Local Legends Live by Rave About Arts

Earlier this year, with support from the Mt Burdett Foundation’s Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation (RRAF), Rave About Arts (RAA) delivered an unforgettable creative initiative, Local Legends Live, a six-month mentorship and live music program that spotlighted the emerging musical talent of the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

The project offered professional development, performance experience, and community celebration for aspiring local musicians, and left a lasting impact on both the participants and the wider community.

Throughout the program, local musicians took part in:

• Twelve sessions of one-on-one and group mentoring led by experienced artists

• Four professional development workshops covering sound production, stagecraft, and career pathways

• Rehearsals and mentoring using high-quality technical equipment supplied by RAA

• A two-day live music showcase, where participants performed alongside established acts and shared their talents with an enthusiastic local audience

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The final weekend event in April 2025 brought Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe to life with music, connection, and celebration, drawing a strong crowd and creating a sense of pride in local talent.

Local Legends Live was designed to nurture early and mid-career musicians in the region, those with talent and drive, but without the structured support or performance platforms typically found in metropolitan areas.

The project didn’t just teach music skills, it built confidence, strengthened community networks, and showed young people that their creative aspirations are valid and achievable, right here in regional WA.

“This was about more than music—it was about belonging, confidence, and giving people the tools to grow,” said Ainsley Foulds, Chair and Creative Director of RAA. “Thanks to RRAF’s support, we’ve helped lay the foundation for a stronger local music scene.”

The impact of the event was measured with the following statistics: 

• 35 musicians directly participated in the program

• More than 500 community members benefited through live performances and cultural enrichment

• Participants reported increased confidence, performance readiness, and peer connections

• The event has sparked interest in future music programs and local creative leadership

  
  

Rave About Arts plans to build on this success with continued music mentoring and events, and the community is already asking when the next Local Legends Live will return. 

If you are inspired to grow the arts in your region, learn more about how RRAF funding can support your project at https://www.mtburdettfoundation.org.au/rural-and-regional 

Image by Dene Bingham Photography