“That’s the festival done and dusted for another year!”, declared a bone-weary Culburra Beach Festival President, Kingston Anderson on Sunday evening, as he and his fellow festival committee members proceeded to clear chairs and tables from the Waratah Hall after another successful Boomers Bash. For the committee, setting up the annual festival is a mammoth task and a labour of love that requires all hands to the pump for several weeks leading up to the event. Fortunately, there was no lack of willing hands this year, with the festival attracting a record number of volunteers to bump in the two stages, to help manage the event over three days and then pack it all down again at the end.

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Hoorah Events operated by Monica Willis and her team, outdid themselves this year with the lighting, transforming the Crookhaven Park soccer field into a breath-taking arena that attracted thousands of music and arts lovers to our town. Treasurer Penny Smith was pleased to report that audience numbers were 18% higher than the previous year. “Putting money back into the festival coffers is critical to the ongoing life of the festival”, she said.

The market stalls were well-patronised on Saturday morning and operated in tandem with the community entertainment which attracted a predominantly local crowd. A highlight was the stirring Welcome to Country given by Auntie Delia Wellington who spoke about the need for co-operation and harmony in this time of enormous social and political upheaval in other parts of the world.  Her speech was poignantly illustrated by the Culburra Primary School children’s moving performance of “Culunghutti”, a song that celebrates the sacred mountain that overlooks our town and can be seen from many vantage points around Culburra Beach and Orient Point.

 

This year, the Culburra’s Got Talent quest was sponsored by Power FM and featured a wide range of talent of all ages. Audiences were treated to performances by a band, a guitar duo, a stand-up comedian, an actor and an array of talented musicians. Breakfast radio personality Issy Carpone presented the top prize to fledgling songbird Olivia Foti  who sang and played her own composition on guitar. Olivia won $600 and the opportunity to perform on Power FM radio. The junior prize went to another young aspiring female singer/songwriter Silvie Smyth.

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The addition of a Teepee which provided both shade and a chillout zone for kids and adults, was heavily patronised, and, on Friday night, it became the scene of much imaginative and energetic play involving the festival mascot Burra Bear. Burra’s handler Karyn Knowles had to carry out some urgent repairs on Burra Bear’s vehicle overnight to restore it to working condition for the Saturday youngsters, who also engaged with Burra in the teepee while their parents enjoyed the music. Burra Bear is still recovering. But rest assured he will be back in top form for the Burradise Easter Bash.

 

The wide range of music on offer attracted impressive crowds on Friday and Saturday night, with audiences moving between the two stages to dance and soak up the vibes. A highlight was JJ Spence Band - local Culburra musicians - who had the entire audience up on their feet, enjoying their unique brand of coastal and African-influenced beats.

Friday night featured two first class blues acts with the Frank Sultana Blues Band and Tall Shaun and the Resolution. Both artists brought the southern USA blues to town with passion and conviction, getting the festival off to a dynamic start.

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With 30 artists playing over the three days, the festival featured several outstanding female performers, including powerhouse singer and guitarist Kathleen Halloran whose Jimi Hendrix influences were apparent in virtuoso lead breaks that had the crowd screaming as loudly as her guitar. A popular artist last year, Genevieve Chadwick was a crowd-pleaser again with her driving acoustic rhythms and signature gravelly vocals. Three bands - The Lady Beans, The Huneez, and a mostly-girl band iteration of the Casuarina Light Orchestra - treated us to some sweet-as-pie pop tunes that kept the crowd moving vertically for hours.

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On Saturday, Goese from Canberra brought their own die-hard following to the oval mosh pit, delivering a quirky set that undoubtedly attracted new fans to their highly-original repertoire and in-your-face style. Benji and the Saltwater Sound System brought the mainstage entertainment to a close with their infectious reggae rhythms accented by their usual tight brass section.

The Café Trail was well patronised on both Saturday and Sunday morning, with live music attracting customers to local café businesses. The festival committee are considering ways of extending this event to include more businesses next year.

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The Boomers Bash, which caters to audiences who like to dance to familiar tunes, celebrated iconic Aussie rock and sold out a month before the event. Les Gock’s The Sunbakers tested the Waratah Hall to its limits with an energetic mosh pit that would rival any Swiftie concert, proving once again that old rockers still have stamina on the dance floor.

 

The festival is a wonderful celebration of our town and the festival committee is indebted to the sponsors who assist in cash or kind, and to the volunteers who contribute their time, muscle and goodwill to make the Culburra Beach Festival an event of which we can all be proud.  

Claire Haywood - Secretary

Published in November 2025 Burra Buzz