Events at the old church in the bush
To enquire about using our space for an upcoming event or performance please go to our performers page.
Benefit Concert at Yandoit Cultural for our local fire-affected communities- with Django Fretts and Jo Huf
Sunday February 8th, 2026
Where: Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit.
Description:
It’s been a wild January with fires impacting on so many people, homes, mountains, farms, animals, food systems, plants and wildlife.
Join us for a joyful afternoon/early evening of music and dance, with Django Fretts and Jo Huf as we raise funds in support of our local fire affected communities and brigades.
Donations at the door- please give generously.
Django Fretts
The Django Fretts are Castlemaine’s very own gypsy jazz quartet. Formed in 2015, the Fretts have an extensive repertoire of tunes taken from the Django Reinhardt songbook as well as a few American jazz favourites. They have played extensively around the goldfields region and beyond, honing their up-tempo sound at markets, gigs, and festivals.
The Django Fretts are returning to Yandoit Cultural for an evening of music that will evoke the mood of 30’s Paris with authentic gypsy jazz melodies, soaring clarinet solos and acoustic improvisations. Supported by Jo Huf with a set of beautiful bossa nova, this is sure to be a great night.
Jo Huf- Bossa Nova
Castlemaine local singer and guitarist, Jo Huf performs Bossa Nova classics from Brazil’s iconic composer, Antônio Carlos Jobim and other notable composers of the time.
Drawing inspiration from iconic singers Astrud Gilberto and Elis Regina, Huf infuses Jobim’s classics with genuine emotion and skill, singing in both Portuguese and English.
Don’t miss this chance to enjoy fine acoustic music performed in a beautiful setting and supporting our local communities.
Christmas Carols with Castlemaine peace choir
Sunday December 21st, 2025
Time: 7.00pm
Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit. Everyone welcome. No bookings required.
Description:
Join us for another special event on our annual calendar: Christmas Carols with the Castlemaine Peace Choir. This year the choir will also be joined by children from Yandoit Primary School.
This is a joint Yandoit Cultural and Yandoit Sacred event, supported by Castlemaine Uniting church parish.
A wonderful chance to gather with friends and neighbours, to sing your heart out and to ‘lift off the roof of our church’!
Afterwards we will gather outside under the eucalypts for supper. Contributions to supper are welcomed.
Yandoit cinemateque- Season Two
Season Two runs during August, September and October on Tuesday Nights.
Time: Doors 6.pm. Film 7.30pm
Where: Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit.
Description:
Season 2 is underway with a range of films on Thursday evenings. Doors 6pm. Film 7.15pm. Humanitix. Instagram. 3 Week Membership $24. One week Membership $12. Feel free to bring wine and snacks. October Screenings – 02nd – Exiles (2004) Tony Gatif. Alg | Fra. 16th – For Sama (2019) Waad Al-Khateab. Syr | US. Edward Watts UK. 30th – Mad Bastards (2011) Brendan Fletcher. Aus. For more information: https://www.instagram.com/yandoit_cinematheque/ Yandoit Cinematheque | Michael van Son | 0432 613 784 |
Yandoit Sacred-- Into the Sacred
Friday October 3rd, 2025
Time: 5.30pm Where: Yandoit Uniting Church , Uniting Church Rd, off High St
Description:
Over the next period of time, Yandoit Sacred will undertake a series of explorations into different wisdom traditions/sacred practices within and beyond our group. We will contemplate some of the following questions:
- How do the different traditions/practices/rituals offer healing into the crises of our time?
- What are the intersections and unifying principles between the different wisdom traditions/sacred practices?
- How do each of the traditions/practices help us tune into the sacred that is forever present?
Some of these traditions/practices include: Zen Buddhism; meditation; earth as mother/feminine; song poetry and dance; the Christ spirit; and more …
At our next Yandoit Sacred gathering on Friday October 3rd at 5.30pm, together we will share what path/s each of us find helpful in tuning into the sacred in our lives. This discussion will assist us to determine where and how we start our Into the Sacred exploration over forthcoming gatherings.
If you’d like to participate in Yandoit Sacred, subscribe via Yandoit Cultural’s web page, to receive updates and reminders (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1140063/140396134353864288/share) or contact Nikki (0432 232 073) or Alison (0415 555 081)
All welcome. To receive email updates subscribe to Yandoit Sacred : https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1140063/1403961343538
About Yandoit Cultural
Yandoit Cultural is located at Yandoit’s historic Uniting Church - Uniting Church Rd (off High St), Yandoit, 3461, Central Victoria. This old church in the bush is an intimate space seating approximately 100, with excellent acoustics.
Yandoit Cultural provides an arts and cultural space for the communities of Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford, as well as surrounding townships in central Victoria. We encourage local, acoustic, quality and innovative performances with a diverse, inclusive program of music, story, song, poetry, film, visual arts and local history. In addition, Yandoit Cultural is available for wedding hire, musical recordings and more.
Yandoit Cultural celebrates the retention of our community’s much-loved and historical Uniting (ex-Methodist) church. Over the years many churches across central Victoria, and throughout Australia, have been decommissioned and subsequently sold. Once vital community hubs and commons, these buildings shift from public to private. The communities of Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford are committed to retaining our precious church in community hands and to exploring ways the church can continue as a community gathering place, as local cultural centre, and as a venue for an emerging faith community.
Yandoit Cultural is committed to arts and culture being accessible to everyone. In most instances entry is by donation. We offer country hospitality with afternoon tea/supper provided at each event. Yandoit Cultural is a project of the Yandoit Clydesdale and Franklinford Community Planning Group.
If you’re interested in performing at Yandoit Cultural complete our expression of interest form.
