THE strength of the region’s people and willingness to lend a hand has been showcased this week as bakers, chefs and business owners come together in preparation for the music extravaganza, Generations in Jazz.
As a paddock on the outskirts of the city transforms into a pop-up jazz precinct the community is hard at work making sure the region is prepared to welcome its over 5000 guests.
Back in the centre of the Blue Lake city, Mark Jensen’s swag is sitting in the corner of Baker’s Delight alongside the half a tonne of extra flour needed to fill next week’s festival order for 10,000 bread rolls.
The baker said if he is lucky, he may sneak in an hour of sleep on Friday or Saturday night while he waits for the yeast to rise, but he is not holding his breath.
“Our standard shift is midnight to around 1pm, but we will need to be baking 24 hours straight for two and a half days to get the rolls out in addition to our regular orders – we have also got all the footy clubs and store customers to cater for,” he said.
Although a marathon task, it is one this thriving small business has mastered during its long association with the nation’s largest youth jazz festival.
“We have a great system – The Barn supplies all of the crates so we do 30 rolls per crate, and then we hire the largest enclosed trailer we can get from Baxter Hire in Mount Gambier and fill it with 5000 rolls,” Mr Jensen said.
“It’s a real team effort – we have the bakers, the packers, and then the drivers who make sure they are delivered to The Barn by 6am.
“It is 10 times our usual daily volume of rolls, but if our production has to be dragged out to 24 hours for a couple of days that’s fine – if anything, I feel sorry for the people who have to cut them all and fill them for the lunches.”
The Barn has rostered on 140 additional staff to prepare the salad rolls plus all of the other dishes needed for the event, with estimates up to 22,000 meals will be served throughout the festival.
“We call on friends, family, ex-staff and sporting clubs to fill all of the shifts,” manager Kent Comley said.
“We’re even flying down one of our former chefs Hamish Pink from Cape York to work in the kitchen for the week.”
Feeding the masses is an understatement – the volume of food needed to complete the dishes is mind-boggling.
“We prepare about 1.5 tonnes of salad, 1.5 tonnes of lasagna and 1.25 tonnes of chicken breast in 100 litres of marinade, which includes 25kg of dry ground spices,” Mr Comley said.
Generations in Jazz chairman James Morrison said catering was a major component of the event, but the entire Limestone Coast was helping with the logistics of the world-class jazz extravaganza.
“Accommodation is the obvious one – the region is booked out weeks in advance – but we also have businesses supplying buses and cars to transport the crowds, sound and video production companies, graphic design and print houses, tent hire, lighting hire, linen suppliers, first aid and security officers – it is a very long list,” he said.
“Then of course there are the flow-on effects that is also really pleasing, with shops, supermarkets, fuel stations, cafes, restaurants and take away outlets also enjoying a roaring trade.”
A recent report into sponsored events by the City of Mount Gambier has estimated the festival generates $1.46m just in accommodation bookings over three days in Mount Gambier alone.
Given that at least 5000 beds are needed for participants and concert audiences, guests are accommodated right across the region.
“An estimated 80pc of participants travel from out of town and we have been focusing a lot of effort into ensuring that everyone has somewhere to stay,” Mr Morrison said.
In addition to private homes, many schools and sporting clubs with shower and kitchen facilities are hosting bands and ensembles travelling from as far away as Queensland and Western Australia.
Allendale East Area School has hosted students from Victoria’s Mazenode College in its performing arts centre for the past four years.
Principal Kylie Smith said it was a rewarding fundraiser with widespread benefits for students.
“Whilst they are only with us for a short period of time, a relationship and bond has been cemented by providing this opportunity annually and we love the excitement and community spirit it brings to our school,” she said.
“Upon arrival, our students have been treated to an energetic and exciting showcase enabling Mazenode College to show us their talents and governing council and staff ensure the performers are well catered for with a cooked breakfast and neat, clean facilities.”
Lasting impressions are everything and the fact that Generations in Jazz continues to smash participation records every year suggests nothing beats country hospitality.
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Lynette Martin OAM said the region always rises to the occasion and locals should feel incredibly proud.
“The city is abuzz all week with people who want to shop and enjoy everything we have to offer and it is impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of this fabulous event,” she said.
“We do essentially have visitors from all over Australia for Generations in Jazz and that in itself is great for Mount Gambier because they will return home and share the experience with others – the entire event showcases our region to the rest of the nation.”
