Community
29 January, 2025
Acrobatics enthusiasts descend on the region
Spin Circus Festival – more commonly referred to as Spinfest – recently returned to Camp Cooriemungle for its fifth consecutive year.
Around 350 people attended the event from Thursday, January 16 to Monday, January 20, which celebrated circus skills and encouraged participants with over 150 various workshops.
Any adult of any skill level was welcome, regardless of if they were a beginner or expert, as long as they expressed an interest in circus acts.
Director of Spinfest Ciara Thorburn said she had a long history with the festival.
“I attended Spinfest around 16 or 17 years ago when it was held at a local school, Collingwood College in Melbourne,” she said.
“It was very small then, less than 100 people.
“I met a whole bunch of people that became my friends and became my inspiration to turn my hobby into my career.
“I perform on cruise ships and all over the world but I always come home to Spinfest because I’m addicted.
“That’s how I became the director; I grew up with Spinfest.”
One of the most anticipated events of the festival was the fire spinning circle which was only able to occur late at night.
“All the participants that want to spin fire go and spin fire in the circle and about eight people at once can be spinning,” Ms Thorburn said.
“They spin all sorts of things like fire stars, fire hoops, as well as crazy stuff like axes and swords.
“It’s a very big celebration of fire spinning.”
On Saturday night there was a big show put on by the main teachers and performers of the festival.
“They’re some of the best acts in the world and we’re extremely lucky,” Ms Thorburn said.
Ms Thorburn hopes Spinfest can continue to grow incrementally.
“We never want it to become a big commercial thing,” she said.
“We like it being a niche group of people that get together. We love having new people come and meet the new spinners, and new community members that keep us alive and thriving in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
“We never want it to turn into a big festival. We want it to stay small and the community to stay strong, growing incrementally with the types of people that are so rare in Australia and around the world.”
Ms Thorburn said she was enamoured by the unique faces that come to enjoy Spinfest every year.
“People from all over Australia come and be weird together because it’s what they love to do,” she said.
Camp Cooriemungle has now hosted the event for the fifth year in a row.
“I love Camp Cooriemungle,” Ms Thorburn said.
“This year we were able to double the size of the camp grounds.
“I love working with Nicole and Brent (Oberin, owners) because they really help us, are great problem solvers and are working with us for future space and increasing storage.
“They made a humungous upgrade to their campground, to the water and electricity and have facilities catering for this many people.
“They’re willing to help us hire extra to make everyone feel comfortable.”
Camp Cooriemungle has various camping options, including dorm rooms hosting four to five beds per room, as well as bigger houses.
“The houses on-site for teachers and crew go a long way for having the outdoor camping experience as well as inside comforts,” Ms Thorburn said.
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