MEDIA RELEASE - QUANDONG FESTIVAL SUCCESS
MORE THAN JUST QUANDONGS
The inaugural Quandong Festival held on the 5-7 August 2022 brings Quorn to life again after the region has sustained effects from drought and COVID-19.
Supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and South Australian Arid Lands and curated by Warndu, the Quandong Festival really revived the town of Quorn and helped put it on the map as the Native Food Capital of Australia.
Greg Flint, Mayor of The Flinders Ranges Council said that the success of the festival is still being felt with Quorn residents and business still being on a high. “The Quandong Festival was a fantastic event and a huge success attracting approximately 3,000 attendees over the whole weekend and has created a real buzz around the town and wider region.”
The focus on sustainable farming and living and drought resistance attracted well renowned presenters and celebrities to the festival. “The likes of Paul West (River Cottage Australia) and Costa Georgiadis (ABC Australia) attracted massive crowds of people and gave some fantastic talks and presentations on creating drought resilient gardens. Costa the Garden Gnome created a big excitement for the kids as he read to them and it’s great that upcoming generations are already focusing on sustainable gardening methods.”
The program for the day was full of workshops, discussions, exhibitions, activities, book signing, speakers, live music and of course a fantastic menu featuring native foods and condiments.
Quorn’s CBD area was abuzz with activity which local businesses and community groups participating in the Festival. “Local businesses and community groups really engaged with the festival and owned it which is just what we want. The Quorn Kindergarten even had quandong marshmallow on sale, which really goes to show the diversity of the native fruit.”
The Great Quandong Pie competition attracted an impressive array of entries in the pie and condiments sections with sweet and savoury pies in the mix. “We were lucky enough to have Paul West and Rodney Dunn (The Agrarian Kitchen) being our guest judges, and they had a really tough job of tasting all the quandong variations. The creativity of entries was amazing and everyone put in such a great effort.” Mayor Flint said.
Many other satellite events were also part of the festival including degustation dinners and culinary experiences featuring guest chefs from all over Australia. “To have such high calibre chefs such as Andrew Fielke and Barney Hannagan back in the region doing what they do best and showcasing their passion for the native food industry was an absolute asset to the festival.”
The festival ended on a high note with a working bee at Pithi Kawi, in the Quorn Bush Tucker garden with Costa, Paul, Rodney and well known author and advocate Bruce Pascoe delivering educational workshops and activities on planting and cultivating native plants and composting amongst others.
Mayor Flint praised the efforts of all involved in the festival as he looks towards the future. “I do send heartfelt thanks to all who were involved in the curating and organisation of the Quandong Festival. It was just so amazing to attract such high calibre and well-known guests, chefs and speakers and it has renewed the focus on sustainable farming and this is so relevant now as we continue to deal with drought in the region, which is unfortunately often forgotten about. The festival captured the spirit of reconciliation and was a celebration of regenerative agriculture as a key to Australia’s food industry and how it adapts to a changing climate.”
“People will incorporate their learnings from this festival for many years to come and hopefully start to rethink how and what they are farming and cultivating. I can’t wait to see farming diversify in its management and methods and Council is now in the process of reviewing the success of this event and working towards how we can hopefully have it continue and grow in years to come.”