At the core of GTM’s philosophy is bringing people together as one big community. Or as we like to call it, comooooonity. We’re thrilled to announce what we’ve got in store for Maitland in 2023.

Art Installation
Newcastle art collective HyveMynd are back in 2023! Grab your mates and come say hi to the creative minds behind the project, where you can relax or play games like Giant Jenga and Connect 4. You can also expect some live bodypainting, street art, airbrush tattoos and plenty more. There will be plenty of amazing photo opportunities so make sure your phone is charged. An optional donation is appreciated, with all proceeds going to a local charity.

Community Workshops
The Maitland Art Gallery Community will be running the GTM community engagement art project from the Art Gallery. Over two weeks, the gallery will facilitate community workshops to create works that will decorate the artist backstage area and the Udder Mayhem bar.

Graffin the Moo
Our friends at HyveMynd create street art inspired murals that have featured at festivals and on the streets of Newcastle and Sydney. At GTM, you will see their work featured on perimeter fencing and various other locations within the festival as they take over Graffin the Moo.

LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces
Newcastle Pride is the region’s only LGBTQIA+ community-based charity and have been providing great shows and events since their formation in 2018. In 2022, Newcastle Pride offered a space to chill out, a dance floor with DJs and some of the region’s most beautiful drag queens and kings. We are excited to see what Newcastle Pride have in store for GTM in 2023.
The team behind What Were You Wearing? will be joining us again! They will be providing a chill out space for those that need a break from the crowds or who may be feeling a little overwhelmed. What Were You Wearing? are a community organisation focussed on providing awareness, education and advocacy against sexual assault.

Local Artist Showcases
The Plot stage is a space dedicated to local artists and DJs, all handled by local stage managers. GTM will work with a local promoter to program this stage, which historically has gone off and is an absolute highlight for locals and visitors alike.

Local Roller Derby
Maitland Roller Derby will join us for another year as our transport marshals. They will be set up at key transport hubs throughout Newcastle, assisting GTM patrons with information, bus times and directions. Maitland Roller Derby is a gender inclusive league that prides itself on being fun, inclusive and encouraging.

Local Fundraisers
The Lions Club of Maitland will oversee the running of the car park, collecting $5 donations to support the many philanthropic causes they support locally. The Club is made up of ordinary people doing extraordinary things – supporting people with disabilities, community service and fundraising for worthwhile causes. The Rotary Club of East Maitland will be filling hungry tummies with a classic sausage sizzle. Their catering van will be located on the corner of Blomfield Street and Louth Park Road near Maitland Park. All proceeds will go towards the amazing work they do in the community.

Signing Tent
Big Picture Education Australia aims to stimulate vital changes in Australian education by generating and sustaining innovative, personalised schools that work in partnership with their greater communities. The partnership with GTM will see the students help manage our signing tent for the day giving them real world industry experience.

Ticket Exchange Program
UP&UP work with schools, youth groups, local councils, government and non-government organisations, businesses and community groups to build wellness, focusing on accessible, inclusive programs. Their experience in community development, education and the arts allow gives them an informed, compassionate approach to their work. Creative projects, and collaborative arts such as mural painting and Hip Hop workshops benefit participants by reducing stress and anxiety, building social connection, and fostering educational and personal development.
headspace Maitland is a confidential service for young people aged 12-25 year, offering a range of services and supports for young people who are experiencing a tough time or are worried about drug and alcohol use, mental and physical wellbeing, sexual health and more.

Welcome to Country
Waagan Galga will be performing a traditional Welcome to Country. GTM continues to work towards making the festival a more inclusive space for the Aboriginal youth community in and around the Hunter.

Work Experience and Volunteer Placement
The Regional Youth Entertainment network (RYE) is a fantastic example of what a youth-led project can achieve. It has emerged out of the long and successful history of the Cessnock Youth Entertainment Committee (CYEC) and is growing into a wider NSW network. RYE is now supported by RYDON (Regional Youth Development Opportunities Network) who are a youth sector network for Regional NSW.

TAFE NSW is one of the leading skills providers in Australia and delivers relevant, high quality, practical and creative training to more than 40,000 people throughout the Central Coast and Hunter region each year. TAFE NSW has a long standing relationship with Groovin the Moo and will continue this by providing work placement opportunities for the Hospitality Management students.