The Nimbin Aquarius Festival in May 1973 was part of the zeitgeist and a cornerstone to the emerging character of the Rainbow Region that has come to be an essential part of the Northern Rivers. This year from 12 to 21 May, the Nimbin Aquarius Festival will celebrate 50 years bringing together many people who attended the first event as well as those who will come to celebrate and learn from the merging of ideas new and old.
Born out of the Aquarius Festival of university arts events in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and the emerging alternative culture of the Northern Rivers, Nimbin hosted what became a town-changing event. The little town of Nimbin contained ‘a small school, a bowling club, a showground, and residential dwellings extending for five hundred metres along Sibley, Cecil, and Thorburn Streets. Mulgum Creek snaked its way around the northern edge of the town where an abandoned milk processing factory stood, and with the collapse of the once dominant dairy industry, the town had seen better days,’ Gary Opit, who travelled to the town for the 1973 festival, reminisced.
‘Unlike the first Aquarius festival held in Canberra, this was a festival of creation, creativity and anti-consumerism, the focus was on creating culture rather than consuming it. It did not promote well known artists and did not advertise through mainstream media. Instead it relied on word of mouth for its promotion.
‘I also discovered that the attendees were unified by their passion for environmental conservation, sustainability, harmony, freedom, and honesty. The greengrocer shop between the hotel and the town hall, the façade of which had been painted with a fountain of tomato sauce, inspired by the old advertisements for Fountain brand tomato sauce from the once operating general store, was now run by the festival organisers. I was astounded to find that it was self-serve, which included the cash box. Shoppers chose their fruit, grain, rice, nuts, and vegetables, weighed, or counted it, then placed their bank notes into a large box and took their appropriate change. Vegetarian meals were cooked and shared, and workshops were held to exchange skills and knowledge with others.’
From experimental theatre to alternative culture artists ‘including, among others, Benny Zable, Peter Carolan, singer Paul Joseph, Donny McCormack, Ian Farr, and the Larrikins. South African pianist Dollar Brand, Indian street performers the Bauls of Bengal, classical-ambient musician Lindsay Bourke, and tightrope walker and unicyclist Philippe Petit added to the festival vibe. It has been estimated that attendance at the Nimbin Aquarius Festival was between 5,000 and 10,000 people,’ said Gary.
Celebrating the future
From talking politics and action to health, healing and spirituality there will be a wide range of events taking place thoughout the 50th anniversary event of the Aquarious FEstival at Nimbin this May. Check out their program online and buy tickets at: www.aquarius50.com.au.
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