Orbost locals flocked to the back lawn of the Orbost Club Hotel on Saturday for the first-ever “Live on the Lawn” summer mini festival, a collaboration between the
Bottom Pub and Serendipity Music Events, a venture founded by local musician Olivia Lay.
Following the sell-out success of last year’s Snowy River Country Music Festival, the pair teamed up again to offer something fresh for the local community – a relaxed, family-friendly celebration of East Gippsland music.
Ms Lay said the goal was
simple: support home-grown
talent and make live music accessible to everyone.
“There isn’t much opportunity for showcasing original music in our region, so we wanted to create a space where local musicians could be heard,” she said.
To ensure nobody missed out, organisers kept ticket prices low and focused on an inclusive atmosphere.
The afternoon and evening line-up featured a strong selection of local artists, including Sean McGuinness, Olivia Lay, Mike Elrington, Todd Cook and the Rufous Whistlers, and IO, with DJ Jock and Beau keeping the crowd dancing after the sun went down.
Production support was provided by Bruthen Music, with the impressive stage supplied by Grinter Transport, helping transform the pub’s back lawn into a fully fledged outdoor venue.
Although concerns were high in the days leading up to the event due to fires burning in the region, more than 200 people attended, filling the expansive grassed space behind the former bottle shop and creating a warm, vibrant atmosphere.
Festivalgoers enthusiastically embraced the afternoon, sharing praise for both the performers and the setting.
One attendee described the experience as “a wholesome event, bringing together great local acts, musical appreciators and the community in a perfect setting.”
Ms Lay said she was overwhelmed by the turnout and the support for local talent.
“It means so much to me to see how the pub and community supported our musicians,” she said.
“It’s events like these that help us get our songs and stories heard.”
With strong backing from the Orbost
Club Hotel and encouragement from the
audience, Live on the Lawn is set to become a regular fixture.
“My cup is full after such a wholesome event,” Ms Lay added.
“We’re already excited to collaborate on more new and exciting events” – great news for local artists and the Orbost community alike.
