a rural township located within the traditional lands of the Wergaia tribes, whose Aboriginal expression literally means the “place of the plenty porcupine grass”. By the end of World War I, the town was came into its foundation as a soldier settlement.
The town’s most notable feature is a giant mural silo portrait, which depicts the life of grazier and grain farmer, Nick “Noodle” Hulland, painted in 2016 by street artist Fintan Magee.
The name Patchewollock originated from two Aboriginal words: putje, plenty, and wallah, porcupine grass.[3] The town was first established after the First World War, when soldier settlement blocks were appearing in the area. A post office (originally a receiving office) opened on 27 July 1920.[4]
Born in Bourke, NSW, William grew up in the western country of New South Wales, forming in him a heart that feels and eyes that see the plains, trees and red dust stained skies of outback Australia as songs and stories. Early musical influences varied from his father’s love of 80s rock bands to his mother’s introduction to Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole. But it was the songs of country singers and folk singers such as Tex Morton, Woody Guthrie, Buddy Williams, Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams as heard on radio and through local elders that Williams family were close with that came through in the end. Though William’s family relocated to the 
Both beginning their musical adventures on the cello as children, Rachel Johnston and Trent Arkleysmith then took different paths that led Rachel to the world stage of classical music and found Trent on the street- fortunately as an award-winning Street Arts performer and musician in the international circus scene. Two If By Sea gathers together some favourite melodic souvenirs from their musical and geographical travels, drawing on the rich folk music traditions of Scandinavia, Bluegrass, Klezmer and the Celts to present a collection of harmonies that have already delighted audiences around Australia and across the seas.
After performing solo with his trusty Maton 808 for several years singer songwriter Cornell Davitt chance meeting with guitarist Andy Castle, and Cornell’s wicked desire to plug in his old Telecaster guitar, led to the formation of The Tumblers.
Tiny Feet comprises of local singer/songwriter Stephanie Rogers, and talented guitarist from the South Coast of NSW, Ben Bamborough. Their studies at Southern Cross University paved the way
Be entranced by spectacular acrobatics! Sword swallowing children!
The Cherry Pickers’ are a contemporary bluegrass band playing your favourite tunes from today and back in the day. Always on the search to “uncover” some hidden bluegrass in any song, their tasty arrangements are reverent to Bluegrass tradition such that they defy any hillbilly stigma. Coupled with their love of traditional tunes and their original songs, the Cherry Pickers make for an exciting and refreshing bluegrass experience.
THE CAULDRON – a well-travelled Mildura based folk trio, having played in the U.K. for the past two years including the well-known Whitby Folk Festival as well as various folk clubs and sessions throughout the UK and Ireland. The Cauldron are also popular and familiar figures on many local folk music stages.
A much-loved local choir
Led Jelly
“The music Cat and Clint make is both disarming and utterly engaging. They don’t just play these timeless songs, they are totally absorbed in them. Their expression comes from a place deep within that is only accessed by artists who live and breathe the music they make.” – Dave Walker, Green South Records.
In 1994, the ‘BUSHFIRE’ Band was formed in Mildura, Victoria home to most of its members, where Steve Curran and his wife Jo joined forces with the Harris, Rogers, Stewart and Tucker families (and many more) to share their love for playing music together. With original folk songs and Irish jigs and reels, the ‘Bushfire’ band is sure to create a lively and upbeat experience for everyone to enjoy. With a mix of Irish/Australian and English old time dances with a twist, get ready to swing along the old woolshed floor, feel excitement in the hall, choose a partner and meet and greet on the dance floor!
BluGuru sound like –“Jeff Beck meets Ravi Shankar on the set of ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ while dancing in Rio.” A twisted tale of Indian, Blues, Celtic, Swing, Jazz, Bluegrass, and adventure. Fringe Award nominee Josh Bennett (Best Music) joins the genre-hopping antics of Andrew Clermont and the extraordinary vocals and