The Acacia Quartet have been on the road recently as part of the inaugural Music in the Regions tour. Cellist Anna Martin-Scrase captured her experiences in this tour diary for Limelight, from the beautiful venues they performed in to the wonder on the faces of children learning about their instruments. And it wouldn’t be a trip through regional Australia without some locally-baked cake…

Acacia Quartet on tour in Temora, where the quartet played at an old train station.

Acacia Quartet on tour in Temora, where the quartet played at an old train station. L-R: Lisa Stewart, Stefan Duwe, Anna Martin-Scrase and Doreen Cumming. Image © Holly Bradford.

March 1

Drive to Goulburn from my home in the Bega Valley. It’s a slow trip: torrential downpours mixed with fog, then sun, then drizzle. I make it with enough time to explore town before evening rehearsal with the other members of the Acacia Quartet. My initial impression, not having seen Goulburn since before the pandemic, is that the city is picking up. There’s a lot of work being done plus advertisements for festivals, markets and concerts. We’re here as the inaugural program of Music...