The volunteer organising committee were pleased with the outstanding success of the festival estimating that around 350 people attended the whole weekend, with many more attending individual sessions. Many of those attending were returning from previous festivals and were looking forward to returning again.
The weekend was packed with performances, talks, discussions and exhibitions.
Australian of the Year Prof. Mick Dodson AM was the keynote speaker at the Sunday morning panel discussion on "After the Apology", along with Dr Roderick Pitty and Martin Mulligan. Prof. Dodson said that Australian would remain divided without a treaty, and while applauding the Apology, he said there was still a long way to go.
On Saturday, around 100 people celebrated the unveiling of the Landcare Memorial Stone. Phil Shoemark from the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council marked the occasion with a speech and a wreath was layed in honour of three Landcare volunteers from the catchment, Neil Waddell, John Loveday and Carina Clarke. The memorial is in Bicentennial Park to remember and honour the contribution they have made, not just to the environment but to the way the community looks at the environment.
The Saturday night concert featuring Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter was a sellout with 280 tickets sold. The couple had received a major award the previous night, accepting the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award for their contribution to Music in Australia. It was the first time the award had been given to a couple. Their performance was preceded by a indigenous hip hop artist Warren Foster from Narooma.
The forums on the Transition Towns concept at the Old Cheese Factory at Reidsdale attracted around 60 people each day, and concluded with a committee formed to progress the concept among the community.
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