Queen's Birthday Long Weekend June 8th - 11th

Accommodation Information updated 26th April 2012

Programme is up

Music will be posted as it becomes available

Online Bookings are open

National Folk Festival

Settler Sessions

The Settler Sessions happened again in the Session Bar at 11.00am every day of the Festival with about 40 musicians in attendance each day. Dave Johnson and Ray Mulligan were the main leaders with Chris Sullivan and Peter Ellis providing some welcome guest spots as well.

Festival Bush Orchestra

Despite a litany of venue hassles, the Festival Bush Orchestra massaged some old bush tunes and contemporary tunes into a five and a half minute spot at the Festival Final Concert in the Budawang. The group was ably led by James Johnson.

Comments heard afterwards:
Thanks for making us work hard. It was worth it. (paraphrasing several musicians)
That was excellent - nice arrangements with plenty of energy - and you stuck to the time allocated (paraphrasing Dave O'Neill, Festival Programme Director)

Sessions

Pre DanceFest Floor Test Tea Dance

Thanks to the dancers, callers and musicians who turned out on March 11th to test the school hall floor. It had been scratched quite a bit by the children and our test dancing produced the dreaded white dust. Most considered it was not enough to be of concern if we mopped between workshops. However, at least one dancer reported asthma during the following week presumably due to the dust. The principal has met with all the relevant people. More news will be forthcoming soon. An alternative third venue is being followed up to avoid using the Hall supper room again.

Bush Traditions Gathering 2012

Labor Day Long Weekend September 28th - October 1st

Goulburn Gathering 2011

Labor Day Long Weekend September 30th - October 3rd

Another great weekend of traditional Australian music, dance, poetry, songs and general good fun.

The Saturday Bush Dance held in conjunction with Lilac Time was a roaring success. It was held in St Saviour's Hall and a good crowd enjoyed dancing to the musicians from the festival with callers Don Richmond and Sandie Martens.

No Such Thing with John Harpley presented a brilliant workshop on legendary fiddler, Eileen McCoy; Cath Ovenden came all the way from Queensland to share her interpretations of traditional Australian fiddle players; Bob Foggin's tribute to the music of his father kept the audience spellbound; Alan Swift encouraged personal anecdotes, to remind us of the importance of our own personal folklore; Chris Woodland briefly explored the Australian Idiom and showed us that this topic warrants further workshops in the future; Peter Ellis and Stuart Simms came from Victoria and contributed valuable ideas on playing for dances; Sam O'Brien and Eric Eisler introduced some lovely tunes from NZ fiddler Charlie Montgomery; and Ian Baxter presented a fitting tribute to Crookwell band leader and musician John Warn.

The Sunday Night Dinner Dance and Concert initiated last year has become a favourite with its mix of song, poetry and dance.

Bundanoon DanceFest 2011

Feedback

Thank you so much for another magical weekend of music and dance.
By the way, our Scottish friends who came are working on a return trip to Australia which will include your weekend.  They were sooooooooooooo impressed!
Thanks again for the best dance festival in this country!
Margaret & Bill Winnett

Thank you very much for all your work preparing and running the dancefest last weekend. Chantal and I had a fine time – the dancing and music were great, the glowworms were glowing, even the weather was conducive to being indoors and dancing.
Geoff Lau

Thank you Dave for arranging a great weekend at Bundanoon. My friend & I travelled down from the Blue Mouontains & enjoyed the whole weekend.
Robyn & Connie

Thanks for another fantastic Bunders. I was very glad we could make it. In fact, we had such a great time, Cam and I decided, while we were there, to get married. We didn't tell anyone at the time because the idea was still sinking in, but now we are letting people know.
Jeanette Mill

Thank you, and congratulations on another wonderful long weekend of dance.  It was simply fabulous and Richard and I both loved it. 
Do the musicians realise how much they are appreciated by the dancers?  Probably not.  They are amazing!  And the interaction between musicians and dancers is - as Margaret Winnett said - very special and quite wonderful.  Just as the musicians were packing up after the ball, a couple of dancers set off on a silent waltz around the hall.   Bob McInnes pulled out his fiddle again and played for them.  How good is that! 
A triumph!   Our thanks, again. 
Robyn and Richard Graylin

Greetings from Zargrab
So glad Bunders was another great sucess.
Barbara and Lance Court

Just a wee quick email to say how much we enjoyed the weekend. We came as Irish Set dancers and went home with more skills and dances than we could believe possible.
 It was wonderful and the atmosphere was fantastic. I have not smiled so much in a long time.
Ian and Audrey McLaren, Paisley, Scotland

Just a quick note to say thank you for another awesome weekend.
Leslie and I clocked up 28 hours of dancing and I suspect it will take longer to wipe the smiles off our faces than it will for our aching calf muscles to recover.
Paul and Leslie Carr

Thank you so much much for you efforts over the dance weekend.  I enjoyed playing guitar for the Primary school dance.You engaged the kids beautifully. I enjoyed playing for the ball and accompanying the wonderful musical leaders.
Ray Martin

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all the musicians, callers and organisers for a wonderful weekend. Don't change a thing! It's a perfect way to spend a weekend enjoying dance, music and each other's enthusiasm, talent & company.
Fran Robertson

We had a fantastic long weekend focussed on playing a variety of dance music for enthusiastic dancers, and we enjoyed some great dancing too.  Look forward to participating again next year.
Roz & Shayne Kerr

Well, that was another great weekend.
Even learned a few new tunes from yoursel'   and Bob McInnes. We also educated a few of the guests in the hotel lounge with the session there. Can't wait for the next gathering.
Mont (Bill Montgomery)

Thank you Dave Johnson and the bushtraditions work team for the great weekend at Bundanoon. It was most enjoyable with a great atmosphere of music, dance and fun. What a roll-up of enthusiastic musicians. All your prior preparation and attention to details over the weekend was evident and made the weekend flow smoothly.
Gwen and Norm Burke

Thanks for a great weekend again.  We are looking forward to next year. We were talking with Madis and Tiina and we all hope that you would like some more Estonian dancing next year at Bunders.  We all had a lot of fun. Thanks again.
Helen and Greg Strutt

Congratulations on another great dancing weekend.
John Short

Many thanks for another great music and dance festival. I think the highlight in the Australian festival calendar. Please pass on my thanks again to the musicians for the huge input into the weekend. As a dance teacher it is rewarding to see the enthusiasm at the workshops. It is noticeable the skill and confidence of the dancers increases over the weekend and this is all done with a smile. Great to see some of the musicians on the floor dancing.
Anthony Simon

Goulburn Gathering 2010

Labor Day Long Weekend October 1st - 4th 2010

A wonderful weekend with a surprise and welcome contribution from Gary Shearston who was in Goulburn and accepted an invitation to provide a bracket of songs. A nice mix of oldies including Shearing in a Bar and his newer style.

In addition to the events at the Brewery this year we ventured off site for:

• Saturday afternoon Concert in Belmore Park (3.00 - 4.30pm)
• Saturday Night Bush Dance in Goulburn Soldiers Club (7.30 - 11pm)
• Sunday Railway Concert at the RoundHouse (2.00 - 3.00pm)

Warm thanks to our contributors who made the weekend such a pleasant gathering :

• Garry Tooth (of the old Troubador school)
• Ned Kelly historian Keith McMenomy
• Poet and singer/songwriter Tomas Hamilton
• Harry Gardner, Denise Hibbs, and Richard Ayling (from Victoria),
• the Roaring Forties (including Robin Connaughton, Tom Hanson, Margaret Walters, Chris Maltby and John Warner)
• the Bush Music Club Concert Party (including Bob Bolton, Ralph Pride, Eric Eisler, Samantha O'Brien, Bob Foggin, ..........),
• Helen and Tony Romeo,
• Chris Poleson,
• Don Richmond,
• Sandie Martens,
• the Brewery Bunch (including Dave Johnson, Peter McLaren, Keith Brown, Marilyn Buckley, Peter Perry, Ian Baxter, Adrian Wilson, ....),
• and more.

Click the Gathering link on the left for more details.

Bundanoon Bush Dancing Weekend 2010

June 11th - 14th 2010

What a Great Weekend! Put next year's in your diary (June 10th - 13th 2011)

Bunders on Facebook

Feedback from Callers
The weekend was beyond expectations from our perspective and I think you only had to look at people's faces throughout the weekend to see that it was for them too. Margaret & Bill Winnett
A great weekend, in all ways. The whole weekend is a brilliant concept. Many thanks! Julie Bishop
The other workshops we attended were well organised, superbly supported by the musical accompaniment, and were inclusive of both experienced and beginner dancers. Julia Smith & Arthur Kingsland
Am I interested next year? Absolutely! John Short
I would naturally be delighted to be involved in future years events. Paul Carr
I would certainly be thrilled to be involved again. Jeanette Mill
It was a wonderful weekend and I would be delighted to be a part of it again. Jim Williams
Big thanks and congratulations for great weekend. John & Aylwen Garden
from Dancers
By the way, it was a fantastic weekend. Andrew Smart
Great weekend, the workshops,the music, the dances,the people, the supper...Caroline Barrell
Fantastic weekend of dancing, great music and great company. I had withdrawal symptoms when I got home. Jacqui Bogue
I just had a ball and will make it a permanent booking for every June to come. Everything was first rate, but you really would have to go a long way to find a better line up of musicians. Virginia Carter
from Musicians
For me, there is nothing in the world better (musically that is) than playing for a room full of enthusiastic dancers. Peter Logue
The whole weekend's events had a relaxed and welcome feel and we are looking forward to next year. Helen and Greg Strutt
Great fun! Thanks, Dave Rose Moffatt
Great weekend again Stuart Leslie
Great to attend an event that is aimed at participants and not spectators! Five Stars. Denis McKay
Well that was a bloody ripper. How about putting on another one next weekend! Mont
Great weekend! Nice people.Thanks Judy Field
As a first timer I was really surprised at the enthusiasm of the dancers and the variety of dances they displayed. Bob Smith

Goulburn Gathering 2009

Labor Day Long Weekend October 2nd - 5th 2009

What a beauty!
Dave de Hugard with his inimitable laconic style - truly a national treasure,
Lyell Sayer powered into the bush songs and his own beaut topical compositions,
Alan Musgrove gave us some delightful fiddle tunes with Tom Walsh and then some more from Frank Forde,
Peter Ellis - his knowledge of traditional Australian social dancing is unsurpassed and he plays his concertina with great dance drive,
Margaret Walters as always a mainstay of the weekend singing and with Christina Mimmocchi aired some fine songs about women in Australia,
John Warner - a powerful singer and a powerful songwriter and with Jenny Cole gave some great songs about living in the country,
Harry Gardner's puppetry presentation of Waltzing Matilda was just incredible,
Sally Leslie's dance calling coupled with Stuart Leslie's concertina made a great combination for workshop and dance,
Carole Helmann again put forward her wonderful concertina style,
Bill Montgomery played his heart out in sessions and even led a tune or two,
Yvonne and Kath O'Grady both good value in sessions and dance bands,
Stuart Simms gave the dance music the traditional thump (especially in the minor keys),
Gary Lovejoy showing his unique concertina style that embraces that of Clem O'Neal,
Jim Moir ably played for Sandra Martens' stylish quadrille workshop,
Alan Swift - well researched and presented family hisotory with song,
Toby Eccles raised the bar with a well-researched treatise on marchen (fairy stories) in Australia and their overseas counterparts,
Helen and Tony Romeo threw themselves into enjoying themselves in sessions and singalongs,
Keith Brown, Peter McLaren, Peter Perry, Marilyn Buckley and Ian Baxter led a singalong session and enjoyed all the other sessions too,
Sandra Nixon took the money with such a lovely smile it didn't hurt and she kept singing sessions flowing without resort to a whip,
as well as organisers Dave Johnson and Ray Mulligan, who both just enjoyed a very special weekend with friends sharing the unique Australian culture we love.

It isn't about numbers but this year just over 120 enjoyed the Gathering despite the rather dampened camping conditions.

Huge thanks to Michael and Den who kept us in prog and grog all weekend and made us welcome at Bradley Grange for our fourth Gathering.

If you missed it the programme is here, so you can read it and make a point of coming in 2010!

Some Feedback

G’day Ray and Dave
Thank you both for your great effort and congratulations on running a most enjoyable weekend. I am eagerly looking forward to the next one.
John Harpley

Dear Ray and Dave,
Thanks yet again for all your efforts towards a great Bush Traditions gathering.  It was fun sharing music and dance with all those folk.
Carole Helman

Goulburn Gathering 2008

What a weekend! It actually rained in Goulburn! But spirits were not dampened, and with onsite camping and forty hardy campers, the Gathering had a convivial community atmosphere. Music, song and dance were celebrated with gusto and finesse.

A huge thanks to:
Dave de Hugard, Peter Ellis, Carole Helman, Alan Musgrove, Gary Lovejoy, Sue and Pete McMahon, Martin Chatfield, Harry Gardiner, Richard Ayling, Denise Hibbs, Margaret Walters, Chris Woodland, Ross West, Sally and Stuart Leslie, Helen and Tony Romeo, Sandra Nixon, Alan Johnson, as well as organisers Ray Mulligan, Dave Johnson, Don Brian and Bill Arnett.

Some Feedback:

• Many thanks to your good selves and all others who put in the hard yards to make a great weekend. The sense of community - no 'celebrities'  - no egos - plenty of sharing - all made it a unique 'gathering'. Well done ! Rob Willis
• Thanks for a great weekend. Stuart and Sally Leslie
• Just a short note to say thank you to you and the other organisers of the "Bush Traditions Gathering", it was great. Bob Murray 
• Hi, another good festival. Thought it might even have been a bit better than last one. Bill Montgomery
• A great time was had by all here.  Many thanks for including us.  Would love to do it all again. Yvonne O’Grady
• Had a fantastic time at Goulburn, well done to all the organizers. Martin Chatfield
• What a great weekend of friendship and wonderful music, thanks so much for
  the organising such a " little gem" of a Festival. We will be back again next
  year. Barbara and Lance Court
• I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the bush gathering at Goulburn.  Thanks so much for inviting me to do the workshops. It’s definitely a special experience sharing music, song and dance like that. I know you did huge amounts of work to make it all happen, and I very much appreciate your efforts.  It was especially good to be able to camp on site. Carole Helman.  
• Linda and I both enjoyed the weekend. The on-site camping was much better than being off-site. We both felt more part of things than last year - coming back may have contributed but being on site was a big part of it. Alan and Linda Swift

Information Needed
Make sure your regular local music session is listed on the free listing under Resources. Send details to Dave Johnson.
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Music for Bundanoon
2012

Online Bookings NOW OPEN

Real Folk Videos
Some classic bush music now on YouTube

Basic Music for the 2012 Festival Bush Orchestra
available here.

Full Arrangements for the 2012 Festival Bush Orchestra
available here.

Music from the 2012 Festival Settler Sessions
is available here.

Music for the 2010 NFF Tea Dance
The 2010 music sets from the National are available here. Includes some Tassie tunes.
Click here.

Anglo Concertina Tutor
A set of bush tunes arranged with fingering and all for Anglo Concertina players.
Click here to see it

Kelly Homestead
Ray and Dave visited the Kelly Homestead at Greta and took some pictures.

Website
This website is maintained and developed by David Johnson.
Suggestions for inclusion welcome