25/12/2024
As many of you know, this year’s Tanglewood marks the beginning of a new era without our rock, our driving force, our friend, our family: Steph Born.
Steph, Leigh, their mum Kath and late dad Mick along with an expansive extended family of loyal friends birthed, nourished and nurtured the Tanglewood that you know and love today.
What started as a small party on French Island over a decade ago, organised for friends by the Born family, organically grew over the years and moved to the mainland in 2015. Steph and Leigh’s vision of a relaxed, chilled out, family-friendly gathering has been an important aspect from the very beginning- creating a home away from home, where everyone is free to express themselves and feels accepted, whilst enjoying a hugely diverse mix of music and arts.
Leigh and Steph were the best of friends, following in the footsteps of their mum and dad to always strive to be welcoming and generous hosts to everyone. Steph was a powerhouse in the festival community. Many of you will have attended a festival that she helped get off the ground or have some major input into its safety and success.
This year is going to feel extremely surreal without Steph. We will be grieving, celebrating her life and all that she offered each of us, reminiscing, and missing her deeply, all whilst co-creating this epic tribute to her. We ask that you please hold this in your minds and hearts in your interactions with crew and eachother, whose lives she touched and hearts she lit up during her time amongst us.
Please come with respect, love and care to enjoy the Tangled world Steph created with us all, and look after each other, as she would have done. This is going to be a truly special, one-of-a-kind, emotional and beautiful journey into the new year together.
