The early ConFests were organized by an informal network. Down To Earth was incorporated in Victoria in 1979, and continues to organize ConFest. DTE is not connected with any religion or political organization.

One of the ways to enrich your ConFest experience is to help in preparing the site. Seek information on arrival. Many volunteers are also needed during and in the first couple of days after ConFest.

Two hours minimum work is included as part of your ticket price. Task options will be set up in the Volunteer tent. Fill out a time in the activity of your choice after you've set up.
You are needed for ConFest to run smoothly.

ConFest works with the energy and participation of the people who attend. Everybody shares the responsibility. When you enter ConFest you leave the mainstream world of "service delivery" behind. You become a participant in the wellbeing of the ConFest community.

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities, that require special assistance with access to their cars on site, will be helped where-ever possible, please ask. If you bring a required helper/carer they will get in for free. We try, please let us know how we can help.

There are times when some of us would like some time out/especially young mothers. Why not come in to the library for some quiet time as a good book is as good as a friend. Reading gives us flights of joy and fancy as one takes magic carpet rides to visit other times and faraway places. The library system runs on borrow a book, exchange a book if you can.
If you have any good books you would pass on to a friend, why not donate then to confest library. The books can be for all ages [in reasonable condition please] It is run voluntarily for ConFesters. We have around four hundred books at the moment.

The Market

The rebirth of the ConFest Art &Craft market has been widely welcomed. It's aim is to offer an ethical and community based "commercial" environment. There are many skilled and talented artists, artisans and craftspeople in the ConFest Community, the market space is an opportunity for them to make a living, and for others to acquire and support their works. The food market at ConFest is famous for its delicious vegetarian food, gorgeous desserts, and of course chai.

Please note; ConFest does not have a "healing" market, all modalities of healing offered at ConFest, including spiritual/psychic readings are done so as an energy exchange or a contribution to the overall well-being of the Community.

ConFest is a camp-out. Bring simple camping gear, some food, a hat, a water bottle, sun block or protective clothing, personal medications, insect repellent, torch, musical instruments, light footwear.

Bring some warm clothes as the nights may be cold. Earplugs can be good for blocking out noise when you want to sleep. Remember to bring earphones for your radio, CD or MP3 player.

It is good to bring a cup, a plate and cutlery for use at any of the community cooking spaces as well as any dietary specific food you may need. As you wander about ConFest carry a cup and have a cuppa at the community spaces.

Consider bringing drums, trumpets, guitars, singing voices, art and painting gear, anything unusual. Most essential of all, bring yourself and your spirit of ConFest.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Arrive well before sunset - For safety reasons cars are restricted from moving around the ConFest site at night. If you arrive at sunset of later, you will be asked to remain outside the front gate until morning. Arriving in daylight allows for ease in setting up your camp. Cars are not driven on the site at night. Please pack your sleeping gear so that it's easily accessible. You may be able to walk into the ConFest site. The Ticket Gate is set well into the ConFest Site from the Road entrance gate.

For safety, the road entrance gate is locked before dark and reopened in the morning. If you want to leave the ConFest after dark, take your car outside the road gate before dark, and walk out to your car when you are ready to leave,

CARS ON SITE

There are usually three alternatives if you come to ConFest by car.

CARFREE - This is fixed carparking for ConFesters who will not be moving their cars until the end of ConFest . It is situated closer to the carfree camping area to make it easier to get gear to the camp site. Hand trolleys and barrows are there to help move your gear.

GYPSY - You may have your car, caravan, camper, truck, etc at your camp. Your vehicle must remain stationary while you are ConFest. Once camped you can travel to town with others if need be. Your vehicle cannot be moved from this area till the end of ConFest.

ACCESS - This area is for people who wish to camp with their car but come and go during ConFest: People who are camping in CARFREE may also leave their cars in ACCESS,

PASSOUTS

YOUR TICKET IS THEN YOUR PERSONAL PASS-OUT so have it with you when you wish to leave and return to the ConFest site. Your ticket is stamped as you leave the site,and when you return the stamp is cancelled.You must have a validated passout in order to re-enter ConFest.Your vehicle will also get a passout which is handed back when you your vehicle re-enters the ConFest site.
There are several personal passout spaces on your ticket. We encourage the minimisation of traffic by car pooling and better still, by being organised so that you don't need to go into town during the ConFest.
Make sure that you check gate hours, before you leave the ConFest site, if you intend to return.

FIRE AT CONFEST
There are strict conditions imposed on the use of fire.

We cannot use any device that has a flame, outside a prepared, approved and signed, fire circles.
Definitely not in any tent. This includes candles, kero lamps, pressure lamps, gas lamps, gas stoves, metho or kero stoves ............. Anything with a flame!

BE CONSCIOUS and considerate.
FIRE BAN days must be adhered to, so also bring "no cooking needed" tucker.
SMOKERS Please remember to dispose of your butts with care. ConFest is out in the bush and fire is a major worry, many people are bare foot and there is the well-being of the local wildlife to consider.

'Obie' a ConFest First aid Co-ordinator said:
"I am so happy that fire is limited at ConFest. I saw the look on peoples faces when their tent and all their gear was burnt to nothing by a candle. I still remember the screaming of each of the little children that I treated in First Aid for burnt feet, hands or legs from campfires that weren't extinguished properly, that is "blacked out". If you had heard the screaming of the toddler who fell face first into a campfire you would not question the need to strictly limit the use of fire at ConFest."

If you have been to ConFest you will have experienced the fire spaces. Each space is scraped and sanded to reduce dust. There are half drums for the fires.and three burner gas stoves with gas provided. There are a number of trolley mounted four burner BBQ's for community use at the fire circles.
The only flame allowed at ConFest is a cooking fire in these circles. If you don't like walking, camp near a fire circle.

The safety of the festival, the local ecology, economy and the residents themselves depend on our adherence to local fire regulations, and our general responsible use of fire. There is an active fire patrol process at ConFest.

If you have to have your own personal camp fire,
If, with all the lighting alternatives available, you must use a flame for lighting.
If you won't cook with other people at a community fire space,
It could be ConFest isn't the right place for you

Remember, using fire in breach of fire regulations is a crime,
appropriate action will be taken if this occurs.

AMENITIES

Drinking water, cold showers, pit style toilets and regulation fire pits are provided. Showers and toilets provided are basic and adequate. There is good swimming and lots of shade trees on site. When selecting a camp site, look up and check the trees for dangerous branches. If in doubt seek advice.

NO PETS allowed at all. NOT in the car-park, NOT in the camp, NOT left outside the site. Be kind to your pets and organise a friend early to mind them, or check out a local kennel or person to help.

Please note, dogs found on site may be surrendered to the local ranger/pound. This is necessary to protect other ConFesters and local wildlife.

THE ABUSE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL IS NOT WELCOME.
ConFest is a family and child friendly environment.

Also, in specific villages- i.e.; Healing, Massage, Spiritual, etc - all use of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol is banned.

PHOTOGRAPHY AT CONFEST

Photographs, video and audio recordings are sometimes taken at ConFest for creative purposes and simply to document our celebrations; our "history as it happens". This should always be announced and permission sought beforehand to allow those not wishing to participate to avoid the recording device or leave the area.

Please note, all photographs and video & audio recordings are the copyright of the Down To Earth
Co-Operative Society, this has been done to protect the privacy of ConFesters. If you have been photographed or recorded against your wishes, and are unable to resolve the situation yourself, please report the matter to a D.T.E. Volunteer in as much detail as possible, and all possible action will be taken.