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The Geraldton Guardian

Camera IconFifteen years after a group of friends first dreamed up the Nukara Music Festival around a campfire, more than 1000 punters gathered last weekend to mark the end of an era.With planning for the final event halted by a global pandemic and interrupted by a once-in-a-century cyclone, it is easy to see why organisers are feeling ready to hang up their festival shoes.But exhaustion aside, the folksy grassroots event will be missed by many.Organiser James Thompson said the punters he spoke to — from those attending for the first time over the weekend to those who had been around since day one — were “disappointed” but “understanding”.He thanked the community — especially the supportive venue owners — for their love over the years, saying the weekend’s final instalment meant a lot to him.“I had one moment (at the weekend) where I thought — ‘Oh God, this is really special’,” he said.The best of the Mid West’s usual suspects performed across the weekend, including Theona Councillor, Rosie Sitorius, Anne Williams, and Xhalisse.These local gems shared the stage with acts from across the country, like The Bambuseae Rhythm Section, Blue Shaddy, and Craig Atkins.Pictured: Vanessa Arouff-Parfait at Nukara Music Festival. Credit: Geraldton Guardian

Last hurrah for Nukara Festival celebrated by hundreds of music lovers near Geraldton

Headshot of Lisa Favazzo
Lisa FavazzoGeraldton Guardian
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Fifteen years after a group of friends first dreamed up the Nukara Music Festival around a campfire, more than 1000 punters gathered last weekend to mark the end of an era.With planning for the final event halted by a global pandemic and interrupted by a once-in-a-century cyclone, it is easy to see why organisers are feeling ready to hang up their festival shoes.But exhaustion aside, the folksy grassroots event will be missed by many.Organiser James Thompson said the punters he spoke to — from those attending for the first time over the weekend to those who had been around since day one — were “disappointed” but “understanding”.He thanked the community — especially the supportive venue owners — for their love over the years, saying the weekend’s final instalment meant a lot to him.“I had one moment (at the weekend) where I thought — ‘Oh God, this is really special’,” he said.The best of the Mid West’s usual suspects performed across the weekend, including Theona Councillor, Rosie Sitorius, Anne Williams, and Xhalisse.These local gems shared the stage with acts from across the country, like The Bambuseae Rhythm Section, Blue Shaddy, and Craig Atkins.Pictured: Vanessa Arouff-Parfait at Nukara Music Festival. Picture: Geraldton Guardian

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Sarah O'Malley warming up at Nukara Music Festival. Picture: Picture: Geraldton Guardian, Elise Van Aken

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Toby Beard, a veteran of many Nukara Festivals, played her last on Saturday, April 17 2021. Picture: Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

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Boom! Bat! Pow! Picture: Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

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The Saturday night crowd gathered at twilight for the main concert. Picture: The Geraldton Guardian, Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

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(Back L-R) James Thompson and Laura Bulter with (front L-R) Bittany and Ben Horner at Nukara Music Festival. Picture: Picture: Geraldton Guardian, Elise Van Aken