The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival has hosted this event in Melbourne for over fifty years. It is one of the highlights of the Scottish Australian calendar and is considered the number one multicultural festival in the City of Maroondah and greater Melbourne.
This day-long celebration of Scottish/Celtic culture and heritage, held annually at Eastfield Park, Eastfield Rd in Croydon Victoria, echoes the original games that took place centuries ago in Scotland.
The VFMC Billabong Band will be performing from 2.15pm to 3.00pm as part of the day's entertainment in the Folk Tent.
For the full music program, see the event flyer.
Following the success of the one day, 2025 festival, the 2026 Port Phillip Dance Festival will be held over five days commencing Thursday evening, 2nd April and ending around 5.00pm Monday 6th April.
The festival will include 7 dances, 6 live bands and 2 dance workshops.
Select a programme item for full details: (tickets, dance program and music)
Ringwood East Senior Citizens Hall
Melway ref. 50B8
Refreshments -
tea and coffee at breaks
BYO food or use local cafes.
The Billabong Band is the Victorian Folk Music Club's own performance group and is probably the longest established band in Australia playing traditional music for Bush / Colonial dances and for concerts. The line-up is variable and depends on which musicians are available at the time.
An evening of dancing in the traditional style, featuring great live music.
Camberwell Uniting Church Hall
Melway ref. 59J1
BYO Mug and plate for supper to share
Tea and Coffee provided
The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival has hosted this event in Melbourne for over fifty years. It is one of the highlights of the Scottish Australian calendar and is considered the number one multicultural festival in the City of Maroondah and greater Melbourne.
This day-long celebration of Scottish/Celtic culture and heritage, held annually at Eastfield Park, Eastfield Rd in Croydon Victoria, echoes the original games that took place centuries ago in Scotland.
The VFMC Billabong Band will be performing from 2.15pm to 3.00pm as part of the day's entertainment in the Folk Tent.
For the full music program, see the event flyer.
Ernie Gruner (Violin, mandolin, vocals ) and Phil Carroll (accordion, vocals, ney ) play Gypsy, Klezmer, Turkish, French, Italian, Russian, jazz and tango music which range from soulful to wild. They’ve both studied overseas, and played and recorded together in larger bands (Klezmeritis, Yalla!, Flirting Mazurkas). They’ve studied overseas in Montreal, Istanbul, New York, Cracow and Budapest, and recorded 2 CDs. Australian concerts include several National Folk Festivals, the National Multicultural Festival, Fairbridge Festivals, Cygnet Festivals, Yackandandah festivals, Newstead and Mt Beauty festivals, The Boite.
Supported by:
Julia Fawkner
Multi-faceted singer Julia Michelle is an emerging presence on the Australian folk scene, drawing on a rich background in theatre, cover bands, choral and church music. With a voice equally at home across genres, she brings a distinctive folk sensibility to everything she sings, weaving together Celtic airs, country storytelling, traditional ballads and contemporary folk songs.
Her clear, expressive voice is her hallmark, accompanied by guitar, piano and harp. Julia is also an active member of Melbourne’s folk community, performing regularly at open mics and blackboard sessions, and playing with the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club.
Following the release of her folk album Rathlin Island, Julia continues to develop her sound as both a solo artist and in collaboration with duo “Rob & Jules”. she brings warmth, musicianship and a genuine love of folk music to every stage.
VFMC Monthly Concert
The format of the night will be:
7.45 Concert starts
7:45pm to 8:15pm Spot Acts
8.15pm to 8.45pm Support Act
8.45pm to 9.00pm Supper
9:00pm to 10.00pm Main Act,
Following the success of the one day, 2025 festival, the 2026 Port Phillip Dance Festival will be held over five days commencing Thursday evening, 2nd April and ending around 5.00pm Monday 6th April.
The festival will include 7 dances, 6 live bands and 2 dance workshops.
Select a programme item for full details: (tickets, dance program and music)
Ringwood East Senior Citizens Hall
Melway ref. 50B8
Refreshments -
tea and coffee at breaks
BYO food or use local cafes.
The goals of the VFMC are:
to preserve, research and popularise our Australian Folklore Heritage
of traditional songs, music, poetry, prose and dance.
to encourage the creation of contemporary songs, music, poetry,
prose and dance in the traditional style.
to maintain forums where singers, musicians, reciters, dancers
and interested organisations may exchange information,
receive help and guidance for the understanding and promotion
of Australian Folklore.
Acknowledgement of Country
The VFMC acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands where we meet,
and supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The official site of the Victorian Folk Music Club Incorporated (Reg No A2511Y)
ABN 28 668 156 704
