The 2021 ChillOut Festival in Daylesford (Victoria) features an innovative programme including Maeve Marsden's 'Queerstories' and a mass tree planting.
It all happens over two weeks through February and March, transforming the Central Highlands of Victoria into Queer Country – and to celebrate, festival-goers are invited to gather at Lake Daylesford to participate in the planting of 30 trees to form a Grove Of Gratitude. This will honour past and present community members, with a special ceremony to follow.
"Daylesford has always held a special place in the hearts of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a magical, transformative place and this gesture is living memorial for everyone to enjoy and reflect upon," Festival Director Michele Bauer says.
This is the 24th iteration of the festival, promising ten days of fabulous events curated to bring joy and colour to Daylesford. ChillOut will dive deep into a diverse selection of wellbeing activities, family-friendly theatre and arts events and a massive (COVID-safe) street parade. Also included is a special Queer Health Expo and the ChillOut debut of award-winning podcast and storytelling project 'Queerstories', with host and director Maeve Marsden.
Radio National Drive programme presenter Patricia Karvelas is the 2021 ChillOut Ambassador. She has been a senior journalist in the Australian media landscape for 15 years. As part of the festival, Patricia will be hosting a must-see, must-hear in-conversation event.
