PHOTOS & WORDS: Monique Cockram

Grow Your Own 2019 was more than just a music festival. It was a celebration of local talent, local produce suppliers, and local artists. Festival director Holly Rankin, AKA Jack River, explained how much the Growers section of the festival meant to her. By being able to showcase local responsible produce growers, she is reaching out to young people and enabling them to learn more about how they can get food straight from the source and support more responsible methods of food production. Punters could enjoy local food and snacks from the Growers’ Hall throughout the day, as well as listening to talks and films from various Growers about their sustainable methods of growing food. Throughout the festival grounds, instalments from Australian artists could be seen as well, with contributions from familiar names like Ruby Fields and Benny Reed, as well as local artists, with the entire event’s art design curated by Lee McConnell.

The music at Grow Your Own was the perfect mix of surf-grunge and alternative music that truly suited the beach side location of Forster-Tuncurry. Every single artist had great sound and an enthusiastic crowd, with those of bands like Totty and Goons of Doom really bringing out the fun in circle pits. Artist Belle Badi’s infectious smile spread to everyone, and the always lovely Mallrat put everyone in a good mood. As the day progressed the crowds increased, to when the leading lady herself, Jack River, graced the stage with her sweet tunes. When The Preatures came on, Izzi’s reputation of absolutely bouncing around the stage preceded her and she delivered, with a performance full of energy that had the crowd captivated. Hockey Dad performed to the backdrop of the beautiful sunset, and really brought the mood home. Finally, DMA’s closed off the night with a performance of emotion and as well as visual effects through the lights that truly captured the audience.

This festival was overall very well run, and with the help of a respectful crowd had no major incidents. There was plenty to eat and drink, and crowd care volunteers were always around making sure people were reapplying sunscreen and staying cool. All in all, Grow Your Own was an embodiment of the culture of Forster-Tuncurry and brought together many people from all across the state to enjoy an artistic day accompanied by the sweet coastal breeze.