Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival

Subject: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 03 Oct 99 - 11:21 PM

G'day,
The Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival will be held at Toongabbie (where else) this weekend, 8th & 9th October.

Click here for details.

There will be a half price admission fee for anyone wearing a Mudcat tee shirt on Saturday.

The festival takes its name from the song "MORETON BAY" from our convict era. Click here to see the words (found in the Digital Tradition of course).

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 02:48 AM

Alan, How far is Toongabbie from the CBD? How often do you attend? Regards, John

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: alison
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 04:39 AM

Maybe 20 km (40mins drive)... will you be in Sydney this weekend John? It's 3 mins walk from Toongabbie train station. Alan actually runs it and we meet twice a month (2nd and 4th Fridays).

So if I wear my T-shirt I get in for half price do I????

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 05:03 AM

Yes Alison, and as an organiser yourself, if you don't wear it you can get in free. Take that any way you like.

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: alison
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 05:07 AM

Hahaha.. the first topless Folk Festival in Western Sydney...

scarey thought is that the others might try it too......

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 05:15 AM

I think the one you have in mind should be charged double if she tries it.

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: alison
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 05:19 AM

LOL

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 08:10 AM

Don't think I'll be in Sydney this weekend, but I often travel at short notice. Regards, John.

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 09:19 AM

What????? THE FAIR ONE topless at a folk festival............Look out, Foster, I am catching the first flight out..............you will know me, I will be the biggest Mick wearing a slinky dress with a Mudcat tee shirt over it, and a blonde wig..........LOL

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 11:25 AM

OK Mick the tee shirt gets you in at half price, but to perform you'll need your guitar as well. (Don't forget the spuds - we won't).

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Margo
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 11:57 AM

But why is it "cursed"?

Margarita

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Oct 99 - 07:33 PM

Margarita, Alan provided the clue in his first post. As a resident of Moreton Bay (now Brisbane and fortunately no longer part of New South Wales) may I provide you with the extract of the appropriate lyrics:

"I've been a prisoner at Port Macquarie,
At Norfolk Island and Emu Plains,
At Castle Hill and at cursed Toongabbie,
At all these settlements I've been in chains.
But of all the places of condemnation
And penal stations in New South Wales,
To Moreton Bay I have found no equal;
Excessive tyranny each day prevails".

Some uncharitable persons may suggest that tyranny prevails to this very day in Moreton Bay, but as I'm fond of saying "You can take away our happiness, but you can't take away our misery".

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 07:32 PM

Just keeping this in view.

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Lyle
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 09:18 PM

John in Brisbane said, "As a resident of Moreton Bay (now Brisbane and fortunately no longer part of New South Wales)..." As a resident of the US, I am not very familiar with, but I am a huge fan of, Australian folk songs and folklore, would you expand on the your perspective of New South Wales? I'm asking purely out of curiosity - no hidden meaning of any kind!

Thanks,

Lyle

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 09:44 PM

G'day,
Australia has had a few names since its European discovery: Terra Australis Incognito (actually that was before it was discovered, meaning great unknown south land), New Holland, then when the British colonised the eastern part, New South Wales, an area corresponding to the three eastern mainland states. This was then divided into Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Federation took place in 1901, a change to republic status will probably take place about a century later.

There is a lot of rivalry amongst the states, hence John's "fortunately" comment. I'm basically a Victorian (the home of the world's best footballers) although I was born in Grenfell NSW & now live in Sydney.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Lyle
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 10:16 PM

Alan - Thanks much; I appreciate it!

Lyle

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: alison
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 10:22 PM

Alan I gave the festival a plug on mudcat radio.. do I still have to be topless??

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 07 Oct 99 - 07:19 PM

Lyle, I've been crook for a couple of days, but Alan did an admirable job of explaining the history. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Cursed Toongabbie Folk Festival
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 08 Oct 99 - 02:44 AM

Just keeping the thread alive until the festival is well under way.