Rural youth to benefit from creative exchange to Henty

The Field Days Co-operative has partnered with the Dreamfields Creative Youth Program to bring the exchange to a reality for next year’s event.

Dreamfields youth performers at Henty this year, Maidie Dawson and Lachlan Mitchell, will be hosted by the Somerset Rural Youth Project, attend the Somerset Youth Music Conference and UK National Folk Centre, and meet iconic Glastonbury Music Festival creator, Michael Eavis.

Dreamfields co-ordinator Craig Dent said Somerset Rural Youth Project would reciprocate by bringing creative youth to the Dreamfields Festival 2017 at the field days on September 19-21.

“Dreamfields provides access to rural youth who are often from isolated towns of less than 100 people, providing an important showcase at the Henty Machinery Field Days,’’ Mr Dent said.

“With the support of SRYP, this exchange program will provide our rural youth with an international experience which will be memorable to participants and enhance their musical potential.

“Henty Machinery Field Days will host Somerset Youth via the Dreamfields Festival and work toward creating an annual partnership from rural Australia to rural UK.’’

Henty Machinery Field Days chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said the HMFD co-operative was a strong advocate of youth involvement in the field days.

Mrs Anderson said the HMFD team was excited at the prospect of having an exchange of Somerset performers to attend the 2017 field days, with the assistance of the Australian Cultural Fund.

“There are few really large festivals and events in rural and regional Australia where youth can showcase their creativity and HMFD is proud to offer the unique venue,’’ she said.

“HMFD is fully supportive of the exchange growing into an annual event, allowing networking, friendship, talent, creativity and learning to be shared among young regional performers from both countries.’’