A FAIR wind is blowing across the Valley.
The sound shell for the Four Winds Festival arrived this week, with the main canopy lifted into place yesterday.
The sound shell – designed by renowned architect Phillip Cox - is the culmination of a long-held dream by organisers of the festival.
The Four Winds Festival will be held at Easter in a beautiful, secluded bush setting just south of Bermagui.
The idea to bring world-class classical musicians to such a rural setting was first formed over 20 years ago by co-founder and festival board member Neilma Gantner.
“There was only fishing here – we wanted something else,” Mrs Gantner said while surveying the developing sound shell yesterday morning.
Building team member Bill Caldicott was just as enthusiastic about the concept.
“The philosophy was there’s no reason you can’t have good-quality music where you live.”
The land is owned by Ms Gantner’s son, Carrillo, who graciously offered a long-term lease to the Four Winds Festival.
“It’s Mrs Gantner’s belief that has made this all happen,” committee chairwoman Sheena Boughen said.
“She’s very generous in every way.
“It’s her mantra that ‘if in doubt, do it’.”
Fundraising to get to the point where a permanent structure could be built on the site has been a long, but uplifting experience according to Ms Boughen.
The Four Winds Festival committee raised $800,000 through private donors and a $99,000 grant from Arts NSW.
“We launched the appeal in 2010 and within the first hour, a new audience member pledged $50,000,” Ms Boughen said.
“Mary-Rose Benson, from Victoria, said she wanted to do something in honour of her husband and couldn’t believe the ambition of it all.
“She said she had been waiting for something to belong to.
“We worked really hard for the rest.”
More than 200 donors, most of whom were locals, also gave everything from $2 and up, Ms Boughen said.
Regional Development NSW then added $1.67million into the mix.
Ms Boughen said the festival organisers were over the moon at having a permanent structure in place, with plenty of ideas about how to improve facilities in the future.
Paul Jones, from Rankin Builders, said he had been a little apprehensive about getting the crane into position after all the recent rain, but that it was all going to plan.
“It’s a different sort of project for us,” Mr Jones said.
“It’s great to come here and do somthing like this.”
Aside from the impressive sound shell and stage, Mr Jones said his team would also be working on speaker poles, turf and landscaping and a paved walkway to a new covered toilet block.
Clear glass panels will edge the stage, creating a wind break while still allowing audience members to enjoy the idyllic water and bush views behind.
Each 2.5x1.6-metre glass panel weighs in at 200kg, Mr Jones said.
A moat also surrounds the stage, to give the impression the stage is floating and give regular “audience” members – the ubiquitous frogs – somewhere from which to enjoy the performances.
“This is all being launched at the festival at Easter,” Ms Boughen said.
“And we’re inviting the community to come along and be a part of making history.
“There will be special guests and five world premieres to welcome the sound shell, and a wonderfully diverse range of performances.”
More details on the Four Winds Festival, including performers and ticket prices, can be found at www.fourwinds.com.au.
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