Claire Glenn

The 15th annual Fairfax Festival (George Fairfax Memorial Regional Youth Theatre Festival) will be held in Swan Hill in October 2011. The Festival offers young people from regional and remote areas of Victoria and southern New South Wales an alternative to a sports based culture and, in an age that sees high rates of teenage pregnancy and drug and alcohol abuse, the Fairfax Festival connects with disengaged youth and promotes the sharing of ideas; encourages creativity and imagination; supports the development of theatre and writing skills, and encourages mutual regard for each other's work all in a non-competitive and supportive environment.

The Festival structure includes four days of multi-disciplinary workshops [circus skills, performance skills, technical/lighting/design, voice, improvisation, and more] and finishes with a Gala evening of performance – where participants showcase their skills to their parents and peers.

Swan Hill is placed in the north-west of the state and is at least a two and a half hour drive from any other large regional centre and over four hours from Melbourne. The smaller surrounding communities have been great participants in the Fairfax Festival during the previous 14 years, as the Festival provides a great opportunity that is otherwise out of reach to our regional youth. In 2011, the festival is becoming even more inclusive with youth groups being invited to participate alongside school groups. This decision to involve young people who are not necessarily actively involved in the school system acknowledges the values of the George Fairfax and his family - to make the Performing Arts accessible to all.

Already in 2011 we have confirmed groups from Portland, Balranald, Tooleybuc, Sea Lake, Swan Hill, Birchip, Manangatang, Red Cliffs as well as the local Koori Youth Program and a Swan Hill Health Services group.  The targeted schools, regions and participant groups are those who show high levels of disadvantage - whether that be socio-economic or location based. The Festival has always had a commitment to subsidise the costs of participants at a high level to promote inclusiveness and to lessen the perceived disadvantage.

It is important to note also that the Fairfax Festival is a non-curriculum based skills development opportunity, which connects young people and their leaders from across remote and regional Victoria and Southern New South Wales. Although the primary purpose is to create art in a non-competitive and vibrant environment, it is also largely about confidence building, leadership skills and developing a state-wide network of expressive young people.

The Fairfax Festival has three main aims, in line with the philosophies of theatre making which were important to George Fairfax.

1. To encourage young people to be creative, imaginative, inventive, adventurous, collaborative and skilful in the creation of original devised or scripted short theatre performance.
2. To develop theatre skills and the appreciation of the creative arts amongst young people.
3. To engage young people in the festival spirit, and to encourage the mutual appreciation and positive regard of each other's work

The committee is marking the 15th year of this Festival by introducing five new innovations which will enhance the reputation of the Fairfax Festival in promoting youth participation and creating innovative arts experiences for regional communities:

1.  For the first time in its history the Festival will not only be open to schools but also to youth groups from throughout regional and metropolitan Australia.
2. The Festival is now providing one Year 12 graduate and former Festival Participant, with the opportunity to work with the Festival Committee and to engage in professional development with theatre companies throughout Australia while awarding them $3000 (to be used for activities which will enhance their professional development or future tertiary study.)
3. The Committee will be conducting free information sessions throughout regional and metropolitan areas for group leaders and teachers to attend.
4. The Festival will now run for four days (Tues 25th - Fri 28th October) culminating with a gala performance in the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC leading directly into the Go North Arts Festival weekend of celebrations.
5. Workshops provided for teachers and leaders will now carry Victorian Institute of Teacher (VIT) accreditation.

In 2011, the Festival is even more important to the young people of Regional Victoria. In the wake of natural disasters on a massive scale, many have lost their homes and their livelihoods and find themselves in the position of needing to rebuild their lives. The Fairfax Festival has always attempted to provide a Festival that does not ask individuals to pay any fees, ensuring that the Festival is open to anyone who wants to 'have a go', and now with communities rebuilding their lives these ideals have never been more important.

The Festival aims to ensure that all young people regardless of their location, experience or socio-economic situation are offered every opportunity to participate in the Festival.

The Fairfax Festival is an event that encompasses all of Victoria and beyond; it is a significant cultural event and one that has had an astonishing impact on the young people of regional and remote Australia.