Creative entrepreneurs descend for Business in Practice series
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to a free creative industry event: Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs on Wednesday February 11.
The event is a half-day of professional development for artists, makers and creatives in the first stages of getting their business set up.
It includes hands-on training in marketing your business, navigating intellectual property and artificial intelligence, support from service providers, and a panel of speakers sharing how they got their business idea into action.
Creative industry experts include Morgan Williams, Louise Buckingham, Kerry Anderson OAM, Scott MacRae, Georgina Johnston, John Wellington, Richard Watts OAM, Dr Bonny Cassidy, Shelley Krape and Fred Farquar.
Richard Watt OAM, ArtsHub’s National Performing Arts Editor said: ‘I’ve interviewed all manner of artists about just about every conceivable creative venture, and I’d say it’s critically important for artists and makers to expand their sense of what a sustainable practice really involves.
“I’m delighted to be hosting the in-conversation panel with three outstanding local creatives, Bonny, Fred and Shelley – by learning from one others’ experiences, we can strengthen the region’s creative ecology as well as one’s individual practice.”
Council’s Public Art and Creative Industries Coordinator, Madeleine McClelland, said: “Our local creatives bring so much energy, talent and originality to our community, and here at Council we’re proud to support them.
“This event is all about giving creatives practical advice they can use in their day-to-day work.
It’s also a great chance to connect with other creatives, share ideas and learn from industry professionals.
“We’d love to see creatives from across the shire come along, whether they’re just starting out or looking to take the next step.”
Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs
When: Wednesday 11 February, 1.00pm to 8.00pm
Where: Castlemaine Goods Shed, 21 Kennedy St
Cost: Free
Book: https://events.humanitix.com/business-in-practice-series-fundamentals-for-creative-entrepreneurs
Schedule
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Make your Pitch with Morgan Williams from Designscope
Develop a short verbal and visual pitch about your work.
3.00pm to 3.30pm
Afternoon tea
Have a cuppa and explore Asuria, Workforce Australia, Business Mount Alexander, StartUp Central Victoria, Workspace and others.
3.30pm to 4.30pm
Intellectual Property and AI with Louise Buckingham, CEO, Arts Law
Protect your intellectual property as you start out.
4.45pm to 5.45pm
Foundations to Flourish: Legal, Finance and Compliance
The critical steps in turning a creative pastime into a money‑making practice.
6.00pm to 7.30pm
From Idea to Actuality – Creative Enterprise in Practice Panel Session
ArtsHub editor Richard Watts OAM in conversation with local champions Dr Bonny Cassidy, Fred Farquar and Shelley Krape.
12.00pm to 6.00pm
One-to-ones on the Small Business Bus
Walk-up for expert advice on the Business Victoria small business bus.
For more information, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/creative-industry-events or contact Madeleine McClleland, Council’s Public Art and Creative Industries Coordinator by emailing m.mcclelland@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Woop Woop Mini Golf & Sculpture Garden reopens its gates – planning free community day
Woop Woop Mini Golf & Sculpture Gardens at Harcourt has reopened its doors and is looking forward to welcoming community members back this weekend. Woop Woop owner Judy Gleeson and her team are also hard at work getting the gardens looking their best for a free community day and fundraiser as part of the symbolic ‘Harcourt Reopen’ event on Saturday February 21. (See our sister paper the Midland Express next Tuesday for full details).
“The event is also a chance for well-wishers from outside the area to come along, spend time in Harcourt, and connect with the local community in a relaxed, informal way,” Judy said.
The February 21 event will include a Jumbo Fundraiser Auction with funds to go to the Harcourt Progress Relief Group to support community members and local businesses affected by recent events. A Mega Raffle will also be held, with funds raised going to the Harcourt CFA and their families.
You can find Woop Woop at 171 Blackjack Road, Harcourt. Opening hours are Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5. Visit woop-woop.au for more information.
Harcourt Rising comes to Castlemaine
Shedshaker Brewing is hosting a massive weekend of fundraisers for the Harcourt bushfire recovery over the weekend of February 20-22.
Called Harcourt Rising, each event aims to support businesses and residents affected and bring some fun to the community.
Starting on Friday February 20, the Taproom will be showcasing a range of Harcourt wineries who lost stock to the fire. There will also be cocktails made with delicious Maidenii vermouth, as Maidenii also suffered greatly with the loss of the Harcourt Cool Store. The evening will also feature a DJ for that smooth, loungey vibe. This event is free with attendees encouraged to strongly support our local producers by stocking up on great local wines and vermouth!
Saturday February 21 goes to what the Taproom knows and loves – great live music. Headlining a ‘sell-out’ show (tickets sold out a short time after going live Friday) will be Hunters (featuring members of ARIA Hall of Famers Hunters and Collectors) with Paul Dempsey (Something For Kate) on vocals. Also playing are Newstead’s finest electro-pop party band Ok Darling and Castlemaine’s premier surf rock instrumentalists Breaker Breaker.
On Sunday February 22, it’s more live music for a cruisy Sunday afternoon with indie pop/urban country soulsters Duncan Graham and the Way In and alt-Americana folksters Paper Jane. And there is no doubt there will be a special guest or two jumping up on stage as well! There will also be art
auctions, raffles and more. Entry is via donation (with all funds going to the recovery).
Harcourt Rising is also the name of a collaborative beer that many of the Central Victorian breweries have worked on together. Brewed at Holgate with input from Shedshaker, Bendigo Brewers, Cornella Brewing, Rock and Ranges Brewing, Hepburn Springs Brewing, Palling Bros, Lost Watering Hole and Brewer’s Collective, the very smashable and summery pacific ale will be available to buy in cans with proceeds also to go towards the bushfire recovery. The beer will be available at a range of breweries and venues.
Home is where the Harcourt is Tattoo Flash Day
Forest Creek Tattoo is gearing up to hold a ‘Home is where the Harcourt is’ Tattoo Flash Day this Sunday February 8.
The Castlemaine based tattoo studio has hosted a number of Flash Days in the past for causes close to their heart, including Mount Alexander Animal Welfare (MAAW), Hope Assistance Local Tradies (HALT), and the Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria (CASACV) based in Bendigo, and wanted to do something to support the community of Harcourt and surrounds in the wake of the January 9 fire.
Forest Creek Tattoo owner Leonie New said they have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of support for the fundraiser with more than 50 tattoo artists from across Australia offering to donate their time and many more donating vouchers and artwork for the raffle.
“We have a lot more space in our new studio at 62 Mostyn Street, but I have had to turn artists away. Those who cannot physically support the fundraiser have generously donated vouchers and artwork.
“We have had donations from across Australia, New Zealand and I even have items coming from artists in the UK and US,”Leonie said.
Local artists and businesses have also donated items including jewellery, artworks, journals, textiles and even a shiatsu treatment! You can purchase raffle tickets on the day or through the link in the bio on the Forest Creek Tattoo social pages.
The team has also created a ‘Home is Where the Harcourt is’ commemorative t-shirt to raise additional funds and these had almost sold out at the time of going to press!
The Flash Day event will run from 9am through to 9pm Sunday and there are no bookings, the day will operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
“We need you to physically show up, we won’t be taking bookings via phone, Instagram etc,” Leonie said.
There will be two sessions with one group of tattoo artists donating their time and skills from 9am to 3pm, and a second set of artists from 3pm to 9pm.
Check out the Forest Creek Tattoo socials for the artists to feature and arrive before the 9am start time to book an artist for the opening session or before 2pm took book your preferred artist in the afternoon session.
“Once we’ve ‘booked’ your spot then you’ll be given a time to come back, in the meantime you can have a wander, hang out, have some food etc!
“We’ll also have our friend Matt Collins of Castlemainaoke being a human country jukebox throughout the day so it will be a fun time, with 100 per cent of funds raised going to the Harcourt Progress Association Relief Fund,” Leonie said.
Pistol competitors converge
Castlemaine Pistol Club Inc held its annual Goldfields Open competition last weekend, January 30-February 1.
More than 80 shooters competed travelling from as far as Tasmania, South Australia, Yackandandah, Mildura, Echuca, Euroa, Shepparton, Ballarat, Mornington, Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool.
Local members also turned out in force to compete.
As the event was only the second major competition for the year, shooters vying for state and Australia team qualifying scores added value to the standard of the competition.
With the event commencing on the Friday evening, many took advantage of our district’s welcoming hospitality for the full weekend.