Gove Peninsula Festival Inc.

The Gove Peninsula Festival (GPF) is the single largest annual community event in Nhulunbuy.

Festival Update: At the last meeting of the GPF committee it was decided to

make the Festival a Biennial (2 yearly) event.

This decision was taken due to the lack of committee members needed to run the festival every year

Ian Maclean

Care Taker President

GPF Committee 2010

When: The 2011 Festival Date in August is TBA
Where: Hindle Oval - Nhulunbuy
 

As it happened GPF2009:

GPF 2009 - The Music and Entertainment

The Gove Peninsula Festival 2009 www.govefestival.org.au (GPF) was by my measure and the feedback I am getting from the community a huge success and probably the biggest GPF's ever ! Only made possible by the great effort by the 2009 Committee in managing each of their areas, our volunteers and generous sponsors.
From my corner, as production manager and MC for the day, it has given me enormous personal satisfaction to have been part of the event.

The day started out with a bright, vibrant and colorful performance from Arafura Dance performing some locally inspired contemporary indigenous dances, followed by a great number from the musical Hairspray.
Hot on the heals of the dancers the audience was treated to the vocal talents of Nhulunbuy's very own Australian Teen Idol finalist, Tamika Kasper with a powerful solo performance.
After presentations for the float parade one of the towns regular solo performers Kerry Lee, surprised the Audience by teaming up with the headline band "The April Tree" for an upbeat blend of classic cover songs and some of Kerry Lee's original material from her Debut Album "Knew we had it Comin"
It was amazing to watch Kerry and the band put together their set of over an hours music with just a 15 minute exchange of chords and guitar riffs on side stage.
Kerry was followed by a stirring drumbeat performance from a group of seven local Yolngu students and their drumbeat teachers, with lots of comment coming from the audience on just how good they were.
It was then on to another contest winning local talent. Victoria Evans was the winner of this years Gove Idol contest and with just a few practice sessions the week before teamed up with 3 local musicians Stewie, Mark and Jenni for a bit of hard rocking music. It was obvious from the performance why Vicoria took out the Gove Idol contest.
By mid afternoon the biggest ensemble of musicians ( all 13 of them ! ) took to the stage, headed up by long time lead singer of Colored Stone, Bunna Laurie. This was a local incarnation of Bunna's new band "Bunna Laurie and the Whale Dreamers".
Featuring Bunna, Dr Didge, local band the Diago's as well as Bunna's own whale dreaming drummers and singers. What a BIG and soul stirring sound this act pumped out. A warm up for their upcoming appearance at the internationally renowned Garma Festival on the 7th to 10th of Aug. We can expect to see a new Album out from Bunna very soon !
What was going to be a break in the live music was filled by the launch of a brand new band "Bush Reggae"  their sound tight and lively, the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance.
To take us into the evening performances we were treated to solo performances by Tamika Kasper and another great young local talent Amy Fullard.
With night upon us and the stage lights bright it was on to the support act and very popular local band Oojah Cockraigne, for some bright and energetic party music. They were well received by the estimated 1000 strong crowd, with many families in their camp chairs across the oval and a packed bar area, rocking to the music.
At 9pm it was finally time for the Headline Act to take to the stage.
The April Tree had come to us from Melbourne and had rocked the early hours of the morning away the night before at the Walkabout Hotel.
They had a great mix of originals and cover music that had the crowd up and dancing on the grass. The music finished up at close to midnight, delivering all that had been promised of the festival and more.
Already the festival committee are looking ahead to next year and an even better festival for the Gove Peninsula community.

Ian Macleanwww.askthescienceguru.com
GPF2009 Production Manager

Our Mission:

• The festival aims to promote a sense of community by way of public involvement and creates a fun atmosphere for the whole community. In the past it has been a key fundraising and promotional event for many local clubs and organisations and this year is set to be so, more than ever.
   

 Festival Site Plan:

Click here for a festival site plan and to see who is coming
Click here to see what is happening and when.

Update 26-6-09:
Stall aplications are now closed, we have over 50 stalls on the day !

GPF 2009 Summary:

• Float Parade (Including decorated bike competition)
• Food Stalls Galore
• Live entertainment ALL DAY 10am to Midnight.
• Check out our online entertainment calendar and navigate to the 1st Aug
• Culminating with the headline act: The April Tree out of Melbourne, check out their site for music samples !
• We have a great lineup of local bands, performers and entertainers including the best live acts NE Arnhem Land has to offer.
• Exciting displays from local clubs and organisations.
• A Kids Zone - where the kids can play or chill out !
• Side Show Alley with thrilling Rides ! 
• Art, Baking, photographic and more competitions. Just like the town show competitions we all remember as kids
• A licenced bar is operating from midday to midnight.
• This is set to be THE best peninsula festival ever, with a huge community involvement, so make sure you dont miss out !

 Downloadable Forms:

 The Gove Peninsular Festival is YOUR festival. The more involvement we have, the more successful and enjoyable it will be.
Stallholders:
You can book a stall at the festival (subject to GPF Committee approval) by completing the Stall Holder Application. (CLOSED)
The application must be read in conjunction with the Information & Conditions document.
Bike Competition:
As part of the float parade a decorated bike compitition is being held.
You can get your Entry Forms here. As well as the conditions of entry.
Float Parade:
The float parade is set to be a spectacular event and you can nominate here as well.
Festival Olympics
Sports fans will not miss out either, with a Gove Festival Olympics being run on Hindle Oval # 1 where all the action is happening ! There will be loads of fun and great prizes. So get your nomination form right here. Or nominate at Gove Tackle & Outdoors.
 

Getting Involved:

Contact Care Taker President Ian Maclean on 0417 601490 to find out how else you can become involved in the 2011 GPF.