Chill Out 2017

So who was the first Gay in the Village?

Anne E and Jane Stewart both realised that they needed a deadline to bring the Story House and Garden to fruition. So from the design of the logo in late November 2016 and with loads of preparation needed to get the house up to scratch they picked the Labour Day weekend and Chill Out 2017 for their first 

event. Anne created the show back in 2011 when she started investigating and doing the research. Hours of local interviews, a trip to the Gay and Lesbian Archives in Melbourne, dozen of phone calls from people wanting to contribute and Anne realised the question was not, who was the first gay in the village but what made  it so Gay friendly. Anne decided that the 20th anniversary of Chill Out was a great reason to recreate the show.

Jane welcomed the audience and talked of the concept of the Story House and Garden and then introduced Anne, (who celebrates 40 years this year on her storyteller's journey). The participants were then invited to join the sisters for coffee and cake and discuss the show further. The weekend was a great success.

Jane and Anne E Stewart at sold out session "So who was the First Gay in the Village"