The Marquee Program

Expand your mind with our full-day speaker program in The Marquee featuring conversations, teachings and lived wisdom from practitioners, healers, researchers and community leaders. Gather in to hear stories that illuminate and inspire and panel discussions that challenge and question. From ancient healing traditions to modern wellbeing science, each speaker brings a unique lens on how we care for ourselves and each other.

Plant Medicine

Marye O'Brien (convenor), Rytasha Samson, Dr Steph Luxton and Lisaa Joy Stewart
10.30am - 11.15am, free entry

Convened by Marye O’Brien of Maiaveda in Kyneton, this panel brings together four practitioners whose work is rooted in the healing intelligence of plants and the traditions that honour them. Marye will guide a rich, grounded conversation with Rytasha Samson of Ahikāroa Māori Healing, Dr Steph Luxton of Luna Health and Lisa of Lisa Joy Stewart Natropathy, exploring how plant medaicine supports wellbeing across body, mind and spirit.

Together, they bring deep knowledge of traditional healing, clinical herbalism, somatic awareness, Ayurvedic practice and Māori healing modalities such as Mirimiri, Romiromi and Rongoā Māori. The conversation will explore how plants teach us to observe the seasons, connect with nature, and work creatively with what grows around us.

This panel celebrates the instinctive, ancestral and scientific dimensions of plant medicine, from fermentation and herbal preparation to energetic work and land‑based practice. It highlights the importance of good‑quality ingredients, mindful harvesting, and the transformative act of turning one form into another.

(left to right below) Marye O’Brien, Lisa Joy Stewart, Rytasha Samson, Dr Steph Luxton

Cooking from Scratch

Alex Perry (convenor), Mara Ripani and Yoko Nakazawa
11.30am - 12.15pm, free entry

Guided by Alex Perry, chef of the hatted Bar Midland, this panel brings together three remarkable voices who champion the art, intuition and wellbeing of cooking from first principles. Alex will lead a generous conversation with Mara Ripani of Orto Farm - The Village Dreaming, author of The Baker’s Percentage, and Yoko Nakazawa, of Cooking with Koji and author of Japanese Pickling and Fermenting.

Each panellist brings a profound relationship with ingredients, how they are grown, harvested, transformed and honoured. Together, they explore the beauty of seasonal work, the mindful act of observing and feeling the rhythms of nature, and the creativity that emerges when cooking becomes a dialogue with what the land offers.

This discussion celebrates the health and wellbeing benefits of cooking from scratch: nourishment for the body, grounding for the mind, and a sense of connection for the spirit. It also highlights their shared commitment to education - from cooking schools to garden tours and the joy of experimenting, fermenting, baking and seasoning with care.

A warm, insightful conversation about instinct, craft and the transformative pleasure of making food by hand.

(left to right below) Alex Perry, Mara Ripani, Yoko Nakazawa

Moving Towards Expansive Masculinity

Camilo Demarco (convenor), John Terry, Jeremy Forbes and Dame Smith
12.30pm - 1.15pm, free entry

This panel discussion convened by Camilo Demarco is a conversation with male practitioners working directly with men and teenage boys. Camilo will guide an open, honest conversation with John Terry, acupuncturist and facilitator of the Castlemaine Rites of Passage, Jeremy Forbes, founder of HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) and Dame Smith, podcaster, builder, martial arts coach and Rites of Passage leader. The panel will share some stories of hope, and examples of programs that are redefining masculinity in our modern context. 

Together, they question; How do we shift from a narrow model of masculinity that perpetuates gender stereotypes to one that supports men to be their most authentic self? How do we bring young men into the conversation without shaming and blaming and further perpetuating harmful views?

Expect a real and honest discussion that may open your eyes to new ways of thinking.

(left to right below) Camilo Demarco, John Terry, Jeremy Forbes, Dame Smith

Ritual and Transcendence

Alison Lasek (convenor), Achintya Das and Paul Mattei
12.30pm - 1.15pm, free entry

Convened by Alison Lasek, this panel gathers three practitioners whose work explores the edges of consciousness and embodied ritual. Alison will guide a spacious, evocative conversation with Achintya Das of Secret States and Paul Mattei of Suestro Cacao, inviting participants into the world of ritual water fasting practice, altered states and cacao ceremony as pathways to connection and health transformation.

Together, they bring a rich tapestry of experience from Achintya’s work with water fasting, to Paul’s deep relationship with ceremonial cacao and its capacity to open the heart, to Alison’s grounding in somatic ritual and community‑centred practice. This conversation explores how ritual practices can anchor us, expand us and help us cross thresholds within ourselves.

The panel will reflect on the role of intention, presence and sensory experience in creating moments of transcendence, and how these practices support emotional, spiritual and creative wellbeing. A compelling, atmospheric dialogue for those curious about the meeting place between body, spirit and the unseen.

(left to right below) Alison Lasek, Paul Mattei, Achintya Das

Closing Ceremony Kirtan

Sun Hyland, Amla, Andre Macky, Sarah Hines and Gavin Simpson
3pm - 4pm, free entry

Come together as the tents close to join in a huge community mantra chanting Kirtan session was part of our festival Closing Ceremony.

Kirtanist, songwriter and guitarist Sun Hyland combines a heartfelt devotion to yogic practice with Sarah Hines to form a powerful and sweet voice, creating a wonderful healing sound experience. For the last 15 years Sun has been leading soulful and uplifting musical mantra and meditation sessions at festivals and yoga centres around Australia and beyond.

Sun will be joined by accomplished Kirtan musicians from Castlemaine surrounds and Melbourne; Sarah Hines (voice & harmonium), Gavin Simpson (percussion), Andre Macky (bass) and Amla Periakarpan (flute and violin).

(left to right below) Sun Hyland, Amla, Andre Macky, Sarah Hines Gavin Simpson