The Goat Gallery

04/05/2026

For those of you not familiar with Dave’s work, do take a moment to watch this video. We would be so grateful if everyone who can would consider contributing even a little bit to the recovery fund that has been set up to help him get back to creating his amazing works after his studio and works were destroyed in the January fire. Thank you. 🙏❤️

01/05/2026

ACT Natimuk is looking for our next Nati Frinj Festival Director to lead the best Frinj Festival in all of Australia. Please get in touch if you’re interested and share amongst your networks of fabulous festival directors!

NATI FRINJ FESTIVAL DIRECTOR 2026/27

With the Nati Frinj 2025 all now done and dusted, it’s time to plan for the 2027 festival. And with that comes the role of the Festival Director. ACT Natimuk is now taking applications for the position.

We are seeking a visionary and dynamic Nati Frinj Biennale Director (2026–27) to lead the next chapter of one of regional Australia’s most exciting arts festivals. This is a unique opportunity to shape a bold, community-connected program that brings together contemporary performance, visual arts, and experimental practice in the heart of Natimuk.

As always, we’re looking for an inspiring leader with strong artistic vision, excellent collaboration skills, and a passion for regional arts. If you’re ready to create an unforgettable festival that celebrates creativity, place, and community—we’d love to hear from you.
Previous applicants are welcome to apply.

For the full PD description and submission details follow the link here:
https://natifrinj.com/get-involved/

*Photo credit: Cabaret Out of Whack, Nati Frinj 2025.
Photo: Suzanne Phoenix

03/03/2026

Coming up this Saturday, the opening of "Lessons Learned". A very special exhibition to celebrate 38 years since a group of freshly graduated art teachers were let loose in the world, and to reflect on the many lessons learned along the way.

Exhibition opening 6-7pm, March 7th. At The Goat. Join us for drinks and nibbles, stories and lots of laughs. (There will be a shopping trolley!)

03/03/2026

If you’re not at The Goat Gallery, you should be at Goat Fest! The best climbing film festival in the world! This year’s Goatfest is also a fundraiser to support artist, climber, and fabulous human Dave Jones, who lost his studio, tools, materials, and many artworks in the Nati fire in January. It always sells out quickly, so grab your tickets now!

Goatfest 2026 is only 32 sleeps away.

And tickets are on sale now.
https://events.humanitix.com/goatfest-2026

The annual Goatfest Climbing Film Festival is happening on Saturday 4th April 2026 and is proudly presented by ACT Natimuk. Our most fabulous prize sponsor is The Climbing Shop, situated in downtown, bustling Natimuk.

This year we will also be donating 25% of ticket revenue and $1 from every drink sold to our Dave Jones Bushfire Recovery Fundraiser. You also have the option to donate more if you wish when you get to the GET TICKETS page.
For those not attending Goatfest and would like to donate to the fundraiser stay tuned, we'll have some more details on that soon!

Many of you will know Dave — climber, artist, past Goatfest organiser, and founding member of ACT Natimuk. Through his company Transience, Dave has created unforgettable Nati Frinj spectacles: towering silo-high puppets, breathtaking projections that linger in your memory for years, and major public artworks across the country.

When the Natimuk fires struck on January 9, his studio, equipment and many large-scale works were lost. Years of creative labour went up in flames. While much can never be replaced, we’d love to rally around Dave and offer practical support to help him so he can return to the studio, and continue creating the extraordinary work he’s known for. You can see some of Dave's past work here http://www.transience.com.au/wp/

Doors and bar opening at 6.30pm for 7pm screening.

We have a fundraiser bar on site - PLEASE NOTE: No BYO

No food on offer this year so feed up first or bring some snacks.

See you there!

27/02/2026

Join us tonight from 6pm at Artist Michael Ambriano’s exhibition “Natimuk Exile”, an exhibition of works produced during his residency in Natimuk last year. Join us for a drink and nibbles, meet the artist, and enjoy these beautiful works of our beloved landscape. All works are for sale.

04/02/2026

As you all know, The Goat Gallery has recently been very busy as a location for the supply of cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other supports for the residents of Natimuk and Quantong, who lost so many homes and properties in January's devastating grassfire.

As time is passing, we feel we can now display artist Michael Ambriano's beautiful paintings and monoprints of Natimuk that were in the process of being hung in the gallery when our township was evacuated on January 9th. Life certainly hasn't gone back to 'normal', but we are hoping the time is right.

So we have decided to hold an exhibition ‘closing’ event (given we didn't get to launch the show) on February the 28th, and Micheal is making the long trip from Sydney to attend. It's the same as an opening, just at the end of the exhibition, not the start!

These special artworks works were produced while Michael was in residence at Nati Exile last year, and all works are for sale.

Michael Ambriano
'Natimuk Exile'
21 - 28 February

Exhibition Closing/Launch - Saturday 28th February 6-8 pm

22/01/2026

The heat is coming, and our air conditioner is broken! This means we won't be open for cleaning supplies over the weekend and next week, so if you are still cleaning your house/property after the fire, please call in (3-5pm today) to get buckets, sugar soap, cleaning cloths, coveralls, gloves, and/or masks. If those hours don't suit, please send us a message and we can open up at a time that suits. Please take care in the heat.

18/01/2026

The gallery will be open from 11am - 1pm tomorrow if you are in need of cleaning supplies. We had new cleaning supplies delivered today, with sincere thanks to Bunnings and Horsham Neighbourhood House for organising.

The gallery will be back to being an art gallery as soon as possible. Take care Nati & Quani folks.

17/01/2026

The cleaning supplies are being given to everyone who needs them and the donations keep coming. This morning, a team of volunteers from Mount Gambier TAFE drove all this way with cleaning supplies and pet food. What legends! Kindness and generosity is flowing into our town, and even though we are exhausted and emotional and broken hearted, our hearts are also being filled. If you are in Nati or Quani and need cleaning supplies, cat food, a cup of tea or coffee, or some quiet time with a jigsaw puzzle or some art materials, you know where we are - 87 Main Street Natimuk. Take care everyone, and thank you to everyone who is being so generous and kind.

15/01/2026

The Goat Gallery still has cleaning supplies for those needing to clean, and a range of toiletries and period products for those who have lost houses. We are also planning to gather together some art supplies for those who might need to do some artwork as a way to recover, and I’m happy to given any impromptu art lessons if it will give anyone a rest from the hard slog of recovery. If you have art supplies you don’t need I will add to my collection to bundle up for those who might need some respite, or you’re welcome to pop into the gallery to do some as well. Sometimes getting out of the house for a bit helps. And quiet time with no chatter is fine if that’s what you need. Take care.

14/01/2026

Natimuk and Quantong residents:

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Council is inviting residents from fire affected communities to attend a Community Catch Up.

𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠 – 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Quantong Recreation Reserve

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐤 – 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰

Date: Thursday, 15 January 2026

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Natimuk Verj

These sessions will give community members the opportunity to come together and speak directly with the agencies in attendance.

A community BBQ will be provided, allowing an opportunity for residents to connect and support one another.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: Attendance at these Community Catch Ups are only for communities directly impacted by the recent fires.

Community Catch Ups for Fire-Affected Residents