In October 1976, a leaflet was distributed from the Parliament House office of Dr Jim Cairns. It was a statement inviting all ‘who feel the need for radical change’ to a forthcoming event. It stated that the event would be host to: Aborigines, ethnic communities, women’s liberation groups, peace activists, homosexuals, lesbians, members of rural and city communes and co-operatives and those concerned with self-management and work democracy, law reform, ideology, theories of social change, alternative food, health, energy, living structures, education, psychotherapy, yoga and meditation. (Rawlins 1982:24)
The result was the first “Down to Earth” festival, which occurred in December 1976, on the Cotter River Recreation Reserve, in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory), where 10,000 – 15,000 people came together.
30 years on and it’s still going strong – this is an event unique to the world.
You should be a part of it!
Images:
Sophie G Oliver
Confest Facebook Group c/o Stavi Gouros
Lars Nissen Photography
Confest Hippy
Spinferno
The Voice Harmonic
Bravo Charlie TV
Music c/o http://www.ListeningEarth.com.au
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