Latest news
Tourism NSW provides grant
The value of the 5 Lands Walk to the community of the central Coast has been recognised by Tourism NSW, who has provided a grant of $10,000 to the 5 Lands Walk to assist in the promotion of the event in Sydney.
Central Coast Tourism has rated the 5 Lands Walk one of its flagship events for 2012 because of its ability to attract visitors from outside the region to an event that showcases what a great community, landscape and seascape the Central Coast can offer.
5 Lands Walk partners with Youth Connections
Youth Connections is a Central Coast community group whose mission is to help young people aged 13-19 on the Central Coast access employment, education, training and recreational opportunities so they can reach their full potential.
5 Lands Walk President Con Ryan said "the organising committee was keen to engage with a local community organisation to add more meaning to the event. Youth Connections was an obvious choice because of its focus on young people on the Central Coast and helping them to connect better with the community through improved job skills." "We won't be providing financial support", he said. "What we will provide them is an opportunity for youth to work with community groups on organising the event, and to provide promotional opportunities for Youth Connections to spread the word about its good work. The 5 Lands Walk has work experience opportunities in areas as diverse as catering and event management. And no doubt, there will be work in construction, landscaping, conservation and land management when the pathway starts to become a reality", he added.
2010 News
Latitude 33 a sell-out success
"World class", brilliant", "wonderful" and "moving" were just some of the compliments expressed by the audience at the "world premier" of Latitude 33 at the Avoca Beach Theatre on Saturday night. Everyone was stunned at what a show it was- with the elements of dance, music, song and images skillfully blended to give the story of the lands on Latitude 33 South. The project was conceived by Avoca Beach's international award winning composer Yantra de Vilder, who played the piano and provided some of the vocals backing the dancers, performers and digital imagery. She and all the performers recieved a standing ovation, and left the audience wanting more. The partial eclipse of the moon that was visible from the Theatre after the event added to the imagery and spirituality of the evening.
25 June - The Awakening
The dawn ceremony to welcome the sun rise and the coming of longer days was held on the Skillion today, in cool but clear weather. Ceremonies included dedication of the Land Art, smoking to cleanse the spirits of those attending and Fijian Kava to honour guests such as the Mayor and the President of 5 Lands Walk Inc.
19 & 20 June - Land Art on the Skillion
Work on the Land Art at the Skillion , Terrigal Haven was completed over the weekend in warm sunny weather which made building the artwork a true labour of love. Con Ryan, President of 5 Lands Walk, recommended that you make the trip to Terrigal to see this huge artwork. "Only by seeing it close up can you appreciate the scale of this project" he said, then added: "It's been suggested that you can see this artwork from space. I'm not sure that theory has been tested, but I could believe it - it's massive. To appreciate its beauty and meaning, you need to stand back and view it from afar. This is a magnificant piece of artwork that captures the true spirit of the 5 Lands Walk."
18 June - Photo Competition
With the 5 Lands Walk photo competition closed on 11 June, 5 Lands Walk President Con Ryan has announced that over 80 entries were recieved. "Considering the weather over the weekend of the competition, this is a very pleasing number" he said. "The stormy weather probably put a lot of people from going outside, but for those who did, the weather provided some dramatic seascapes", Con added. "We now look forward to judging all the entries, with the winners to be announced on 3 July at North Avoca Surf Club. All entries will be exhibited at the Surf Club over that weekend, as well as being uploaded to this website". Con also thanked the sponsors of the Photo Competition, John Ralph Camera House at Erina and Canon Australia.
18 June - Art Exhibition
Leader of the Avoca Beach 5 Lands Walk Organising Committee, Pauline Wrightannounced that over 80 entries have been recieved from artists for the Connections exhibition. Pauline commented that she is delighted with the response, but won't have room for them all at Avoca beach, so she's arranged for her colleagues at Copacabana to exhibit some of the entries. This will greatly add to the experience of visting Copacabana while doing the 5 Lands Walk.
28 May - Latitude 33 Composer Yantra de Vilder wins prestigious award for instrumental composition
Last night (27 May) the 2010 Johny Dennis International Music Awards were held at NSW Government House. Australia's richest music award is given in three categories, best song, best movie theme and best instrumental and it was Avoca Beach resident Yantra de Vilder who took out the instrumental category from about 1000 entries across the nation and the world. Asked how she felt after receiving her award , de Vilder said, 'I feel honored andprivileged to be chosen from amongst some of Australia's finest composers!' Yantra is the composer of Latitude 33, one of the major lead-up events of this year's 5 Lands Walk, being premiered at the Avoca Beach Theatre on Saturday 26 June.
Yantra de Vilder (centre) proudly shows her Award
18 May - Photo Competition entry information
5 Lands Walk President, Con Ryan of Avoca Beach, issued astatement today, reminding anyone with a camera to start thinking about entering the 5 Lands Walk photo competition. Photos should be taken over the weekend of 28 to 30 May. They must be taken anywhere in the 5 Lands and should try to capture the Spirit of the 5 Lands. Entries should be submitted by 11 June 2010. He noted that the competition isn't necessarily about the best technical photo, but the photo that best captures the Spirit of the 5 Lands - "So anyone who can point a camera or mobile phone and press the shutter button stands a chance of winning. You don't need to know anything about pixels, white balance or f stops. Just capture the Spirit the way you see it". He also noted the invaluable support of Canon Australia and John Ralph's Camera House of Erina for the prizes and processing support.
3 May - Official Launch of 5 Lands Walk 2010 at Terrigal Haven
The 5 Lands Walk was officially launched today by Mr Tony Kelly, Minister for Lands, representing the Premier, Kristina Kenneally, at a ceremony at Terrigal Haven. The Premier sent her best wishes for the event, but apologised she could not attend personally, and asked Tony Kelly to represent her. When launching the Walk, Tony Kelly drew a parrallel between the 5 lands Walk and Italy's famous Cinquaterra and the benefits that walk has brought to the communities through which it passes. Minister Tony Kelly launches the 5 Lands Walk. R to L: Gosford Mayor Chris Holstein, NZ Consul General Sarah Craig and Parliamentary Secretary Davis Harris were amongst the dignitories attending. Respected Aboriginal Elder Jacko Smith paid respect to the Elders of the land, past and present, and spoke with emotion about the significant role that the 5 Lands Walk is taking in connecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities on the Central Coast. He especially acknowledged the work of Gavi Duncan and Phil Bligh.
Aboriginal Elder Jacko Smith
Gavi Duncan and Jacko Smith acknowledge Elders past and present
Minister Tony Kelly launches the 5 Lands Walk
Chris Holstein, Mayor of Gosford City
The Mayor of Gosford, Chris Holstein spoke about the importance of the 5 Lands Walk to the community, the Council's support for it and it's investment, with the NSW Dept of Lands, in a study to design and construct a safe and culturally interesting permanent walkway from MacMasters Beach to Terrigal. He also envisages the continuation of the major celebration each year to showcase the talents of communities along the way, the local Aboriginal community and the various ethnic communities that are now part of the 5 lands Walk. Mayor Holstein then accepted the 5 Lands Walk Message stick from the Aboriginal community and read the Message to the gathering. He then took the message on the first steps of its journey, by walking it to local Aboriginal youth Jesse Lifu-Bligh, and asked him to be the guardian of the stick, bring it to all the events of the 5 Lands Walk this year, and ensure it's return to the safe custody of the Aboriginal Elders at the end of the Walk on 3 July.
Jesse Lifu-Bligh accepts the Message Stick from the Mayor, Chris Holstein
A Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, by Robert Sampson, assisted by Leroy and Gavi, ensured the spiritual safety of all the 5 Lands Walk events and cleansed the spirits of all attendees.
The fire in the coolamon is lit for the ceremony
Robert Sampson perfoms a ceremonial dance to connect with Mother Earth
Con Ryan, President of 5 Lands Walk Inc, the organiser of the event, acknowledged the nearly 200 volunteers needed to stage the event. He also talked about the increased connection with the ethnic communities to add colour, interest, variety and excitement to the event's program. His advice was - "put the date, 3 July, in your diary - it will be a fantastic event. And visit www.5landswalk.com.au to keep up to date with what's on."
Con Ryan, Avoca Beach resident and President of 5 Lands Walk Inc, welcomes all guests
1 May - Message Stick
Members of the 5 Lands Walk organisers met in Mt Yengo National Park to learn more about the Aboriginal heritage of this important site, and to create the Message that will accompany the message Stick on it's journey through the 5 Lands.
Members of the organising committee discuss the wording of the message to accompany the 5 Lands Walk Message Stick
Yango - the mountain where Biamie departed to the skies after finishing his creative tasks during the Dreamtime. The mountain top was flattened when he stepped on it. Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 20,000 years.
29 April - 5 Lands Walk - an Award winner!
The 2009 5 Lands Walk is announced winner of the NSW Local Government & Shires Association Award in the category of Aboriginal Cultural Development for Aboriginal Arts.