Junkestra – the string can orchestra from Girgarre in Northern Victoria
You’ve probably not heard of Girgarre – its population is just under 200 and it’s just over 2hrs drive north of Melbourne. It’s a very special town with a big hearted and embracing community. It punches far far above it’s weight in terms of cultural activities and civic amenity.
Background
Girgarre was hit hard by drought and falling milk prices in the 90s then the Heinz cannery, a major local employer, closed in 2012. Their hall was in disrepair – so they rallied, repaired the hall and used it to start playing music once a month, a tradition that continues to this day. So, Girgarre actually uses music to lift the human spirit. It’s very practical! If you’re in trouble and times are tough, get involved in some music making. The ongoing success of Girgarre really stems from the way they have embraced music making as a community salve.
Small Town Transformation Project
I got a call in 2016 at home in the UK asking if I was interested to ‘transform our town with music and sound’. It was for a Small Town Transformations grant which they won. So that’s how I came to Girgarre – and they had a plan for me. They had already been running junk instrument workshops led by Pete Gibson. They asked me if we could create a junk instrument orchestra and they called it Junkestra.
Artist Residencies
Over the course of two residencies in 2017 and 2018 Junkestra literally grew from a pile of rubbish to an orchestra with 30plus players. We built instruments, we practiced a lot, we invited guest groups to appear with us and we put on a great show for the opening of the new Gargarro Soundshell in April 2018.
Junkestra plays in Melbourne
In 2019 Junkestra was invited to Melbourne for the Arts Learning Festival to perform at the Deakin Edge. They received a standing ovation.
ABC TV Backroads Episode
ABC TV Backroads came to Girgarre in 2020 and the Junkestra played to camera – many people saw this program and it has become one of the most watched episodes on the ABC iPlayer.
Watch the ABC TV Backroads Girgarre episode HERE
Junkestra today
COVID took the wind out of our sails and we had a long break of nearly four years. In March 2024 I was reunited with Junkestra and we once again mounted a wonderful concert at the Gargarro Sound Shell.
Enjoy the gallery below. If you are ever in Victoria, Australia be sure to call in. There is a wonderful indigenous botanical garden and a unique Sound Trail featuring musical installations built by Wallace Williams and Rob Axen – but that’s another amazing Girgarre story!
