THE community was woven together over the weekend as the fabric of Limestone Coast life was celebrated at the 17th annual Geltwood Festival.
Around 60 community members gathered at the Millicent Gallery on Friday night for the official opening of the four-day event, which highlighted the importance of creativity, craftmanship and community across the region.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll OAM delivered the formalities of the evening and acknowledged the hard work and efforts of the Geltwood Festival committee members and volunteers.
Geltwood Festival coordinator Sue Correll addressed the crowd and thanked the community for the support offered in the lead-up to the event.
“I am sure you will agree as you walk up the street Millicent has come alive with crafting,” she said.
“Isn’t it fabulous to see our street dressed and colourful, full of things to see to attract people to our town, which is one of the reasons why this festival was started.
“It is growing all the time, it is just amazing.
“After 17 years there is still much enthusiasm for the festival and it has been interesting to be part of that evolution.
“From workshops, to market days, family fun days, Murder at the Museum, it is great to involve another arm of tourism and history.
“The people who come from away to display and support our festival are really in for a treat.
“The festival represents not only the art and crafts of the region, but there is also a recognition of the support we receive from the community and volunteers who are the core of all these events.”
In conjunction with the official opening, the exhibition was launched featuring international award-winning textile artist Julie Haddrick who was in attendance and introduced her work.
Ms Haddrick’s pieces from the South Australian Living Textiles Exhibition will line the walls of the gallery throughout this month alongside an exhibition of quilts and pieces from retrospective workshops from the festival.
Craft workshops including a focus on crochet started Saturday morning and continued on through to Sunday afternoon, ensuring the Millicent Community Art and Craft Centre was a hive of activity.
Community members and visitors also enjoyed the National Trust Millicent’s Murder at the Museum mystery tour, the Millicent Lions Club’s Family Fun and Market Day and the quilting convention, which wrapped up an action-packed four days of festivities.
