Heart of Gold Festival Enters Official Records

The success and importance of the Heart of Gold Festival to the Gympie region has now been officially recorded in Queensland Parliamentary records.

Member for Gympie, Tony Perrett, highlighted the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival and the support it draws from the local region in a speech in State Parliament last night.

"It is important that all of Queensland knows how significant and successful this film festival is and I wanted to put it on the official record," Mr Perrett said.

"The Hansard is an historical document recording much of our state's history so it was great to be able to pay tribute to the sponsors, volunteers, the local community and committee who create and contribute to the success of the occasion."

"It is a wonderful antidote to all the doom and gloom on our screens at home from personal tragedies, financial uncertainty and upheaval to natural disasters, conflicts overseas and insecurity here in Australia."

"The Festival is a central plank in Gympie' calendar of events which brings a wide range of visitors to the region, injecting a much need economic and cultural boost."

"It helps to put Gympie on the map!" he said.

More 2015 Festival Golden Moments

We were thrilled to have filmmaker Natalie van den Dungen (centred, top image) present during the festival who's short film Bunny New Girl (image below) was the inspiration behind a workshop. The film is about a little girl's first day at a new school, where despite being self-conscious, she learns that friendship can overcome difference.

The mask she donned on her first day was the item used in a fun and hands on workshop with kids and students alike who attended the festival. Laughter, fun and creativity was experienced by all involved.

Mastering the art of filmmaking 

Another golden moment we're bursting to share with you was the success of the master classes. Run for the first time, reports from participants, both young and old(er), was that they just loved them. Having adults and children in the some sessions together made it very interactive and interesting to see how the different generations approached the tasks. 

High school students (some from Aboriginal background and some with special needs) were invited to the classes as well as given the opportunity to talk to patron Wayne Blair (pictured below) about his story of success.

The question of the day asked by one of the students was if Wayne has made a lot of money from acting. Wayne appropriately replied saying he lived in Sydney where the cost of living was high (wink). 

We had six schools attend with approximately 200 participants (adults and kids). One St Pats teacher said he thought the classes were fantastic and that he had heaps to build on back at school.

Young(er) at Heart short film competition

Also a festival first, the Young(er) at Heart short film competition was worth more than its weight in gold as it gave students a fantastic opportunity to try their hand at filmmaking, and also have their work judged by some industry ol' pros and filmmaking enthusiasts that made up the judging panel.
 
Master class co-coordinator and judge of Young(er) at Heart, Liz Lewis said she was delighted with the range of genres and styles of films submitted.

"I saw films using different camera techniques, experimentation with symbolism; contrast of black and white with colour, and animations. Simple but great narratives well told. One involved everyone in a small school and community; another a class developed their script through group work," Liz said.
 
Films were submitted from all over Australia, and from very small schools to larger ones, and also entries from individuals. "One school sent nine entries!" 
 
"Judges Rhys Cassidy, Geoff Portmann and I were impressed with the quality of the entries.
Of the winning film, Super Ted, it was the best from a strong group of finalists, but won because of its creative concept, quirky animation, humour, and strong Heart of Gold values evident throughout the narrative," Liz added.
 
"I was also just so delighted to receive entries from schools in our area, including Theebine State School, Gympie State High School, James Nash State High School, Kawana State High School, Buderim and Maleny. I'm looking forward to seeing the skill and creativity of young people in next year's Young(er) at Heart competition and I've already started taking queries for next year already!"

Art with Heart raffle winners! 

The Art with Heart raffle was again a wonderful addition to this year's Heart of Gold festival. The staff at the Gympie Hospital were ever so generous buying up plenty of tickets, putting them in a great position to take home a selection of beautiful artworks by Gympie artists. And win they did, with four of the 10 artworks being won by hospital staff.

Some of the winners taking home art gold included:

• Debbie Brown, phlebotomist: won her preference #1 the silver pendant. 
• Bob Breckenridge, theatre operational officer: also won his #1 preference the ceramic vase. He is going to give it to his wife for her birthday.
• Del Mengersen, operational officer: won her #7 preference, which was Valerie Willy's beautiful garden ceramic.
• Chris Walker, Acute Services Unit nurse: won her #2 preference, the Meagan Shelton painting. 

Heart of Gold judge and volunteer, Helen Crowley sold 95 of the tickets to hospital staff said: "It is wonderful how many of them support this event."

"All the hospital winners were really impressed with their art prizes and with the certificates of valuation. It will make it easier for me to sell raffle tickets at the hospital prior to our festival next year!"

The other winners are:

• Jan Watt, the Manager of Araluan Retreat (Film maker village): won Kym Barrett's painting who has it hanging in the office. She was thrilled.
• Jenny and John Oakley, HOG key coordinator for merchandising and John, the one who doesn't miss a session: won Ken Gailer's high value painting. Jenny is extremely excited and couldn't believe their luck!
• A Little Haven volunteer: won Dennis Granshaw's jewellery stand 
• Rhonda Smith: won Cindy Vogel's hat (Rhonda's mum bought her a ticket and she didn't even know it!)

And would you believe it, but Chris Postle's painting, Caught Out featuring the nuns having fun playing cricket was won by the Gympie Anglican Priest Andrew Cooper. Must have been fate!