Events at the old church in the bush
To enquire about using our space for an upcoming event or performance please go to our performers page.
Band Without Borders returns to Yandoit Cultural
Saturday May 23rd , 2026
Where: Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit.
Description:
After their recent packed-out performance at Castlemaine Theatre Royal, come and hear the wonder of Band Without Borders‘ 10 piece band playing unplugged in the ambience of Yandoit’s beautiful old church.
Band Without Borders is a polished outfit drawn together by a love for music from the Middle-East, Scandinavia, the Balkan’s and more.
With relentless passion and enthusiasm they fill any room with energetic rhythms that make you want to dance. Appealing to all ages their music is timeless, accessible and contagious.
There will be seating as well as space for dancing. And the best of Yandoit Cultural’s country hospitality with afternoon tea/supper at the end.
When: Saturday May 23rd, 3.00pm, at Yandoit Cultural
Entry: Suggested donation $25/20 (to support musicians and Yandoit’s community cultural centre)
Yanoit Sacred Hosts Central Victoria indigenous Film Festival Screening
Saturday May 30th, 2026
Description:
Yandoit’s contribution to National Reconciliation Week 2026
Yandoit Sacred will host a screening at Yandoit Cultural, as part of this year’s Central Vic Indigenous Film Festival.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the smoking ceremony, prepared by Erica Higgins, before entering Yandoit’s old church in the bush.
The screening will start with a short film in which Dja Dja Wurrung elder, Uncle Rick Nelson, speaks about the significance of Guildford’s ancient eucalypt – the Biyal (Red gum) on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) believed to be more than 530 years old. This tree is deeply significant for Dja Dja Wurrung, with its grafted branch signifying it as a marker tree. In 2023, the Bilal was recognised as Victorian Tree of the Year by the National Trust. In February 2024 several large limbs broke off from Bilal – a significant and emotional event for the local Dja Dja Wurrung community, Elders and nearby locals. The short film set on Djaara Country is screened with permission of DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.
The short film will be followed by sharing a story of the heartbreak of those ruptured Bilal limbs, as well as what is being created as a result.
The feature film, ‘Tanna’, an indigenous film set in a remote island of Vanuatu, by the same name. ‘Tanna’ is directed by Australian film makers, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler. Co-director Bentley Dean will introduce the film, followed by Q&A.
Cost and Bookings: Suggested donation is $15-$20, cash at the door; Bookings: yandoitcultural.org
If you’d like to participate in Yandoit Sacred, subscribe via Yandoit Cultural’s web page, to receive updates and reminders (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1140063/140396134353864288/share) or contact Nikki (0432 232 073) or Harmony (0402 740 613)
About Yandoit Cultural
Yandoit Cultural is located at Yandoit’s historic Uniting Church - Uniting Church Rd (off High St), Yandoit, 3461, Central Victoria. This old church in the bush is an intimate space seating approximately 100, with excellent acoustics.
Yandoit Cultural provides an arts and cultural space for the communities of Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford, as well as surrounding townships in central Victoria. We encourage local, acoustic, quality and innovative performances with a diverse, inclusive program of music, story, song, poetry, film, visual arts and local history. In addition, Yandoit Cultural is available for wedding hire, musical recordings and more.
Yandoit Cultural celebrates the retention of our community’s much-loved and historical Uniting (ex-Methodist) church. Over the years many churches across central Victoria, and throughout Australia, have been decommissioned and subsequently sold. Once vital community hubs and commons, these buildings shift from public to private. The communities of Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford are committed to retaining our precious church in community hands and to exploring ways the church can continue as a community gathering place, as local cultural centre, and as a venue for an emerging faith community.
Yandoit Cultural is committed to arts and culture being accessible to everyone. In most instances entry is by donation. We offer country hospitality with afternoon tea/supper provided at each event. Yandoit Cultural is a project of the Yandoit Clydesdale and Franklinford Community Planning Group.
If you’re interested in performing at Yandoit Cultural complete our expression of interest form.
