Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the Woodford Folk Festival to speak about his vision to revive the arts, entertainment and cultural sectors.
In his fourth visit to the event, Mr Albanese took to the stage at the festival’s newest venue, the AmphiGrande, as well as Bob’s Bar, to talk about constitutional recognition, his government’s achievements in its first seven months in office and the importance of the arts.
“The arts suffered terribly during COVID,” he said.
“The arts are not a luxury, they are central to our very being.
“The arts contain, nurture and protect our very sense of self.
“One of the great things about coming to Woodford is to hear the artists who aren’t in your record collection and to discover something new.
“It’s a great opportunity to walk around, see a bit of music and meet with people.”
The six-day celebration of music and culture is being held for the first time in almost three years.
Mr Albanese gave a memorial lecture on former prime minister Bob Hawke, one of the festival’s greatest fans.
“Bob Hawke left a great legacy and that’s because he understood that for any legacy to have staying power requires a government that lasts the distance,” he said.
“The words that characterised his leadership — reconciliation, accord, consensus — were all about us heading in the same direction as a nation.
“No one’s time in government is infinite. The clock is always ticking.
“I firmly believe that a good way to make the best possible use of that time is to carry Bob’s example in your heart.”
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The late Mr Hawke’s second wife Blanche d’Alpuget was in the crowd for the address, as was Arts Minister Tony Burke and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives.
“Prime Minister Albanese has said there will be a referendum to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the second half of next year,” Ms Burney said.
“I am of the Marrambidya Wiradjuri. Our history is in our landscape, and in our hearts.
“I want us to dare to dream.
“In 2023, you will get your chance to write ‘Yes’ in very big letters, capital letters actually, in a referendum.
“And in 2023, I know this country is up for it. I know that this country will vote ‘Yes’.
“It will be a simple but momentous step on the path to making Australia a better place for everyone.
“Woodford is a great gathering of minds from across this country, and you will hear lots of interesting discussions over the next coming days.”
Festival co-director Amanda Jackes said the arts, music and cultural festival is a forum for talking about collective aspirations for the future.
“We are honoured our leaders, including the prime minister, think the Woodford Folk Festival is a great place to share their hopes and dreams for the year ahead,” she said.
“That’s the beauty of Woodfordia, at it’s heart it is a gathering of the community, a place to celebrate what’s important to us.”
The festival runs until January 1.
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