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Sydney ConFesters Gatherings are about experiencing community in an environmentally sustainable way: helping and sharing in activities including setting up, creating facilities, communal cooking spaces, running and attending workshops and packing up. It's open to everyone including families with children -- no specific skills or requirements are needed.

[This page was designed with the previous location of Ironbark in mind. Some of the information regarding location and food requirements may be out of date.
See specific information about upcoming events for current details. ]

How do I get involved?

Sydney ConFesters is run by volunteers, so there is always plenty to do during the gathering as well as beforehand.

  1. Subscribe to the Sydney ConFesters mailing list so you are informed about new events.
  2. Come to one of the fortnightly planning meetings in Sydney. Attending regular planning meetings is a good way to get to know the people involved. Dates for these meetings are on the Sydney ConFesters Calendar
  3. Attend Sydney ConFesters :-)

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT

Sydney ConFesters festivals are different to most other get-togethers. Please read this introduction to see if Sydney ConFesters is what you really want.

  • There are no staff or volunteers at Sydney ConFest - everyone there does what needs to be done and also what makes a festival exceptional. If you just want to pay an entry fee and the have work done for you, then Sydney ConFest is not for you.
  • Sydney ConFesters is about learning to live together and care for each other - be careful that your words and actions don’t conflict with the standards and needs of those around you.
  • Sydney ConFesters love to get high on life. If you like to drink alcohol or use drugs to feel good, then Sydney ConFest is not for you. Do not bring alcohol or illegal drugs.
  • Many Sydney ConFesters enjoy the company of pets, but at Sydney ConFesters we are camped close together - you will not be allowed to enter if you bring any pets.
  • Sydney ConFesters enjoy the beauty of the Australian bush - please do not play any recorded music and do not smoke in communal areas.
  • Sydney ConFesters is all about sharing - do not bring any items or services to sell.
  • Sydney ConFesters enjoy diversity and freedom - you will be welcome if you choose to wear clothing all the time or if you choose to wear no clothing.
  • Sydney Confesters practice minimal-impact camping.
  • Sydney ConFesters is a place for people to feel free to learn and do things differently - being photographed or filmed makes it much harder to do this. Do not take photographs of people until you have everyone’s agreement to be photographed. Children under 16 may only be photographed if their parents are present and they agree. Do not take any videos at Sydney ConFest, even from mobile phones.

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  • Set up commences around 9am on the first day, with everyone helping to erect the kitchens, chai tent and chai kitchen, kid's and workshop spaces, hot tub and steam room, toilets etc.
  • Small welcome Circles are usually held each day.
  • Getting to know each other (with lots of chai) all happen while the facilities are being erected as a group activity. When completed, workshops, activities and hangout days can begin, with even more getting to know each other.
  • There is an informal concert either on Friday or Saturday evening.
  • The last day of the gathering is pack up day where we play together, removing our presence from the site and finishing with a beautiful Closing Ceremony.
  • There are always lots of newcomers and we aim to make everyone welcome -- if you are a newcomer, go and say hello to someone and ask for an orientation. If you've been before -- share the joy. Hugs are the order of the day -- but please remember to ask first!
  • If you see something that needs doing, please do it or ask how to get it done. See the Tasks Board for tasks to be done. You can help in the kitchen, front gate, setting up marquees, maintenance of amenities, cleaning, site care, etc. Please offer your assistance regularly, as we are all part of the team.
  • Action will be taken in the event of inappropriate behaviour of attendees at ConFesters Gatherings. Inappropriate behaviour may relate to the use of drugs and alcohol, sexual or physical harassment or inappropriateness, mistreatment of the site or breaches of policy or conditions.
  • Notice Board is the place for any general or specific notices you wish to convey to others.
  • We depend on your feedback so we can keep improving Sydney ConFesters gatherings. Please put any feedback on the Notice Board, in the ConFesters feedback book, or email to sydneyconfesters@hotmail.com.

Workshops

  • Anyone can run a workshop and anyone can attend a workshop (check the Workshop Noticeboard). Workshop attendees need to be aware that Sydney ConFesters does not oversee workshops and you attend at your own risk.
  • All workshops are free.
  • Workshop spaces will be set up as part of the general group activity.
  • Please bring all equipment and items necessary to run your workshop. No power is available on site.
  • Workshop spaces are booked by entering details on the Workshop blackboard.

CONCERT

There is at least one performance night over the weekend. Please bring ideas, musical instruments, jokes, costumes, etc. that you may like to use as part of the performance. Get together with some new friends and be creative.

WHAT'S PROVIDED

  • Entry cost is payable at the front gate. (Your work contribution occurs during the festival). Cash only and exact money please.
  • Part of the entry ticket is a work contribution. Our combined efforts create this community -- and you get to choose what suits you: site set-up, daily community functions and activities (e.g. gathering firewood etc), ongoing site maintenance of all kinds and site pack-up. Ask what needs doing or check the Tasks Board. (Workshops are optional and not part of your work obligations.)
  • No matter when you arrive, all attendees will be charged the full entry fee.
  • There are plans to erect a kitchens, chai tent, basic outdoor showers and toilets, workshop spaces, steam room and a hot tub. Basic first aid materials will be available.

ITEMS TO BRING

As the festival is camping-based, we have included a list of useful items you may consider bringing as none of these items will be provided (labeling your gear will help identify them if lost):

  • Camping gear: Tent, appropriately insulated sleeping bag or doona for the season, rug, groundsheet, torch.
  • Eating gear: Personal plate, bowl, eating utensils, coffee/chai mug (suggest in a carry bag so they don't get lost) Care for the environment - please do not bring disposables.
  • Clothes: Warm or light clothes (depending on the season it, could be cold at night), hat, good walking shoes, rain jacket, swimming gear (all optional of course).
  • Extras: Chair, acoustic musical instruments, additional snack foods (only midday and evening meals are provided), water bottles, sunscreen, first aid and insect repellent. Earplugs will help to reduce noise. Gardening gloves and secateurs if you'd like to help with the blackberry eradication. Smokers please bring portable ashtrays/film canisters.
  • Workshops: If you would like to run a workshop(s) please bring appropriate equipment.

THE ENVIRONMENT

  • The gathering is likely to proceed regardless of weather conditions. However, please check for updates on the website & Sydney ConFesters yahoo group.
  • To encourage the best gathering experience for everyone we remind attendees to act respectfully with and around each other and communicate honestly, keeping in mind that everyone has different personal boundaries. Please remember your neighbours may be sleeping, before commencing your activities.
  • Please take all rubbish and waste with you at the end of the weekend, including cigarette butts.
  • Only two campfires are allowed on site (communal area and front gate). Due to fire hazard, site hire regulations state no other naked flames are allowed (except in the kitchens).
  • The use of the hot tub and creek is not advised if you have open wounds.
  • Tree branches may fall. Take care when choosing your site.
  • To protect the trees, please do not park under trees.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

There is no Mobile coverage at the Sydney ConFesters site. You will need to drive approximately 10km to get coverage on other networks or public phone in Spencer. Emergency contact to the site may be available through Gail on 02 9484 1097.

VEHICLE ACCESS

  • Drive in and park as shown. Separate Parking areas for: Gypsy (camping in or beside the car); and Car Free (not camping near your car). To optimize tent spaces please do not park vehicles close to river or under trees.
  • Access to the site is only permitted during the Sydney ConFesters gathering.
  • To minimise vehicle impact on the site, plan to remain on site for the duration of the gathering.
  • No public transport is available to the site. The nearest railway station on route is Gosford or Hornsby, (a Sydney suburb) both about 45 minutes from the site. Car-pooling is encouraged.
  • All tracks on the site are unsealed dirt, which may become slippery after rain - drive carefully.

WHERE TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM THE SYDNEY CONFESTERS SITE IS NECESSARY

Sydney ConFesters temporarily leaving the site are to give their tickets to the front gate attendees who will mark them with a pass out. On re-entering the site the mark will be removed from the tickets by the front gate attendees.

CAR-POOLING

Please use car-pooling as much as possible. Requests or offers of car-pooling can be emailed to sydneyconfesters@yahoogroups.com.au at least 4 days before the gathering please! When offering or requesting a lift please provide full contact details, the date, time and place of departure or pickup point, such as a convenient railway station. No guarantee is provided that a lift will be available for you but we'll do our best.

SYDNEY CONFESTERS YAHOO GROUP

You can join the Sydney ConFesters Yahoo Group to keep in touch with upcoming events, see pictures of previous gatherings and access background information about the group. Simply go to

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/sydneyconfesters/ click on "Join this group" and type in your name and password. It's quick and easy!

DISCLAIMER
Whilst every care is taken by the Down To Earth Coop and Sydney ConFesters, they assume no responsibility and accept no liability for the activities of patrons or for any loss, injury or damage suffered or incurred by patrons whilst attending the gathering or whilst located on the Sydney ConFesters site.

ORGANISERS RIGHTS

Down to Earth and Sydney ConFesters reserve the right to:

  • Refuse entry to the Sydney ConFesters Gatherings site.
  • Remove persons from the Sydney ConFesters Gatherings site.
  • Require vehicles blocking access or parked inappropriately to be moved.
  • Require persons to leave if accompanied by a pet.
  • Change festival dates or location with limited notification.

No written, aural or visual record of this event may be made without the prior permission of Down To Earth. Down to Earth reserves all rights to publication of any or all records of the Sydney ConFesters Gathering. Permission will only be granted to make such records on the condition that the individual agrees to transfer the copyright in the records to Down to Earth.

IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THE GATHERING

please contact one of these people: Marie (02 9589 0261) or Jimmy or Gail (02 9484 1097)

or email to sydneyconfesters@hotmail.com