School of Untourism
The first edition of The Walking Festival has now been completed
and was a huge success.
We look forward to future iterations both within East Gippsland and beyond.
If you would like to hold a Walking Festival in your area
please contact the curator; Lichen Kelp via email
lichenkemp@gmail.com
Thankyou to Nella Fullard for her fantastic documentation of the Walking Festival
and a special thankyou to Alfie Hudson for his Welcome to Country
and all the artists, ecologists and locals who took part in making the wonderful walks a reality!
and was a huge success.
We look forward to future iterations both within East Gippsland and beyond.
If you would like to hold a Walking Festival in your area
please contact the curator; Lichen Kelp via email
lichenkemp@gmail.com
Thankyou to Nella Fullard for her fantastic documentation of the Walking Festival
and a special thankyou to Alfie Hudson for his Welcome to Country
and all the artists, ecologists and locals who took part in making the wonderful walks a reality!
Please scroll down to read about the festival in detail
and see more documentation for each event in the program...
Program details:
In early 2023, School of Untourism was delighted to present a unique
Walking Festival centred around the RAMSAR listed estuary;
Bung Yarnda or Lake Tyers.
The walks connected FLOAT artists in residence with local nature enthusiasts to present
a series of walks branching out from the lakes shores
as well as a launch ceremony including a Welcome to Country at Iceworks, Lake Entrance.
The Walking Festival was presented by School of Untourism
in partnership with OnFoot as part of the ongoing project; Observatorium
and proudly supported by Creative Victoria.
School of Untourism acknowledges that the Walking Festival takes place on Gunai/Kurnai country.
We pay our respects to the ongoing custodians of the land and water
upon which we work, live and play. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging
and recognise that sovreignty was never ceded.
The Walking Festival was free to join in, but if you would like to make a contribution
please consider donating to Pay the Rent
and see more documentation for each event in the program...
Program details:
In early 2023, School of Untourism was delighted to present a unique
Walking Festival centred around the RAMSAR listed estuary;
Bung Yarnda or Lake Tyers.
The walks connected FLOAT artists in residence with local nature enthusiasts to present
a series of walks branching out from the lakes shores
as well as a launch ceremony including a Welcome to Country at Iceworks, Lake Entrance.
The Walking Festival was presented by School of Untourism
in partnership with OnFoot as part of the ongoing project; Observatorium
and proudly supported by Creative Victoria.
School of Untourism acknowledges that the Walking Festival takes place on Gunai/Kurnai country.
We pay our respects to the ongoing custodians of the land and water
upon which we work, live and play. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging
and recognise that sovreignty was never ceded.
The Walking Festival was free to join in, but if you would like to make a contribution
please consider donating to Pay the Rent
Walk 1 (soft launch): Lake Tyers Beach Drawing Walk
with Sofia Sabagh
with Sofia Sabagh
Date: March 4th 2023
Description: Guided by Sofia Sabbagh, an ecological story-teller and visual artist,
this walk will expand our capacity for seeing and listening,
using mark making to enhance our ecological discovery.
Meandering with our senses, a journal and a mark-making tool of choice.
Route: From Lake Tyers Beach Carpark, the walk meanders along the beach and lake perimeter at Lake Tyers entrance.
Grade: Easy, short walk with stops for observing and journaling.
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Description: Guided by Sofia Sabbagh, an ecological story-teller and visual artist,
this walk will expand our capacity for seeing and listening,
using mark making to enhance our ecological discovery.
Meandering with our senses, a journal and a mark-making tool of choice.
Route: From Lake Tyers Beach Carpark, the walk meanders along the beach and lake perimeter at Lake Tyers entrance.
Grade: Easy, short walk with stops for observing and journaling.
Walk 2:
Sound and Plant Walk
with Dylan Martorell and Frank Flynn
with Dylan Martorell and Frank Flynn
Date: Sunday 26th March 2023
Description: How many of us have walked along the shores of Lake Tyers, cast a passing glance at the reddish-green weedy looking plants growing and dismissed them as uninteresting? A closer inspection reveals an incredibly diverse and interesting flora. There are a range of plants from tiny succulents to larger grasses, sedges and rushes.
The succulents are often edible and are fast becoming part of culinary practices. Samphire (Tecticornia species) is common as is the Noon Flower (Disphyma crassifolium). There are many more and I am in the process of trying to identify as many as possible and produce a small pamphlet with photos and information.
Musician and previous FLOAT artist in residence Dylan Martorell and I lead a walk looking at succulents at Lake Tyers. For the last ten years Dylan has created a body of work consisting of music scores derived from plant growth structures. During the Covid lockdowns he used the plant scores as the basis for a series of Augmented Reality enhanced walking maps where people could visit the plants and listen to the music created by the scores on their phones. He will be creating a similar walk focusing on edible succulents surrounding Lake Tyers as part of the Walking Festival. Frank Flynn
You can see more here https://www.dylanmartorell.com/music-scores
Start: Lake Tyers Beach Tavern carpark.
Directions: SEE MAP
Route: From carpark, walk to Boat Ramp 2 and along the lake
Grade: Easy, short walk with many stops for observing and listening
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Welcome Ceremony
Date: Sunday March 26th 2023
Description: Walking Festival official launch
including a Welcome to Country by Alfie Hudson, Buddy and Keith,
communal basket making and information about the festival program.
Location: Iceworks, 5 Carpenter St, Lakes Entrance
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Walk 3: The Cherry Tree Walk
with Jospehine Jakobi and Jack Mitchell
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Edit: This event has been indefinitely postponed due to weather
Date: Wednesday March 29th
Description: There’s a track that meanders alongside the lake, from Cherry Tree to Burnt Bridge. Along the way, the plants tell the story of the Estuary. The calcium rich soils attract certain species, making that calcium available to browsing animals. The exposed fossils show the long history of saltwater inundation. Birds and insects thrive. Salt marsh and rainforest sit together in a constant rise and fall cycle.
The walk is accompanied by local Lake Tyers artist and FLOAT curator; Josephine Jakobi
and Whadjuk/Balladong Noongar designer, researcher and previous FLOAT artist in residence; Jack Mitchell.
After walking the track we will gather around the Flutter Tent - a space to share stories of Bung Yarnda.
Directions: SEE MAP
Drive to Cherry Tree Picnic area from Princes Highway to Burnt Bridge Road to Cherry Tree Track. Cherry Tree Picnic Area is located at the end of Cherry Tree Track.
Cherry Tree Track is a driveable unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
The walk meanders alongside the lake, from Cherry Tree Picnic Area to Burnt Bridge and back to the Flutter Tent for stories.
Grade: 1km, and easy going
Image: The Waymakers by Josphine Jakobi
Walk 4: Red Bluff Geology and Wildlife Walk
Date: Thursday March 30th
Description: Walk and talk with Eric Sjerp from EthosNRM.
We heard from Eric about the fascinating geological history of the Lakes Tyers Beach and Red Bluff and the plants and animals that live along side us. Participants shared stories of locals memories and love of the beach and Lake Tyers Beach environment. We explored topics including: What is under the ocean? What changes are happening and how can we assist the future health of our local natural environment?
Directions: SEE MAP
The walk took us through bushland to steps down to the beach, then along the beach to Red Bluff.
Grade: Walk is for the most part easy beach walk but it does involve steps, so not suitable for all abilities.
Walk 5. Night Spotlighting
with Isaac Carne
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Date: Friday March 31st 2023
Description: We ventured into the forest for a night walk, spotlighting for arboreal wildlife! We learnt the basics of citizen science while looking for threatened species like the Yellow Belly Glider, Greater Glider and the Sooty and Powerful Owls. We spotted a sugar glider and heard a Yellow Belly;’s distinctive call. We discussed the importance of these species and how their survival is intertwined with the health of the forest.
Isaac Carné is a documentary filmmaker, campaigner for the Goongerah Environment Centre, advocate for the Emerald Link and the current FLOAT Keeper. He is passionate about connecting people with nature and a firm believer that a healthy community is only possible when we become stewards of our natural ecosystems.
Directions: SEE MAP Drive to Marsdenia Rainforest Walk Parking Area from Princes Highway to Burnt Bridge Road and along Cherry Tree Track.
Cherry Tree Track is a driveable unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
The Marsdenia Parking area is approximately halfway along Cherry Tree Track.
Grade: reasonable fitness and good night sight required.
Some sections of the track are irregular and inclined. Distance: 2-3km
Photo credit above: Greater Glider by Caleb McIrea
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Walk 6: The Nature of Difference: Reading Plant Diaries
with Simon Cottrell
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Date: Saturday 1st April 2023
Description: What can be read within the form of a plant, to tell us about the story of its life?
Whether a 250-year-old eucalyptus tree or a 4-month-old fern frond, how a plant appears is
always directed by the DNA of its species, growing in response to where it is growing and
what has occurred through time in that specific place.
Along this walk we compared the similarities and differences between individual plants of the
same species. Then considered how each of their physical differences can unveil the story of
their distinct lived experience.
In similar ways the individual character and personality of individual people is also directed
by the way our body and mind responds to the past and current circumstances of our lives.
How might analysing the forest for the individuality of trees, work as a model to help us
understand and acknowledge diversity and difference within human society?
Simon Cottrell is an artist/curator/writer and Honorary Lecturer/Researcher at ANU School
of Art and Design. For the last 25 years their research on the nature of creative process has
been published widely. Investigating parallels between the growth of form in nature, and
the developmental systems of human creativity and identity.
Directions: SEE MAP
Fern Loop Carpark is located on Blackfellow Arm Track, off Burnt Bridge Road, off Princes Highway.
Blackfellows Arm Track is an unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
Grade: Easy stroll. Walk length about 2 km.
Walk 7: Costume Parade/sound walk closing event;
The Whispering Ear
with Julia Drouhin
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Date: Sunday April 2nd 2023
Details: Performance sound artist Julia Drouhin and a cast of costumed lake monster and sea hags
meander across the sand and through the grasses to Lake Tyers House.
Gentle listening excercises were carried out by participants followed by moments of silence and soundtracks provided by bird calls, wind and water.
Arriving at Lake Tyers House we enjoyed an afternoon tea, artworks by Otto McPherson and live music by Olivia Ley
before walking back to Water Wheel Tavern.
Directions: SEE MAP
The Lake Tyers Beach Tavern carpark is located at the end of Lake Tyers Beach Road
from Lake Tyers carpark, walk across the beach and light scrub to Lake Tyers House (invitation required to visit the private grounds).
Grade: Medium-difficult due to the length of the return walk and uneven track:
1.5 hour walk each way including some wading and walking on sand.
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Sea Hags and Lake Monsters: costume making workshops
with Julia Drouhin
Dates and times: Thursday 30 March and Friday 31 March 2023 at Iceworks, Lakes Entrance
Details: In the lead up to the to the parade, Julia hosted two Costume Making Workshops at Iceworks.
The workshops were free to attend and everyone was welcome.
The workshops were buzzing with excitement and the parade was a fantastic coming together
of art, sound, ecofashion and ecology.
Image above: Julia Drouhin from the Tasmanian documentary series; Women of the Island,
photo by Rebecca Thomson
Description: How many of us have walked along the shores of Lake Tyers, cast a passing glance at the reddish-green weedy looking plants growing and dismissed them as uninteresting? A closer inspection reveals an incredibly diverse and interesting flora. There are a range of plants from tiny succulents to larger grasses, sedges and rushes.
The succulents are often edible and are fast becoming part of culinary practices. Samphire (Tecticornia species) is common as is the Noon Flower (Disphyma crassifolium). There are many more and I am in the process of trying to identify as many as possible and produce a small pamphlet with photos and information.
Musician and previous FLOAT artist in residence Dylan Martorell and I lead a walk looking at succulents at Lake Tyers. For the last ten years Dylan has created a body of work consisting of music scores derived from plant growth structures. During the Covid lockdowns he used the plant scores as the basis for a series of Augmented Reality enhanced walking maps where people could visit the plants and listen to the music created by the scores on their phones. He will be creating a similar walk focusing on edible succulents surrounding Lake Tyers as part of the Walking Festival. Frank Flynn
You can see more here https://www.dylanmartorell.com/music-scores
Start: Lake Tyers Beach Tavern carpark.
Directions: SEE MAP
Route: From carpark, walk to Boat Ramp 2 and along the lake
Grade: Easy, short walk with many stops for observing and listening
Welcome Ceremony
Date: Sunday March 26th 2023
Description: Walking Festival official launch
including a Welcome to Country by Alfie Hudson, Buddy and Keith,
communal basket making and information about the festival program.
Location: Iceworks, 5 Carpenter St, Lakes Entrance
Walk 3: The Cherry Tree Walk
with Jospehine Jakobi and Jack Mitchell
Edit: This event has been indefinitely postponed due to weather
Date: Wednesday March 29th
Description: There’s a track that meanders alongside the lake, from Cherry Tree to Burnt Bridge. Along the way, the plants tell the story of the Estuary. The calcium rich soils attract certain species, making that calcium available to browsing animals. The exposed fossils show the long history of saltwater inundation. Birds and insects thrive. Salt marsh and rainforest sit together in a constant rise and fall cycle.
The walk is accompanied by local Lake Tyers artist and FLOAT curator; Josephine Jakobi
and Whadjuk/Balladong Noongar designer, researcher and previous FLOAT artist in residence; Jack Mitchell.
After walking the track we will gather around the Flutter Tent - a space to share stories of Bung Yarnda.
Directions: SEE MAP
Drive to Cherry Tree Picnic area from Princes Highway to Burnt Bridge Road to Cherry Tree Track. Cherry Tree Picnic Area is located at the end of Cherry Tree Track.
Cherry Tree Track is a driveable unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
The walk meanders alongside the lake, from Cherry Tree Picnic Area to Burnt Bridge and back to the Flutter Tent for stories.
Grade: 1km, and easy going
Image: The Waymakers by Josphine Jakobi
Walk 4: Red Bluff Geology and Wildlife Walk
Date: Thursday March 30th
Description: Walk and talk with Eric Sjerp from EthosNRM.
We heard from Eric about the fascinating geological history of the Lakes Tyers Beach and Red Bluff and the plants and animals that live along side us. Participants shared stories of locals memories and love of the beach and Lake Tyers Beach environment. We explored topics including: What is under the ocean? What changes are happening and how can we assist the future health of our local natural environment?
Directions: SEE MAP
The walk took us through bushland to steps down to the beach, then along the beach to Red Bluff.
Grade: Walk is for the most part easy beach walk but it does involve steps, so not suitable for all abilities.
Walk 5. Night Spotlighting
with Isaac Carne
Date: Friday March 31st 2023
Description: We ventured into the forest for a night walk, spotlighting for arboreal wildlife! We learnt the basics of citizen science while looking for threatened species like the Yellow Belly Glider, Greater Glider and the Sooty and Powerful Owls. We spotted a sugar glider and heard a Yellow Belly;’s distinctive call. We discussed the importance of these species and how their survival is intertwined with the health of the forest.
Isaac Carné is a documentary filmmaker, campaigner for the Goongerah Environment Centre, advocate for the Emerald Link and the current FLOAT Keeper. He is passionate about connecting people with nature and a firm believer that a healthy community is only possible when we become stewards of our natural ecosystems.
Directions: SEE MAP Drive to Marsdenia Rainforest Walk Parking Area from Princes Highway to Burnt Bridge Road and along Cherry Tree Track.
Cherry Tree Track is a driveable unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
The Marsdenia Parking area is approximately halfway along Cherry Tree Track.
Grade: reasonable fitness and good night sight required.
Some sections of the track are irregular and inclined. Distance: 2-3km
Photo credit above: Greater Glider by Caleb McIrea
Walk 6: The Nature of Difference: Reading Plant Diaries
with Simon Cottrell
Date: Saturday 1st April 2023
Description: What can be read within the form of a plant, to tell us about the story of its life?
Whether a 250-year-old eucalyptus tree or a 4-month-old fern frond, how a plant appears is
always directed by the DNA of its species, growing in response to where it is growing and
what has occurred through time in that specific place.
Along this walk we compared the similarities and differences between individual plants of the
same species. Then considered how each of their physical differences can unveil the story of
their distinct lived experience.
In similar ways the individual character and personality of individual people is also directed
by the way our body and mind responds to the past and current circumstances of our lives.
How might analysing the forest for the individuality of trees, work as a model to help us
understand and acknowledge diversity and difference within human society?
Simon Cottrell is an artist/curator/writer and Honorary Lecturer/Researcher at ANU School
of Art and Design. For the last 25 years their research on the nature of creative process has
been published widely. Investigating parallels between the growth of form in nature, and
the developmental systems of human creativity and identity.
Directions: SEE MAP
Fern Loop Carpark is located on Blackfellow Arm Track, off Burnt Bridge Road, off Princes Highway.
Blackfellows Arm Track is an unsealed road suitable for most vehicles.
Grade: Easy stroll. Walk length about 2 km.
Walk 7: Costume Parade/sound walk closing event;
The Whispering Ear
with Julia Drouhin
Date: Sunday April 2nd 2023
Details: Performance sound artist Julia Drouhin and a cast of costumed lake monster and sea hags
meander across the sand and through the grasses to Lake Tyers House.
Gentle listening excercises were carried out by participants followed by moments of silence and soundtracks provided by bird calls, wind and water.
Arriving at Lake Tyers House we enjoyed an afternoon tea, artworks by Otto McPherson and live music by Olivia Ley
before walking back to Water Wheel Tavern.
Directions: SEE MAP
The Lake Tyers Beach Tavern carpark is located at the end of Lake Tyers Beach Road
from Lake Tyers carpark, walk across the beach and light scrub to Lake Tyers House (invitation required to visit the private grounds).
Grade: Medium-difficult due to the length of the return walk and uneven track:
1.5 hour walk each way including some wading and walking on sand.
Sea Hags and Lake Monsters: costume making workshops
with Julia Drouhin
Dates and times: Thursday 30 March and Friday 31 March 2023 at Iceworks, Lakes Entrance
Details: In the lead up to the to the parade, Julia hosted two Costume Making Workshops at Iceworks.
The workshops were free to attend and everyone was welcome.
The workshops were buzzing with excitement and the parade was a fantastic coming together
of art, sound, ecofashion and ecology.
Image above: Julia Drouhin from the Tasmanian documentary series; Women of the Island,
photo by Rebecca Thomson
website by matilda sutherland
website by matilda sutherland