Daily Archives: 06/02/2015

Rising Stars set to Shine at the Hunter

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The 2015 CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL will now not only host some of the biggest names in the Australian music industry but will also welcome a fresh batch of up and coming stars giving them the unique chance to play the same stage as many of their idols. A fortunate 10 relatively unknown acts are set to play alongside the likes of JOHN BUTLER TRIO, LEE KERNAGHAN and KASEY CHAMBERS having secured a spot in the Top 10 of the CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL ‘Patrons Choice’ competition.

The 2015 CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL is pleased to announce TARA NAYSMITH (Cessnock, NSW), TOMMY CONTOR (Gillieston Heights, NSW), BRYCE SAINTY (Central Coast, NSW), LAUREN WHEATLEY (Newcastle, NSW), BEN RANSOM (Sydney, NSW), THE ROUGH DIAMONDS (Lake Macquarie, NSW), ALY COOK BAND (Nelson, New Zealand), JADE HOLLAND (Townsville, QLD), NEILLY RICH (Sydney, NSW) and ROD DOWSETT (Northern Territory) as the fan voted ‘Patron’s Choice’ artists to have secured a performance spot amongst their peers.

When the 2015 CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL was conceived in mid-2014, its ambition remained not only to support well known established Australian talent but to also give a platform to emerging acts to showcase their own sound. The ‘Patron’s Choice’ competition was introduced at the event’s launch and welcomed over 400 entries from up and coming artists over its initial weeks. This number was whittled down by an invited panel to a Top 25 which would be voted on by the public through a Facebook “Like” campaign.

With 25 acts vying for a spot in the top 10, which provided a confirmed, paid slot on one of the Festival’s main stages, competition on social media was fierce with over 30,000 individual votes cast online.

With the competition now closed and the winners unveiled, the Top 10 now join a massive line-up of artists that includes JOHN BUTLER TRIO, LEE KERNAGHAN, KASEY CHAMBERS, SHANNON NOLL, ASH GRUNWALD, BECCY COLE, MENTAL AS ANYTHING, THE MCCLYMONTS, WENDY MATTHEWS and WE TWO THIEVES just to name a few.

The full playing schedule of artists for each day and performance dates has been unveiled at http://www.campfirefestival.com.au/artist-schedule/

This inaugural CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL now boasts over 18 artists as well as more new and emerging acts, as voted by the public, yet to be announced. HOPE ESTATE winery will play host to the first ever CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL from Friday, 13 March to Sunday, 15 March 2015.

The artists confirmed for the 2015 CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL showcases a topline cast of Australian artists including:

John Butler Trio

Lee Kernaghan / Kasey Chambers

Shannon Noll / Ash Grunwald / Beccy Cole / Mental as Anything

The McClymonts / Wendy Matthews / We Two Thieves

The Wolfe Brothers / The Wolverines / Amber Lawrence / Kevin Bennett and The Flood

The Bob Corbett Band / Chelsea Basham / Greg Champion / Christie Lamb

Tara Naysmith / Tommy Contor / Bryce Sainty / Lauren Wheatley / Ben Ransom

The Rough Diamonds / Aly Cook Band / Jade Holland / Neilly Rich / Rod Dowsett

The CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL is more than just a name – there will be an actual Campfire! There’s also the FunZone which is sure to keep both the young and young-at-heart entertained as well as the Busker’s Pavilion providing yet another entertainment option along with the opportunity to discover fresh, local talent.

HOPE ESTATE’s Camper’s Bar will host songwriter’s sessions, guitar clinics, Artist Q&A forums and jam sessions each day along with late night entertainment for our campers.

Naturally, with a winery and craft brewery on-site there’ll be plenty to drink and even a craft beer experience available for the connoisseurs.

On site camping is available for up to 5,000 people with standard camping and powered sites available, or why not “glamp it up” in the new 5 Star Lakeside Flashcamp. There will be plenty of showers and toilets available throughout each of the camping zones as well as portable toilets throughout the site and the main buildings.

For those who want the ultimate experience, HOPE ESTATE is providing VIP hospitality packages. Choose the indulgent Harvest Package on the top floor of the building or the more casual VIP area – both overlook the main arena so you will see and hear everything from these private areas. Or, perhaps a gourmet hamper for two is more your style so you can just sit, listen and soak up the atmosphere. For full details of each of the packages available, please go to www.campfirefestival.com.au.

CAMPFIRE FESTIVAL

Hope Estate, 2213 Broke Road, Pokolbin

(Opposite Pokolbin Village)

Friday, 13 March 2015 –to- Sunday, 15 March 2015

Man held against will for three hours – Lake Macquarie

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A man has been forced to drive three people around the Lake Macquarie area for three hours after they got into his car.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have been told two men got into a Toyota Starlet while it was stopped at the intersection of Quigley Road and The Ridgeway at Bolton Point, about 5pm yesterday (Thursday 5 February 2015).

The driver, a 26-year-old man from Bolton Point, told police he was intimidated into driving the men around the area, picking up a third man in Toronto.

The men then forced the driver to take them to a number of other locations during the three-hour incident, before he was told to drive them to Medlow Street, Cardiff, where they assaulted him and stole his smartphone and cash.

The three men then left the area on foot and the driver reported the incident to police at Toronto.

Police are now looking for three men, who they believe can assist with their investigation.

The first man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 30 years old, having a solid build, 175cm tall, and with a tattoo on his neck. At the time he was wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and bright green joggers.

The second man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance and about 30 years old; however, this man had a slim build and was about 182cm tall, with short shaved hair and facial stubble. At the time the man was wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt, shorts, a baseball cap and bright, multi-coloured joggers.

The third man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance and aged about 40 to 50. This man had a thin build, about 165cm tall, with short brown hair that was curly at the back. At the time he was wearing a black track suit with white strips down the sleeves, a black baseball cap and sunglasses. He was carrying a grey back pack.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, or who may know the men involved, to contact Lake Macquarie Detective.

School damaged by fire – Rathmines

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Police are investigating the cause of a fire at a public school in the Lake Macquarie area this morning.

About 12.30am (Friday 6 February), fire crews were called to the school on Secret Corner Road in Rathmines after reports a one of the buildings was well-alight.

When crews arrived they found the hall and canteen ablaze but managed to contain the fire.

The fire has been extinguished and investigators are expected to examine the scene later today.

The cause of the fire has not been established.