Respect for Place

At the foot of the Grampians, we find space to return. Held by the land and the neighbouring communities of Ararat, Halls Gap and Dunkeld, we’re grateful to once again gather in a place shaped by time, care, and natural beauty.

Pitch Music & Arts is honoured to support the Djab Wurrung and Eastern Maar peoples, Traditional Custodians of the lands where our festival takes place. Since the first time Pitch was opened with a Welcome to Country led by Djab Wurrung and Eastern Maar Elders, this ceremony has become a core part of our event. It is a deeply moving and uniting moment for our Pitch family, and an expression of community and culture held with deep respect by all who attend.

Traditionally, a Welcome to Country was a rite of passage for any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or group seeking to enter another nation’s land. It was a ceremony of respect and permission, often sought well in advance through careful negotiation. The form of a Welcome differs between nations, whether spoken, danced, sung or carried out with fire and smoke, but its purpose is always to share knowledge, mark safe pathways and guide visitors in how to walk on Country with care.

To begin our ninth instalment, we are proud to once again host a Welcome to Country, accompanied by dance and a smoking ceremony. We invite everyone to join us in this important opening, recognising its cultural significance and paying respect to the Traditional Custodians of this land. By attending, you acknowledge that Gariwerd, its surrounding landscapes and the entire continent always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.

Our Initiatives

Pitch Music & Arts is grateful to gather on working farmland at the base of the Grampians. We recognise the responsibility that comes with being here, and we approach this place with care and respect.

In recent years, we have worked closely with Green Music Australia to better understand how our work can align with the needs of our planet.

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Respect the beautiful Djab Wurrung and Eastern Maar Country.

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Last Summer, brutal fires swept the Grampian’s region, causing damage to our cherished Pitch Music & Arts site and surrounding communities. The region has faced duress, and is in a current state of regrowth.

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As our Pitch community, it’s important that you help us nurture the land on which our festival resides. No trace means no trace: Cigarette butts, glitter, plastics, doof stick scraps - microtrash wrecks wildlife and soil. If it’s small enough to drop, it’s small enough to pick up.

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What is Pitch doing?

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Ticket Bundles For Driving

Those who wish to drive to Pitch, can only secure a vehicle pass in the initial release when they purchase a bundle of four tickets. This is to promote carpooling among friendship groups, and reduce the amount of cars on the road.

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Circular economy and reducing waste

Festival infrastructure is repurposed into new stages and artworks year on year.

Every material is chosen for longevity and impact.

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To help people do the right thing, we’re also increasing the visibility of waste hubs in the campsite and the arena through fun and easily visible signage.

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Compostable toilets

Less waste, fewer resources, more sustainable than flush toilets. They’re back.

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Plastic bottle ban

Always in place. Bring your bottle, refill it often.

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Glamping, Eco Camp, and gear hire

This year, we have increased Glamping and Eco Camp options, for added flexibility and reduced wastage of camping gear.

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To avoid the need for our patrons to purchase new camping gear for their weekend at Pitch, Wallaroo Camping hire will be available to rent and return tents, sleeping bags, tables, chairs and more, once you arrive on site.

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Crew accomodation

The Pitch Music & Arts crew stays on site before, during and after the festival, reducing unnecessary ground transport emissions.

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On-site crew

Locals are prioritised for on-site positions to reduce travel miles (and to support the local economy).

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Artist travel

By prioritising local talent, we’re reducing air miles. Pitch provides people movers for artist airport transfers, reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

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How can you help?

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Travel light, travel smart

Buses move quicker, cost less and reduce your footprint. Every full bus takes cars off the road. If you’re driving, fill your seats. More friends, less fuel, fewer emissions.

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Rent, borrow, or share

Abandoned tents are one of the biggest waste issues at festivals. Cheap gear can break easily, and are barely ever used again.

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It’s more financially and environmentally conscious to ask friends and family to use their equipment, choose one of our Eco Camp or Glamping upgrade options or rent your gear via Wallaroo Camping. Coordinate packing lists with friends to avoid double-ups or last-minute purchasing.

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At the foot of the Grampians, we find space to return. Held by the land and the neighbouring communities of Ararat, Halls Gap and Dunkeld, we’re grateful to once again gather in a place shaped by time, care, and natural beauty.

Ararat, Halls Gap, Dunkeld

The Grampians