Overview
Desert Daze in early June at Lake Dunn north of Aramac and Pentland west of Charters Towers celebrates the Desert Uplands country, community and Committee. Actively assisting land managers and livestock producers over twenty-five years, the Desert Uplands Committee brings together presenters, specialists and artists, locals and visitors, to gather, enjoy and learn, reflect, be challenged and be creative.
Vicki Mayne, Damian O’Sullivan and Chelsea Jarvis of the Northern Australia Climate Program (University of Southern Queensland & QDAF) will detail the principle drivers of the region’s climate, upskilling producers to make better use of forecasts. Research and producer updates will share key learnings and information on the Wambiana Grazing Trials and other current industry projects and issues. These Monday sessions will be prefaced by Sunday tours to beef properties Fortuna and Lake Dunn, and a shared meal with MLA board member (representing northern producers) Russell Lethbridge. Cathy Drummond will sing us into the nights.
Recent good rains will make for interesting birding walks, guided by Birdlife Australia members, whilst scientists lead walks to discover this desert’s ecological secrets. Scrapmetalsheila, aka metal sculptress Milynda Rogers will lead the touring to her now-famous roadside artworks, Suzanne Thompson will show us Tuttaburra (formerly Gracevale) and its rich Indigeneity, and Bush Heritage’s Edgbaston’s Reserve Tour will highlight contemporary conservation. Professional cinematographers, video editors and drone operators demonstrate the capture of still and moving imagery, for property and artistic use; and then how to tighten and upload these digital pictures. Ecoartist Scott Maxwell, an experienced community and multi-discipline artist will direct participatory sessions to create two and three-D contemplative artworks from mixed medium and foraged finds.
Camping is available at Lake Dunn and Pentland Caravan Park and Hotel – Book your site with Jo on 46510565 (Lake Dunn) and 47881148 (Caravan Park) & 47881106 (Pub) respectively, with tent & sleeping bag hiring available from Suzanne on 0488955935/46510700 (Lake Dunn only). Food and drink is available for vans on Sunday at the Lake and from the cafes in Pentland. Hence, please, after reviewing the program, follow through to the booking page so our complimentary shared meals and tour packs are supplied correctly. For any booking assistance, ring Robyn on 0447179974.
Program
Saturday 4th June – Desert Rec Club, Lake Dunn
- Afternoon Birding Walk, led by Allan Briggs & Team. Meet at 4.00pm at Rec Club
- Afternoon Ecology Walk, led by Julianna McCosker. Meet at 4.30pm at Rec Club
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell. From 2.00pm around Art Tent near Rec Club
- Casual Welcome BBQ and Welcome to Country. Gather at Rec Club from 6:30pm
- Evening Entertainment by Cathy Drummond
- Group Night Light Painting with Scott Maxwell. Meet at Art Tent at 9.00pm
Sunday 5th June – Desert Rec Club, Lake Dunn
- Morning Birding Walk, led by Allan Briggs & Team. Meet at 6.30am at Rec Club
- Day Tour to Tuttaburra. Bus departs 8.30am from Rec Club. Packed lunch & smoko
- Day Tour to Edgbaston. Bus departs 8.40am from Rec Club. Packed lunch & smoko
- Sculpture Trail Day Tour. Bus departs 8.50am from Rec Club. Packed lunch & smoko
- Morning Tour to Lake Dunn. Tag Along departs 9.00am from Rec Club. Packed smoko
- Afternoon Tour to Fortuna. Tag Along departs 1.30am from Rec Club. Packed smoko
- Once these buses are fully booked, Tag Along in private vehicles.
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell. From 9.00am around Art Tent near Rec Club
- Photography, Videography and Drone Sessions, with George Koulakis and Lior Cohen from 9:30am
- Food and drinks available all day from two catering vans at the Lake
- Long Table Dinner with Russell Lethbridge. From 6.00pm, Lake’s Edge near Rec Club
- Evening Entertainment by Cathy Drummond
- Group Night Light Painting with Scott Maxwell. Meet at Art Tent at 9.00pm
Monday 6th June – Desert Rec Club, Lake Dunn
- Morning Birding Walk, led by Allan Briggs & Team. Meet at 6.30am at Rec Club
- Meet & Greet. Tea, Coffee & Catch-up at the Rec Club from 8.00am
- From 8.30am: Northern Australia Climate Program – Forecasting For Decision Making Sessions/Workshop; with Damien Sullivan QDAF & Vicki Mayne USQ. Plus during the day:
- WambianaGold with Peter O’Reagain, QDAF
- MLA Update with Russell Lethbridge
- Girl Power Project Update
- Regional Producer Update with Jane Tincknell, QDAF
- Biosecurity Update with Dan Burton, QDAF
- Drought Hub Update with Ally Murray
- DCQ & Weed Update
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell. From 9.00am around Art Tent near Rec Club
- Photography, Videography and Drone Sessions, with George Koulakis and Lior Cohen from 9:30am
- Smokos & Lunches will be provided at the Rec Club
- Casual BBQ. Gather at Rec Club from 6.30pm
- Evening Entertainment by Cathy Drummond
- PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH TO BOOKING PAGE, FOR CATERING NUMBERS
- For booking assistance, please ring Robyn on 0447179974
Tuesday 7th & Wedneday 8th June – Desert Rec Club, Lake Dunn
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell continue around Art Tent near Rec Club
Friday 10th June – Pentland Hall
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell commence near the Pentland Hall
- Afternoon Birding Walk, led by Allan Briggs & Team. Meet at 4.00pm at Rec Club
- Afternoon Ecology Walk, led by Julianna McCosker. Meet at 4.30pm at Rec Club
Saturday 11th June – Pentland Hall, Pentland
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell, all day near Pentland Hall
- Afternoon Birding Walk, leaves from Pentland Hall at 4.30pm
- Casual BBQ and Movie Night with Top Of The Grid Videos from 6:00am
Sunday 12th June – Pentland Hall
- Morning Birding Walk. Meet at 6.30am at Hall
- Day Tour to White Mountains National Park. Bus departs 8.30am from Hall. Packed lunch & smoko
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell. From 9.00am near Hall
- Photography, Videography and Drone Sessions, with Lior Cohen
- Food and drinks available all day from town cafes from 9:30am
- Long Table Dinner with Russell Lethbridge. From 6.00pm, Pentland Hall
- Evening Entertainment by Cathy Drummond
Monday 13th June – Pentland Hall
- Morning Birding Walk. Meet at 6.30am at Hall
- Meet & Greet. Tea, Coffee & Catch-up at Hall from 8.00am
- From 8.30am: Northern Australia Climate Program – Forecasting For Decision Making Sessions/Workshop; with Damien Sullivan QDAF & Chelsea Jarvis USQ. Plus during the day:
- WambianaGold with Peter O’Reagain, QDAF
- MLA Update with Russell Lethbridge
- Girl Power Project Update
- Regional Producer Update with QDAF, Charters Towers
- Drought Hub Update with David Phelps
- NQDT & Weed Update
- Creative Sessions with Scott Maxwell. From 9.00am near Hall
- Photography, Videography and Drone Sessions, with Lior Cohen
- Smokos & Lunches will be provided at the Hall
- Casual BBQ. Gather at Rec Club from 6.30pm
- Evening Entertainment by Cathy Drummond
- Group Night Light Painting with Scott Maxwell. Meet at the Hall at 9.00pm
- PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH TO BOOKING PAGE, FOR CATERING NUMBERS
- For booking assistance, please ring Robyn on 0447179974