New energy.
Words: Tim Leeson
On a drizzly Thursday morning in Sale, Gippsland’s future shone brightly as the Gippsland New Energy Conference celebrated a bold new direction for the region.
Skirting past a multitude of groups, all conversing animatedly, I briskly made my way into The Wedge Performing Arts Centre. It was August 2022, the Sale sky was grey, but the mood in the Wedge was considerably brighter.
I thought, ‘Hell yeah, how good are live events!’ even as I completed the various Covid safety statements.
I slid through the open door into the theatre early and, to my surprise, it was already packed and filled with a burbling excitement. The inaugural Gippsland New Energy Conference (GNEC) was about to get underway.
Full disclosure, I received a last-minute ticket to attend the event. Even so, I wasn’t convinced I’d actually make it. I struggle with ‘talk-fests’. They can sap my spirit. All front, but no realistic path to action.
So, the plan was that we’d head to Sale, take a gander, then enjoy a long weekend together as a family in the region. But then, I learnt that a couple of East Gippsland’s amazing artistic folk would be in attendance. As would other Gippslandia friends, mentors and collaborators. Slowly, the GNEC gained my interest.
