November 6th, 2024CresFest founder honoured at folk awards
Judy Turner, the dynamic musician and founder of the hugely popular CresFest folk and roots festival held in Creswick every April, was awarded the Contribution to Folk Award late last month.
CresFest president and Kingston resident Mark Myers said “a group of us travelled to Melbourne to be part of the celebrations at the annual Australian Folk Music Awards, held at Brunswick Ballroom”.
The event, Myers said, was a gathering of the tribe, from all over Australia, with people from every state honoured for their contributions.
“We are very proud of Judy and of all she has achieved for Creswick. At the awards night we realised how much she has contributed over many decades, to make music an essential part of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.
Her energy and commitment are awe inspiring, and we are lucky to have her living in our region.”
Judy was nominated for the award by Ballarat legend, the singer and choir leader Stella Savy, who nominated her for her pioneering work providing musical opportunities for players of all ages through the creation and maintenance of the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, Stringmania Camp and CresFest.
“Above all, Judy’s secret magical power is having great ideas, making them come alive, then enthusing and inspiring other people to the extent they eventually want to take them over,” Stella said.
Less known in the local region perhaps is her work creating and growing the now famous Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, which grew under her leadership to a mighty performing group as well as a place for people of all ages to get together and build a life in music.
Judy ran the club, with her partner Neil Adam, from 1995 to 2011, when she ‘bequeathed’ it to younger players.
“The kids who came to the club in their teens have now been running the club for 15 years or so, and in 2025 will take the group to Nova Scotia on a 30th anniversary celebration tour,” Judy said.
Starting her working life as a violin teacher in western suburbs technical schools, Judy says she has always loved sparking the joy of group playing in people of all ages.
“One of my favourite teaching gigs was at the Council of Adult Education in Melbourne, where adults as ‘young’ as 80 came along with – say – a late uncle’s violin, to learn a few tunes in memory of him.
They were never going to really be players, but there was no doubt they were going to experience the joy of making their sound better by combining it with others.”
And that, Judy says, is the secret of music in community. Stella, now the co director of CresFest, agrees.
“We have made a festival that’s for players and singers of all ages and stages. We want them to be inspired not only by what they can see and hear, but also by what they can do.
“There are opportunities for everyone to join in, and in 2025 the Rhythms of Africa Extravaganza will stop the festival with singing, dancing and drumming in the streets.”
Thousands of people across Australia have reason to be grateful to Judy Turner for their engagement with music, and we in the Ballarat region can celebrate the opportunities she and her band of volunteers are bringing, with the creation of a festival with national appeal.
There are opportunities for engagement for new groups like Creswick Chorus, Hepburn Players and Creswick Ukestra, alongside established groups like Creswick Brass Band, Creswick Primary School singers and Creswick Drum Circle.
Words: Fiona Watson | Image: Eve Lamb
