OUR PAST EVENTS
28 September 2025, 11:30am to 2pm
Join Limestone Coast artists Sally O’Connor and Jo Fife for an inspiring botanical drawing workshop. Working in a small group, you’ll explore freshly collected local algae specimens, discovering their beautiful forms, colours, and textures. Step-by-step, you’ll create your own detailed illustrations to take home, and you’ll also be invited to exhibit your work in March 2026 as part of Holdfast Limestone Coast Inc.’s Seaweed celebration. Tea, coffee, and cake included.​ PORT MACDONNELL COMMUNITY COMPLEX 28 SEPTEMBER 2025 11.30AM - 2.00PM $60 WORKSHOP  $50 FOR MEMBERS MATERIALS ARE SUPPLIED BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL ​
Saturday 22nd February 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join the Limestone Coast Youth Environment Council panel for a discussion with women working in the fascinating field of marine science. Discover their research on Little Penguins, seaweed, and seagrasses. Venue:Â Port MacDonnell Offshore Angling Club, Sea Parade
Saturday 22nd February 2025, 11:30am - 12:30pm
​Join Helen Mavoa, PhD photo-artist, writer, anthropologist, and kelp enthusiast, for an inspiring talk exploring the ecological, cultural, and artistic significance of kelp. Drawing from her experiences on the coasts of British Columbia, Helen will share insights on how kelp has shaped communities, its role in marine ecosystems, and its potential to address environmental challenges. Featuring stunning photos and art, this presentation highlights kelp's history, future, and the efforts to protect this vital resource. Venue: Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5/7 Charles Street
All About Seaweed, Bay Festival
Saturday 22nd February 2025, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Join the Deakin Seaweed Volunteers for a hands-on workshop that brings together art and science to celebrate the wonders of seaweed. Explore the incredible variety of algae found along our coast, learn about its vital role in marine ecosystems, and discover its surprising uses in daily life. With creative crafts and engaging science activities led by our passionate volunteers, this workshop offers something for all ages - kids and adults alike. Venue:Â Port MacDonnell Offshore Angling Club, Sea Parade
Holdfast Exhibition Opening
Friday 21st February 2025, 6:00pm
​Join us for an inspiring celebration of marine algae through the eyes of local artists. This unique collection explores the beauty, science, and ecological significance of seaweed along the Port MacDonnell (Ngaranga) coastline in South Australia. Proceeds help to fund the project's mission to raise local awareness and education about the vital role seaweed plays in marine ecology and our coastal community. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with art, community, and conservation. Venue: Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5/7 Charles Street
Bay Festival, Port MacDonnell/Ngaranga
21st - 23rd February 2025
The much-loved Bay Festival is back. Anchored by a lively community fair on Saturday, the weekend will be filled with family-friendly events, ticketed experiences, and activities highlighting the region’s unique cultural, natural, and historical heritage.
Aerosol Street Art Workshop with April Hague
Monday 20th January 2025,
9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Create your own Banksy-inspired artwork! Learn street art techniques and design your own masterpiece. Have your artwork put on public display at the Bay Festival! All materials supplied. Ages 12-18｜Beginners welcome. Venue: Port MacDonnell Community Hall
Call for Limestone Coast Artist's artwork
20th December 2024 - 24th January 2025
Visit the Holdfast Limestone Coast Inc Exhibition 2025 Entry Form page for information on how to contribute your original marine algae inspired artwork.
Spotters' Club
Sunday 22nd September 2024, at 2:00pm
Helpers Wanted: Beachwalkers, Beachcombers, Beachlovers, Senior Citizens, Naturalists, Environmentalists and interested people... The Spotters' Club will observe, record and identify marine algal species found on the Limestone Coast. As our observations grow, we will set up a SEAWEED TRAIL, designating certain prime locations with brochures listing species which have been found there, challenging observers to find these species at those particular locations. LAUNCH AT PORT MACDONNELL COMMUNITY COMPLEX followed by Beach Walk
Botanical Drawing Workshop with Anne Miles​
13th October 2024, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Nature Festival 2024 Study algae specimens looking at form, colour and shape, then Anne will guide to illustrate the wonders of your observations. You will study algae specimens looking at form, colour and shape and then be guided to illustrate the wonder of your observations. We are pleased to offer a Botanical Drawing workshop with renowned Limestone Coast Artist Anne Miles. Anne has previously worked with local Boandik Elders in illustrating local flora for publications including What Seed Is That by Neville Bonney.
Q&A on Algae Identification with Underwater Film Screening​
6th October 2024, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Nature Festival 2024 Immerse yourself in the underwater world of Algae through the lens of a diver as Sally O'Connor and Joann Fife host a Q&A session on algae observations. Due to the lack of geological events and the unique Bonney upwelling the Limestone Coast hosts the most algae species in the world. The viewer will experience a diver's perspective, and the awe of local species found on the Ngaranga/Port MacDonnell reef system. Artists Sally O’Connor [BSc (Hons) in Marine Botany] & Joann Fife will inform participants on algae observations and identification. Q&A session to follow screening of the Underwater Film. Film Credits: Underwater Visuals - Trudi Timmermann & Kirsty Ievins Soundscape - Tim Stent & Trudi Timmermann Video Edit - Tim Stent
Holdfast Art Project Documentary Online Screening​​
28th September to 13th October 2024
Nature Festival 2024 The documentary tells the overarching story of Joann Fife and Sally O’Connor’s journey of discovery, borne out of a deep interest in the Limestone Coast shoreline and a desire to protect its unique and vital ecology. In bringing together cultural and scientific experts to discuss life cycles and biodiversity of the seaweed, as well as to reflect on sense of place, personal stories, and local histories pertaining Port MacDonnell/ Ngaranga, the artists have succeeded in building a multidimensional project that is both creative and educational in its scope. The documentary provides an entry point to let us ponder the vast complexity embedded in these most ancient life forms. Video duration: 11 minutes Film Credits: Video, Sound & Edit - Tim Stent Underwater Visuals - Trudi Timmermann & Kirsty Ievins Still Photography - Tim Rosenthal
Secrets of Seaweed - Artist Talk
13th April 2024, at 12:00pm
Using hand dyed and almost entirely gifted, reused and recycled materials, Fife's approach to object making invokes the fragility of our seabed ecology while revelling in the wonders of marine lifeforms. (cont.) Venue: The Riddoch Arts + Cultural Centre - Mount Gambier
Secrets of Seaweed - Opening Night
12th April 2024, at 6:00pm
Limestone Coast artists Jo Fife and Sally O'Connor present artworks of diverse materials and approaches in the service of a deeper understanding of the limestone coastline and its seabed ecology, in particular the Bonney Upwelling that hosts the most diverse algae species in the world. (cont.) Venue: The Riddoch Arts + Cultural Centre - Mount Gambier
Talk - With the Artists​
3rd September 2023, at 12:30pm
Venue:Â Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5/7 Charles Street
Talk - Zoe Brittain
18th August 2023, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
​Q & A session to follow Zoe Brittain is a PhD student at Deakin University in Warrnambool. Her thesis is on the Sustainability of Seaweed. Venue: Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5/7 Charles Street
Exhibition Opening
6th August 2023, at 12:30pm
​An exhibition of works produced from workshops around the theme of Algae from the Port MacDonnell/Ngaranga coastline. To be opened by Limestone Coast Landscape Board Member, Robbie Davis. Venue: Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5/7 Charles Street