Event Preparations

In parallel logic to the Rio Carnival, ConFest 'requires a great amount of order to produce sweet disorder' (Turner 1983a:118). The infrastructural arrangements for the events researched began evolving from a couple of weeks to several months before the events. As a result of DTE's current internal changes, events, including the last one considered here (Moama V), have benefited from an elevated commitment to organic pre-event and on-site processes as evidenced by organisational structures, most notably, the ConFest Committee. This central body, comprising members interested in being part of the 'site crew' evolved a set of guidelines approved at an RGM in March 1997 which stressed that the Committee: would have no leaders; will attempt to function by group consensus; may appoint subcommittees or individuals for special functions; and will have a budget allocated to it by an RGM of DTE to cover all costs associated with running a ConFest (Moama V ConFest Committee Guidelines - 11/3/97).

Since ConFest has traditionally been a nomadic gathering, there never being any permanent ConFest location, an appropriate site has first to be located and secured. DTE members explore possible sites (months in advance) on private land to be rented from the owner.8 Site searching may lead to disputes between members favouring different proposed sites. If such is the case (as it was for the '96/97 event) then it 'goes to a vote' or the result is dependent on the first successful permit application.9

There are several important criteria for selecting a site. It should be in bushland distant from major cities, though it seems that somewhat equal distance between Melbourne and Sydney is desirable.10 There should be adequate flowing waterways, tree cover and firewood. It should also be accessible by vehicle (yet vehicles should be parked in a location separate from much of the camping space, though a space, Gypsy, is provided for buses, cars and camper vans).11 Facilitators believe that the site should be selected on the basis of its 'context for possibilities'.

DTE must gain approval from the local council (possess a permit) and establish operating procedures with police, fire and health authorities, ambulance operators, conservation and environment departments, the landowner and neighbours prior to the event. Local organisations are often informed and locals invited. As ConFest has been a financial windfall to local businesses, retailers and councils have generally been receptive to the event. Following Baringa I and II, retailers in Wangaratta and Everton claimed the district stood to lose a potential $1.5 million after DTE, partly on the face of objections from local landowners, decided to move on to the Daylesford area in 1986 (Wangaratta Chronicle 1985:1). Maintaining a good rapport with local police is desirable. Although 'there is a lot of negative attitude towards the police' the feeling is that if they are aggravated, they 'could give us a real hard time ... so we keep them on side'. Actually, continued Gundabluey, after strolling through the site on duty, 'some of them come back and bring their families'.

Once a site is found or secured, tickets are designed, printed and distributed (to numerous vendors including St Andrews market, Spiral Dance, Fuzzy's Farm (SA), vegetarian cafes, environment centres, book shops, galleries). The event is promoted via the DTE newsletter and web page, posters, alternative magazines (like Grass Roots, Soft Technology (now ReNew), Earth Mother, Green Connections, Beat Magazine, Techno Renegade), community radio (e.g. 3RRR and 3PBS), newspapers (e.g. Nimbin News),and local rural newspapers. Prior to the site set-up, the budget for site infrastructure and villages is allocated at a ConFest Committee meeting at an RGM. Those present seek to achieve consensus, or if unachievable, vote on capital outlays and village proposals submitted over a number of weeks (see below). Recent budgets for a ConFest average around $100,000.

In early reconnaissance of fresh sites or unused regions of past sites, the landscape is surveyed and evaluated for the suitable positioning of key sub-site locations and facilities. Many take the opportunity to 'walk the site' and cast an eye over the terrain with the purpose of locating the appropriate topographical contexts for different villages and performances. Early site visits encourage the exchange of 'visions' and the imagined uses of space.12 In this pre-liminal period, individuals and crews of volunteers, both in Melbourne and on-site, make considerable logistical preparations, laying the foundations for the gathering. Fragile or potentially hazardous areas may be identified and eventually taped off and signposted. As the momentum builds, volunteers combine skills and talents to devise plumbing and showers, provide power, dig toilet and fire pits, install base radios, position rubbish and recycling points (including the 'dickhead bin' for people dumping unseparated rubbish) and build/maintain roads and paths. About a week prior to ConFest, more people arrive and a temporary counterworld gradually takes shape, as the Gate, Information Centre, Market, Healing, Community/workers kitchen(s), Pt'chang (peacekeepers camp), performance/entertainment arenas, and all the other villages appear. Though infrastructural mechanisms are often not in place by the first event day, at the events researched they were usually operational, maintained and, finally, dismantled, via a co-operative ethic.

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