Phillip Island - the Southern Ocean
Peter and I had a great weekend visiting with Michael and Mary Whelan on Phillip Island last weekend. Friday night was spent wining and dining with the folk from the Phillip Island Winery testing out the fine produce and playing music together round the dining table – as you do. On Saturday we ran a music workshop with about 10 people from the local Acoustic Music Jam Group who meet at Archie’s Creek Pub fortnightly. We had everyone trying their hands at new instruments, particularly double bass, mandolin, fiddle – and one participant decided to buy the double bass that we had borrowed for the weekend, which we knew was for sale! We have been responsible for the purchase of a few double basses in our travels as once people have a chance to play one, they realise they are not that daunting and a lot of fun to play.
Sat night we headed down to the Royal Mail Hotel in Archie’s Creek where we were playing for the evening. Most of the workshop participants were in attendance with other locals, and we had a full house and a great night in the cosy country pub. Geoff Wright joined us for another trio performance and we enjoyed the gig immensely – except poor Peter was suffering from the cold/flu that he’d been battling all week. Still he soldiered on! We finished the night with a jam set featuring most of the local players and they were all sounding great.
Thanks to Michael and Mary for a great weekend. They are instrumental in supporting a growing acoustic music community group in the area and providing opportunities for locals to develop their musical skills and enjoy playing music together. They attended the Kelly Country Pick music camps and have attended Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Jam Camp in the States. They have most certainly been bitten by the bug and are enjoying learning and playing music together and in the wider community. Good luck with the ‘Bass Coast Acoustic Music Club’!