Workshops and Artist Talks

Tarni Eldridge

Join  visual artist Tarni Eldridge for a hands-on workshop exploring the vibrant and versatile world of gelli plate printing using acrylic paint. This playful, intuitive process is perfect for anyone wanting to reconnect with their creativity—whether you’re just starting out or already have an established art practice.

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LOCATION: The Craft Cafe, Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall

WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 9.00 - 12.00

COST: $25 (Subsidised workshop)

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Click here to register and purchase tickets

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Tracy Wise

Join Tracy Wise (Barkindji Ngiyampaa Maligundidj (Wotjobaluk) heritage in this 3 hour Intro to Weaving workshop. You’ll learn the fundamental techniques of weaving that will enable you to create your own pieces. No prior experience is needed and all materials are supplied —this workshop is designed for participants of all skill levels.

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LOCATION: Craft Cafe, Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall

WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 9.00-12.00

COST: $25 (Subsidised workshop)

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Click here to register and purchase tickets

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Blake Wardell

In this 2 hour workshop and under the guidance of 8th Dan Shodō-ka Blake Wardell, you will learn some history and philosophy of Shodo and practice and produce your own characters - and you don’t need to know any Japanese. You will learn basic brush techniques, different Japanese calligraphy styles, stroke order, and character balance.

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LOCATION: The Goat Gallery

WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 12.30-2.30

COST: $25 (Subsidised workshop)

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Click here to register and purchase tickets

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Mary French

Explore the magical world of light and shadow. Make your own shadow puppet or simply enjoy the wonder of shadow illusion.

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LOCATION: Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall

WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 2.00-4.00

COST: FREE. Drop in anytime during the workshop session

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Tracey Skinner

Have a go at screen printing on a small scale! In this hands-on beginner/all levels workshop, you’ll create a simple paper stencil and use a mini screen and squeegee to print your own one-colour design onto a tote bag or tea towel.

No previous experience needed—just bring your ideas and get ready to make your own hand-printed textile treasure to take home.

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LOCATION: Boardinghouse Studios, 117 Main St Natimuk

WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 9.00-12.00

COST: $25 (Subsidised workshop)

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Click here to register and purchase tickets​​​​​

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Carolynne Hamdorf

Unlock the luminous, ancient art of encaustic painting in this intimate, hands-on creative session limited to just six participants. Across three immersive hours, you’ll explore the origins of this wax-based technique—first mastered by Egyptian artisans who used molten beeswax to create richly preserved portraits—and learn how this timeless medium can be adapted for contemporary expression.

You’ll be guided through essential foundations including paint preparation, safe heating, application methods, surface etching, image transfers, and finishing touches such as varnish and embellishment. With all materials and equipment supplied, you’ll have the freedom to experiment, test techniques, and build confidence as you work. By the end, each participant will create a small finished encaustic artwork to take home.

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LOCATION: Trove 74 Main Street, Natimuk

WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 9.00-12.00

COST: $25 (Subsidised workshop)

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Click here to register and purchase tickets

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West End Dairy Project

Join us for a walk along Natimuk creek from outside NC2 to the old mulberry tree adjacent to Schmidt’s Dairy, near the corner of the Wimmera Hwy and Natimuk-Francis Road, to share place stories and bring together memories of this significant tree in Natimuk’s life. As part of the larger project - ‘Understanding Place-Based Repair in Climate Affected Communities’ project’ - The Gathering Place project led by Linda Tegg is currently working with the Schmidt family and local partners to re-plant and re-imagine this place as a site where environmental and historical repair can come together in creative and inclusive ways.  

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The January 2026 Grass Flat fire swept through the dairy site including its majestic mulberry tree. The project team in collaboration with Knowledge Holders of the Wotjobaluk Nations, Barengi Gadjin Aboriginal Land Council and Dalki Garringa Native Nursery, are devising and implementing a native garden design. Local builder Lincoln Shepherd is installing a steel frame to mimic the Dairy’s roofline to trellis vines from.

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Despite the significant damage it suffered in the January fires, the mulberry tree survived and Gathering Place is working to return it to health, under the advice of Rudy Panozzo. This walkshop will contribute to the project of regenerating the tree through sharing stories of its significance to the Natimuk community over time, reflecting on the role that living environments have in place futures and community well-being.

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As we walk from outside NC2 along the creek, we will share texts and stories, and invite reflections, that give voice to the many histories of this place. We will end with light refreshments.

This project is funded by the Australian Research Council and Deakin University.

Note: there is no public access to the Schmidt Dairy site.

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LOCATION: Meet at NC2 (opposite Nati pub) to begin the walk and talk.

WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 10.30-12.00

COST: FREE

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West End Dairy Project

Please come along to hear a series of short interactive presentations from the ‘Understanding Place-Based Repair in Climate Affected Communities’ project. This project is a comparative study across places experiencing intensified environmental change in Australia, Sweden and the UK, and is using a variety of creative methods to investigate, document and actively partner with local communities impacted by climate change. We will share activities and insights from three case studies - one based in Natimuk (‘Gathering Place’), and the others based in Götland, Sweden, and Newcastle on Tyne, in the UK – and invite reflections and thoughts from the audience on what environmental repair might look like and mean to you and your place and community.

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The session will include a short Dairy-inspired performance by a trusted local whose identity is udder wraps.

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Light refreshments will be provided.

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‘Understanding Place-Based Repair in Climate Affected Communities’ is funded by the Australian Research Council and Deakin University.

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LOCATION: Natimuk Soldiers Memorial Hall

WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 4.30-6.00pm

COST: FREE

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Blake Wardell

Join Blake at the Goat Gallery for a live performance of creating a very large format Calligraphy piece while wearing traditional kimono.

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LOCATION: The Goat Gallery, 87a Main St Natimuk

WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 12.30-1.00

COST: FREE

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Gillian Turner

Gillian Turner will be playing her Harp at her open studio space on both Saturday and Sunday at set times below.

She will also be presenting an Artist talk on Saturday

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LOCATION: NC2, 62 Main St Natimuk

WHEN: 

Harp: Saturday 31 Oct/Sunday 1 Nov, 3.15-3.45pm
Artist Talk: Saturday 31 Oct, 11.30am

COST: FREE

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