Last updated: 27-August-2010

• Welcome to the Bulletin Board.

  

  All sorts of bits and pieces of news, information, requests, etc will appear here during the next couple of months. If you wish to add something concerning the Jamboree to this page, please email a request to and we'll try and include it.

• Volunteers

  As usual, we need heaps of VOLUNTEERS to help the Jambo run smoothly. The good folk from the CFA do an enormous job over the weekend, and many others give heaps of time and energy, but there's always room for many more!! There is now a Volunteer form to fill in on the Volunteers page on the website. Click on the link to find out how you can earn a weekend pass!

  
  

  In particular, especially since we are new to this and may not be aware of all of last year's helpers, we need to know how many bodies we have available for the afternoon/evening of Wednesday 15th, daytime and evening on Thursday 16th, daytime on Friday 17th, the late night clean-up jobs for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and the clean-and-pack-up jobs for Monday 20th. Also, the availability of trailers, utes, vehicles with tow bars, and drivers. All on the form.

• Performers and Programming

  We have a great line-up of artists to entertain and inform you this year. Many have appeared on chalkboard stages, a few have been on the official concert programme before, but there are a number of new acts and workshop presenters. Huge thanks to Chris Ryan who has worked tirelessly for the past six years of the Jambo and has worked with Jeanette to set up this year's programme.
  
  **Two feature concerts - on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
  
  ** Four chalkboard concerts for all sorts of acts - sign up at reception.
  
  ** Fourteen official workshops which will be banjo-based.
  
  ** Informal/spontaneous workshops which can be advertised on a chalkboard at reception.
  
  ** Saturday Noon. The Johnstown Original Kazoo Ensemble (J.O.K.E.) were such a hit last year they have been invited back to lead the procession down to the Big Tree for the annual "Banjo Massed Mugshot" photo shoot.
  
  ** The Saturday night dance in the Public Hall, the "Maree Murrell Caper", will again feature a variety of talented local musicians and dance callers, their numbers swelled by numerous other Jambo musos who jump up on stage and join in!
  
  ** Gospel Singalong, led by the "Turnarounds", down in the River Reserve on Sunday morning. Song words this year will be available for a gold coin donation at the singalong.

  Check out the Programme and Performers Bios page for the full programme and further details on all of the above.

• Friday Night at the Jambo

  Exciting news about Friday night at the Jambo. Multiple sessions will still, without a doubt, be firing at the Pub, the CFA, and the campsites. However - in the MUSIC HALL, something a bit different.

  
  

  Chris and Tony Ryan have been instrumental in the running of the Jambo for all its life but this year are having a rest from committee duties. So we will be honouring them with a special concert spot from 8.30 till 9.15 or so in the Music Hall. Yes, the RYAN BROTHERS BLUEGRASS BAND will rise again!! (It was called "Country and Piston" - they're still considering a resurrection title!) Chris and Tony will be joined by brother Matt on bass, along with a few other of their tried and trusted friends.

  
  

  The set will be preceded by a "Welcome to Country" Jambo opening at 8.15pm, and then followed by a CHALKBOARD CONCERT till around 11.15pm.

• Instrument Displays

  Jason and Melissa at the London House Gallery will be hosting displays from two and possibly more instrument makers. They will be open from 10am till 4pm on Saturday and 10am till 2pm on Sunday. I believe there were some fine jam sessions in there too last year. Check it out.

• Robbie Watts Memorial Pick-Off Event

  The Robbie Watts Memorial Pick-Off Event for banjo players will be again held during the Saturday afternoon concert in the Public Hall. Register at reception. For conditions, tunes, etc, see the Programme and Performers Bios page. First prize will be a framed certificate and a $100 voucher from Instramental Music, Castlemaine. Second prize will be a $60 voucher from Burke's Music, Castlemaine.

• Shower Block and Loos

  Unfortunately it seems unlikely that the new SHOWER BLOCK on the John Powell Reserve will be completed in time for this year's Jambo! The Vaughan Springs shower block will be available again for our visitors. The Big Tree Park toilets will still be available, and we will have two portaloos at the River Reserve, two on the oval, and an extra one behind the hotel. When open, there are toilets at the Public Hall, the Hotel, the Tearooms and the CFA. The Public Hall now has an indoor Disabled Toilet.

• Merchandising and Retail

  Jamboree Merchandise: available from the Reception area in the Public Hall on Friday night and Saturday morning, in the CFA Station from lunchtime Saturday till lunchtime Sunday, then at the Sunday afternoon concert in the hotel beer garden. Items include stubby holders, stickers, mugs, and Tex and Fi's local "Big Tree Enterprise" T-Shirts in a couple of colours and various sizes, featuring our Banjo Leprechaun logo.

  
  

  Retail merchandise: Representatives from Instramental Music and Burke's Music in Castlemaine will have instruments, accessories, books, etc available for sale on Saturday in the CFA Station.

  Artist CDs: Available at concerts, chalkboards, workshops, or whenever else you see them around the town.

• Food Catering

  There'll be great food at all sorts of hours from the cooks and chefs at the Hotel, the General Store, the Loddon Tearooms (at the back of the store), the CFA Station, the Primary School and the Castlemaine Lions Club food van. The Lions Club is raising funds at present towards the purchase of a carers respite house in Castlemaine.

• BYO Provisions and Take-Away Alcohol

  Provisions: Though Castlemaine has ample shops, the Guildford village only has one General Store and can't obviously think of everything a crowd might want. Yes, they will have eggs, bacon, butter, milk and many of the other basics, and lots of yummy snacks and meals, and we want you to support their business - but French truffles or caviar might be out of the question!

  Alcohol: A little word of advice - as the hotel has limited storage capacity for take-away alcohol, it is recommended that you bring your own where possible to drink after hours and away from the pub. No BYO is to be drunk in the hotel or on the hotel veranda or in the hotel beer garden. Please respect our terrific publican's licensing restrictions on this matter. We want both the pub and the Jamboree to continue into the future!

• Session Marquees

  We hope to provide a little extra comfort for our patrons this year by setting up two session marquees on the oval, with gas heaters, tables and chairs and a portable toilet near each one.

• Fires

  Fires on the oval and other camping spots will be strictly controlled this year to comply with CFA and council requirements. Absolutely no uncontained fires are to be lit on the ova, Big Tree Park or the River Reserve at any time. Campers bringing fire drums/burners must agree to them being inspected by CFA volunteers and they are only to be used if they are on stands which are not going to be harmful to the grass. Patrons who bring drums are advised to bring their own supplies of untreated and unpainted firewood/fuel. It is illegal to gather wood from the River Reserve and the cost and logistics of the Jamboree supplying and distributing firewood make it impracticable to do so in large quantities, though we will be installing a limited number of drums with some firewood.

• Banjo Leprechaun - 2010 Logo Name

  We're looking for a NAME for our leprechaun banjoist and a theme song to go with it. Email us some suggestions. We've had a couple already - keep them coming! If yours is the one we choose you can pick up a FREE MUG at the Jamboree. Thanks to Jason Conn for his drawing of the 2010 logo! He has donated the artistic copyright for the logo to the Jambo, so please do not reproduce it without the permission of the committee.

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