The arts feature strongly at this year’s National Rural Health Conference thanks to a major program put together by Regional Arts Board Murray Arts which will put arts and culture right at the heart of a healthy lifestyle in rural Australia for around 1,000 health professionals from around the country.
Conference delegates will get to hear about existing projects of national significance and learn new skills in a range of workshops based on successful arts in health programs, as well as being entertained by song, dance, circus, exhibitions and other performances throughout the three days.
Delegates will also make their own entertainment, coming together each morning to sing and finally perform as a choir at the conference’s conclusion.
In development since June 2006, the art and health program was funded by the
National Rural Health Alliance and the Australia Council for the Arts’ CCD
Board.
Fruit Bats - Older persons' circus
Older adults (40 years and over) in the North Eastern Victoria and Albury area
who perform a range of comedy and circus skills. Participants increase their flexibility,
strength and balance and have a great deal of fun and camaraderie, regardless
of age.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus
Australia's premier youth performing arts company, who are world renowned and
traveled performers.
Murray Conservatorium
A community education institution offering many exciting ensemble activities including
'Orchestras Alive!' (the Murray Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra and All Comers
Ensemble), 'Move 2 Groove' (stage band), Flute and Clarinet Ensembles, and 'Voices
of the Murray' (youth choir).
Somebody's Daughter and HighWater Theatre
A unique intergenerational program which combines women ex-prisoners with a history
of drug addiction and institutionalisation who have broken the cycle, working
with at-risk youth who are in the early stages of a similar cycle. From this potent
combination emerges a stunning new play Catch a Star - Falling about growing
up on the fringe in country Victoria where 'a good catch' can make all the difference.
(Presenting performances and a workshop).
James Rigby and Jane Thompson and the Conference Choir
Full-time musicians and singers from Maldon who will be encouraging, coaxing and
coercing as many delegates as possible to start the day uplifted, relaxed and
energised by singing. No experience or skills required -shower-only singers are
especially welcome! They will also discuss the beneficial effects of singing on
health, both for the individual and the community, drawing on their own experience
of working with singing in a variety of settings, and also on the collected research
and breadth of work of Community Music Victoria.
Arts-in-Health conference stream
Additional sessions on: festivals for healthy living (Pyramid Hill); art therapy
from the Royal Flying Doctor base in Longreach; and a dance and film for people
with a disability (Club Wild).
Arts-in-Health featured speaker
Marily Cintra, founder of the Health and Arts Research Centre which works to advance
the synergy between arts, culture and well being will be presenting a session
at the conference.
Exhibition
There will be a photographic exhibition at the conference, and a photographic
team will film delegates to make up a composite 'face of rural health' to show
on the final day.
Ephemeral sculpture project
Delegates will mix with the local community at Todos Arte - an ephemeral
but significant (6.8m high) sculpture workshop project representing land, river
and harmony, which will transform the heart of Wodonga's CBD for a month at the
time of the conference.
Full program on the 9th National Rural Health Conference website [here]
Chris Pidd at Murray Arts compiled the arts in health program and is available
for interview and further briefing. Chris can also organize interviews and filming
of performers prior to and during conference.
Megan Stoyles has general conference media details
Contact Megan Stoyles Mobile 0408 147 829
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