The Warragul Senior Citizen's Centre was filled with friendly faces, smiles and the sounds of soulful acoustic music last Friday night as Warragul Acoustic Unplugged celebrated its final performance evening of the year.
Also celebrating its official third anniversary, organiser Ian Ferris reflected on the creation and growth of the program.
"The idea for Acoustic Unplugged was inspired by a similar music group in Nar Nar Goon, when COVID came along it stopped and we all really missed it," Ian said. "After asking around, we thought Warragul would be a good central point to start something up. We ended up at the Senior Citizen's Centre which suits us quite well because there is a stage and a piano."
After seeing an increase in numbers over the years, Ian said the staging of performances changed from their original circle based singing.
"We used to all sit in a circle and sing one at a time, and it really worked until we got more numbers," he said. "The venue we're in now lends itself to a concert style performance."
Another big change in store for Warragul Acoustic Unplugged is an upgraded PA and lighting system thanks to a grant from the Baw Baw Shire Council.
"We put in a grant for a new PA because our current one has been cobbled together from people's home systems," Ian said. "Our new PA will have a few things we can't do at the moment. Another thing the grant will help with is our lighting. Fluorescent lighting is really unconducive to atmosphere, so we'll be getting some proper stage lights."
While Warragul is the central meeting place, Acoustic Unplugged attracts musicians from all corners of Gippsland.
"We have people come from Bairnsdale, Paradise Beach, Leongatha and Korumburra," Ian said. "They come the distance because there isn't much like it around. We do things a bit differently to some other music groups, everyone gets to perform a couple of songs on stage, they all get a fair go. The structure we have also encourages people to stick around and listen to everyone else perform."
The community spirit between the Acoustic Unplugged performers is strong. Ian said the development of close friendships had been rewarding.
"I think one of the most rewarding things is the friendships," Ian said. "It's really amazing what a close-knit group we've become. We aim to have no tensions and create a caring sort of environment, and I think we've done it."
Ian recommends anyone with an interest in acoustic music and performance to come along to one of the Acoustic Unplugged evenings.
"Anyone who likes acoustic music should come along," Ian said. "Acoustic is a broad genre, it's not all folk music or all country music, it's a mixture of all styles played with an acoustic instrument."
Warragul Acoustic Unplugged perform on the second Friday of each month at the Warragul Senior Citizen's Centre. For more information, contact Ian Ferris on 0491 139 980.