By Colin MacGillivray

Humour and a spirit of adventure were features of the latest iteration of Natimuk’s annual Goatfest film festival this month.

The festival, organised by ACT Natimuk, has run since 2002 and serves as a major fundraiser enabling the group to host other arts and cultural events.

A special guest at this year’s festival was ‘Hot Henry’ Barber, a rock climbing pioneer from the United States who first visited Natimuk in the 1970s to climb at Mt Arapiles-Dyurrite.

Goatfest director Ashlee Hendy said Mr Barber enthralled the crowd of about 200 attendees with stories from a climbing career that had taken him around the world.

“He spoke a lot about his experiences and some bold climbs, risk taking and challenges he has done over the years, which was very impressive,” Ms Hendy said.

“There were a couple of quite amazing stories that had the audience really hanging on.

“It was really cool to listen to his experiences, because he’s certainly had an exciting life – one full of adventure and one that really resonates with climbers.

“As time marches forward there are less and less opportunities to truly explore and adventure. 

“Listening to some of his experiences and ideas on how to maintain some wildness in the outdoor world was really interesting and inspiring.”

The festival program comprised 11 amateur films, with a judges’ award going to Another Punk by Dylan Tubaro, while the audience choice award went to Bin Wizard by Madi Russell.

“I would say both the audience and the judges really valued the comedy side of the films that were submitted,” Ms Hendy said.

“There was a lot of laughter – that seemed to be what resonated with the crowd. Everyone had a lot of fun, which is always the number-one goal of Goatfest.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to select a winner. It was a high quality level of submissions for amateur films.”

Ms Hendy said Mr Barber had remained in Natimuk following the festival to work with local climbers.

“He’s asking a few of the climbers from the area, including my husband and myself, to do some of his original climbs using his original 1975 gear, which is not quite as comforting as modern safety equipment,” she said.

“It’s cool that he’s coming to town and giving some of the local climbers a taste of some of the adventure he had in the past.”

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