Birchip came alive with creativity, colour and music as the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival on Saturday, setting the scene for Birchip’s Big Weekend of family friendly activities.
Established in 2022, the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival was created to showcase art and music in the community, and it continues to grow each year. With striking street murals already transforming the town’s landscape and the much-anticipated Silo Art Project continuing to take shape, visitors were able to experience first-hand how art and creativity are an increasingly important part of Birchip’s identity.
Mali Heart festivalgoers spent time exploring the vibrant mix of creative workshops, live music, markets and street performances, with activities taking place both indoors and outdoors along Birchip’s main street.
International artist Eleanor Whitaker led a popular still life pastel drawing workshop, guiding participants through the techniques of pastel art while working from a traditional still life arrangement.
In the public hall, local artist Kristie Dean welcomed both children and adults to paint pottery mugs, plates and bowls, with the colourful creations now set to be fired and returned to participants as a lasting keepsake from the day; and artist Kirsten Cowland from Swan Hill invited participants to explore painting with acrylics, adding to the range of hands-on creative opportunities available throughout the festival.
Other artists displaying work included Lana Coffey, Zoe Wilson and Kirsten Cowland, contributed to a strong showcase of local and regional creative talent on display at the hall. This provided a perfect backdrop for participants to enjoy the hospitality of the Wirrim CWA members who were serving tea, coffee and scones.
Music played a key role in creating a lively festival atmosphere with an enthusiastic roving street percussion troupe with a colourful bull, on theme for the Big Weekend, brought rhythm and energy and a carnival atmosphere to the main street as they paraded between market stalls and crowds.
The festival highlighted the role young people are playing in shaping the town’s creative future. Supported by the Buloke Youth Led Amplify Program, the event encouraged young people to become involved as musicians, artists and stallholders.
Up and coming performer Bambi Navaro entertained with busking performances and DJ Noah Homsy King kept the music flowing while the stayers enjoyed hospitality at Olive Joy while Blake Lee showcased his exceptional photography skills with an exhibition of his sport, landscape and event photographs at the Birchip Public hall.
It was great to see so many young people enjoying the festival atmosphere, showcasing their entrepreneurial skills through market stalls, trying their hand at creative workshops and being exposed to a range of music and art.
The Mali Heart Art and Music Festival continues to demonstrate how art and music can bring a community together while attracting visitors from near and far. Events like this provide a welcome boost to the local economy as people play, eat, stay and shop in Birchip, while also reinforcing the town’s growing reputation as a rural community proudly embracing creativity, culture and innovation.
The organisers acknowledged the generous support of local business sponsors Midland Electrical, Hillview Machinery, Kawaii Kids, Lowry Bros, Sharp’s Bakery Birchip and Mallee Branded.
Thanks also go to Buloke Shire Council for its support with venues and permits, and to all those who participated across the weekend, including stallholders, local traders, community groups and artists who helped create such a vibrant atmosphere.
Congratulations to Birchip Community Forum Chair Steve Nottle, and the organising committee Bridget Glen, Kristie Dean, Simone Christie and the Birchip Neighbourhood House, for their dedication and hard work in bringing the festival together.
See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 12 March 2026.
