Clara Helms, photo by Justin Griffiths. (c) Clara Helms
A festival shortlisted for State Government funding – the emPower Port Adelaide Festival would provide a range of activities including: a fun run taking in the Port Adelaide Loop Path; Keynote Addresses; volunteer works; an international music masterclass and an anti-bullying presentation.
Proposed by life-long Port Adelaide resident award-winning filmmaker Michael Clarkin, the emPower Port Adelaide Festival has been shortlisted for State Government funding through the yourSAy funding initiative.
Other activities include the inaugural Australian keynote address by Cronulla Hugh School teacher-turned humanitarian/filmmaker/ author Dr Alison Thompson, OAM.
Michael elaborates, “Alison was awarded an Order of Australia honour for humanitarian work, which includes establishing a volunteer-staffed refugee camp in post-earthquake Haiti with Hollywood actor Sean Penn. She is a truly inspiring person who will also lead community volunteer works as part of her contribution to the empower Port Adelaide Festival.”
The Festival will also provide seminars for best Social Media business practice by University of Adelaide graduate Laurel Papworth.
Michael continues, “Laurel Papworth connects with 6.8 million people through social media each month. She was named by Forbes Magazine in the Top 50 Social Media Influencers globally. Laurel’s involvement will be two-fold. Her seminars will ensure that Port Adelaide business people are given the opportunity to ‘unleash the power’ of monetising Social Media and her participation in the festival will provide invaluable Social Media exposure to the Port!”
Michael is also looking to hold a presentation from international entertainer Clara Helms (pictured), a former ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ finalist who will discuss the techniques she has developed to tackle bullying through her schooling and professional life. Michael comments,” This session would be ideal for high school students in the Port region as Clara is someone who is making great strides with her career and has a history of conquering negativity.”
Finally, Michael will host an international music masterclass with Ken Stringfellow of The Posies, Big Star and R.E.M. Michael add, ”Ken has worked on over 200 albums as songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and engineer, including recording with a band he inspired – Death Cab for Cutie. Ken will provide insight into the ways he has maintained a full-time career in the music business since the 1980s. We’re also discussing the potential for Ken to record original material from Port Adelaide high school students, which would be an amazing opportunity for aspiring musicians.”
Michael continues, “The speakers I have approached will implicitly become ambassadors for Port Adelaide. We will be able to leverage the social media following of the likes of Alison, Laurel, Clara and Ken to promote the Port globally through their extensive social networks.”
Through a Churchill Fellowship, Michael worked in Chelsea, Manhattan and is taking inspiration from Manhattan’s Chelsea High Line Walking Tour to utilise the Port Adelaide Loop Path taking in the Birkenhead and Jervois Bridges.
A Port Adelaide Loop Path Fun Run is also planned as part of the festivities. Two-time Hobart Marathon champion Matthew Fenech will hold training runs ahead of the Fun Run.
Michael offers, “In terms of new uses of existing infrastructure, The Port Adelaide Loop Path is not dissimilar to the Chelsea High Line Walking Tour. I believe that activities that showcase the Port Adelaide Loop Path are a great opportunity to bring more people and trade to the area. With a little encouragement, I think the Port Adelaide Loop Path could become a destination walking path, like the Rover Torrens Linear Path Trail or the Mount Lofty Walk.”
Michael continues, “Both the Jervois and Birkenhead Bridge offer beautiful views of sunset. As there is now a Youth Hostel in the Port, young travellers should be encouraged to watch the sunset and perhaps leave a padlock on the bridge.”
An Instagram photo competition is also planned. Michael explains, “We will provide people with a 48 hour window to take photos in the Port Adelaide region with the winner the person who generates the most ‘likes’ on Instagram. Again, this is geared towards utilising Social Media to push the Port nationally and internationally. “
Some ‘heavy-hitters’ including Vili Milisits, OAM, of Vili’s Pies, have voiced their support for the emPower Port Adelaide Festival, stating “To provide access to an expert in monetising Social Media – Laurel Papworth – to Port Adelaide business owners as well as the wider Adelaide business community, will provide invaluable knowledge.”
You can vote for the emPower Port Adelaide Festival until Monday 5pm, Monday 18 May 2015 here:
http://yoursay.sa.gov.au/ideas/empower-port-adelaide-festival
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