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CHANGE CITY :
to listen to their music now on 
Our eyes were originally drawn to what’s become a saga of epic proportions for Gold Coast festival Secret Sessions when local news outlet The Gold Coast Bulletin ran a story on Wednesday that the beloved Northern bush-rave, due to take place from 9th-11th of October, had been cancelled due to strong security concerns.
According to the original article as syndicated on News.com.au, the Numinbah Valley festival was pre-emptively shut down by local council representatives who rejected festival organisers’ bid for a permit because of the festival’s proximity to a neighbouring prison farm.
Apparently, officials were fearful that the nearby festival might incite unrest in the prisoners, forcing them to put the kibosh on Secret Sessions. “An event such as this with alcohol and other related activity would create serious security concerns,” a spokesperson for the prison was quoted as saying. “Due to expected noise levels from the event the prisoners would be well aware that the event was taking place and the security risks would dramatically increase.”
Pretty sucky, right? And our hearts went out to the beleaguered festival as well as those fans due to attend who would seemingly miss out on the multi-day spectacle and its lineup of artists such as MDX, Erotic Dream, Mike Nichol, Baby Gee and Friends & Enemiez. However, it looks as though somebody has their information distorted, as an updated news item on the Secret Sessions homepage has contested the original article, saying that the festival is indeed going ahead.
“Some of you may have read a misleading article this week in the Gold Coast Bulletin stating that Secret Sessions had been cancelled,” the statement read. “This is not the case! Secret Sessions will go ahead from the 9th to the 11th of October as we have done every year for the past 5 years!”
Evidently upset about the news item, the Secret Sessions administrators continued to set the record straight, taking aim at the original article and assuring fans that the festival will continue.
“The journalist Leah Fineran who took it upon herself to write this incorrect statement will burn in hell forever! Secret Sessions is currently in negotiations with the land owners and the GC City Council to try and rectify this situation. Regardless of the outcome Secret Sessions will find a new home once again and we promise we will not disappoint all our loyal followers!”
The plot thickens. It still remains to be seen whether or not the festival will take place at its original location and date, but we’ll be keeping a very close eye on upcoming developments in the saga!
i_have_ADD says...
hahaha burn in hell!
i_have_ADD says...
hahaha burn in hell!
tranceducer says...
For more info regarding this case please visit our websites latest news section. www.secretsessionsfestival.com/news New venue will be announced asap.... For now its just another exciting secret yet to be revealed!! Thankyou for addressing this for us inthemix.
Lady Lex says...
AN ADDRESS TO THE MEDIA FROM THE SECRET SESSIONS TEAM: The organisers of Secret Sessions Festival would like to take the opportunity to respond to several of the concerns and issues that have been raised across the media in numerous publications over the last few days. The nature of this event has been exceedingly misrepresented by the media as a %u201Crave%u201D party where unlawful activities are acceptable. We would like to stress that this is absolutely not the case and there is an obvious poor understanding of our intentions. Secret Sessions is an all ages, family friendly event which is attended by many families on a yearly basis as an opportunity to come together as a community. Initial application to host the event was administered to the Gold Coast City Council more than three months ago. Since that time, the land owners have been in regular contact with the council with regards to the event and had been given the indication that there would be no problem with the approval being granted on several occasions. Therefore, tickets went on sale August 10th at a price of $70. We offer various types of music other than electronic styles such as reggae and freestyle vocals, and contrary to reports the music does not continue non-stop over the entire weekend, quite obviously due to the fact that it is a three day family event where a range of activities are on offer. The music does not play throughout an entire day where patrons are invited to take part in activities such as yoga, salsa lessons, qi gong meditations, drumming, photography, tree planting and an interactive circus show for the younger kids. Hardly dangerous and reckless behaviour! In addition, to combat any noise produced from the event measures were to be taken in order to minimise the disruption to residents in the area. Land has been made available located deeper into the forest where speakers will be turned away from residents and sound deadening devices were to be put in place around the immediate music areas. As stated by journalist Darren Cartwright from the Brisbane Times, the Commissioner for Corrective Services Kelvin Anderson said "The noise is not our major concern%u2026%u201D. To address the issue of Numinbah Correctional Centre%u2019s proximity to the event, it is in fact over 2km away from the entrance to the property discordant with statements made by Ms Leah Fineran in the Gold Coast Bulletin that it is %u201Conly a few hundred metres away%u201D. The security issue faced by the Correctional Centres%u2019 history of breakouts are a completely separate matter that needs to be addressed by Queensland Corrective Services, and has no bearing on the event being held. It is a wonder that the community and council has not addressed their concerns of security over the numerous prison escapes by inmates over the past decade, and are of the opinion that a music event is unfavoured and presumably convicted criminals are acceptable in the area. Since the release of the articles the land owners have been inundated by calls from residents of Numinbah Valley in total support of the event who have emphasised that the reports of community disapproval are incorrect, unsupported and merely the opinion of Mr Peter Yaun alone. Despite reports, Secret Sessions will NOT be selling alcohol or any illegal and unlicensed items at the event. We will however offer market stalls, food, first aid, and an abundance of 24 hour professional contracted security services. As per last year, the event organisers have taken several measures to ensure that the environmental impact is minimal and the land is left as it was before the event. If there was evidence to the contrary the land owners would not be permitting this festival to go forward for a second year on their property. More than 50 bins and 3 skips were to be on site, rubbish bags provided to all who entered as well as a final and thorough clean up afterwards. We are shocked and saddened at the reference to the death of a girl at an event in New South Wales, an event not comparable to Secret Sessions. This unfortunate incident is irrelevant and currently being investigated as a homicide. We can only say that the organisers have been happy to accommodate all requests made by council for this event to go ahead and have been met with information and articles being released without prior knowledge of councils%u2019 decision, incorrect representation of the festival and unauthorised use of photographs. We are an unsponsored, independent community event who has tried to do the right thing by the local community and the council, and the manner in which this has been handled will only serve to push youthful events such as this further underground where actions cannot be controlled or monitored. Regards Secret Sessions Team
Lady Lex says...
AN ADDRESS TO THE MEDIA FROM THE SECRET SESSIONS TEAM: The organisers of Secret Sessions Festival would like to take the opportunity to respond to several of the concerns and issues that have been raised across the media in numerous publications over the last few days. The nature of this event has been exceedingly misrepresented by the media as a %u201Crave%u201D party where unlawful activities are acceptable. We would like to stress that this is absolutely not the case and there is an obvious poor understanding of our intentions. Secret Sessions is an all ages, family friendly event which is attended by many families on a yearly basis as an opportunity to come together as a community. Initial application to host the event was administered to the Gold Coast City Council more than three months ago. Since that time, the land owners have been in regular contact with the council with regards to the event and had been given the indication that there would be no problem with the approval being granted on several occasions. Therefore, tickets went on sale August 10th at a price of $70. We offer various types of music other than electronic styles such as reggae and freestyle vocals, and contrary to reports the music does not continue non-stop over the entire weekend, quite obviously due to the fact that it is a three day family event where a range of activities are on offer. The music does not play throughout an entire day where patrons are invited to take part in activities such as yoga, salsa lessons, qi gong meditations, drumming, photography, tree planting and an interactive circus show for the younger kids. Hardly dangerous and reckless behaviour! In addition, to combat any noise produced from the event measures were to be taken in order to minimise the disruption to residents in the area. Land has been made available located deeper into the forest where speakers will be turned away from residents and sound deadening devices were to be put in place around the immediate music areas. As stated by journalist Darren Cartwright from the Brisbane Times, the Commissioner for Corrective Services Kelvin Anderson said "The noise is not our major concern%u2026%u201D. To address the issue of Numinbah Correctional Centre%u2019s proximity to the event, it is in fact over 2km away from the entrance to the property discordant with statements made by Ms Leah Fineran in the Gold Coast Bulletin that it is %u201Conly a few hundred metres away%u201D. The security issue faced by the Correctional Centres%u2019 history of breakouts are a completely separate matter that needs to be addressed by Queensland Corrective Services, and has no bearing on the event being held. It is a wonder that the community and council has not addressed their concerns of security over the numerous prison escapes by inmates over the past decade, and are of the opinion that a music event is unfavoured and presumably convicted criminals are acceptable in the area. Since the release of the articles the land owners have been inundated by calls from residents of Numinbah Valley in total support of the event who have emphasised that the reports of community disapproval are incorrect, unsupported and merely the opinion of Mr Peter Yaun alone. Despite reports, Secret Sessions will NOT be selling alcohol or any illegal and unlicensed items at the event. We will however offer market stalls, food, first aid, and an abundance of 24 hour professional contracted security services. As per last year, the event organisers have taken several measures to ensure that the environmental impact is minimal and the land is left as it was before the event. If there was evidence to the contrary the land owners would not be permitting this festival to go forward for a second year on their property. More than 50 bins and 3 skips were to be on site, rubbish bags provided to all who entered as well as a final and thorough clean up afterwards. We are shocked and saddened at the reference to the death of a girl at an event in New South Wales, an event not comparable to Secret Sessions. This unfortunate incident is irrelevant and currently being investigated as a homicide. We can only say that the organisers have been happy to accommodate all requests made by council for this event to go ahead and have been met with information and articles being released without prior knowledge of councils%u2019 decision, incorrect representation of the festival and unauthorised use of photographs. We are an unsponsored, independent community event who has tried to do the right thing by the local community and the council, and the manner in which this has been handled will only serve to push youthful events such as this further underground where actions cannot be controlled or monitored. Regards Secret Sessions Team
djheron_100 says...
HAHAHA yes she will.. and WOO HOO coz NOTHING and NOBODY can stop SECRET SESSIONS !!!! I %u2665 S.S.
mj86 says...
that bitch will burn and die in hell.
Tranceologer says...
Must of been a slow news day
Space_man says...
normaly i'd care but its just queenslanders
gcbulletinreader says...
So has anyone actually read the article? OR simply taking what is said here and formed their statements from that? Because I've read and re-read the article, and at no point does it state that what is said is the reporters personal opinion.. the reporter can only go by the information they recieve. Organisers for Secret Sessions were apparently given a chance to respond prior to the article going to print, and did not do so in time. If they had then the whole story might have been clearer. Bottom line.. the reporter was right.. its no longer going ahead at that location, which is all that was said in the article. And as for the burn in hell.. well if that is the sort of response that comes from the Secret Sessions administrators, they need to take a look at themselves.. for a festival that "is a three day family event", they aren't coming across as family friendly. Take your festival, and pitiful lives elsewhere!! PS Read today's article, and quit your whining..
tranceducer says...
he he, I'm quite certain everyone's read the article and I'm sorry your friend Leah Fenaren does not like bad things or incorrect things said about her either. I apologies and retract my burn in hell comment, she can wait in media watch limbo instead!! As for being contacted to voice our side to the article we only received an email on the morning of the publication. Hardly a good opportunity to respond wouldn't you say? We'll try and enjoy our pitiful lives and festival! Thanks for your input GC reader....
gcbulletinreader says...
I see. And what exactly was said that was bad and incorrect about you, or your festival? And where did it come from? Seems like a classic case of shooting the messenger..
MuTeK says...
It does not matter whether it is her personal opinion. News articles SHOULD be impartial, however rarely are. She has a duty to corroborate information received before printing a defaming article. Would she print the article in a similar vain if her sources said that the Prime Minister was attending? It shows lack of professionalism and it reflects poorly on the GC Bulletin. Using your line of reasoning I can see the next article reading:- "The running of Secret Sessions Festival has again been thrown into jeopardy. An undisclosed informant, known to the event organisers, has revealed a giant Yeti lurks the green pastures within a 1km radius of the event. Event organisers are denying existence of this fabled creature and locals have confirmed the same. A more reliable insider says the locals merely do not wish to disturb this normally placid creature. She says, %u201CA sacrifice is made to the hypnotic music every year to keep its%u2019 anger at bay%u201D. Given the family nature of this event it is strongly advised to lock your tents at night.%u201D Editorial by Neil Freanah.
Leah_Fineran says...
Thanks for the feedback Secret Sessions, I was confused about where I would go after death, but clearly you've booked me a ticket south so again, thanks. To set the record straight, I did contact Secret Sessions via email the day BEFORE the article was printed. I dislike using email because people don't check their accounts regularly. However it was my only option as there were no contact numbers listed on the site and no ticket outlets would pass on the organisers details. Secret indeed. The `PR spokesman' Trent Stewart, who goes by the name Tranceducer here, wrote: `she took it upon myself to write this incorrect article'. Well Mr Stewart, my information was based upon a legal council report and not just plucked out of my imagination for purposes of destroying the festival's questionable reputation. Personally I don't give a rats if and where you hold this festival, I was just doing my job. However I will now follow your progress with interest as I am sure police and the council will as well.
Shards says...
..... but on topic, I don't think anyone with experience in Electronic Dance Music would seriously believe that talking to the print media is going to end in constructive or impartial reporting, let alone support for this community or culture. That doesn't sell copy, does it Leah? Better to give you nothing & let you invent your own stories until broadsheet & your "quality journalism" fades from all relevance & influence.
Shards says...
I would have thought writing for a publication of questionable reputation like the Gold Coast Bulletin would have been close to damnation in hell, already? Well, you'll have the qualifications when the time comes at least.....
Junglejunkie says...
Best of luck, Secret sessions crew. Much love from the perthlings. Its sad that you cop this crap from people who dont "get it". I hope everything works out for you.
TiAmos says...
Leah, the common opinion of a newspaper journo places you on the food chain below toilet scum, you only have to watch a single episode of Media Watch to see my point. Your front page ad about this was a perfect example of scrapping the bottom of the barrel to 'do your job', hope you enjoy your paycheck this week, you clearly deserve it with such classy journalistic pizazz!. Have you ever actually been to a festival?, does the idea of 'fun' have a place in your vocabulary?, Could you just be stirring the pot in hope you might get a scope?. Now that you're making a personal commitment towards reporting of this event, your saucy critique awaits my retinal consumption...
paul abad says...
Well i can understand Leah being upset about the 'burn in hell' comment - not the best PR on the part of the SS crew, but certainly, the way this situation has been handled has probably left them quite upset and stressed. (they are nice guys, trust me!) Leah - i hope you can for one moment put yourself in their shoes, and imagine what its like to risk everything you have to stage an independant, community based music and arts event - with no sponsorship or commercial backing, because you love music, nature and community bonding ... and then have it grossly mis-represented and turned in to a media beat up. Your article was a classic example of mis-informed sensationalist journalism. I know that's your job, to sell papers, but there are humans at the other end of the equation too. The reference to Daneeka's death was absolutely despicable too - a cheap shot that has upset her friends and family. Daneeka's death is being investigated as a homicide. It was not a drug overdose. You should really think a bit more about the lives you will affect when writing such things. I do acknowledge though, part of the problem with the article seems to have stemmed from mis-information from the council. So that's not really Leah's fault - it goes a lot deeper. There are varying accounts on the timing of the application, the timing of ticket sales, the distance of the prison the sale of alcohol etc You can draw your own conclusions about that.
evision says...
Cruiser Park is lovely this time of year, and not a single prison camp in site.