Grindell’s Hut

A three-week residency at Grindell’s Hut located in the heart of the Vulkathunha – Gammon Ranges National Park in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

Each year we offer a three-week residency at Grindell’s Hut located in the heart of the Vulkathunha – Gammon Ranges National Park in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

Established more than 16 years ago, the vision for the residency program is to provide an environment of extraordinary natural beauty with historic significance for artists to pursue their practice while immersed in an outback environment. The park forms part of the traditional country of the Adnyamathanha people and is rich with cultural significance. It is also a haven for many rare and endangered plants and animals.

The Grindell’s Hut Artist in Residence program is a partnership between Country Arts SA, and The Department for Environment and Water through the Vulkathunha -Gammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board, and managed by Country Arts SA.

Applications closed 5pm, June 13 2023.

Key Dates

Applications open April 24, 2023

Applications close 5pm, June 13 2023

Residency dates 8-29 October

Eligibility
  • All Australian permanent residents over the age of 18 are eligible to apply
  • Resident of regional South Australia are encouraged to apply
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are strongly encouraged to apply
What does this residency include?

Payment

The successful artist will be paid $3000 (excluding GST), to be paid in three stages:

  • $1500 at the commencement of the residency
  • $1000 half way through
  • $500 upon receipt of their final report

Please note, collaborative teams of artists may apply but the total artist fee for the group is $4000 (excluding GST).

If you would like to apply as a team you must speak with Country Arts SA’s Visual Arts Programs office about your project prior to applying.

Expenses

Paid by Country Arts SA

  • Accommodation in en route and return to Grindell’s Hut
  • Costs associated with studio
  • $500 will be allocated to workshop materials

Travel and Accomodation

  • A travel budget of $500 will be paid to the artist
  • A living away from home allowance to the artist of $350 per week (up to $1050 in total) for the period of the residency
  • Two nights’ accommodation in the Port Augusta region for the successful applicant – one night on the way to Grindell’s Hut, and one night on the return trip from Grindell’s Hut
Location

Grindell’s Hut is located in the heart of the VulkathunhaGammon Ranges National Park on a hillside with spectacular views over the valleys and foothills of the Illinawortina Pound and the Blue Range.The McLachlan Pastoral Company built the hut in the 1950’s as a Boundary Rider’s Hut and Outstation for the Balcanoona Pastoral Lease. The original hut built in the late 1800s by Grindell still stands just behind the newer hut.

The Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges, reputable for its mountains, native flora and fauna, and Aboriginal and colonial heritage, is situated at the Northern end of the
Flinders Ranges. The Park protects significant Aboriginal and European heritage sites.

The first area of the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park was proclaimed in 1970, covering an initial 15,550 hectares. Following the purchase of the Balcanoona Pastoral Station Lease, the 82,000 hectare property was added to the park in 1982. The park now covers 128,228 hectares of land.

The traditional owners of the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park are the Adnyamathanha people who continue to have strong ties with their country,
ancestors, law and culture. Traditional owners co-manage the Park with the South Australian Government through the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park CoManagement Board.

The Adnyamathanha name Vulkathunha was officially assigned to the Park in May 2003 and the word literally means ‘old lady’ and reflects a significant Adnyamathanha story connected with this country. The more recent history of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges has included mining, smelting and pastoralism.

Illinawortina Pound, adjacent to Grindell’s Hut, is in the Vulkathana-Gammon Range and can be accessed via Copley (6km north of Leigh Creek). It is approximately 365
kilometres North of Port Augusta with the last 100km on unsealed roads with many rough creek crossings (4WD vehicle required)

How do I get there?

A 4WD vehicle is required as the Hut is in a remote location and roads may be closed or have restricted access.

The hut is located on Wortupa Loop Road, 26 km from the Park Headquarters at Balcanoona. The access road is not recommended for 2WD vehicles due to rocky sections, steep slopes and creek crossings. From Balcanoona, follow the Arkaroola Road for approximately 10km. Turn left at the sign posted intersection and follow the road through to Grindell’s Hut.

Please note: Roads may be closed or have restricted access. For latest updates contact Transport SA 1300 361 033.

What else do I need to know?

Group Application

This residency program is intended for one artist. Applicants wanting to jointly apply with another artist or as part of a group are eligible to do so but should note
that the living and accommodation allowance will not be increased.

Additional Guests at Grindell’s Hut

Members of the artist’s family or friends are encouraged to stay during this period to help break the isolation. There is a maximum of eight people allowed. You will need
to advise Country Arts SA and Parks Management of any additional guests that will be accompanying you before the residency commences.

Bond and Rental Fees

A bond of $400 is withheld by Country Arts SA for the duration of the residency. The artist is responsible for repair costs where damage has been incurred during the residency period.

General maintenance repairs are the responsibility of Parks Management. The final payment of $400 shall be paid upon satisfactory inspection of the Hut following the artist residency.

Rental fees are waived for the period the artist is in residence, which is supported by the VulkathunhaGammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board.

Communications

A satellite phone will be provided by Country Arts SA for the duration of your visit.

Climate

Weather conditions range from very hot in the summer, to very cold and frosty during the winter months. Rainfall can be unpredictable; however the region experiences more rain during the summer when thunderstorms come rolling over the Ranges creating a magnificent sound and light show with heavy downpours resulting in flash flooding. In October you can expect the best possible weather averaging between 20 – 30 degrees.

The Artist is responsible for providing

  • Food and consumables including toilet paper, sunscreen, torches, batteries, insect repellent, etc
  • Linens, blankets, pillows, towels, tea towels, etc
  • Own materials
  • Public liability insurance
Community Engagement

The artist will be expected to develop a proposal of how they intend to engage with local Aboriginal community members through the delivery of an arts workshop to
support skills development in the Nepabunna community, as part of the residency. Nepabunna is 95 kms from Grindell’s Hut.

The artist is also asked to consider the donation of an artwork from their residency to the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board.

Relationship with local community

Artists will have the opportunity to meet with local Aboriginal community members and will be supported to ensure correct protocols are respected and followed
and the Aboriginal community feels welcome and able to engage with the project.

Artists are reminded they are staying in a National Park and National Park Regulations apply:

  • Leave your pets at home
  • Take your rubbish with you and be proactive in recycling
  • Observe fire restrictions, usually November 1 – April 30 (check the CFS Hotline on 1300 362 361)
  • Camp only in designated areas
  • Respect geological, cultural and heritage sites
  • Be respectful of Aboriginal culture
  • Keep our wildlife wild – do not feed or disturb animals or remove native plants
  • Keep to defined vehicle tracks and walking trails
  • Be considerate of other park users
  • Leave behind a low impact, eco-friendly footprint on the surrounding environment
  • Keep the premises and grounds in a safe, clean and tidy condition
  • You must have a reliable 4WD vehicle, suitable clothing and be responsible at all times, especially when it comes to your safety
Amenities and Utilities

Features and Amenities

Bedroom one – sleeps two (one queen bed)

  • Bedroom two – sleeps 4 (two sets of bunks)
  • Artist’s studio and sleep out area (one set of bunks)
  • Bathroom – toilet, vanity basin and combined bath and shower
  • Laundry – includes two large sinks with rainwater tap (please conserve rainwater)
  • Storeroom – with space for the storage of food and other items and has stocks of cleaning equipment
  • Lounge – with sofa, armchairs and large coffee table
  • Kitchen – equipped with gas fridge, gas stove/oven, sink and all crockery and cutlery
  • Dining table with seating for eight people
  • Gas BBQ and wood BBQ
  • Outdoor seating
  • Firewood is provided in the wood shed at the rear of the unit
  • First aid kit and snake bite kit (supplied by Country Arts SA)
  • A veranda runs along the front and western side of the Hut providing a perfect vantage point to view the changing colours and the play of light across the Gammon Ranges.

Utilities

Water
Most of the water taps carry bore water, however rainwater tanks supply water to the Laundry for drinking water.

Septic tank
Other than toilet paper, items such as sanitary products, nappies and non-biodegradable products are not to be flushed down the toilet or sinks as the sewerage system uses a septic tank.

Electricity
Please note there is no direct electricity. The refrigerator, stove and hot water at Grindell’s Hut is run on bottled gas supplied by the Board, while electric lighting is run off solar-charged battery panels (12 volts). There are no power points, as the batteries do not carry sufficient power to run additional appliances. Instructions for the lighting of the fridge and hot water are provided on the site.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Country Arts SA encourages applications from individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We can accommodate video applications and other types of submissions by negotiation.

If you would prefer to apply using a different format, please contact our Visual Arts Program Officer, Seb Calabretto [email protected] | (08) 8444 0424.

Image: Ben Sibley

The sponsors and stakeholders acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians – the Adnyamathanha people – whose ancestral lands Grindell’s Hut is located upon.
This project is supported by Country Arts SA in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water, through the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board.

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