News

Artist Residencies

Harrigans Lane Collective is thrilled to announce 4 artist-in-residence places in 2024! We welcome enthusiastic, curious, and adventurous people with a passion for Place-inspired investigation into making, composing, and/or studying in the unique environment that our property and its facilities provides. This residency program is open to individuals or collaborations in small groups of 3-4 who wish to draw inspiration from this unique environment and utilise buildings and facilities to enable their work and further their creative practice.

We are a Conservation Area!

We are thrilled to announce that on 18 August 2023 the Wolfe Family Trust (on behalf of Harrigans Lane Collective) entered an in-perpetuity Conservation Agreement with the New South Wales Biodiversity Trust. As such, over 80% of our property is now protected by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and dedicated to conservation.

The Architecture Symposium

In February 2022 we were delighted and honoured to share the story of the Piano Mill and our ‘music box’ collection of buildings as part of the Architecture Symposium - Daylesford Longhouse. It was so inspiring to learn about the concept and evolution of the Longhouse along with four other fascinating projects that all spoke to the theme of the Hybrid House.

The place, the people and the spirit of the day have been beautifully captured in these (and many other) images by Peter Bennetts.

Harrigan’s Lane: Detuned, Unplugged, Off-Grid

Pick up a copy of Museum of Brisbane’s SUNNIE (Issue 3) for an insight into Harrigans Lane Collective, how it started, and where it’s heading…

“As the primary funders of the project [Jocelyn] and Bruce have realised the unlikely and the impractical. Their passionate and direct involvement in all aspects of the Collective gives them an unusual status as philanthropists. […] The Collective is finding out what it means to consistently say ‘yes’ to things, even if they sound outlandish.”

The Piano Mill 2021

Australian Stage gives a glowing detailed review of this year’s event at the Piano Mill!

“Classical art music is rule bound, perfection is paramount and blockbusters by enduring superstars like Bach, Beethoven and Brahms still dominate 21st century concert programs. Piano Mill’s success has been due to it offering an alternative means of experiencing fresh, original music in the spirit of a sonic adventure staged outdoors.”

Image by Marc Treble

New Piano Mill recordings

In anticipation of Easter, we are releasing the entire archive of recordings - Music of the Piano Mill 2017-19 on our Harrigans Lane Collective label. Collected in three volumes, this is the first time all of this music will be available in one place.

Also coming on Vinyl LP (and digital download) are Stephen Adam's beautiful Sunset inside the listening room, and Erik Griswold's All's grist that comes to the mill. Pick up a copy at Easter, or order on Bandcamp.

Launch of Hollows out of time

Harrigans Lane Collective announces the release of our record label with Hollows out of time, a new album from Erik Griswold and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra string quartet. The label features music inspired by the natural environment and unique architectural creations of Harrigans Lane.

World Architecture Festival Winner

The Piano Mill has been awarded winner of the Completed Buildings – Culture category at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2018 in Amsterdam, with the judges viewing it as "a prime instrument in an orchestra of trees". After winning national awards in Australia in 2017 in both music and architecture, we are overwhelmed by this success on the world stage. This is an unexpected honour. Thank you to the judges and to all who have been part of The Piano Mill community since its inception in 2016.

The Piano Mill book is here!

This new book of photos and essays tells the stories behind The Mill’s creation, with personal insights from the team of people involved in bringing it to life. The collaboration of architect Bruce Wolfe, researcher Jocelyn Wolfe, musicians Erik Griswold and Vanessa Tomlinson, The Piano Mill is a nationally awarded building for both music and architecture.

Shortlisted in Queensland Architecture Awards

From a field of 174 entries, Lagavulin is one of 76 to be shortlisted in the Australian Institute of Architects 2018 Queensland Architecture Awards in the Small Projects category.

Thank you judges! Masonry by Lee Keeland, sound engineering by Phil Ward, site-inspired artwork by Renata Buziak, design and construction by Bruce Wolfe, Conrad Gargett, and Nutide Constructions, photography by Richard Brimmer.

National Commendation

The Piano Mill receives an Australian Institute of Architects National Commendation for Small Projects in the National Architecture Awards 2018. Thank you to everyone involved in realising this one of a kind project!

“This outback “tower of song” sits among tall eucalypt trees, a rural Gothic folly of dark cladding and tall proportions. Within a structure that performs with smoke and dynamic levers emitting experimental music, sixteen old pianos garnered from the region have been granted a new lease on life. Jostled together on elevated balconies set around a three-storey void designed for hoisting the instruments into place, they resonate in the rich timbered interior. Part building, part musical instrument, part stage set and part mad invention, this intriguing project is its architect and his family’s gift to the music community of Australia.” - Jury citation

Award for Excellence in Experimental Music

The Piano Mill wins Award for Excellence in Experimental Music in the 2017 Art Music Awards.

We are amazed and delighted to share this award with all the amazing people who brought The Piano Mill project to life. Thank you!

There are many 'thank yous' but on this occasion particularly to the Mill performers: Michael Askill, Brieley Cutting, Louise Denson, Stephen Emmerson, Jan Baker-Finch, Anna Grinberg, Michael Hannan, Lynette Lancini, Sonya Lifschitz, Therese Mil, Steve Newcomb, Alistair Noble, Colin Noble, Cara Tran, Yitzhak Yedid. And thank you to Ben Marks for the nomination!
Congratulations to all finalists. It's an honour to be amongst you!