8 minute read
Abbey Festival
Abbey Medieval Festival back with Fun and Fare
By Sheree Hoddinett Come one and all, over yonder to the grounds of Abbeystowe for the 2022 Abbey Medieval Festival (July 9 and 10). After an unscheduled two year hiatus brought on by Covid, the festival is back and promises to be a grand event for all who enter through the prestigious gates. From jousters to Turkish oil wrestlers, dance workshops and re-enactments, with tasty medieval fare to sample, you won’t want to miss a second of being transported back to the Middle Ages. For Abbey Museum and festival director Edith Cuffe, the prospect of having visitors make their way through the gates once again, is both an exciting and unnerving experience. “We are really excited to be back,” she said. “There’s a little trepidation in there as well. When you haven’t done an event for two years and then you have to start again and put everything back in place, it’s a big effort to do that. In saying that, I think it’s great that we are able to do it and welcome everyone back again. We’re really looking forward to it.” This year’s festival almost wasn’t going to happen, but after the board shared their decision with Moreton Bay Regional Council, an offer of support was extended to ensure the festival goes ahead for the next two years. “As a board, we had made the decision in January not to go ahead this year because we were concerned that if we were to cancel again, it would leave the museum in a precarious financial position,” Ms Cuffe said. “When we informed the Council of our decision, they stepped in and offered support for the festival for the next two years. So, we are enormously grateful to them for doing that and for the Council recognising the significant benefits of the festival to the region to help us out.” With visitors expected from across Queensland and also interstate, this year’s festival has a little bit of everything for everyone. “Our festival is targeted for people of all ages,” Ms Cuffe said. “We have a lot of our usual aspects including jousters from Queensland and also News South Wales.
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“We have Turkish Oil Wrestlers, Viking displays, dancing music, all those sorts of things we’ve had in the past. But some of our groups are thinking outside the box , so we’ll have a few new fun things as well. One of the things we are having this year is a traditional Ottoman wedding followed by an Ottoman banquet. Anyone who wishes to watch the wedding is more than welcome to come along. It’s going to be great.” The kids certainly haven’t been forgotten about either.
“We will have our ‘Kids Kingdom’ at the festival, which is an area for the kids to do things like arts and craft and take part in medieval games, there is lots to do,” Ms Cuffe said.
“We also have a ‘Medieval Family Fun’ week coming up in the first week of the next school holidays (June 27-July 1). This will be very kid focussed and there will be lots of medieval activities and fun for everyone.” The first Abbey Medieval Festival took place back in 1989 and Ms Cuffe has been a part of the entire journey. While she doesn’t have a favourite part of the
festival, she does enjoy the different aspects it creates. “I think I love the sense of festival,” she said. “One of the things we have always tried to do is, when people go in through the gate it is like stepping back in history. I love that sense of festival that is in there when people and visitors are walking around. They’re happy, they’re enjoying themselves, they’re learning because there are so many different things for them to see and do. We also do have an incredible team of support with our volunteers who are able to provide that level of experience. That’s probably one of my favourite things - that sense of joy and celebration that we see our visitors engaging in.” Final preparation and set-up is expected to commence two weeks out from the festival with organisers already crossing their fingers the rain stays away and it’s nothing but blue sunny skies. “We’ve had more than enough rain,” Ms Cuffe said with a laugh. “We sincerely hope that the sky gets it all out of its system and come the festival we have beautiful clear skies and lots of opportunity for people to get out and make merry medieval. We’ve seen lots of support from fans and people buying tickets already and we are very grateful to have that support leading up to the festival.”
With less parking than previous years, attendees are encouraged to utilise the park and ride service, as well as joining the fun on the Sunday of the event with Saturday usually the popular choice. The Abbey Medieval Festival is on Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10 with gates open from 8.30am at 1-63 The Abbey Place, Caboolture. A medieval banquet is being planned for later on this year. Visit abbeymedievalfestival.com for all ticket and other event information.
Bribie Girl Guides Closes
Story by Alistair Gray
Pictures supplied by Noelene Gorman.
Guides and Scouts outside the Guide “Hut “in Webster St mid-seventies.
Noelene Gorman Noelene Gorman, a long time Bribie Island resident, was first introduced to Girl Guides in Caboolture in 1949. She loved it! Little did she know then that Guides was to become one of her life passions, where she would make many fabulous friendships and be actively involved in leadership development, teaching life skills, attending many camps around Australia, and international travel. In 1970, Noelene came to Bribie following a failed marriage with three children to raise. When her daughter turned 7, she wanted her to be exposed to the benefits Girl Guides had to offer. So, she contacted Guide headquarters, commenced training, found an assistant and opened Bribie Girl Guides in 1972. There weren't many sporting clubs or activities for young people back then, so Bribie Girl Guides quickly became very popular. By 1980 they had 80 girls involved in Brownies, Guides and Rangers, meeting in the ‘hut’ on Webster Street. The ‘hut’, purchased for $2,500, was formerly the Toll Master's residence, originally located on the mainland side of the bridge, before being moved to where it sits today. The top level of the ‘hut’ accommodates 28 double-decker bunks, which could potentially be used to assist some of our local homeless, now that the Guides have vacated the building. In those early days, Noelene would enlist the help of the newly arrived bank manager's wife, the milkman's wife, the baker's wife, the butcher's wife, and the chemist's wife, to help with fundraising and leadership, and in turning the local baker's sponges into the now-famous Girl Guide Lamingtons. As a result, many great friendships were formed. As the picture below shows, the Guides also played a significant part in the annual ANZAC day parades. Sadly, after more than 50 years of service, the Bribie Island Girl Guides have closed their doors, after playing an important part in many local girls' lives, establishing strong values, teaching life skills, bushcraft, and leadership development. The group has struggled to get leaders and new members with competition from many competing activities and the increasing costs of membership and insurance. Late 1982. A farewell to Noelene Gorman who had been a Brownie Leader for 5 years and for another 5 years as District Commissioner. Interestingly, Girl Guides is undertaking a resurgence in some parts of Australia. This resurgence is seen as Guides being directly relevant in affirmative action and developing young people to be more assertive and prepare them to take more senior leadership roles in our community. Girl Guide Reunion and Get together ATTENTION: All past Brownies, Girl Guides, Rangers, and Guide Leaders Join Noelene Gorman and friends for a final get-together on 11 June 2022 at 10 am at the Gazebo behind the Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Apex Park, 1 South Esplanade, Bongaree. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. It is self-catering only.
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