Festival Inclusion Information
The Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee festival makes every effort to be inclusive and supportive of all people who want to attend. The following information is provided to help you with planning and preparation and gain a better understanding of the what to expect with regards to the physical and sensory environment of the festival.
Feedback is welcomed to help us make the event even more inclusive.
If you have specific needs, and can’t see what you need here – send us an email, or give us a call to discuss – we should be able to make it happen! Remember – the sooner you talk with us, the better we will be able to meet your needs or answer your questions.
Contact …….womindjeka.balnarring.ngargee@gmail.com
If assistance is needed during the festival – see the volunteers at the Information table
About the Festival
The festival welcomes everyone who is interested in honouring and celebrating First Peoples cultures.
There are 4 main aspects to the festival
[graphic of musicians singing and playing guitar]
- Music and dance entertainment around the festival stage – see program
[A painting palette and brush. ]
- Workshops – for children and some for adults – see program
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- Information stalls focussed on caring for country
[graphic of a drink with a straw and a sandwich]
- Food and drink stalls
Physical Environment
The festival is at Emu Plains, next to the Balnarring Racecourse in a natural bush setting amongst mature eucalypt trees.
The ground surface in many areas is loose dirt with tree roots crossing many paths.
Activities are spread around the site and most can be accessed from tracks amongst the trees
Most of the event is in the open air. There is limited shelter under marquees.
The event is during daylight hours. There is no area lighting. The stage and toilet blocks are lit toward evening.
A Hippocampe All Terrain Wheelchair is available at the festival on a first come, first serve basis, enquire at the Information Table near the Entry.
[photograph of a Hippocampe all Terrain Wheelchair designed to be used on sand and in the sea]
Sensory Environment
The festival is based around a variety of music – this can be loud.
A lot of people can be at the festival, including many children enjoying the excitement of the day – adult supervision is strongly recommended as most will be unfamiliar with the setting and there are no fences around the site.
A few areas can be busy with lots of people there will be alternative routes, quiet areas or asking an event volunteer for assistance.
There are many quieter areas around the festival site away from the main stage.
Food vans and stalls will provide a variety of food which will create different aromas in the area.
Temperature is weather dependent as the entire festival is entirely outdoors – some shade available under marquees and trees.
Parking and Transport
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General parking is in the centre of the racecourse, enter via Gate 2. A gold coin donation will be collected for parking
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Disabled Permit parking is available on the festival site – enter via Gate 1
Public Transport to and from Balnarring is very limited. Nearest Train Station – Bittern (Stony Point – Frankston line). Bus 782 Frankston to Flinders to cnr Frankston-Flinders/ Coolart Rd intersection with a 2 km (30 min) walk to the Race course
Taxi’s are few on the Mornington Peninsula and best to pre-book:
- • Mornington Peninsula Taxi’s 0449 680 853
- • Hastings Taxi 0416 543 493
- • Mornington Taxi Service 9789 9913
- • Frankston Taxi’s 9786 3322
- • Metro Cabs 5999 0171
Drop off/collect from Disabled Parking area, enter via Gate 1
Toilets / Change Tables
[graphic of a Toilet sign for female, male, disabled]
[graphic of a sign for adult attending child on change table]
There are 3 toilet blocks available for use by festival goers dotted around the site
- 2 blocks have access suitable for many wheelchair users, however, the ramps to these are steep and circulation space inside the cubicle is minimal
- There is a more accessible toilet in the Portaloo – ask at Information for directions
- There is no adult change table or hoisting available
- A baby’s change table will be provided – ask at Information for directions
[photograph of a portable disable toilet cubicle]
Health and Safety
There is no fence around the festival site.
There are farms nearby and a gun club meeting within 500m of the site.
[graphic of a sign for First Aid]
There is a first aid station with trained officers in the food stalls area.
There is free access to water at the Rent a bathroom water station.
Assistance Animals
[graphic of a guide dog in harness]
Assistance animals are welcome
