Tom Avgenicos, a 2022 Freedman Fellow, composer and trumpeter, has taken inspiration from the Stringybark Creek Reserve on Cammeraygal Country, located in Lane Cove, to create his new work Ghosts Between Streams.
The collaborative multidisciplinary work blends music, visuals, and dance to explore the struggle between nature and urbanisation. Ghosts Between Streams explores the concept of solastalgia, the sadness felt at the loss or change of a beloved place in nature.
Avgenicos, who has spent many years as a local in Lane Cove, drew inspiration from his daily walks through the Stringybark Creek Reserve with his dog Soomi from 2019 to 2021.
“I developed a deep connection with the land, and its many sights with the rich flora and fauna inspired evocative musical ideas,” he said.
Stringybark Creek Reserve is located near a high-density residential area. “This juxtaposition of nature with urbanisation brings together a story I thought needed to be told through my music,” Avgenicos said.
For Avgenicos, Stringybark Creek Reserve’s urban location is what makes it so fascinating.
“Gordon Crescent is essentially lined with apartments, and I think having the reserve adjacent feels like a mysterious escape,” he said.
Avgenicos had become worried about the construction on Gordon Crescent in 2021, where runoff from a worksite had entered the creek, and the noise pollution was impacting wildlife.
Whilst still being very positive toward urban development, Avgenicos noted that “it must be carefully considered as the consequences can be dire to both the reserve and the wildlife within it.”
Both Avgenicos and his partner addressed these concerns with the Stringybark Creek Resident’s Association which raised the issues with Lane Cove Council.
Avgenicos also got engaged at Elizabeth Parade, opposite Stringybark Creek Reserve, adding to his fondness for the Reserve.
The title “Ghosts Between Streams” refers to the changes within Stringybark, suggesting it is a ghost or shadow of its former self.
The journey to performance has been a difficult one. With Avengicos detailing that it has been a very challenging process and “easily the most difficult creative venture in my career.”
He also commended the team and collaborators who have contributed to the work, making the entire experience incredibly rewarding.
Set designer Raya Tolentinoh as been on-site at Stringybark to create an epic backdrop and sculptural pieces which will activate the performance space. The sculptural pieces have even been moulded from rock formations located at Stringybark Creek Reserve.
Whilst Avengicos has created smaller pieces with his band Delay 45, which have toured both nationally and internationally, this will be his first large scale performance piece.
The work will be co-presented by the Sydney Improvised Music Association and supported by the Freedman Fellowship.
The Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) are an independent not for profit organisation and Australia’s leading producers in Jazz and improvisational music.
The Freedman Fellowship is an award presented annually to both a classical and jazz musician to assist them in taking their next steps in the industry and their career. Avgenicos, noted that winning this award allowed him to take the time and money to develop and present this new work.
Whilst not currently a resident, Avgenicos has lived in Lane Cove on and off since he was in high school and has a huge zest for the local area adding to his inspiration.
“Lane Cove has a bit of everything!” he said, “All within walking distance too.”
“It’s small enough to have a local community feel, yet large enough to have an adventure.”
Avgenicos spends half his time in Newcastle and the other half in Sydney, now residing in Hunters Hill. But always manages to come back to the area.
“I still walk through Stringybark when I get time. Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he said.
Avgenicos says he would love to continue working on this performance piece in the future.
“I’m currently planning another iteration of this work with visual projection artist Jordan East,” he said.
Tom, we can’t wait to see what you continue to achieve and do!
To book your tickets to see this performance click here.
To book your tickets to see this performance click here.
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Tom Avgenicos Contact Details
Instagram: @tomavgenicos
Band Instagram: @delay45_band
Band Facebook: @Delay45
Book Tickets: https://www.aco.com.au/whats-on/2023/tom-avgenicos-ghosts-between-streams
Join The Stringybark Creek Residents Association
If, like Tom, you love the Stringybark Creek Residents Association then help preserve it by joining the SBCRA.
Founded in 1993, the Stringy Bark Creek Residents Association was formed with a very simple focus; to help preserve and improve common welfare, traffic, health, safety, transport and, the bushland and environment within the Lane Cove North Area.
Their website states:
“SBCRA believe that pockets of native bushland such as those found along Stringy Bark Creek are what help make Sydney the unique and extremely liveable city that it is.
SBCRA believe our local people should be able to live in a safe and secure environment where traffic, health and safety issues are addressed and dealt with effectively.”
SBCRA Events
Each year the SBCRA hold the following annual events:
Clean Up Australia Day at Batten Reserve – read more here
Bushcare Major Day Out – read more here
To find out how to join the SBCRA – click here.
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