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the

TOE

the Temple Of Enthusiasm

An intriguingly crafted three-storey arts hub in the Yarra Valley, built entirely from found and recycled materials, housing lesser-heard local story awakened from the land beneath it

What is the TOE?

3 storeys of arts hub built from lesser-heard story

The TOE is a group of intergenerational Yarra Ranges artists, centralising our passion for progressive social change at our venue, also named The TOE - an innovative, visually striking, 3-storey arts hub. It is built entirely from recycled building materials from local schools/churches/railways and such, arranged with love for riddle and brain tease. The TOE is a sensorial architectural experience inspiring folks who attend our workshops/ exhibitions/performances/film screenings/events and the artists who create their own works in our various studios.

An acronym for Temple Of Enthusiasm, The TOE functions to do just that - inspire enthusiasm for life and creative expression in local Yarra Ranges community. Our operations are inclusive and address the deficit not yet provided by local services to meet the human requirement for intergenerational connection, expression, grassroots education and wellbeing within The TOE’s uncommon welcoming walls. We engage with our older generation for their lifelong skills to mentor our young people bringing value, resourcefulness, resilience and purpose to our community by workiing collaboratively.

Beneath 2024

Performing in the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival, BENEATH saw a diverse range of local people of all ages, ethnicity, culture and ability perform their uncommon stories of life in the Yarra Ranges informed by these traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. Content was generated via a series of weekly workshops over a 12-week period, responding to provocations arising from lesser-known local history, awakening story from the land beneath the building. Performed within the frame of The TOE, audience progressed through 8 striking vignettes of personal biographical and historical account, culminating in a final scene where all performers from their various backgrounds met to sit and sing Woi-wurrung language at the same table.

Venue Hire

The TOE offers a unique aesthetic for broad-ranging projects including film/music video shoots, gallery exhibitions, specialised dinner parties, board meetings, performances and screenings.

Here is an example of a music video shot in our basement and surrounding bushland by international rap artist Tutan Ka Nara.

Meet the Team

  • Steve Curry

    OG Visionary / Builder + Architect of The TOE

  • Fleur Dean

    Artistic Director / Community Engagement / Local Government Liaison / Advanced Rigger

  • Brad Vaughan

    Chairman / Head Tech / Social Media + Website Manager / Photographer + Videographer

  • Belle Swann

    Artist Liaison / Production Support / Admin Support

  • Sara Kerr

    Mentor / Production Management

  • Ryan Tews

    Creative Collaborator / Tech / Projectionist

  • Brooke Wandin

    Wurundjeri Consultant / Woi-Wurrung Language Educator

Testimonials

  • "This initiative enabled creative expression among diverse participants, including young people with disabilities, fostered First Nations cultural awareness, and strengthened community connections."

    Jenny Davies - Executive Officer Creative Communities Yarra Ranges Council 

  • "Steve Curry who, with his mad, inspired vision created a house of mystery and intrigue, now called the Temple of Enthusiasm."

    Karen Meuleman - Director of YAVA Gallery

  • "Honestly, if i'd have been told a group of artisans of this calibre existed I'd have said 'It's unbelievably unlikely! You're making it up.'"

    Rem Hayes - Local Artist

  • "I very much want to enthusiastically acknowledge and honour Steve in his work!! Bravo Steve Curry!"

    Antar Firak - Audience Member During BENEATH 2024

  • "It’s just so beautiful to see that such a diversity of people could come together, including Woi-wurrung people, and could be effortlessly integrated in a way that was a not harsh but actually emerging."

    Ryan Tews - Yarra Ranges independent artist 

  • "Enabling young people to find their voice and connect with community is much needed"

    Ethne Pfeiffer - Manager of FoodPatch Art & Music and President of the Healesville Community Garden