Sean Kenan'sFiddler's Convention |
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For the past 25 years the fiddler's convention has been held at camp Eureka near Yarra Junction in the hills overlooking Melbourne. Most of the buildings at camp Eureka are made of bush poles and off cuts from the mill, because of a shortage of building materials after the Second World War. The camp was built in the 1940's and still remains in the hands of a collective. The Eureka youth league was formed in December 1941 and went on to construct camp Eureka as a socialist youth training camp. Activities included volleyball, bushwalking, swimming, concerts, films, dancing and music.
The fiddler's convention carries on some of these traditions. There is a road bowls match Saturday afternoons, camping and music making the whole weekend. Workshops start Saturday morning and cover styles like Irish, Bluegrass and Old Time fiddle.
There are even double bass, mandolin, dancing and singing workshops held the same day. In the evening a dance is held to live music provided by fiddlers and musicians attending the convention. After the dance a bluegrass concert is held in one of the huts. This year I took my camera and invite you to look at the photos. Sean Kenan.