The Wombat Festival has become Clermont and the Isaac region’s most distinctive community event, blending art, education and conservation to shine a spotlight on the critically endangered Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat.
Festival Coordinator Tania Gillie said the event was first inspired after a committee member saw a Landline program featuring the giant wombat sculpture in Thallon.
“We decided we needed to take ownership of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat because the Clermont area was the natural home of the last remaining colony,” shared Tania.
Since then, the festival has continued to evolve, with the inclusion of a live wombat being one of the most significant developments.
“It is continually evolving and changing, but the biggest change has been having a live wombat for people to meet and touch.
“Many people, even locals, aren’t even aware we have wombats here. Because they are protected and low in numbers, we don’t see them on the roads or in the bush, so it doesn’t register in our heads that we have a population.
“You can’t come to our festival without being inundated with wombats. And we aren’t fussy which variety of wombat is depicted in artwork – just the visual reminder is enough to raise awareness of their existence.”
This year’s event saw several firsts, including hosting the D’Aguilar Wildlife team, who brought along Alexa, a Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat, as well as koalas, gliders, reptiles, birds, snakes and a small crocodile.
“It is the first time we introduced educational visits prior to the public events. We had a few schools, daycares, kindys and groups including our local NDIS residents visit. It is an aspect of the festival we are keen to expand on next year.”
Another milestone was the attendance of Wombat Foundation directors, including Dr Alan Horsup, who spent three decades working to save the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat from extinction.
The Wombat Art Show also drew attention, with the Clermont Men’s Shed taking out the top prize with their kinetic barbed wire wombat sculpture designed by Kevin Burns and Dan Parsons. The legs and head of their clever creation even moves via a crank mechanism!
On the community side, the always popular mini wombat racing brought plenty of laughs, while the world’s first wombat cent sale raised around $1000 for the Wombat Foundation.
The festival’s creative heart remains strong, providing a platform for local artists and artisans and Tania said they are always trying to find new ways of nurturing, promoting and providing a showcase for our local talent, artisans and makers.
Beyond the arts, the festival plays an important role in supporting conservation efforts, working closely with the Wombat Foundation – the only organisation dedicated solely to protecting the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat.
Tania said the festival would continue to evolve to keep it fresh and exciting for visitors, while also reviewing aspects that may need change.
“We are a creative bunch so there are always ideas being thrown about – some of them tend to be a little crazy, but sometimes, like the mini-wombat racing, it seems to work. We have to keep evolving if we want to attract visitors from outside the region, and also to keep it vibrant and exciting.”
She encouraged wider community involvement through art, noting the festival welcomes contributions from beyond the Isaac region.
“This year the whole Carmila School got involved and contributed artworks, the principal even came over and enjoyed her birthday at the festival.”
With its unique mix of creativity, conservation and community, the Wombat Festival has grown into a key event not only for Clermont, but for the protection of one of Australia’s most endangered native species.
