Lake Bolac - Buloke

We return and gather as people have done for thousands of years, for two days

of land, music, culture and conversation, drawing from a deep and timeless history.

Through dance, song and story we continue the ageless traditions of gathering.

And like the Kuyang Lapakira - Plenty eels,

We return again and again.

Lake Bolac or Buloke has always been a special place of gathering for indigenous people – eels have migrated in and out of it’s fresh waters for countless millennia and people have gathered, feasted and traded on this bounty.

In modern times a significant gathering continues, every two years in March.  The festival has always attracted great people - those in search of something different and meaningful - something that engages their mind and soul. 

They camp, bring their kids, meet old friends and make new ones at Lake Bolac on the volcanic plains of the western district in Djabwurrung country.

The first Lake Bolac Eel Festival in 2005 was inspired by the autumn eel harvest gatherings of the traditional owners prior to European arrival.  It came on the heels of a reconciliatory walk from Warrnambool to Lake Bolac along the Hopkins River and Salt Creek. This was made possible by the understanding and permission of landholders along the route and enabled walk participants to reconnect with ancestral country. It was only fitting that on completion of their journey a celebratory gathering be had on the shores.

From these humble beginnings, 13 years later the Festival has been attended by over 10,000 people. 

Well known and emerging artists have poured out their original music, traditional dancing and ceremony has been offered at the lake edge, we have learnt much about the plight of the prehistoric eel and listened to farmers, scientists and traditional owners on how to take care of this land – our only home.

We are a now a well loved and respected regional festival 

and a proud member of Reconciliation Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria.

All creative pursuits need good practical support to sustain them, especially those of us running events in rural Australia.

There are certain costs that have been continually difficult to gain grants or financial support for.  Your support will contribute to costs of the festival, assisting us to continue to book high calibre musicians and to provide infrastructure such as a marquee and sound and lighting.   

The vision for this campaign is to strengthen our festival account balance and not be reliant on seasonal and unpredictable funding to deliver this most important event for our world.

We seek a level of financial security so we can:

• inspire our attendees about the importance of caring for country and caring for community so gatherings at Lake Bolac continue as they have done for countless generations  
• work alongside both indigenous and non-indigenous elders, artists and musicians, to provide strong cultural content and a big celebration
• invite great people to share insights with us, and by listening to and asking questions of traditional owners, educated and progressive scientists and academics and front-runners in social change, give hope and encouragement to the community
• create more activities to engage the younger generation on caring for country and understanding of the rich and complex history
• forge more relationships and continue to make meaningful steps to reconciliation
• promote original music 
• offer the festival at an affordable cost
• provide a meaningful cultural experience to the community and surrounding region

We want to get on with the business of bringing our audiences the most engaging and meaningful festival in country Victoria.

We are a small but active committee - with a big heart and great support base.

A Festival Director, Elyjah McLeod, has recently been appointed - a day a week, for a small sum.

The rest of the Festival runs and has run for 13 years on fabulous and dedicated volunteer time and passion.

We don't want to be scraping by from one Festival to the next - and with your help we are now looking to the future to create a sustainable financial and work model to prevent burn out and attract a new generation to keep the Festival alive.

The world is so busy and broadly speaking unless festivals like ours exist - how will people learn about taking care of the land and taking care of each other and work towards real reconciliation and have an optimistic view for the future.

                        Neil Murray - Singer songwritter 

                     Uncle Ted Lovett