FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER | WHAT’S ON: From three days of live music and coastal culture at the Culburra Beach Festival to immersive gallery debuts at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, this weekend offers a vibrant lineup of events and community gatherings across our region. Join a big group choir sing-along, explore local artists’ studios, or learn about the bees.
Things To Do Right Now
Head to Burradise for this weekend’s Culburra Beach Festival. Crookhaven Park Oval the location of three days of live music, arts and coastal culture. Sing, dance, eat and immerse yourself in everything Culburra. There’s also a musical café trail and a kids’ art playground. Dozens of musical acts from local talent to headliners, make this program one of the best in the Festival’s history. Tickets $75 for the weekend or $40 for Friday or Saturday night.
As part of this year’s Culburra Beach Festival, you can experience the pure joy of community singing, led by the inimitable Tina Broad. The festival organisers say, “Get out of the shower and come down to the community hall for a big group sing”. You will be amazed at how quickly the room full of people will sing an Aussie pub classic in harmony, and with a live band. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome. Jervis Bay Brewery will be in attendance and tickets are now available for $25. Then all you need to do it turn up at the Waratah Hall for a 3pm start. Listen to Tina talk about community choirs to inspire you to get involved.
Visit a “House of Gold”, a new exhibition at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum by Dr Christian Thompson AO. Opened last night by Uncle Gerry Moore and museum director Diana Lorenz, the show features works inspired by a line of Song Dynasty poetry, “a book in the hand holds a house of gold”. Diana encouraged guests to use that as a cue when gazing into the large, colour-saturated images to notice the books in the hands of the artist as well as his gestures, posture, clothing and other symbolic details in the works. On now, perfect for a rainy day. Museum entry $14/$12.50 and under 16s free with a paying adult.
Plan an apiary visit for the school holidays at Bay and Bush Jervis Bay. The 27-acre property in Woollamia boasts a working apiary with up to 10 active beehives at a time producing delicious honey from the local eucalypts and wildflowers—which you can buy to take home, too. Kids aged 5-15 will suit up and explore the world of bees, in a 1.5 hour session for around $60 on Wednesday 30 September or Thursday 1 October.
What Else is Happening Around the Bay & Basin
Saturday 26 September, Artists’ Open Studios: The Jervis Bay Arts Trail members invite you into their working studios to discover their practices and view works for sale and works in progress. Meet award-winning local artists including Sarah Yee and Roselle Stretton who received highly commended prizes at the Shoalhaven Art Society Show (currently on at the Berry School of Arts till 9 Oct). Sarah is also in the current Meroogal Women’s Art Prize in Nowra, the biennial event at the historic property in Nowra, open Saturdays.
Sunday 27 September, Tea and Tones: Steep in the sounds of live improvised music while partaking in a Chinese tea ceremony on a beautiful rural property in Falls Creek (10min drive from Huskisson), $40. Tea and Tones hosts Jax Wechsler and Scott Gillespie invite you to gather among the trees and birdsong from 10.15am for a couple of hours of slow, meditative spaciousness and shared silence.
Sunday 27 September, Adventure Book Launch: Author Ruth Boydell is launching Rocking the Boat: a life in three voyages, her debut book with an author talk followed by drinks and nibbles at the Classroom in the grounds of the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum at 4pm. Learn about her adventures chronicled in this true story of adventure, courage and discovery. Signed copies will be available to purchase. Rsvp on 0412 886 382.
Sunday 27 September, Local Markets Cancelled: Forecast heavy rains have led market organisers at Pyree and Berry to cancel their usual monthly events. The BoM is predicting up to 15mm with chance of a thunderstorm or two.
Sunday 27 September, Native Plant Sale: Better than a washed-out market is the annual plant sale at the Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Gardens. This hidden gem of a community garden raises funds for its maintenance by selling plants from tube stock to ground covers, shrubs and larger trees. Head to Celia Street from 8am–2pm to pick up some well-priced plants, enjoy a bbq and buy a raffle ticket (drawn on the day).
Monday 28 September–Tuesday 6 October, Talk Finances with Council: Shoalhaven City Council is inviting residents and community organisations to attend community information sessions to talk about Council finances. Register for the session of your choice, including Tuesday 29 September at 10am in Huskisson Scout Hall and 2pm in St Georges Basin Community Centre.
Tuesday 29 September, Visit Marine Rescue: The newly upgraded base of Marine Rescue Jervis Bay is opening the doors for free guided tours. Come along to learn about the base operations and meet the team. Marine Rescue JB is currently seeking volunteer radio operators and the premises now includes a wheelchair lift, recently tested and given a thumbs up by local para-surf champion Grace Kennedy, which opens opportunities for volunteers who need accessibility. Register for a tour timeslot, as places are strictly limited for space.
Wednesday 30 September, Bundanon Free Entry: Seniors and Shoalhaven residents are invited free of charge to visit the Bundadon Art Museum on the last Wednesday of the month. Right now, you will see the exhibition, “Man on Fire: Visions of Nebuchadnezzar,” which brings Arthur Boyd’s iconic 1960s series into dialogue with a major new commission by contemporary artist Shaun Gladwell. Open in Illaroo, 10am–4pm.
Thursday 1 October–Saturday 3 October, Be what you are becoming: Visit the first live art event and exhibition by Barbara Dawson and Natalie McDonagh. See an exhibition of new work, and join the artists in some mindful stitching as they create a wearable, textile artwork during the six-day event. Also on Thursday 8 October –Saturday 10 October, 11am-4pm at the Artfulmind Studio, Erowal Bay. Email natalie@mcdonaghdesign.com for street address.
Friday 2 October-Monday 5 October, Arts in the Valley: Kangaroo Valley is preparing exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks, walks and more in this year’s Visual Arts in the Valley. Check out the program of what’s on to make sure you add some culture to your long weekend.
Friday 2 October, Favourites Return to Club JB: Parmis, steak night and senior’s meals will make a welcome comeback to Club Jervis Bay’s dining options from today, courtesy of a new catering arrangement. Club Chairman Gary Elliott announced that Alpha Catering will be bringing back the members’ favourites, by popular demand, as well as an extended seafood menu and rotating chef’s specials.
Saturday 3 October, Artisans Market at Bundanon: Browse and buy from artisans, artist and craftspeople at the Bundanon Artists & Makers Market, 10am-3pm. Among the stallholders, glass, ceramics, wearables and more will be on display at the education centre inside and forecourt. Entry is free.
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October: Echo Mapping at Bundanon: A unique performance billed as a thrilling, joyful sound and movement duet performed by longtime collaborators, is on at the Bundanon Art Museum with two afternoon performances $18/$12. Echo Mapping features Azzam Mohamed, dancer, performer, and educator and Jack Prest, composer, mix/master/recording engineer and interdisciplinary artist in a conversation of body, voice and live music in a mesmerising, pared-back duet.
Sunday 4 October, Sashimi Knife Demo: If you have never seen a master Japanese sashimi chef in action, this is the afternoon for you! The Tuna King of Australia, Narito Ishii will be at Loni’s on Currambene Street, Husksisson to demonstrate preparing a spectacular Southern Blue Fin Tuna. Joining him is Toshi, sushi master from two-hatted Sushi Oe. Naturally, there will be exceptional fish to eat, too. Tickets are $100 to attend this celebration of world class Japanese technique meeting some of the finest seafood our South Coast has to offer, bringing together fishermen, produce and craftsmanship for a truly unique experience.
Sunday 4 October, Pizza on the Farm: Fresh from a 3-week epic trip around the Simpson Desert, chef/farmer Ian Martin is ready to launch the new season of pizza nights at the Martins Ridge property where he raises heritage pigs and cattle. Starting on Sunday 4 October, for $70 you can enjoy the sunset over the paddocks while you start with a charcuterie board before free-flowing pizzas. The venue is fully licensed and serves a range of delicious beverages. Check their site for more dates, and beware, these events sell out very quickly.
Thursday 8 October–Saturday 10 October, Be what you are becoming: Visit the first live art event and exhibition by Barbara Dawson and Natalie McDonagh. See an exhibition of new work, and join the artists in some mindful stitching as they create a wearable, textile artwork during the six-day event, 11am-4pm at the Artfulmind Studio, Erowal Bay. Email natalie@mcdonaghdesign.com for street address.
Sunday 10 October, Crooked River Walk: Take the short drive up to Gerringong for the annual Crooked River Nature Walk, a three-hour guided walk through lowland tropical rainforest on the Crooked River Estate which is also home to the winery of the same name. For under $20, the tour by the estate’s sustainability and operations manager, Joel Walsh, will explain their environmental work supporting local flora and fauna through minimal intervention land management.
Thursday 15 October, Bush Fire Prep Meeting: Bay & Basin residents are encouraged to attend a special meeting focused on preparing for the bush fire season, at Vincentia Public School at 7pm. All the relevant services will be there including Rural Fire Service, Police, Ambulance, Red Cross and Shoalhaven City Council. The predictions are serious and this is your chance to hear directly from the key emergency services, followed by a Q&A.
