Welcoming the likes of Mojo Juju, Jess Ribeiro, HEXDEBT and more to the beach.
Port Phillip Bay surrounds Melbourne and its outer suburbs. The bay’s eastern shore was the first to prosper with St Kilda and Brighton becoming booming cultural centres and attracting an affluent populace. In recent decades Port Phillip’s western curve has seen significant growth, nowhere more so than Point Cook. Located 25 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Point Cook has cultivated a multicultural constituency and seen plentiful cafes and restaurants pop up within reach of the water’s edge.
Such population growth is positive, but it’s also putting a heck-load of stress on the natural environment. Day by the Bay’s second of two instalments in Point Cook is a free event that aims to bring awareness to the area’s environmental needs and celebrate local music, arts and community.
A stunning location
The benefits of living near Port Phillip Bay are manifold. Not only is it aesthetically charming, but it’s also a ready-to-hand recreational resource that attracts everyone from casual swimmers to dedicated surfers, eager sailors to plucky fisherpeople. It’s no wonder the population is ballooning.
The environmental cause
Rapid population growth has inevitably applied pressure to the area’s unique ecological make-up. Australia’s first nature connection charity, Remember The Wild, conceived Day by the Bay in order to educate people on how to care for this wonderful natural resource and preserve its biodiversity. Day by the Bay exists for this purpose, however that doesn’t mean there’s not a full moon of fun on offer.
The music
Fronted by headliner Mojo Juju, the music lineup features six Melbourne-based acts with a professed affinity with the water. Fresh off a massive Euro tour, Leah Senior is bringing her enchanting folk originals to the bay. Indie-folk maestros The Orbweavers will also perform and recorded their latest LP, Deep Leads, in the Merri Creek water catchment area which is closely entwined with the area’s geological features. Dylan Young will present songs from his debut Way Dynamic EP, What’s It All For Now, which takes cues from ’60s heroes Carole King and Brian Wilson. Celebrated singer-songwriter Jess Ribeiro will be premiering songs from the follow-up to 2015’s Kill It Yourself, displaying a turn towards vintage pop rock and psychedelia and capping off the lineup are Poison City-signees HEXDEBT whowill crank the volume with their anti-conformity punk rock.
Feed me
Food and drink options are many and varied. Naughty Frenchy will be flipping crepes and encouraging indulgence. The NZ Street Food team is offering Kiwi-inspired kai including raw fish and their Kiwi fried bread plate. Plus there’ll be donuts (Miss Love a Donut), ice cream (Cerminara), Thai super food (Fork Mama) and more. The options are endless.
Connect yo self
Adults are invited to join one of two Nature Connections sessions centred on connecting with nature through meditation, poetry and beach exploration, as well as enhancing one’s ability to observe nature. Participation is free but bookings are essential for some sessions.
Environmentally focused artist Mark Trinham will be conducting a sea creature-themed ice carving demonstration. There’ll also be face painting and educational stalls hosted by the Dolphin Research Institute, Port Phillip EcoCentre, Marine Mammal Foundation, environmental solutions group B-Alternative and loads more.
The fine print
It’s free-flippin-entry and all the family are welcome. The event runs from 12pm until 7pm and is completely alcohol-free. Point Cook’s not the easiest place to get to via public transport, but how about a scenic bicycle ride from either William’s Landing or Hoppers Crossing train station? It’s roughly 11kms and there’ll be spots to lock up your bike at the event site.
Day by the Bay is ultra waste conscious, so everyone is encouraged to bring reusable coffee cups, plates and cutlery. Doing so will get you a discount on any food and drinks purchased. It’ll also make you feel like a total legend. If you’re not equipped with such equipment, reusable kits can be hired on the day. You’ll still feel like a legend for hiring one.
It’s also down by the friggin’ bay, so bring your swimming gear or a footy and get down early to enjoy some fun and games before the festival kicks off at 12pm.
Day by the Bay second instalment at Point Cook goes down on Saturday March 23. Head to the festival website for more information.
