Ahh the History….only three Gum Balls so far, but fairly concentrated.
Moral of the story; It's amazing to see what a group of mates can achieve when they all pitch in to create something!
The Gum Ball story starts with two brothers Matt and Dan Johnston, young lads from the Hunter Valley, both with a strong taste for music and good times, who came up with a dream idea to turn the front yard of their parent's 100acre bush property into an arena and camping area to host their own music festival with a difference.
Titled The Gum Ball due to the large array of gum trees that circulate the area, the rather intimate little festival created quite a stir when it was introduced in 2005.
The people,
who experienced the very first Gum Ball of 2005, were shocked and excited to
see what these two boys had put together. Their first major music event had
turned from a simple idea of a few friends and musicians alike, all kicking
it in the bush, into a major local council D.A battle, with petitions for and
against, that left entire communities divided (mainly due to farmer Joe's wife
and her intent on spreading the misconception that the Woodstock revival was
going to blow up the village).
For four months solid the boys put their heads down and tackled council and the nay sayers, forming traffic management plans, acoustic reports, shuttle bus services, risk management and security operational plans, not to mention taking on the marketing scene. When the event finally went through council, it was given the go ahead, subject to over 40 conditions. Some being more ridiculous then leg warmers.
The fact that council had never experienced such a proposal gave both the council and the boys strength in its purpose. They pulled it off, by forming a solid team of friends and family, opening up the 1km long family driveway, putting a big turning circle in, building the 4km worth of mesh fencing, setting up the infrastructure.
When the day of the first Gum Ball came around, the people rolled in, the artists arrived, the music started and there wasn't a dull face in the house. The crowd visualized what these boys had built in their minds and gave their all. The large group of mates that believed in Matt and Dan and had helped turn the scrub bushland into a large shaded arena definitely gave their full admiration. The ambience that had been created was priceless.
On night fall, the fires were sparked and the true colour of the event became revealed. The trees leant over the stage and the full moon shone as headline act Bomba took to a large snaking musical train through the bush followed by the entire audience.
As with most events of this nature, the boys didn't expect to gain any income for their efforts, they had spent every cent and in return had lost even more. Their reward became the event. So special and unique that it has remained on the lips and memories of those who attended ever since.
With perseverance,
dedication and a lot of support from the now built community, Matt and Dan grabbed
hold of the reigns and went again.
This time licking their wounds and tasting the banks toes, they had to make a few slight changes in order to make it happen.
The Gum Ball 2006 was 'downscaled' and classified as a private function titled 'Friends of Gum Ball. The idea; send an invitation to all our friends and we'll have a party to celebrate….The Gum Ball.
Basically the event was open for everybody except those who didn't registered their name on the list. Tickets were very cheap, BYO and you even got dinner included. God love Dr Baz and The Brewers, best grub the world had tasted.
Only open to a limited amount of invitations, the event ended up selling out on the day and hitting off a treat. Not before one small hick up though, two weeks before the big day council step in and put an injunction on the event, fingers on the trigger, threatening legal action. What do you do? Move the event to a different area! Bring in James Estate and their lovely little paddock in the vineyards. Different council, different rules. A blessing in disguise, weather was absolutely stunning, the fires were raging and how good was The Bird!
Little bit of trivia, the back fence of The Gum Ball is actually the boundary for the two council regions! Beware of land mines.
The third occasion was held on Sat 3rd March 2007, back out in the vineyards, proving to be a very splendid affair for those who were there, growing stronger once again. A freakin hot day, in the 40s which seem to effect everyone in one way or another. The line up featured a few heavy weights including Regurgitator, True Live and Offcutts. It also saw the inaugural inclusion of the house band mini stage, a collective of local and international musos jamming out beside the main stage in between the sets, awesome really, a true highlight for everyone. There was lucky dip chopper rides for mass charity, an art exhibition titled 'The Roots' chock a block full of local and national works, a kiddies corner with mass action, people swimming in the dam, people living in the dam, a big day full of great live music, rounded up with the strongest characters joining in for a late brew up around the fire, reflecting upon there experiences until breakfast time...awesome!
These have been three wonderful years, The Gum Ball and its organisers are forever appreciative of all the support they have gained from the public throughout this time. Thank you and see ya at the next
Now let us all come together again, be merry and watch the pages grow!
