Workshop Programme
Here we have some of the workshops being held during the Forest Festival.
Click Here for Programme for Workshops, Children’s activities, Walks & Stage Performances
In addition there will be a Blackboard Programme at the Info tent for those who come to the festival and then feel inspired to run a workshop to share their knowledge or talents.
The Snake Artist: Kids Cartoon Workshops 
With Wild Bill Flowers
- Drawing Cartoon People (Part 1)
- Drawing Cartoon native wildlife (with information about the animals)
- Drawing Cartoon Devils (with story telling about Tassie Devils)
- Drawing Cartoon People (Part 2)
Duration: 45-50mins
When: 2 X Sat and 2 X Sun (exact times TBA)
For more information about Wild Bill and his adventures go to www.snakeartist.com
Forest Dance (Contemporary) Workshop & Performance
With Jay Watson
Jay graduated from the VCA and began working for Tasdance in various role in 1997. He began working as a freelance artist in 2000 which allowed him to travel the state and inspire dance as a passion to many communities. Jay is currently employed by the Education Department where he works in several schools across northern Tasmania. Jay’s passion for dance is accompanied by his enthusiastic approach and a love for teaching that is fresh and innovative. Teaching dance to all levels I highly rewarding for Jay as he loves to share his craft with the community of Tasmania.
Duration: ?
When: Sat late morning and Sun late morning (exact times TBA)
Performance early Sun afternoon
Ukulele workshop
Brendan “Mookx” Hanley
The Ukulele workshop will show people how to tune a uke, how to hold it, play chords and strum. The six main chords in the key of C will be taught, leaving participants with the skills to play most songs they might like to tackle … albeit in the same key. This foundational lesson will set anyone up to further their uke playing to any desired level, will demystify music for novices and provide a fun way to enter the big bright world of entertainment … even possibly unleashing the “party animal” lurking deep in the souls of those involved. The uke is fast becoming an extremely popular global pastime … uke bands and groups are popping up everywhere. The “Weapon of Mass Affection” is alive and well and rampaging all over the planet. Here’s your chance to get into it.
Best if you can bring your own instrument. Serious would-be ukers can buy an entry-level “Mahalo” uke in a carry bag for about $25 and it’s recommended you also get an electronic tuner for a sweet “in-tune” sound. The range of tuners also starts at about $25 for the “Cherub” tuner … which is extremely accurate and user-friendly. A small number of instruments will be available for using at the workshop
Aloha … see you there!
Mookx is a veteran multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, music teacher, recording producer and entrepreneur. His songs have been recorded by many artists in many places around the world. He has travelled widely with his music, and in the last few years has become the “Godfather” of Byron Bay’s renowned “North Coast Ukulele Collective”, teaching one-on-one students, conducting workshops and facilitating the monthly uke gatherings at the Byron Bowlo.
If you’d like to play music but never thought you could … or just fancy plunking out the odd tune on a uke, sitting on your verandah under the gum trees … don’t miss this opportunity to jump into your own musical journey by learning the easiest instrument ever invented. Mookx has had kids as young as six playing ukes successfully, so don’t deny yourself the chance to be the lunchtime legend you always knew you were!
Uke ‘em … not nuke ‘em!
Yoga: Gentle Hatha Yoga suitable for all levels and ages
With Conor Breen
Yoga is a vehicle. Yoga is a path to follow and the destination. Yoga is the journey – teaching joy in the present while enabling the yogi (the student) to prepare for a glorious future. When we practice yoga we discover the amazing ability of the body to move, balance, lift, and support; we increase the ability of the mind to focus and release preconceived notion; we transcend the body and the mind to the place of being.
Come join us in the forest.
The facilitator Conor Breen grew up locally and studied on Koh Phangan in Thailand. Conor took the opportunity to fulfil a long-time goal of training as a Yoga teacher after taking time out to have her first child.
Havans For The Forest: Yogic Fire Ceremony for Forest Conservation
With Swami Atmamuktananda Saraswati
Fire is the symbol of transformation and this ceremony, called a Havan, is an ancient ritual that also has great significance in modern times. While it is a ritual it is also a science; a cause that has an effect. Havans are opportunities to give back to the world, to express and experience our connection with nature and to give up our negative and unhelpful tendencies, allowing them to be transformed. A specific mantra is used to facilitate healing for ourselves and for the forests. Last February a week of Havans were conducted at Weilangta in SE Tasmania with uplifting and positive effects for those forests and all who participated.
The facilitator Swami Atmamuktananda Saraswati has been the Director of the Rocklyn Yoga Ashram in Victoria for 12 years. She previously spent 12 years in India living with her teacher, Swami Satyananda. Atma, as she is known, is an Acharya (master of yoga) and teaches from her own deep experience. She is refreshingly practical and down to earth, having a profound understanding of the many aspects of Yoga and a particular appreciation of the value of ceremonies as ways of enhancing positivity, healing and protection.
Past Life Regression Workshop
With Niecy Brown
Is it déjà vu or a memory trying to come through form another time and place? That feeling that ‘I’ve been here before’, ‘I know you from somewhere’ or a sense of connection with a place, person or ability. One possible explanation is that you HAVE lived/experienced it in a previous lifetime. The past life regression workshop will take the form of a guided meditation led by Niecy Brown where you will be introduced to a technique you can practice at any time.
Duration: 1 ½ hours
When: Sat Morning (Exact time TBA)
Participants: 10 max.
If more than 10 people register then a second workshop will be offered.
The facilitator Niecy Brown has studied with The Centre for Human Transformation based in Victoria for the past 20 years, exploring healing through mediation and group work. She conducts healing circles, hosts 5 day retreats at her home led by Shivam Rachana, and has spent time in the Central Australian desert learning to be with the land, its energies and people. Niecy has been involved with the Forest Festival since its inception in 1983 and is devoted to the notion that celebration and gratitude for the beauty and wonder of the forest is a pathway to our connection with universal spirit and being. She has also studied the Korean art of Ki Energy training in Perth, Melbourne and 7 Sacred Mountains in Korea.
“Past Life Regression is a useful tool for self exploration and learning, giving insight into how and who we are. I am pleased to be able to share a simple technique with anyone interested.”
Niecy Brown
Forest in Focus: Photography Workshop
With Jade Hallam
This workshop will include a short discussion on basic photographic techniques, a walk in the forest putting these techniques to use and a review of the moments captured by participants. A collection of the best photos will be included in a presentation slide show later in the festival. 
Duration: 1 ½ hours
When: Sat
Participants: 15 max
The facilitator Jade Hallam has a long history of attending the Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival, her first being at the age of 2 in the early 1980s. Originally an inquisitive Reddy Marshian with a passion for the forests, she has since been exploring and capturing people and nature across Asia and the amazing wilderness of her home Tasmania. Based now in Jackeys Marsh, she has developed an obsession of sorts with the outside world through the lens of her camera.
Join her in sharing some of the basic photographic skills she has learnt through focusing in on forest photography.
Pulp the Mill will be holding a Peaceful Community Protest Information Session
With Ruth Groom and Alice Graham
The information you will receive is essential for people wanting to participate in future Pulp the Mill actions, and covers topics such as the legal implications of peaceful protests and what to expect at an arrestable action. If everyone understands and adheres to the basic principles of peaceful community protest, there is a foundation of trust between all participants taking part in this positive, empowering and politically effective step. It is vitally important that we continue to campaign to stop this stinking mill.
This two hour session will be followed by an optional one hour session for those people interested in taking on the role of Peacekeeper at Pulp the Mill’s future actions.
Duration: 4 hours
When: Sat afternoon
Participation: 10 – 20max
The facilitators: Ruth Groom
Launceston Campaign Centre Co-ordinator
Alice Graham
Experienced Trainer
The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
174 Charles St Launceston Tas 7250
Carbon Counting Workshops
With Gemma Tillack
Let’s find out the true value of Tasmania’s forests
Every day Tasmania’s forests breathe in carbon dioxide, store it as carbon in their trunks, branches, woody debris and soil and breathe out oxygen. This process, called photosynthesis, means that forests all over the world, including Tasmania, have played a crucial role in providing this planet with a safe climate. Unfortunately, forests all over the world are being logged and cleared, releasing stored carbon as greenhouse pollution and contributing to the climate change problem.
This workshop will teach the techniques of carbon counting within the forest surrounding Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival.
Duration: 9am onwards (all day)
When: Sunday
The facilitator: Gemma Tillack
The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
Song Writing Workshop
With Emma Anglesey
Keeping the Bastards Honest
With Pete Godfrey
Forestry Regulations: Know what they are and how to monitor operations.
Living Sustainably and Intentional Communities
With Lisa Yeates
This will be a very informal workshop. Lisa has had 30 years experience of living on Australia’s largest Intentional Community, facilitating Community Forums and attended workshops and conferences looking into how to build & live sustainably together and creating “community”. She is keen to pass on any knowledge she has gleaned over the years and answer your questions.
Sustainable Building Workshop
With Mark Dewsbury
Mark Dewsbury is a sustainable design consultant who runs his own business with his partner Vicki. He also lectures at the University of Tasmania School of Architecture in sustainable design.
Hi will base his workshop around the sustainable design features which have been built into Forest Walks Lodge, a solar passive house adjacent to the festival site. Design principles include thermal mass, solar gain, natural cooling, use of recycled materials and non-toxic timbers and paints. A tour of the house is included in the workshop.
The Art of Staff: Fire Staff Workshops
With Emma Peachy and Kate McGeachy
