The next round of Community Impact Grants have opened as Wodonga councillors unanimously approved recommendations for February's round of recipients. The February round was put on hold due to COVID-19. There were three different types of grants which the community could apply for, including Community impact Grants, Community Impact Infrastructure Grants and Community Impact Partnership Program Grants.

Cr Brian Mitchell and Cr John Watson said there were many deserving organisations had applied. "There are some very worthy and hard-working clubs and organisations who have applied." he said.

Mayor Cr Anna Speedie echoed Cr Danny Lowe's sentiment that the funding stretched further when community groups were involved. "We are a better community for having these groups out there," she said. The next round of Community Impact Grants is now open. For more information and to apply, visit the grants and sponsorship page.

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The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network will begin woody weed removal works along Felltimber Creek next week. The works will start from the bridge at Felltimber Creek Road downstream to the edhe of the golf course. The works will involve a multi-staged approach to the rehabilitation of Felltimber Creek in line with the Wodonga Regional Waterway Action Plan. WULN project officer Sophie Enders said the project would build upon the momentum of previous community-lef projects. "The overall aim of this project is to improve the health of this section of the Felltimber Creek waterway," she said. "It will extend the Felltimber native habitat riparian corridor from the high-quality Swainsona Reserve upstream, into the heart of Wodonga.



"It addresses two priorities for Wodonga waterways; the removal of invasive species and the engagement of peri-urban landholders with key threatening processes on private land." Stage one will involve the removal of woody weeds including Willows from this section of the waterway. "This part of the project will reduce threats to biodiversity and habitat loss by clearing a 2.25 ha urban public park site on Felltimber Creek of invasive Black willow and other woody weeds," she said.



"Willows will be cut, poisoned and removed or stem-injected in-situ where suitable to retain a temporary habitat structure." Stage two will involve replanting with native species. This will be done across two community planting mornings will be held in winter to plant 1000 locally appropriate species, mainly shrubs and understorey, to connect the existing remnant River Red gums in the riparian zone.



Stage two will be conducted across a series of weekends throughout July and August. The Friends of Felltimber Creek, who are partnering with WULN, have received funding for the project through the Commonwealth Communities Environment Program.

The Australian, NSW and Victorian Governments and Albury City and Wodonga Council have formally committed to developing an Albury-Wodonga Regional Deal. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the three levels of government have signed a Statement of Intent setting out a shared vision and priorities for the initiative. “This is a significant step forward in delivering this landmark agreement for the Albury-Wodonga region, setting out our collective vision and commitment to the region and the people who live and work there,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.



Assistant Minister for Territories and Regional Development Nola Marino said the Regional Deal will seek to ensure the region prospers over the next decade by supporting population growth and economic development, while also ensuring it remains a nationally significant, liveable and prosperous region. “The Deal will be the first cross-border Deal in Australia, providing an opportunity to harmonise some of the regulatory barriers the region faces and to drive local growth and productivity,” Assistant Minister Marino said.



“We recognise the current challenging circumstances for Albury Wodonga as an important border town. The evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation and the subsequent border closures are directly affecting the region and all towns along the Victorian border. While these measures are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community, we recognise the social and economic hardship they place on communities. So our collective commitment to the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal has never been more important than it is right now and signing the Statement of Intent is a vital step forward.”



NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Deal reflected the significant opportunities for the region, with several broad focus areas outlined in the Statement of Intent.



“All Governments have agreed to focus on economic development, cross-border harmonisation, productivity enhancing infrastructure and connectivity improvements, enhancing liveability, leveraging the region’s quality health and education facilities, as well as supporting the Indigenous community as key pillars of the future Deal,” Mr Barilaro said. Victoria Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said these areas of focus will shape the business and community consultation about the commitments to be included in the Regional Deal.

“Locals should be consulted, as they know what will work best to meet community needs – they will continue to be critical to a Deal of which the region owns and can be proud,” Ms Symes said.



Mayor of Albury City Kevin Mack said community consultations will begin shortly to understand the priorities, opportunities and challenges that exist in the region. “It is important we work hand-in-hand with the local community at every step to ensure the Deal will help secure the future prosperity and liveability of the region,” Cr Mack said.



Wodonga Mayor Anna Speedie said all levels of Government remained committed to progressing a Regional Deal in the face of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Business and community consultation will provide an opportunity to better understand and consider how the Deal can also play a role in addressing community priorities following the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfire season and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Speedie said.



Minister for the Environment and Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said what makes this agreement unique also makes it potentially the most exciting of Australia’s Regional Deals so far.



“With five different signatures, this is a real signal of cooperation from each level of Government that we want to help local businesses and our communities to thrive. This cross border region is always at its best when we are able to work together,” Ms Ley said.

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will support construction jobs across Victoria by jointly investing an additional $525 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Victorian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.



“Partnering with State and Territory Governments to invest in more infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said. “This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $830 million to Victoria in the past eight months. “This package builds on the fast tracking of $514 million for infrastructure in Victoria which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government has worked with the Victorian Government to provide additional funding for two key infrastructure projects. “We are providing an additional $178.2 million towards the Regional Rail Revival package in Victoria, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to this project to $1.8 billion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.



“The Federal Government will also provide an additional $70.6 million in funding to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway East between Traralgon and Sale, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to $202.6 million for this project.”



Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the additional $320 million in federal funding had taken the Commonwealth’s infrastructure investment in Victoria to more than $29.5 billion. “Federal funding for this package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works and is in addition to our existing commitments,” the Treasurer said. “We will continue to work closely with both levels of Government in Victoria to get Victorians home sooner and safer whilst creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.”



The Victorian Government will also provide $179.8 million towards the two key projects and $25.7 million for targeted road safety works.



Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said the road and rail projects will better connect Victorians and provide a boost for major regional centres. “This partnership with the Commonwealth will build projects regional communities need and help keep our construction industry strong – which is more important than ever right now as we rebuild from the pandemic,” the Premier said. “This package is on top of our $2.7 billion we’re investing in new projects across the state to get shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – to kickstart our economy.”



Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge the said funding injection would deliver shovel-ready projects for Victoria. “This funding will significantly boost the Regional Rail Revival Package, helping to improve conditions for train passengers on their journeys to and from Melbourne,” Mr Tudge said. “At the same time, investment in targeted road safety works and the Princes Highway duplication will mean safer, reliable roads for thousands of Victorians.”



Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said this investment built on the State Government’s investment in roads and rail in regional Victoria. “We’re building the transport infrastructure to support better connections to our regional cities and country towns and deliver safer roads and more reliable regional rail journeys.”

The Victorian Government will provide more support to help businesses and workers through to the other side of the coronavirus pandemic. The Government has announced a $534 million Business Support Package – the latest support measures on top of the $6 billion in economic relief already invested since the pandemic began. The latest measures include cash grants for struggling businesses, mental health support for business owners, relief for tourism operators who can no longer welcome Melbourne-based visitors for holidays, and tailored and targeted advice for businesses to adapt, stay afloat and then bounce back on the other side.

The reinstatement of restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire is necessary to slow the spread of the virus, but we know the impact on businesses and their staff is significant. That’s why the Government will expand the Business Support Fund and provide more than 80,000 eligible businesses with a new $5,000 grant to support them through the renewed restrictions.

This grant was previously made available to the 12 postcodes linked to outbreaks. It will now apply to all areas under Stage 3 restrictions. Victoria’s night-time economy is the envy of the nation, but right now, the deadly pandemic means it’s had to do the heavy lifting to keep us all safe. That’s why this package includes a $30 million dedicated fund for the hardest hit businesses in hospitality.

A $26 million investment in mental health support will ensure Victorians dealing with the compounding challenges of running a small business can get the support they need as they navigate their way through the crisis. Many businesses will need to change the way they do things in order to remain sustainable, while others are dealing with challenges such as cash flow, reduced sales and debt for the very first time. The Government will establish a $10 million business mentoring program, pairing small business owners with experienced professionals who can help them navigate their way through the crisis.

The package also provides a $40 million capped fund for regional tourism businesses to cover the costs of refunds, as well as marketing campaigns to boost region to region visitation while Melbourne is locked down. Eligible operators will be able to claim up to $225 per night for up to five nights for each and every room cancelled due to the return of Stage 3 restrictions, provided they refund the booking in full. Because we know that small businesess in Melbourne’s CBD are faced with a large and sustained shock to their trading environments, the Government will also establish a $20 million CBD Business Support Fund.

Businesses will also benefit from an extended and expanded payroll tax deferral. Eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10 million can defer their liabilities for the first half of the 2020/21 financial year. The package has been designed in close consultation with industry, including the Australian Hotels Association and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Quote attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas: “This is a blow for the Victorian economy and our hard-working businesses, but our economy is robust enough to help us get through to the other side.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula: “Supporting our businesses, tourism operators and the night-time economy has never been more crucial – this targeted assistance will make a big difference to those doing it tough.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford: “This pandemic is hard for so many of our small businesses and that’s why we’re making sure they have the support they need to survive, adapt and keep their employees on – so more Victorians can stay in jobs.”

Victoria’s most vulnerable learners will have better access to the literacy, numeracy and digital skills they need for further study or employment opportunities, thanks to the Victorian Government. Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today announced the details of a $1.25 million investment in crucial skills training during a virtual visit to The Centre for Continuing Education, a Learn Local organisation in Wangaratta.



The funding will enhance new literacy, numeracy and digital skills training and allow more people to enrol with Learn Local providers and take a step towards securing jobs or further qualifications. As part of the investment, Learn Locals will receive Digital Adjustment grants to improve digital access in regional and rural Victoria. The investment will also support lead practitioners in literacy and numeracy to support Koorie learners across the state. A state-wide campaign will promote pre-accredited training as a pathway to employment and further training for the most vulnerable people in our communities with culturally and linguistically diverse learners to also be targeted. Learn Local providers make a huge difference in their communities by delivering pre-accredited training and programs. They help people from all ages and all walks of life, who need extra support to turn their lives around. Learn Locals have a strong presence in local communities across the state and are often the first point of call for people looking to reskill, they also have strong links with migrant communities and support people with English as a second language.



The $1.25 million in funding is part of a wider $163 million package of targeted investments announced by the Victorian Government this week that will make it easier for people to retrain so they can get work in sectors that need more skilled workers. The package will expand the government’s signature Free TAFE program and aims to get more Victorians impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly women and young people, into training for jobs in industries that will drive the state’s economic recovery.



Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney: “The Learn Local sector makes an invaluable contribution to the broader Victorian community and this funding will allow it to help more vulnerable people affected by the pandemic to gain skills and get jobs.”



Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes: “We’re supporting Victorian workers to gain the essential skills they need to help us rebuild from coronavirus including here in Wangaratta.”



Quote attributable to the Chairperson, Adult Community and Further Education Board, Maria Peters: “The Learn Local sector continues to support learners during a period of enormous change and challenge, they continue to help Victorians to believe in themselves as learners and their capacity to be involved in education, to succeed and make positive contributions to their communities”.

"Family owned, Rochford Wines is a must visit destination – as both a renowned Yarra Valley winery and Yarra Valley restaurant - all located in tranquil and picturesque surrounds. The vineyard and winery incorporates the acclaimed Isabella's Restaurant, cellar door and shop, together with other purpose built facilities – a conservatory, a pavilion, amphitheatre and lakeside deck - to service fabulous outdoor concerts, summer food and wine festivals, and a host of other functions and events.



Our wines continue to earn great respect, being handcrafted using fruit sourced from four exceptional vineyards. Our viticultural practices are based around maintaining balance in the vineyards, sustainability and responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Our wine making philosophy is to produce the best fruit possible in the vineyard, handle the fruit gently to preserve fruit character, minimise extraction and allow the wines to express the individuality of the vineyard and each growing season.



Rochford Wines Yarra Valley has become a showpiece of the region, widely acclaimed for its food and wine and its contribution to wine tourism, having outstanding facilities for every scale of function or event, from intimate weddings or a diversity of corporate functions, to grand outdoor concerts.



Through passion and dedication to customer service, the team at Rochford Wines aim to provide visitors with an engaging and very memorable experience."

Old Kempton Distillery is located in Dysart House, Kempton, in an 1840’s colonial inn. It is an easy 40 minute drive from Hobart and approximately 2 hours from Launceston. The cellar door has two large charming rooms located in the main manor house. Visitors can sit and relax while enjoying some home cooked treats from the kitchen. The cellar door offers a wide variety of tastings of both Old Kempton Distillery products and other Tasmanian and Australian boutique spirits.



The main residence is open to the public, housing our fully stocked cellar door and whisky tasting rooms. Our country style kitchen serves Devonshire tea, antipasto platters and daily specials to accompany your selection of Tasmanian spirits. Old Kempton's kitchen focuses on using local produce. All ingredients are sourced locally where ever possible. Entry to the cellar door and Dysart House is free. A fee is charged for whisky tours and include a tasting of four Old Kempton Distillery spirits. Old Kempton Distillery and Tasmanian whisky tastings are also available for a fee.

Vigneron and manager, Daniel Tokar, explains the history of his family’s estate.Tokar Estate was born in 1995. My Dad, Leon Tokar, stumbled across the location by chance and brought my Mum, Rita, to view the property. They clambered over a barbed wire fence and walked to the point where the winery and restaurant now stand. They took in the incredible view, and by that night it was theirs. Leon and Rita originally dreamed of a weekender and hobby farm. But the winemaking potential of the site, sandwiched between some of the Yarra Valley’s most famous vineyards, was too good to ignore. The Tokar family have never shied away from a challenge, and by 1999 we had 30 acres under vine.



The Vineyard

"Our family laboured to transform land that was covered in thistles, tussock grass and snakes into a high quality vineyard. Leon and Rita learnt from the established vignerons who were their neighbours, but they soon developed a reputation as trailblazers in the Yarra Valley. In addition to planting traditional varieties (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay) they were the first in the valley to plant the Spanish varietal Tempranillo. Over the years, the Tokars have proven to detractors that taking risks can pay off, and Tempranillo is now one of our signature wines. Our wines have achieved commercial success, but our estate is still a family farm. The Tokars, alongside our winemaker and vineyard manager, Martin Siebert, still lovingly tend the vineyard."

The Morrison Government will invest $270 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the capability and potency of the Australian Defence Force to keep Australians safe while protecting the country’s interests in a changing global environment. In its 2020 Defence Strategic Update, released today, the Morrison Government will signal a key change in Australia's defence posture, as it prioritises the Indo-Pacific region.



The update provides a new plan to tackle Australia’s defence challenges while increasing investment and personnel across the entire ADF.



Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Strategic Update would also mean more job opportunities as Australia’s increasingly capable and sovereign defence industry grows. “My first priority is keeping Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said. “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring the Australian Defence Force is equipped to meet our growing regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and to achieve our goals of regional stability, peace and security.



“Whether it’s our Pacific Step Up, our engagement with regional neighbours, or our deepening cooperation with partners new and old, our focus must be on the Indo-Pacific – it’s where we live and where our interests are.



“Our new strategic defence policy ensures that the Indo-Pacific is front of mind for our ADF and is prioritised in the decisions we make on our deployments and our force structure and capabilities.



“We are also providing Defence with the funding certainty it needs to deliver on our new strategic defence policy. “This will ensure we are able to shape our environment, deter actions against our interests and, if required, respond with military force. “More broadly, we are ensuring Defence has more durable supply chains, while further strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry to create more high-tech Australian jobs and enhance the ADF’s self-reliance.” These new policy settings will be a long-term undertaking for Defence with implementation underway.



Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the recent bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a further dimension to what national defence entails, now and into the future. “Defence thinking, strategy and planning have shifted gears to respond to our constantly changing and deteriorating strategic and defence environment,” Minister Reynolds said. “Australia’s security environment is changing quickly, with militarisation, disruptive technological change and new grey zone threats making our region less safe. “That’s why this Government will invest in more lethal and long-range capabilities to hold adversary forces and infrastructure at risk further from Australia, including longer-range strike weapons, offensive cyber capabilities and area denial capabilities.



“We will also invest in capabilities to give Australia better awareness of our region and to support regional engagement, while substantially increasing our air and sea lift capability to ensure we can rapidly respond to events across our region. “These investments will provide significantly increased opportunity for Australia’s Defence industry, which the Morrison Government is committed to further strengthening.”



Australia’s defence industry is growing with over 4,000 businesses employing approximately 30,000 staff. An additional 11,000 Australian companies directly benefit from Defence investment and, when further downstream suppliers are included, the benefits flow to approximately 70,000 workers. Defence planning will prioritise Australia’s immediate region – ranging from the north-eastern Indian Ocean, through maritime and mainland South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and the South West Pacific. As a result, the new strategic policy will require force structure and capability adjustments, which are focused on the region, responding to grey-zone challenges that threaten our national interests, the possibility

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) celebrated the completion of the final overseas deployment by an Adelaide Class guided missile frigate, with HMAS Newcastle arriving back in Australia. Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead AM, RAN, said the Adelaide Class frigates have been an indispensable part of Navy’s role in protecting Australia’s maritime interests for almost forty years. “Adelaide Class ships have formed the backbone of many Navy operations since 1980, serving with distinction on complex missions and cementing our reputation as one of the most professional and dependable navies in the world,” Rear Admiral Mead said.



Of the six Adelaide Class frigates to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, HMA Ships Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and Darwin have already been decommissioned, and the final two, Newcastle and Melbourne will retire later this year. “Like thousands of officers and sailors who had the privilege to serve on one of these great ships, the final voyage back to Australia by Newcastle will be bitter sweet for me, and the end of a defining era for Navy,” Rear Admiral Mead said. Before returning to her home port at Garden Island in Sydney for the last time, Newcastle will visit her namesake city and participate in a number of events designed to reaffirm the special bond Navy shares with the people of Newcastle. Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle, Commander Anita Sellick CSM, RAN, said her Ship’s Company are especially looking forward to the Freedom of Entry march through the streets of Newcastle and visit to Newcastle Senior School to present a donation and witness the unveiling of a mural commemorating Newcastle’s association with the school.



While in Newcastle, the ship will also conduct tours for local groups including Newcastle Senior School, Naval Cadets and the Newcastle RSL. The Fort Scratchley guns will exchange a gunfire salute with HMAS Newcastle as the ship departs Newcastle for the last time on Monday 17 June 2019. HMAS Newcastle has sailed over 900 000 nautical miles in 25 years of service, and received battle honours for operations in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. Plans for the ship following Newcastle’s decommissioning are under consideration by the Australian Government.

Australia and Hong Kong have always shared a close relationship. Our people-to-people links include close family connections, business ties and shared values. Australia is a favoured destination for people from Hong Kong, and has been for many years.



Australia has a long history of attracting Hong Kong’s best and brightest who have contributed significantly to our economic growth and job creation, and we are committed to ensuring this is further strengthened. That’s why Australia will introduce new measures for students, temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong who want to live, work and study in Australia.



New visa arrangements will provide further opportunities for Hong Kong passport holders to remain in Australia, with pathways to permanent residency. They will also attract talent and companies to our nation in order to boost productivity and create further job opportunities for Australians. Temporary graduate and skilled workers will be offered an additional five years of work rights in Australia on top of the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.

Students will be eligible for a five year graduate visa from the conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. .

Future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas will be provided with a five year visa, based on meeting the updated skills lists and Labour Market Testing requirements. Existing arrangement will continue to apply for those applicants who study and work in regional areas to help address skills shortages in those areas, with pathways to permanent residency after 3 years.

There are almost 10,000 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders in Australia who will be eligible for these special arrangements, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand.



The Government will also enhance efforts to attract businesses from Hong Kong. There are more than 1,000 international companies that have their regional headquarters based in Hong Kong which might consider relocating to Australia. Our government will develop further incentives to attract these companies, particularly where they have a strong potential for future growth and employment of Australians.



Special visa arrangements for Hong Kong



Students: Current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five year temporary graduate visa on the successful conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after five years. Former students already on a temporary graduate visa will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. Students who study at a regional campus will continue to be able to access a pathway to permanent residency after three years.



Temporary skilled visas:

Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. Future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas will be eligible for a five year visa, provided they:

meet occupational skills lists and Labour Market Testing requirements; or qualify through the Global Talent temporary visa scheme, which is for exceptional talent where the sponsoring employer pays above the Fair Work High Income Threshold of $153,600. These future temporary skilled visa holders will also have a pathway to permanent residency after five years.



There are almost 10,000 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders in Australia who will be eligible for these special arrangements, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand.

In Arnhem Land they call Baker Boy the ‘fresh new prince’. His totem is the Olive Python, his moiety is Dhuwa and his skin is Burralung/Gela boy. Born in Darwin and raised in the remote NT communities of Yurrwi [formerly known as Milingimbi and Maningrida] 21 year-old Danzal Baker aka Baker Boy is related to rising stars Gawurra and Yirrmal. He is the freshest new Yolngu hip-hop talent from the Top End. Young, strong and proud Baker Boy raps in Yolngu Matha language representing his Arnhem Land bloodlines. He knows his value, his worth and he raps so others get it.



What seems to be a whirlwind of success since the debut of Baker Boy, Cloud 9 has manifested into a full-blown Cyclone Baker. After infiltrating the triple j crew with an instant full rotation addition and prospering in their appraisals Baker Boy’s career has dropped into 6th gear with new single Marryuna set to be a Summer festival anthem. Baker Boy is known as a multi-talented, multi-lingual artist, working across rap, dance, acting and graffiti, and he hopes to inspire younger generations to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities. The southern hemisphere’s largest music conference BIGSOUND picked up on Baker Boy like a hot rock and threw him into the depths of their exciting first announce alongside notable Australian musicians.

Antwan André Patton, known by his stage name 'Big Boi', is a 7 time Grammy award winning hip-hop rap artist, producer and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia (USA).

Matthew James Colwell, better known by his stage name 360, is an Australian hip hop recording artist. He has released four studio albums: What You See Is What You Get (2008); Falling & Flying (2011), which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum; Utopia (2014), and "Vintage modern" (2017).

Australian vocalist and composer, Alyson Murray, is known for juxtaposing elements of soul, RnB and jazz into energetic and captivating music. Alyson has built her career on the foundations of a strong musical education. At the young age of 16, Alyson received an Outstanding Potential Award from the Australian Girls Choir (AGC), where she was also selected to preform in The Boy From Oz, Hugh Jackman production in Melbourne, and many other public performances including several Australian Football league Grand Final pre entertainment performances and the ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ Qantas advertisement.

Taking a well worn Bossa Nova book lavished with 60’s ballads and a happy handful of cabaret pizzazz this delightful quartet is far from a typical Melbourne Jazz experience.

With songs about boozy nights, bad decisions, broken hearts and the best intentions, Brooke Russell and The Mean Reds blend vintage Americana with widescreen, dark country.Drawing influence from alt-country, jazz and folk styles, the band are also inspired by the songs of Ryan Adams, Joe Henry, Sharon Van Etten, Gillian Welch, Tom Waits and Neko Case.Their second full-length album, The Way You Leave, document love, loss, friendship and regret and feature co-writes with Andrew Combs, Clare Reynolds, and Tobias Hengeveld as well as covers of JD Souther and Tom Waits.