Girgarre’s eco-friendly concert ends on a high note

By Jemma Jones

May 15, 2024

Big crowd: This year’s Girgarre Junkestra was attended by hundreds of residents and visitors. Photos: Lynton Targett

Hundreds of music enthusiasts gathered with their chairs and picnic blankets at the Girgarre Soundshell on Sunday, April 28 for an afternoon of environmentally friendly music.

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Led by renowned artist Graeme Leak, over 40 musicians from across regional Victoria took to the stage with instruments crafted solely from recycled materials for the 2024 Girgarre Junkestra concert.

The musicians, amateur and professional, travelled from as far as Albury and Bendigo to perform in the concert.

Junkestra was formed in 2018 under the creative direction of Mr Leak with the participation and collaboration of Girgarre residents.

Irene Labbett, a Girgarre Development Group member and Girgarre’s monthly music camp organiser, said the afternoon was “incredible”.

“Everyone was really thrilled with how it turned out, especially the people in the junkestra,” Mrs Labbett said.

“The crowd loved it, and it was wonderful to see people who had never played an instrument pick up a home made instrument with one string and make music just by paying attention to Graeme and his composing.”

Mrs Labbett said while another junkestra was yet to be organised, the Girgarre community was seeking to have Mr Leak return with his percussion skills for another program.