About Ember Collaborative
General Festival
Information
Tickets and Admission
Accessibilty
Camping, Glamping & Accomodation
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Ember Collaborative connects, empowers, and inspires women+.
Through inclusive events and online platforms, Ember celebrates the diversity that can be found in expressions of womanhood. Ember provides a forum for genuine connection and empowerment, as well as knowledge and skill-sharing.
Our annual gathering welcomes anyone who identifies as a woman to enjoy a weekend with the girls, without the pressure of conforming to any particular expression of womanhood or femininity, nor any specific group or “scene”.
It is a passion project of the team members who squeeze the work into the rest of their lives, around jobs, studies, etc. It is a not-for-profit structure and registered ACNC charity.
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An ember represents the potential for transformation and growth. Embers are resilient. Embers are far more powerful when part of something larger. What better way to explain the power, potential and unity that defines the gatherings our collaborative creates?
A small, glowing ember can ignite into a powerful fire, just as an Ember Gathering can ignite the spark of potential within every woman. When women come together, as embers found within a larger fire, their collective strength and influence can be far greater than individual efforts. And women endure. Just as embers can remain hot and glowing even in challenging conditions, our name reminds us that we too can endure and shine.
An ember has ignited.
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Originally named Wierd Women, Ember Co was founded in 2018 by a group of 22-year-olds from Sydney to create a safe and inclusive space for all women. Originating from the psytrance scene, the collective aimed to challenge gender norms and provide a unique gathering where women could embrace their individuality and share their talents.
The first event in March 2018 hosted 75 women and was so impactful that it has now evolved into an annual non-profit event, welcoming 500 attendees.
You can see more information about our origin story on our About page. -
Maiya School is an Australian-registered charity that runs learning centres for adolescent girls who live in refugee camps where female education is largely inaccessible.
10% of profits from all Ember Collaborative events and initiatives go to Maiya School’s projects.
Maiya School is motivated to give adolescent girls living in refugee camps around the world the opportunity to learn, improving their own lives and the lives of those around them.
The project aims to increase opportunities, raise self-confidence, and inspire a generation of girls living in displacement.
Maiya School was started by Wierd Women Co-Founder Dayna Santana, and her long-time friend Philippa Nilsson. The school is running in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where Dayna and Philippa have both lived and worked for extended periods of time. -
You can contact us via Instagram @ember.collaborative or at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Ember Collaborative 2024 will be held at Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures in Glenworth Valley. It is approx 1 hour from Sydney and Newcastle and 35 mins from Hornsby.
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The 2024 festival edition is held Friday 1 - Monday 4 November 2024. Gates open at midday on the Friday and close at 4pm on Monday.
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Ember Collaborative exists to ignite connection, empowerment, and learning among women+, providing an inclusive space for authentic exploration, skill-sharing, and growth.
We foster a supportive environment where women+ can connect, uplift each other, and explore various expressions of womanhood through events such as our Annual Gathering.
The festival unites 500 women of diverse backgrounds for three nights and four days of workshops, fun and wellbeing in a beautiful location.
Some of the activities on offer are thought-provoking panels and interviews, skill-enhancing workshops, enriching learning sessions, captivating DJ sets and live performances, markets, and much more.This inclusive gathering warmly welcomes those of all ages who identify as a woman and/or gender fluid.
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All ages are welcome to attend the event! Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Kids under 12 are free, but still need to register with a ticket.
We have a dedicated kids and mothers space to make the festival experience more comfortable and curated for families.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions regarding your family festival experience. -
This inclusive gathering warmly welcomes those of all ages who identify as a woman and/or gender fluid.
We have previously hosted a range of womxn+ from 0 to 70 years old.
We are committed to creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering environment for all attendees. We embrace the diversity in womanhood and strive to reflect and celebrate this richness at our events. Our goal is to amplify diverse voices and create a welcoming and valued environment for everyone. -
Friday 1 Nov: 12pm - 10pm
Saturday 2 Nov: 8 am - 12 pm
Sunday 3 Nov: 8 - 11 am
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Ember’s Annual gathering offers a range of thought-provoking panels and interviews, skill-enhancing workshops, enriching learning sessions, captivating DJ sets and live performances, markets, and much more.
You can check out our past event pages or Instagram to get an idea of what has been previously offered.
Included in your ticket:
✧ 10 diverse spaces to enjoy✧ Bush tracks, gorgeous fresh river and lush green surroundings to explore
✧ Over 30 workshops, panels, performances and DJs
✧ River Stage
✧ Moonlight Cinema✧ Safe Sanctuary
✧ Live artists
✧ Blanket bazaar and flea markets
✧ Free thrift shop
✧ Wellness Zone
✧ Tarot and Astrology Readings
✧ Health Hub✧ Yoga Space
✧ An inclusive atmosphere
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The schedule will be released prior to the event and contributors will be announced over our Instagram progressively.
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Acacia Forum
This is the festival’s central hub where all interviews and the Saturday night party will take place, as well as many workshops.
Banksia Pavillion
The secondary workshop zone, where many creative and learning sessions will be held.
Sacred Circle
A special area for mindful conversations, meditation, reflection and prayer. This space will also be the location of some discussions and workshops.
Big Mama's Nest
A serene and nurturing space created by the wonderful crew from Big Mamas Campout. This sanctuary is dedicated to mamas and their little ones, providing a haven where you can feel seen, held, and celebrated
Yoga Space
A dedicated space for movement and rejuvenation, in collaboration with Zenly Studio, a queer and neurodivergent run Sydney-based yoga studio.
River Oasis
Our sun soaked main beach.
River Stage
A beach paradise where music sets the scene for sunbathing, swimming, and dancing.
Market Area
An eclectic mix of vendors from clothes and jewellery, to pottery, food and more.
Blanket Bazaar
All attendees are invited to sell their crafts and wares in the flea market area. Blanket stalls only. Bring cash!
Safe Sanctuary
A secluded, intimate and private safe space offering all a zen zone if you are ever feeling triggered or overwhelmed.
Temple of Zen
Massages, relaxation and rejuvanation. Cash only.
Mystics Enclave
Tarot, astrology, oracle and healing sessions. Cash only.
Swap Shop
Bring two quality pieces of clothing and in return, discover a curated selection of pre-loved fashion waiting for you. -
Beach umbrellas & shade
Bin bags - you will need to take your rubbish home with you
Camping gear (including shade)
Head torch/lighting for your campsite
Pillow & bedding
CASH for market stalls,
readings, massagesDrinking water
Toiletries
Wet weather gear & warm clothes
Esky & Ice
Flow toys for jamming
Food & snacks for Friday - Monday
Clothes Swap items (5 items max - good quality!)
Cushion for the panels
Notepad & pen to take notes during interviews & workshops
Beach blankets /tapestries /picnic rugs for relaxing
Hammock for the Hammock Hub
Charity donation items
If you smoke, something to bin your butts
Mosquito spray
Sunscreen
Plate, cutlery & cup/mug
Stove for cooking - no open fires please.
Swimmers & towel for the beautiful sandy river-beach
Yoga Mat
Your own artistic and craft projects if you wish
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Please do not bring:
Animals (unless a previously approved Assistance Animal)
Bean bags containing styrofoam beads
Baby wipes
Glitter
Generators
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We post on the instagram page any lost and found items from the event within 10 days of the event.
If you have lost something, please reach out to us on our Instagram or email us at [email protected]
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Tickets are currently on sale! You can purchase a ticket by heading to our Humanitix.
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We try to make the event as accessible as possible and have a range of ticket prices for a range of people.
Earlybirds (sold out) start at $195 and final release is $295. We offer discounted tickets for First Nations attendees, Wise Women, scholarship tickets and also carer and companion tickets.
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We understand that financial barriers should not hinder anyone from experiencing the magic of an Ember Gathering. That's why we're excited to offer a limited number of scholarship tickets to deserving individuals who may not otherwise have the means to attend. Scholarship recipients will receive full access to Ember Gathering.
Please see our Ember 2024 event page and scroll to the bottom to see more info on how to apply for a scholarship ticket. -
Keep a eye on our instagram for any flash sales, giveaways or competitions.
We offer a range of discounted tickets to various individual groups includingFirst Nations
Wise Women (Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties, Elders, etc when attending with a full price ticket)
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Yes, it is free for companions to attend when accompanying a full price ticket. Please contact us at [email protected] to organise your ticket.
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Pricing tickets for our event involves balancing accessibility with the quality of the experience we provide. The event industry in NSW presents several challenges, including potential cancellations, late ticket purchases, and limited budgets. Additionally, organising the event requires a significant amount of work, often with little or no monetary reimbursement.
We strive to set ticket prices that reflect the immense effort and resources required to create a memorable and inclusive event while ensuring it remains accessible to as many people as possible. We appreciate your understanding and are extremely grateful for your support when purchasing a ticket.
The following information is also taken into account when pricing tickets:Contributors are paid for sharing their experience and knowledge
Increased amount of higher-cost performances and workshops
Multiple new spaces to cater to more activities and diverse people
Investment in an amazing site
Increased decor and infrastructure budget
10% of profits donated to the education of Rohingya teenage girls living in refugee camps in Bangladesh
We are offering the below entry passes10 full and half-scholarship passes offered
30 volunteer positions (entry pass in exchange for x amount of work)
Reduced price tickets for mums, aunties, grandmas, etc
Reduced price tickets for First Nations
Free entry for companion carers when attending with a client
More than one-third of attendees (35-40%) at the event do not contribute towards an entry pass:Contributors (workshop hosts, performers, etc.)
Event organisers
Scholarship tickets
Volunteers
Our Mums
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We do not offer refunds unless the festival is cancelled or postponed.
As is standard practice with all ticketed events, festivals and other ticketed gatherings within Australia (and also worldwide), we cannot provide refunds to individuals due to their personal extenuating circumstances. For example, this is the policy for all reputable Australian festivals such as Dragon Dreaming, Subsonic, Splendour in the Grass, Seven Sisters Festival etc.We can try to assist you with selling your ticket if needed. You are welcome to post about the refund on our Facebook event or tag us on Instagram.
Event organisers cannot permit ticket holders to refund their tickets due to plan/commitment changes, is that locked-in ticket sales are the only way it is possible to run an event, due to the high cost of all event-related bookings and fees.
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Children need tickets as well.
Anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Any attendee under 12 years old is free but still needs to register on our Humanitix.
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Yes, assistant animals are allowed on site. Animals must wear a vest showing their accreditation, and remain tethered by their handler’s side at all times.
Please email us at [email protected] if you are intending to bring an assistance animal. -
We will have reserved seating in our main space for attendees who are hard of hearing or lip readers.
We also offer a large range of workshops and spaces that are not speaking-focused, such as craft workshops and the zen temple.
Please contact us at [email protected] to chat about how we can make the event a great experience for you. -
We’re thrilled to be hosting Big Mamas Nest, a serene and nurturing space created by the wonderful crew from Big Mamas Campout. This sanctuary is dedicated to mamas and their little ones, providing a haven where you can feel seen, held, and celebrated.
For the Mamas:
➺ Connect with other mamas and share chats and cuddles.
➺ Breastfeed and change nappies in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
➺ Enjoy herbal teas, soothing foot baths, nourishing touch, and yoni steaming.
➺ Be acknowledged and celebrated.
For the Kids:
➺ Engage in nature crafts, mindful movement, song circles, and games.
➺ Play and explore in a safe and fun environment.
Big Mamas Nest will be managed by a dedicated team of mamas and a maiden who are qualified therapists, doulas, and child care workers. They’ll be there to nourish, care for, and support both mamas and children throughout the festival.
All children and babies must register with a free ticket via Humanitix
The workshops and other spaces will also be kid-friendly. There will be a quiet family camping area, close enough to everything, but quiet enough in the evening for a good nights sleep.
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Attendees stay overnight in their preferred choice of camping, glamping or offsite accommodation.
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Yes! Upgrade your festival experience with our luxurious Glamping Packages.
Perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the festival without the hassle of setting up camp, lacking camping gear, or maybe you just want to live it up in a lush tent for the weekend
Enjoy spacious, beautifully decorated tents with comfortable bedding, lighting, and cozy furnishings.
Tents can accomodate 1-5 people, with your preference of bed configurations (singles and doubles available).
Glamping packages available via the Humanitix!
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Yes, your ticket has camping included.
Part of the experience of Ember's Annual Gathering is that you can camp on-site! If you are camping you will need to bring your own tent and sleeping supplies. -
You are welcome to stay offsite if you wish. There is a range of off-site accommodation such as Airbnb near the event site.
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Yes, we will have quiet & family camping available for anyone who wishes to ensure a very peaceful sleep.
