Catch the Light at Flow Festival

Venue

• Oratory, Abbotsford Convent
  1 St Heliers Street
  Abbotsford VIC 3067
• Google Maps link here

Dates & Times

Saturday 20 September

• 12pm-1pm
• 2:30pm-3:30pm

Bookings

• $5 each for adults or children. Bookings essential. Book here.

• Catch the Light will take place indoors, in the Oratory at Abbotsford Convent.
• Abbotsford Convent is wheelchair accessible. However, due to the age of the precinct, some outdoor surfaces are uneven.
• Guide/assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Convent’s grounds and buildings. (Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times).
• There are toilets in the main Convent Building, as well as a wheelchair accessible toilet with a button-activated automated door.
• There are both all-gender and gendered bathrooms available in the Sacred Heart Courtyard.
• A water fountain (for re-filling bottles) is available near the near the black and pink signage, between the main entrance and the Sacred Heart Courtyard.
• A general Visual Story to help you get to the Convent and find the Oratory is available to view/download here.

Catch the Light

• Catch the Light is for children aged 3-12 years who are Deaf/hard of hearing, and/or have Deaf/hard of hearing parents/carers. Siblings are also welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

How to prepare:

• When you come to a Polyglot workshop, we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to enjoy moving. Remember that you have come for an adventure and there are many ways to begin finding your play. You are curious and this space is yours. Just as you might at the beach, do you take your time and dip your toe in to warm up, or do you run and jump right in? The worlds we set up welcome you to take your time and find your own way to your imaginative play; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you, and look after these worlds and their inhabitants. See you soon!

• Baby change facilities are available in the Sacred Heart Courtyard, and the accessible toilet in the main Convent Building.
• Water, infants’ bottles and breastfeeding/chestfeeding are welcome, but we do ask that there is no eating in the Catch the Light space where possible.
• Food and drinks (including takeaway options) are available to purchase nearby from the Convent Bakery, Kappaya, and Cam’s Kiosk.
• You are also welcome to BYO food and drinks for picnicking before or after Catch the Light. There are green areas and gardens throughout the Precinct.

Parking

All day parking is available in the car park directly across from the Abbotsford Convent Precinct on St Heliers Street. Card payments only. Funds from the car park go towards the restoration and daily operation of the Convent, and also support the Collingwood Children’s Farm.

Weekend rates

• 30 mins = $4.50
• 60 mins= $6.50
• 90 mins = $7.50
• $2 per hour thereafter
• Daily rate (6-10 hours) = $16.50

Max daily rate (until 2am) = $30
Additional overnight fee* (after 2am) = $25
Lost ticket = $30

*Additional to parking fee for exit after 2am following the day of entry.

Accessible Parking

The following accessible parking spaces are available for use by holders of a Disabled Persons permit:

• Two two-hour accessible on-street parking spaces are located on St Heliers Street, beside Gate One.
• Six accessible parking places are located at the front of the car park on the northern side of St Heliers Street.

Public Transport

• Train: The Mernda and Hurstbridge train lines stop at Victoria Park Station. The train station is approximately 1km from the Precinct entrance.
• Bus: The 200, 202 and 207 bus routes stop at Clarke St/Johnston St. It is approximately 300m from the Precinct entrance.

Bicycle/Walking

• The Capital City cycling and walking path passes the Precinct. The St Heliers Street turn-off is opposite the entrance to the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
• Bicycle racks are located throughout the Convent and also adjacent to the car park.

• Jessica Moody, Co-Lead Artist
• Emily Tomlins, Co-Lead Artist
• Danni Wright, Collaborating Artist
• Sylvie Meltzer, Collaborating Artist

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, and ArtPlay City of Melbourne.

Flow Festival Australia and Polyglot Theatre are supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Flow Festival is Australia’s national celebration of Deaf arts and culture, occurring biennially, gathering artists and audiences from across Australia and beyond.