> To all Past, Present & Future Confesters - - -

> You may have heard, the need for volunteers for Easter Confest is
> great and the call is going out.
>
> You may also be interested in similar plan being materialised to start
> a new style of cooperation at Confest.

	 THE CONFEST TRIBAL PROJECT 2004
>
> This is how the CONFEST TRIBAL PROJECT 2004 plan goes:
> 1) Join a Tribe you like at the Front Gate, or via email (sent
> seperately)
> 2) Become/Get a Buddy for your Tribe (anywhere at or before ConFest))
> 3) Find your Tribes info & activities at a central board location
> 4) Attend Morning Circles & help your Tribe work. 1 held everyone
> morning. Anyone who attends sends the messages out along their
> grapevine.
>
> BE A VISION HOLDER!
> Got a vision for Confest that you would like to see happen? Become a
> VISION HOLDER! Vision Holders help network & get a Tribe happening.
> They also help weave Tribes with each other, so we all help out.
> Vision Holders dont do this alone! There is all the support you need.
>
> Some examples of present Visions Holders and their Tribes:
> * FIRST AID
> * SOUND/STAGE
> * TOILETS
> * SAFE SPACE
> * KIDS VILLAGE
> * SAND
> * ART/MUSIC
> * PAGAN VILLAGE
> etc
>
> OR BE A SUPPORTER
>
> WHY THIS!!! WHEN THERE IS THE OTHER EMAIL, DTE WANTING ENERGY? NOT AN
> US & THEM SCENARIO!
> DTE wishes for a required number of workers/volunteers so they can
> feel supported to continue doing ConFest. They have little energy to
> do another one. Please sign up & let them know you care & will help
> out. They have no jobs lined up for you, as far as we know.
>
> You are just pledging your support to DTE.

> Nothing has been organised beyond that, and doesnt look like it will,
> as I write.
>
> With the CONFEST TRIBAL PROJECT 2004, you are helping to build your
> vision or an idea of what you would love to see at Confest. We are
> NETWORKERS, bringing you in contact with other likeminds.
>
> This project compliments DTE's ideas, but we are working to provide a
> space for every person who comes to Confest, to help the City of
> Confest. Rather than just 500+ volunteers, we see all 2000+ Confesters
> as 'volunteers' (we prefer to call them SUPPORTERS)
>
> We are the main push to get Morning Circles happening. These are
> fantastic ways to connect, cooperate & share experiences with
> everyone, as well as making a focus point for Confest as a COMMUNITY!
> If you havent been to one before, its an amazing experience.
>
> This is a different change from the recent past, and works beyond the
> current DTE call.
>
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
> We are currently looking for VISION HOLDERS and SUPPORTERS of Tribes.
>
> If you are in Melbourne/VIC - contact Paul on 0417 325 625
> paulsargeant@...
> If you are in Sydney/NSW - contact Eric on 0408 662 581
> happyez@...
>
> We have plans to hold Info Nights in Sydney & Melbourne around March
> to share our developments, talk about Confest and have fun. Stay tuned
>
> Come help make Confest the City you wish to live in!
> Join the CONFEST TRIBAL PROJECT of 2004
>
> Thanks
> Eric & Paul
>
> The DTE email is folks@...

Hey everyone

There's whole bunch of different newsletter versions to go out for the
big

CALL UP FOR EASTER CONFEST

Check them out at:
http://doors.alphalink.com.au/THUS
(there's a lot of good comments on how we can fix the volunteer
problems on that site too. Check out the comments...)

Give your comments about each one
They are voting on which to accept
Mine is one of 4 newsletter versions so far...

I stayed behind in Melbourne to witness the predicament of Confest,
that the DTE directors havent got the energy to put another one on, but
they are looking for volunteers to stand up & say they will give their
bit to the whole to make Easter Confest happen.
They do feel like its a 'us' vs 'they', and David Cruise eloquated that
really well
To see what he has said (that seems to represent a lot of old
Confesters), its the first thing you see when you go to the
www.dte.org.au website

Email: folks@... They are looking for ideas on how to fix up
Confests problems, and on ways for all the share the load.

Love light possibilities evolution
Eric

http://doors.alphalink.com.au/THUS/ericv.html

Hi fellow festers, just found this slightly interesting run down on
the situation for Easter at Down to Earth's site www.dte.org.au -
thought you may also be 'slightly interested'.
Love & light,
Kate


  Them & Me






  They should!  I did!






  ConFest is a gathering.    A therapeutic community enabling
wellbeing for many,
A nice friendly place to be.      ConFest is  based on sharing, not
service delivery.
   Have you ever heard  "ConFest just happens!"
It is true in part, many spontaneous "things" just happen at
ConFest.

                                        Lots of  "ConFest Magic
Moments".


But ConFest is planned and organised by a group of people known as
THEY.
                                             They did not put out the
toilet paper,
                                             They did not fix the
showers,
                                             They were late with ice
deliveries,
                                             They kept people waiting
at the Deni bus stop,
                                             They did not have a
proper map,
                                             They stuffed up the road,
                                             They etc etc etc
                                             They get pissed off with
all the complaints.
                                            They are tired and
frustrated and do not have the energy for  Easter ConFest.
                                             They are the people who
decide if there will be an Easter ConFest.
And to make matters worse,  They  failed to organise a decent
Volunteer system for the many ConFesters
       who want to contribute to the smooth running of the city called
ConFest.






  Please consider this question




Should ConFest continue?
If your answer is no then don't bother reading further.
If you answer is yes then ConFest needs your help.






  Lets start with a brief look at ConFest history and structure.
ConFest started in the mid 1970's. The Down To Earth Victoria Co-op
was formed in 1979.
Up until the beginning of the 1990's, ConFest was in bursts every few
years. In the early 1990's ConFest was held every year, and by the
mid 1990's twice a year  There were even a few years with an
additional small gathering. For more than a decade ConFest has been
held twice a year.

We can divide the process into three functions,

The Corporate process, financial management, insurance, permits,
auditing, legal processes, taxes, ETC.

ConFest sites, acquisition, construction, provisioning, restoring,
ETC,

Running the City of ConFest.






  All three overlap to some degree.
The Corporate process is running really well. There is a good Board,
financial stability, good accounting, long term planning.
The ConFest committee of the Board is responsible for the actual site
and as can be seen is succeeding but needs more input.
The major problem is the "City of ConFest".
This should be the easiest with thousands of people living on the
site and available. But it is not happening. During ConFest, the
ConFest Committee and the Directors are run ragged trying to cope.




They are not prepared to continue.





  That's the problem, so what do we need to have an Easter 2004
ConFest.


Easter ConFest is for five days, we need to consider two days before
and two days after.
We can call them       minus2,  minus1,  C1,  C2,  C3,  C4,  C5,
plus1,  plus2     a total of  9 days
Contributing to ConFest is very rewarding. You meet new people and
have the chance to acquire new skills or practice some old ones.






  Whats needed






  Lets start with the front gate as an  example.
The Gate has two prime functions, collect the money, and keep the bad
people out.
It is the line where the "City of ConFest" begins. Its a border
crossing. It needs to be attended 24 hrs a day for the nine days.
During this Summer ConFest approx 3000 adults and nearly 1000
children entered and left via the Gate. There were approx 1750
personal passouts issued and we lost track of the car passouts. We
printed 400 which were collected and reused several times.
3700 people including children in and out, 1750 passouts in and out
equals  10,900 gate crossings.
That averaged 991 per day. For safety, cars are only permitted to
drive on the ConFest site during daylight, thus on average, there was
a person passing through the gate every 40 seconds during daylight,
for eleven days.
The gate can be frustrating. Cars come in bunches almost as if they
waited down the road till there was enough for a convoy. Most of the
people arrive on day minus1 and day1.
For Easter, if we are aiming for two hour shifts during daylight, we
need over 200 people.
That does not cover overnight. A great way to have the gate safe over
night is for twenty or so people to have a party with drums around
the fire. The presence of a group of people deters the local drunks.
During this Summer ConFest the police were called a number of times.
It is very difficult for one or two people to handle four drunken
youths in a four wheel drive who want to drive in for a look around
at midnight. Imagine what could happen if they got through to Car
Free. We need another 200 people for safety over night.
That's four hundred people and we have not got past the gate.






  Another important area is First Aid. Usually we average two burnt
children to hospital each ConFest. We did not burn any children this
Summer. Reason enough alone to continue the new fire protocols. This
Summer there were many incidents of eye injuries from thrown mud.
Some required hospital treatment. We need people with training to
share the load.






  We need people for:-  Information, Welcome Gate (it just did not
happen this Summer no people) Fire patrols, Plumbing maintenance,
Maps, Signs, Toilet maintenance, Parking, Ice - bread & milk supply,
Wellbeing, Community development, Traffic, Villages, Bus drivers,
Workshops, Co-ordination, ETC.

These are only the necessities. There is scope for things to enhance
ConFest, for example it would be great if enabling groups formed at
each fire circle and encouraged community cooking and sharing.
At this Summer one circle became the home of fire twirling, another
was attached to the art village.

We need a whole new group of people to be involved with the "City of
ConFest". They need to start on day minus2.  These people need to be
PROACTIVE.    They need to seek the information they need.
               They need to want the information






  We are going to try using the Internet to link people before
ConFest. We understand that not everybody is comfortable using the
Net, but the Net is available at low cost or free through Libraries
or Internet cafes to almost anybody who does not have their own
connection. We estimate over 80% of the people who come to ConFest
have convenient Internet access. For the remaining 20% we can use
mail, telephone trees, fax, or find them an Internet buddy. Many
people are not on the ConFest mailing list. You may need to pass this
information to others.

We need people to register their names and addresses OR names and
email address OR all three, as soon as possible. Please include a
phone number if you can.
Send  your preferred contact details too:-
folks@...


or write to .......Down To Earth, PO. Box 295, Brunswick East,
Victoria, 3057

You may like to include preferences for the area and times you would
like to help.
Also include a little about your self, interests, skills, things you
would like to see happen at ConFest.

It is even possible to have some rosters arranged before ConFest. You
may like working with a group of people you know. Let us know.
We undertake to use email with care. Except for personal contact and
information, most things will be posted on the web site, and you will
get an email with the link to the new posting to save filling your
email allocation.






  Easter ConFest  is planned to be from  Friday 9th  April  to Tuesday
13th  April 2004.
Tickets would need to be released at the beginning of March


The ConFest Committee and the Board are tired and frustrated and do
not have the energy for an Easter ConFest. Yet they have to decide if
there will be an Easter ConFest.
       It is not fair      They all want ConFest to continue.
One key ConFest person did nor attend this Summer because that person
could not face the workload.
      That's just not fair.
We all love ConFest and want it to continue, but if we are the only
ones, then it may be time to pull the plug.




We are asking you to make the decision.

We need at least 500 people who love ConFest to register their
willingness to share the load.

Many hands make work light!

Please write or email by the middle of February.

Hi..
Is anyone here going to the Sydney confest gathering next weekend?

There are plans for an extra ConFest alternative lifestyle festival
near Sydney - to be held at a different time to the Summer & Easter
ConFests.
The ConFesters Gathering on Friday 23rd to Tuesday 27th January 2004
is a ConFest style camping weekend for people who would like to have
a ConFest near Sydney.  This camping weekend aims to bring together
people who would like to participate in planning or attending an
extra ConFest near Sydney.
The ConFesters Gathering weekend will be held in the beautiful
bushland of Ilford, 3 hrs from Sydney (near Mudgee).
Please join us!  It is an opportunity to enjoy natural countryside,
relaxed conversation, happy vibes, wonderful teamwork, fun workshops
and great food - as well as some planning!  We will get together to
create our own communal meals, shelters, facilities, a dam for
swimming and a hot tub!  Everyone is welcome - no specific skills or
experience are required.
A $30 cost includes main meals, facilities, camping costs and GST.
You need to bring your own personal camping gear.  Full details will
be provided on booking.
Details/bookings- Greg O'Donnell (02)9960 5443/gregodonnell@...
Down To Earth Co-op      www.dte.org.au

Post message: sydneyconfesters@...
Subscribe:  sydneyconfesters-subscribe@...
Unsubscribe:  sydneyconfesters-unsubscribe@...
List owner:  sydneyconfesters-owner@...

Mahesh here from Sydney. Please tell me more about this Confest gathering in
Sydney. I should know, since I live here and have sort of been in the loop.

Just wanted to know if when it's happening and where and if any work needs
to be done in preparation, if anyone knows. Should be wonderful!

love love love
Mahesh

----- Original Message -----
From: Joshua Smith <chandrasekhar_limit@...>
To: <confest@...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 9:20 AM
Subject: [confest] Sydney Confesters Gathering


> Hi..
> Im thinking of driving from Albury to the Sydney confesters gathering
> at illford. I have my own car but I am looking for people to car pool
> with.
> If anyone from Melbourne wants to go to the gathering I can pick you
> up at the Albury train station prior to leaving..
> Thanks
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> confest-unsubscribe@...
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://au.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Hi..
Im thinking of driving from Albury to the Sydney confesters gathering
at illford. I have my own car but I am looking for people to car pool
with.
If anyone from Melbourne wants to go to the gathering I can pick you
up at the Albury train station prior to leaving..
Thanks

hey people thanks for all of your contributions
love and laughter
stay tuned for more sydney based confesting information
there are already photos on this web site and i would love to see
more contributions
and experiences shared
there is little time to organise for this next one
also im trying to track down more info for the rainbow gathering in
tasmania
love and light
Benny

Hi there, I need a lift from Goulburn NSW, on thw way for Sydney
folk, as you head towards fest. through Yass, Definately the
quickest way to get there ph  or SMS Carlie on 0409 841 092
zumi99@... tp pay petrol.
Canberra people, could possibly get to you if easier
HUGETHANKS, Happy festival

please, if you are keen on a lift you must let me know ASAP
departing Blackburn 4am Saturday 27th December.

p.S. 04 385 66 177 (diverted to home number cost of a local call)

the best way is for him to leave a note at the information tent

 

 

we leave 600am from central station all seats full

call @ 6:15 AM IF YOU WANT A STAND BY :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: cherrisub [mailto:cherrisub@...]
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 3:01 PM
To: confest@...
Subject: [confest] paying passenger seeks lift from Confest to Sydney, 2nd January

Hi there,

My friend, Ravi, is not online and has asked me see if there is
anyone out there who can give him a ride back to Sydney 2nd Jan as
he has to be back at work in Byron on 5th Jan.

He's lots of fun, easygoing and all around loveable, really and
would be happy to contribute to travel costs.

Please call him on 0401 208 820 asap (read:  urgently!)

Thanks a million, Cherri



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Contact Tedi Gurudaksina phone 0410 582639 SMS or voice but NOT by
email.
My van  is going to DTE for the week. Room for one person paying half
costs.

Hey Penelle

Left a message on that number you gave me, but in case you dont get it
& you get this.

Sorry, but were full up, leaving 25th & taking our time getting there,
playing amongst the trees & stuff etc. as you do ...

I hope you get a ride down. Benny, the lovely übernetworker, would have
space for you somewhere I am sure.

You can put a message on the dte.org.au website as well, but you
probably know about that one.

Um, there seemed to be a whole load of cars going down & not enough
people wanting a lift, only 2 weeks ago. Scroll through the old
notices, and there are people offering spaces.

Been in your space before & probably will in the future..

good luck!
Eric

On 23/12/2003, at 9:54 PM, pnel26 wrote:

> I need a lift to confest for myself and two children 6 and 4 years
> from Sydney, anytime from late afternoon boxing day. I would be happy
> to contribute financially and in any other way that might help.
> Please email me if you may be able to give the three of us a lift or
> if you could just bring some of our things so we won't be overloaded
> on public transport. Thank you and good on you, Penelle.

Hi there,

My friend, Ravi, is not online and has asked me see if there is
anyone out there who can give him a ride back to Sydney 2nd Jan as
he has to be back at work in Byron on 5th Jan.

He's lots of fun, easygoing and all around loveable, really and
would be happy to contribute to travel costs.

Please call him on 0401 208 820 asap (read:  urgently!)

Thanks a million, Cherri

Hi All,

I, marco, claim responability for this poll.  I guess I have participated
through confest in the
listed options in the poll.  I would not encourage first time confesters to
think of confest as a
drug fucked experience.  I do see the beurocracy that oppresses culturally
significant a threat to
the free thinking, community oriented people who attend confest. I do not
encourage anyone to be
abusive or thinking that its okay to abuse your body to enhance the confest
experience.  If I have
in anyway offended anyone, please accept my apologies.

Confest means a lot to me in terms of sharing music, life stories, support,
alternatives, finding
y0urself, goals, spirit and soul

love to all who read this, love to all who believe this
the energy will manifest itself through love and understanding.
light is trusting
light is love
hugs to all

=====


http://personals.yahoo.com.au - Yahoo! Personals
New people, new possibilities. FREE for a limited time.

The poll is a great idea to show people whats avail as a voulenter
The use of any drugs or alchohol is not encoraged @ confest
Do what you do for your Con-Fest experience. Please dont promote its
use through this group.
Love and light Benny

I need a lift to confest for myself and two children 6 and 4 years
from Sydney, anytime from late afternoon boxing day. I would be happy
to contribute financially and in any other way that might help.
Please email me if you may be able to give the three of us a lift or
if you could just bring some of our things so we won't be overloaded
on public transport. Thank you and good on you, Penelle.

Hi Marco,

we might be able to work out something. - better to share travel
costs etc.

I have been in contact with another person who may need a lift so
that would be four. I have a fairly large Ford Falcon - so it might
work out. Although I was wanting to take my huge tent (it even has
separate 'bedroom' compartments! - which uses up a lot of space - hey
but you would be welcome to use it - so you wouldn't have to bring
your own.

Anyway...give me a call tomorrow or tonight (Tues) in Melb - after
about 7:00 - 9873 5183 or mob: 0439 306 997

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
confest group:

when you arrive at confest, 2 hours of
your time are part of entry. What do you
do for 2 hours to help the festival?

   o help at the welcoming gate
   o clean up the site
   o help maintain peace and harmony
   o guide first time confesters.
   o fire control
   o noise control
   o counselling
   o assist others in setting up camp


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/confest/polls

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Hi there Leyton,

I am marco and live in blackburn. I was thinking of driving also to confest but
I guess if there
will be two cars going and not enough people I guess we could all pack it in in
just one and hire
a trailer to take our belongings there and back and have a real grouse time.
Anyway, Carmella in Caulfield needs a lift to confest and I thought about
driving or organizing to
meet somewhere convenient and just take off like happy hippies that we are and
travel to confest.
Anyway, as the time will be here sooner than later how about i give you a call,
or you can call
me, e-mail me, your choice and lets travel together,,,no pressure here man, just
an opportunity to
cut down the travellelling costs and make our way there collectivelly? how about
those singing
bells? I guess we could take them there if we manage to organize it.  That would
be really cool,
Although, i think Benny lives in Sydney, and it would be not so much on our way,
does that sound
right?

anyway, i got your number and Carmellas I'll give you a call sometime Wednesday
about ninenish or
sevenish...


cool,

love and hugs

=====


http://personals.yahoo.com.au - Yahoo! Personals
New people, new possibilities. FREE for a limited time.

i have a box containg crystal singing bowls about a foot squre and 40
kgs
i am looking for some one who can carry it to and from confest as i
now have a car full of people
i live in maroubra and will be travelling back to sydney around the
12th jan
love and light benny

Confest photos here:

http://westdigitalsolutions.com/index4.htm

Hi, I will be leaving from Melb on 27 or 28 (prob 27) and have room
for a few people. Will be returning on the last day or the day after.

Phil   0439 306 997

Ciao  PS I'm a non smoker and would ask that you help out a bit with
petrol.

--- In confest@..., "Roxi_Fox" <roxi_fox@y...> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> I am currently looking for someone to take my client, Carmella to
> Confest...

Hi Roxi...I also replied to this on the confest notice board. If you
still haven't found anyone, I will be leaving on Dec 27 or 28 (prob
27) and would have room for your friend. I will be in Mitcham area -
but we could meet at say Spencer st station or something similar - if
she dosen't have too much stuff to carry - otherwise I could probably
go out to Caufield to pick her up.

Phil   0439 306 997    mitcham no: 9873 5183

Cheers

Hi everyone

Greg & Dianna are leaving from Sydney on 26 Dec and have space for a
passenger with a small amount of gear.  Please phone Greg 9960 5443
or 0403 203 963.  Petrol money exchange & one way trip.  Look forward
to hearing from you for some fun - we'll be playing lots of I-Spy and
number plate spotting games!  Please bring pen & paper.  Cheers, Greg
& Dianna

----- Original Message -----

From: Mahesh

To: confest@...

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 1:48 PM

Subject: Re: [confest] to all- lift from Ballarat or Bendigo?

Dear siblings,

 

Happy, harmonic soul here looking for a lift from Ballarat or Bendigo to Confest on new year's eve. I am in Sydney at the moment but I will be in Ballarat on new year's eve. Please call me on (02) 9649-6289 or e-mail me at the above address. I would be happy to contribute towards fuel and to sing songs to soothe weary travellers.

 

love love love

Mahesh

----- Original Message -----

From: Eric Vigo

To: confest@...

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 11:56 AM

Subject: Re: [confest] to Eric

On 21/12/2003, at 11:37 AM, Benny Menczer wrote:

 Did you get in touch with norrie?

Heya Benny

Thanks. I'll do some ringing around tomorrow. Just need to find out whether my lift had another person in mind - were doing a convoy on Xmas day.

I'll email her tonight or tomorrow.

Otherwise, looks set to go. I'm very excited. The bliss of doing nothing, and no expectation to do anything. That is what I love about Confest.
Though I must say, I havent done Woodford, and that may be on the cards next year.
Maybe I am just getting back into music in a positive way!
Ez

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