Just down the road: Girgarre

By Jaci Hicken

Nov 6, 2024

Girgarre is a must-do stop for community music lovers, putting artistic practice at the centre of the community’s life.

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Flourishing with the annual Moosic Muster, Jigarre Jammin’, the monthly produce and craft market, the Gargarro Botanic Gardens, and many more community events.

Over 20 years ago, the Girgarre Development Group Inc. started a produce and craft market on the second Sunday of each month, growing it from six stalls to upwards of 150 stalls.

Girgarre Development Group Inc. secretary Jan Smith wanted music at the market from the start, which grew into the Moosic Muster and Jigarre Jammin’.

“It was just one little idea that a person I had known over the years had,” Jan said.

“I got him to get some music for the first market and that is how the Moosic Muster grew.

“I asked them all back 12 months later to see what they helped to create as the market had blossomed.

“Then that night, they said, ‘We ought to have a music festival here’.”

So began Moosic Muster.

The Saturday of the muster is taken over by workshops, from ukulele to jazz experiences and Australasian music to clogging in the hall.

“They have open mics, where you can facilitate hopping up and playing with a few of your mates,” Jan said.

“They have a beaut thing called the ‘Hat Band’, where you put your name in a hat, your name is pulled out randomly.

“Half a dozen of you learn to play a song together, then perform it in front of everybody.

“It is tremendous because there are always good musos with some learners and it pulls everyone along.

“Everyone gets the joy of performing; it is amazing.”

You don’t need to know how to play or own an instrument to come along and be part of Moosic Muster.

You can always lend an instrument, and someone will teach you how to play it.

During Moosic Muster, free concerts are held at the sound shell in the Gargarro Botanic Gardens on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Girgarre Moosic Muster is held in January each year.

JIGARRE JAMMIN’

Jigarre Jammin’ started when people wanted more community music, not just once a year at Moosic Muster.

From February to November, Jigarre Jammin’ is held on the fourth Saturday of the month in the Girgarre Memorial Hall.

This community-minded gathering encourages people who want to play together, regardless of their skills or experience level.

Along with the monthly jam, Jigarre Jammin’ holds two three-day camps in Girgarre each year in April and September.

GARGARRO BOTANIC GARDENS

Opened in May 2023, Gargarro Botanic Gardens is a unique and world-class botanical installation that exhibits best practices in garden design, sustainability and Indigenous plantings.

The garden’s design reflects the region’s dry landscape, celebrating native flora and precious water resources, overlaid with a celebration of Australia’s indigenous history.

Gargarro Café, fully licensed, is open for breakfast and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and serves dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

A unique feature of the Gargarro Botanic Gardens is the Sound Shell, a world-class amphitheatre for outdoor musical and theatrical performances.

In November, Showdown at the Sound Shell, a youth music competition for those aged between 12 and 18, is held there.

Friends of Gargarro Botanic Gardens hold a fundraising Girgarre Open Gardens Festival in late October, opening the gates of local gardens for you to explore and gather gardening ideas.

GIRGARRE PRODUCE AND CRAFT MARKET