In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the Spring Women’s Balls in Daylesford were legendary. Now they’re back with a twist.

These were women-only events that allowed for women to let their hair down and celebrate the change in the season. Thanks to Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival, this tradition has been re-invented.

A pilot event was held in September 2016 at the Daylesford Town Hall to wide and loud acclaim.

“Last year we were initially met with a bit of skepticism to be honest” says Merryn Tinkler, ChillOut Festival Director, “but the 120 women who attended last year were all over the moon and really were encouraging of us to continue with a new tradition of a Spring Women’s event. Women are looking for a space to just be and celebrate together.  It’s not at all about being separatist – it’s much more about recognising that it is OK to hang together at times.”

DJ Fiona Scott-Norman will be spinning discs with music ranging from the 20’s to the 80’s and plenty to sing along and dance to.  Fiona is a multi-talented artist who is a regular DJ at the Spiegeltent in Melbourne, has had radio shows on 3RRR, is a regular co-host on ABC774 FM with Derek Guille, and is a cabaret artist in her own right.  She is also the Director of the Ballarat Cabaret Festival.

As if that wasn’t enough, BlueHouse – one of Australia’s favourite women’s bands will be playing on the night. The creative partnership of Bern Carroll and Jacqui Walter that is BLUEHOUSE has been described as ‘rambunctious’ by the Indigo Girls, had sell-out seasons & 5-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, toured for the last 20 years regularly in Australia, the USA & Canada, supported Tommy Emmanuel on his Australian, European and North American tours and most recently played the Sydney Opera House.