TimeOut Barnesy heads line-up Repertoire of music legends for October’s Savannah in the Round at Mareeba

l MAREEBA

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Rhys Thomas

AUSTRALIAN rock legend Jimmy Barnes is the headline act for this year’s Savannah in the Round music festival at the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds in October.

Savannah in the Round will once again prove to be one of Far North Queensland’s largest and most popular music festivals as the organisers put forward an all-star lineup of Australian musicians.

Joining Barnes on stage will be Australian musical legends Kasey Chambers, Kate Ceberano and Daryl Braithwaite alongside some of the hottest names in country including Brad Cox, James Johnston and Casey Barnes.

This year’s line-up also has an impressive 15 local Far North Queensland artists including Tablelands-based Jeremy Fletcher, Aurelle Brunjes and Careless, as well as Cooktown’s Yazmindi.The Pigs, Black Image, Roz Pappalardo, and Out of Abington are just a few of the other Far North Queensland artists set to perform.

Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Don Walker, beloved multi-awardwinning artist Fanny Lumsdem, Aussie icon Russell Morris and countless others will also be performing.

Festival director James Dein said this year’s line-up was focused on the Australian music scene as it had “never been hotter”.

“We decided this year to lead with the locals first,” he said.

“This year’s event will welcome a who’s who of the best in Australian rock, pop and country heading north for a three-day party.

“Savannah in the Round is a true celebration of everything that’s great about Australia and everything that’s special about Far North Queensland and this year’s event will be our biggest one yet.

“We’re dedicated to championing our Aussie acts and putting the spotlight on them first. But watch this space. We still have a few surprises up our sleeves, both local and tourists.”

For the first time in the event’s history, Savannah in the Round will also include a special edition of the iconic Great Northern Bull Riding Series over Friday and Saturday night.

Some of Australia’s best riders will go head-to-head in a one-of-a-kind, two-hour bull riding spectacular, soundtracked by some of Australia’s best music.

Jimmy Barnes is no stranger to the Far North, touring here in 2019, and is looking forward to coming back.

“A few years ago, I had the pleasure of heading to North Queensland as part of my Shutting Down Your Town tour and it reopened my eyes to just how beautiful this country can be,” he said.

“With a combination of some of the country’s most beautiful locations, populated by some great North Queensland music lovers, I couldn’t be happier to be heading up to Mareeba for Savannah In The Round this year.”

In addition to Savannah in the Round’s expansive music offerings, punters will also be able to experience a variety of camping, glamping and on-site festival delights.

Alongside major, world class performances on the main stage, Big Top Music Hall and in the Bull Bar, Savannah will feature Indigenous visual art, music and dance displays, a market village full of local produce an onsite “paddock to plate” experience showcasing the freshest local ingredients.

Cairns MP Minister Michael Healy said Savannah in the Round was a highlight of the 2023 It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. “We look forward to welcoming more than 12,000 spectators to Savannah in the Round, which last year generated $4.5 million for Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy,” he said.

Tickets are now on sale at www.savannahintheround.com.au

Honours for Three Saints members

l SILKWOOD

FOUR new Feast of the Three Saints Committee and two life memberships have been appointed at Silkwood.

Committee secretary Vera Zappala said on Sunday, April 16, the committee honoured their dead committee members by celebrating mass with committee members and family members of those who had died attending the service by parish priest Fr Kerry Crowley at St John’s Church.

“At the end of the mass, three of the four new members – Anthony Contarino, David Pennisi, Santo Pagano – were introduced to those gathered. Madelyn Priddle, the fourth new member, was unable to attend,” she said.

“Also at this mass, two members received life memberships for their dedicated 25 years of continuous service to the Three Saints Committee. Congratulations to Fred Caltabiano and Joe Giarraffa.”

The Feast of the Three Saints is held every year in Silkwood on the first Sunday of May. For more details visit the Feast of the three Saints website or Facebook.