It’s more than a decade since established Australian country singer and songwriter, Norma O’Hara Murphy, decided she wanted to host her own music festival … and it’s been quite a journey since.
The five-times Golden Guitar winner said she had always imagined running a special event ‘to provide a real fair dinkum country experience for all the city dwellers and for all her mates on the land’.
That was the start of the Bony Mountain Folk Festival which is held annually on Nora’s sprawling property about 20 kilometres from the Queensland town of Warwick.
From humble beginnings in 2011, the festival has grown to attract big acts … and big numbers of grey nomads eager to get a taste of the real bush.
Grey nomads love coming up to Norma's Mountain. PIC: Bony Mountain Folk Festival
And there’s 50 acres for campers to spread out on.
“The nomads do love coming to the Mountain for the tranquility, the bush, and the laid-back atmosphere,” Nora told the Grey Nomads. “There’s no rush and tear here, everyone sets their own pace, and while we do cater to the older crowd a bit, everyone is welcome.”
This year, the event runs from September 16-18 and features a variety of artists including Norma herself; JT and the Tree; Hugo Stranger & The Rattlers; Ukulele Scotsman; Warwick Pipe Thistle Band; a Slim Dusty Tribute; and many, many more.
Norma O’Hara Murphy will be performing at the Bony Mountain Festival. PIC: Bony Mountain Folk Festival
There’s also a great line-up of activities including astrology, Tai Chi, Ukulele School; vintage cars, markets, food stalls, and camp oven dinners.
Norma admits it has been one of the toughest gigs of her life getting the festival up and running, especially when having to face challenges including droughts, floods, fires … and Covid.
“It has been very tough and we have really struggled to survive but our crowds make it all worth it,” she said. “It has been an amazing journey and my son Ben has supported me every year as we saddle up and enter the fray!”
For a born performer like Norma, of course, the highlight will once again be hitting the stage and entertaining the crowds at the festival she created.
“I am releasing a new album this year to mark over 40 years in the industry, so that will be a special milestone for me,” she said. “Our artists just love performing here and making magic among the gum trees.”
