25 Years of Merrepen Festival This year the 25th Merrepen Arts and Sports Festival will be marked with a range of special celebrations and the community will come alive with colourful displays. An exciting new range of screen printed fabrics will be launched on Saturday morning and will be on sale over the weekend. An exhibition of fine art prints will be on display in the art centre. Films set in the community will be shown in the Council Chambers and the Saturday night concert will celebrate strong women. art sale and auction The Art Sale which will take place at 10.30am on Sunday June 3, followed by the art auction at 12noon. Each painting has a price tag attached. To purchase a painting you just tear off the the bottom part of the tag and give it to the cashier. Once you have torn the tag the painting is considered sold to you, so choose carefully. If you accidentally tear off a tag just let the cashier know straight away. The famous art auction on Sunday Morning is a once a year opportunity to buy a great work of art at a great price. The work of local artists Gracie Kumbi, Phillip Wilson, Marita Sambono, Patricia McTaggart AM and Geraldine Ungunmerr will be available in the auction and the art sale. As well there will be an auction of some younger artists works. program friday 1 june 8.00am: Sporting Carnival begins with teams from around the region competing in football, softball and basketball saturday 2 june Sporting Carnival continues throughout the day and 10am Merrepen Arts Centre Exhibition and sale of Limited Edition Prints opens 10am: Art sale paintings available for viewing only all day 10am: Launch of new range of screen printed fabrics 11am & 2.15pm: Multicultural dancing 12noon: ‘Fi’ Weaving Workshops run by the local ladies 1.30pm: Fire making competition 3.00pm & 4.30pm: Local Films 6.00pm: Mass in St Francis Xavier Church 7.00pm: Sisters & Friends Concert - Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, Leah Flanagan & The Emu Sistes plus dance performance from Djilpin Dancers. sunday 3 june 8.00am: Sporting Carnival continues throughout the day 10.00am: The Official Opening of the Art Festival 10.30am: Art Sale begins. Purchase your favourite work 11am & 1pm: Multicultural dancing 12noon: Art Auction will begin at midday 2.00pm: ‘Fi’ Weaving Workshops run by the local ladies All afternoon Sporting Grand Finals Arts & Sports Festival www.merrepenfestival.com.au merrepen arts festival is an alcohol & drug free event June 1 – 3, 2012 nauiyu community daly river about the merrepen arts and sports festival Merrepen Arts and Sports Festival is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier Aboriginal cultural festivals with visitors traveling from all over Australia to visit this extraordinarily beautiful region of the Top End and its fine art works and culture. things to remember • No alcohol is permitted to be brought into the Nauiyu Community • No permits are required to enter the Community • Limited food and drinks will be available • Bring a chair, blanket or bean bag to enjoy the Saturday night Concert • Bring warm clothing just in case • Very limited facilities for EFTPOS ‘cash out’ please come prepared • Art works can be purchased with cash, visa, bankcard, mastercard or EFTPOS contact details Merrepen Arts, Culture and Language Aboriginal Corporation (MACLAC) Ph 08 8978 2533 Fax 08 8978 2766 www.merrepenfestival.com.au local accommodation Camping is not available in the community but there are a number of tourist parks throughout the area offering a full range of accommodation options. Banyan Farm Tourist Park (08) 8978 2461 Mango Farm Tourist Park (08) 8978 2464 Perry’s on the Daly Tourist Park (08) 8978 2452 Daly River Roadhouse (08) 8978 2418 Woolianna on the Daly Tourist Park (08) 8978 2478 Sinclair’s Fisherman’s Retreat (08) 8978 2267 Nancar Hideout 0427 014 714 how to get there Merrepen is located at the Nauiyu Aboriginal Community on the banks of the magnificent Daly River famous for its billabongs, barramundi and abundant supply of bush tucker. It’s only 240kms south west of Darwin on sealed roads. Drive south from Darwin on the Stuart Highway to Adelaide River (110kms) and turn right onto Dorat Road, just after the bridge in Adelaide River (where the horserace track is). Drive along Dorat Road for approximatley 30 kms then turn right onto the Daly River Road. Follow this road all the way to the Merrepen Art Centre at Nauiyu.