Six ‘scholarships’ for Shepherdess Muster

The Motu Community House and the small village of Motu will play host to The Shepherdess Muster. Photo Claire Mossong

The Shepherdess Muster, a first-of-its-kind festival coming to Motu in February, will be giving away six ticket scholarships to people living in Tairāwhiti or the Ōpōtiki or Wairoa districts.

“We’re so stoked to have the opportunity to offer these six ticket scholarships, thanks to the support of Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women,” says festival director Kristy McGregor.

“They can see The Muster is a wonderful way for rural women to connect.”

People can either enter themselves or nominate a friend or family member who they believe could really benefit from a weekend away from it all to focus on themselves.

“It has been a rough year, especially for folk in Tairāwhiti and the East Coast, along with others who have been affected by the adverse events earlier this year.

“The Muster is a brilliant opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and responsibilities and take a moment for yourself,” Kristy says.

The immersive festival, which was created as a way for rural women to get off-farm and connect with other like-minded women, features a full programme of creatives, speakers and artists from around Aotearoa who will descend on the tiny village of Motu — an hour from Gisborne.

Each ticket scholarship includes catered food all weekend, access to guest speakers, over 25 workshops, the arts-break area, and a refreshment and bite to eat on arrival.

It also includes tented accommodation for two nights — twin-share accommodation with stretcher, mattress and bedding.

The scholarships will be prioritised for those who would really benefit from taking time out from their day-to-day life. This could include women who may have suffered adversity, women who otherwise may not be able to attend due to cost, or women who may just need an event like The Shepherdess Muster to give them a much-needed break or boost.

“The scholarships are for women — no matter what their circumstances — who just need to take some time for themselves. You don’t have to have suffered a personal tragedy; you might just really need a break from the farm or from the kids.

“It’s a weekend when someone else is doing the cooking — beautiful meals — and you can choose what workshops you do and when based on what takes your fancy,” says Kristy.

To enter — or nominate someone you think is well deserving — visit shepherdessmuster.co.nz/ticket-scholarships and fill in the entry/nomination form.

Entries and nominations will close on January 21, 2024.

See next week’s arts pages, on Thursday, to find out more about The Shepherdess Muster (February 16-18), including information about some of the diverse women bringing their talents and expertise to the Muster programme.