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The Mount Warning Hotel, Uki’s rustic watering hole was all geared up to have a fundraiser for a not-for-profit organisation when it fell through. Rod Harris, Treasurer for the Community Technology Centre, intimately aware of its struggles to pay the rent and a good buddy of the publican, was there at the right time and convinced him to carry on with the fundraiser and have it for the embattled CTC.
It was to be a fancy dress affair cum karaoke, a combination that is guaranteed to make for a fun night. It sure was. Heart-warming to see such a bunch of lovely people come out to support us by having a good time. Here are some pics of those raising the fun.

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Ukitopia Fest 2009

Spring warming up saw the  Ukitopia Celebration erupt amongst us yet again, bigger & better even than last year’s Inaugural.

There are music shows all through Saturday afternoon, mostly by our youngsters. Teens performing like pros while in the various spaces around the stage the primary school crowd is busy preparing party props. The school grounds themselves are turned into the ‘Eco Expo’, a gallery of displays around ‘sustainability lane’.

Towards the end of the arvo it is time for the ceremonial moment of the gathering. Organiser Natascha Wernick gets on stage to start proceedings.
Throughout the day a wishing wall  has been available for us to make our wishes on and after a hearty welcome she reads the wish list out to the universe. A touching moment, putting big smiles on many faces. When ending her speech by encouraging us to ‘be the love’, this becomes a chant, chanted by the entire congregation. It is becoming positively sacramental.

Some of the more spontaneous revellers are already on their feet but when Deya Dova joins in on stage and lets her magnificent voice fly, the Holy Spirit does indeed descend and makes us all partake of that much heralded Uki Unity. When invited to follow Natascha to the Hall to open the ‘Images of Uki’ Exhibition the congregation transubstantiates into a very procession. The party is on!

A celebration of Uki’s life, arts and culture. Even the food snacks at the exhibition are works of art. One groovy band after another keeps the dancers dancing under the stars. An eclectic mob of all ages, all kinds spilling out across the road. For the more contemplative there is a series of concerts in the church.

Sunday is Market Day so the colourful Buttery Bazaar is the cosy back-drop to more festivities, a long line-up of more of that local excellence. There is a spectacular performance of the vaudeville Pitt Family circus. A brother/sister duo that besides their comedy and stunning feats have a most poignant way of interacting with one another because of a kind of rudeness one only finds within the closeness between siblings.

There is also an Elder’s tent where indigenous and non indigenous elders regale us with interesting tales of old.

All in all it’s a fantastic success. Ukitopia is a phrase well chosen. A high content of those who live here does indeed reckon they live in a utopia. No matter how famous, the local talent is always willing to give it all to our romantic little village. Is it perhaps living under the gaze of that awesome mountain that keeps us humble?

It sure looks like this terrific event is becoming a tradition. See ya next year.

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At the CTC...

The winds of change have freshened up the look and feel of our Community Technology Centre. A set of sparkling new computers has been installed and staff has gone through a bit of a reshuffle. Rod has taken on the roll as Treasurer, Max is having fun as the Secretary and Ida is back aboard as Chairwoman extraordinaire. Carolyn, after a stint of teaching Art in Melbourne,  has returned to help us with our troubles in Photoshop, Wendy teaches Computer Basics en Media Artiste Guido is there to help you sculpt your video footage and  is on hand to cybernate your business, your art, dreams, whatever.

See you there!

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