Coolgardie’s historic train station to become recording studio & arts hub

Published: Tuesday, 4 August 2020 at 8:00:00 AM

The project will be launched in the first week of August 2020 and celebrations will include a community barbecue (Monday 3 August), adult guitar lessons (Wednesday 5 August), a kids DJ and sports session (Thursday 5 August) and community listening session (Friday 6 August).

The aim of the Coolgardie Train Station project is to create an accessible arts hub in the Goldfields region, using the new recording studio as the central tool for many of the projects.

Barefoot Bands co-founder Brenton Meynell said having the train station is a fantastic opportunity for local artists to access a recording studio and creative mentoring at little or no cost to the artist.

“The recording studio will be the central tool for many of the projects, with a focus on free Indigenous and local recording. However, we want to invite and encourage artists who work across all mediums to get in touch” Mr Meynell said.

“We really want to hear from and work with many of the fantastic Indigenous and community songwriters out there.”

With support from the Shire and CRC, Barefoot Bands has been delivering music workshops, community concerts, jam sessions, school visits, recording sessions and music lessons to schools for the past 2 years.

Mr Meynell said Barefoot Bands aims to cater to all ages from the youngest to the oldest in the community.

“The songs and musicians we discover makes us want to keep coming back”.

“Using the Coolgardie Train Station as the creative hub is the perfect scenario. The number of stories that building could tell, it’s really fitting it stays a part of the community’s history and culture.”

Shire President Malcolm Cullen said the Shire was excited to welcome Barefoot Bands back into the local community to launch the new project.

“In March 1896, the first passenger train from Perth arrived into the Coolgardie Railway Station carrying a number of dignitaries including Premier John Forrest. While the Station is no longer operational, it speaks to our strong mining heritage as the ‘Mother of the Goldfields’ and is an important landmark within the community,” said Cr Cullen.

“We are proud to be breathing new life into this iconic building by transforming it into an Arts Hub. Music is a great way to bring our community together and we hope the new facility will foster creativity as well as a sense of belonging.”

“On the last occasion that the Barefoot Bands were in the Coolgardie, they produced some fantastic work with the school children and other musical artists from the community.”

Where: Coolgardie Railway Station, Woodward Street, Coolgardie WA 6429 Monday 3 August: Community BBQ 5pm Wednesday 5 August: Adult Guitar Lesson 6pm Thursday 6 August: Children’s DJ, Footy and Basketball at Coolgardie Park 3.30pm Friday 7 August: Community Listen Session 5pm

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