Rocky River HQ
— and its rockystars —
This is a story about you
about a 700-acre piece of bushland in northern NSW
and about Jess, who brings it all together.
Rocky River HQ is a central point, a hub, a melting pot of ideas and people. At the centre of it all is Jess, and the family property she lives on with her two young sons; woven all around are folks spread through the local community, across Australia and the world.
Beginnings
In August 2024, Jess and the kids moved from what’s now known as the Brushtales Cabin, to the Big House, nestled further back in the valley, and threw a 5-day banger of a party to celebrate not just the housewarming, but also the birthdays of Jess and a good pal.
Guests came from all over, and from different threads of life: old friends from interstate, locals, international friends-of-friends. People who had never met before arrived as strangers, and left as life-long friends.
And when the party ended, guests talked… about the wonderful people, the beautiful location,and the sense of community, nascent, but ready to blossom…
Everyone who knows Jess knows she’s pretty dodgy in the garden, but she’s got a green thumb for growing ideas. The seed of Rocky River HQ was planted at that party, and over the next year and a half more epic gatherings followed, cementing friendships, expanding the network, providing a space for people to play.
Because “play” is important…
Jess believes that play is the meaning of life, and everything she does is centred around this philosophy.
♥︎ like establishing the Storytent, travelling library, that pops up at festivals and gatherings as a themed chill-out space, a place to step out of the bustle and in to the bubble, of stories, jigsaw puzzles, artwork, and soft furnishings.
♥︎ like creating the Brushtales Arts Residency on the property, where artists, writers, creators can spend unhurried time in a private studio to bring their projects to life — supported by home-cooked meals, because Jess plays in the kitchen too.
♥︎ like minting the first RRHQ coins, from air-dry clay and a hand-carved stamp of our logo. These coins are now scattered through the sandpit, the yard, and the homes of people who’ve passed through.
♥︎ like launching the first Rocky River collector card, featuring our resident party possum Lil Jimmy. Lil Jimmy’s card can now be found in homes from Adelaide to the Sunshine Coast, Perth to Finland, Scotland to Canada, the Netherlands to the USA…
These dreams came alive in 2025, and they’ll deepen and evolve in 2026 and beyond with new artists-in-residence, new and revisited Storytent destinations, new cards, coins, maps and treasure hunts, and so much more… Ask Jess and she’ll yarn lyrical about all the play that’s bubbling up next.
Three interconnected playgrounds
All of what we do is built across three foundations…
BOOKS
collecting and sharing stories that mean something
editing, writing, coaching, writing groups and retreats
the Storytent, travelling library taking books on the move
EVENTS
workshops for skill building and connection
camping and immersion in the 700-acre landscape
parties, from the epic to the intimate
THE GREENHOUSE not-for-profit
arts residency for creators to work on and share their craft
free stall at local markets, redistributing clothes, books, household goods
small business incubator, helping people bringing their ideas to life
A network of incredible people
All of these projects are supported by the incredible people in the RRHQ network: logos designed, big white tent loaned, infrastructure improved, ideas shared, biscuits baked, and so much more. Jess and Rocky River HQ might be the central point, the hub, where ideas and people can melt together, but it none of it happens without all the brilliant people around us.
And these people flow in and out… some visit for a weekend, returning with each event like the breathing pulse of the place. Others stay a few weeks at a time, travellers and backpacker volunteers flowing in with new ideas and energy. And some stay for months: arriving in need of rest, allowing RRHQ to be a transition point, a quiet place to reset before their next steps onwards.
Jess loves the people, the rhythm and flow, and all the adventures waiting to happen. Her background as an editor honed her skill for seeing value and strength in the most raw of ideas, and helping them shine. Her parallel career in events polished her knack for making things happen, and recognising obstacles as opportunities. She’s also worked in archaeology, reads tarot, lived 10 years abroad in Finland and Scotland, has a coaching certification and a truck driver’s licence, and once a pirate king tattooed a treasure map on her head.
And of course, as a single mum she’s learned that she can do anything she puts her mind to, and right now what’s on her mind is building something beautiful in the world.
The ultimate legend
The story of Rocky River HQ is not complete without mention of Nonna, Jess’s mum. Nonna (aka Lauren) bought the then-1500 acre property in the early 2000s for a handful of diamonds, and turned it from one old tractor shed to an off-grid oasis. She traded bush life for boat life in 2024, and everything we do at RRHQ is because of her. If you’ve met Nonna, you know how incredible she is. If you haven’t yet, well, you’ll hear some stories soon enough.
You already belong
Whether you’ve been to a Rocky River party, stayed in the cabin or camped on the property, joined a workshop, shared your skills or time or care, cheered along from afar… you’re already part of this.
If you want to get more involved, you can join the mailing list. Tell a friend about the arts residency. Invite the Storytent to your event. Run a workshop. Build something fabulous. Talk to Jess.
And if you want to show your support in another way, there’s the rockystars option too.
Rockystars membership
Becoming a rockystar is a cheer of encouragement for what we are creating at Rocky River HQ, and a boost for keeping it growing. And in return, you get more of what RRHQ offers — some of that delivered to your door.
$85 AUD / year
~ approx 50 EUR, 60 USD ~
Perks for everyone, anywhere
✉️ RRHQ merch, posted to you
Real mail! Collect all the cool little things we bring into the tangible world each year. We’ll send a parcel of RRHQ goods to wherever you are in the world.
🔮 Tarot reading
Virtual or in-person if you're nearby. See what messages the cat-tarot spirits have for you, oohhhoooo!
Perks for locals & visitors
🏡 Cabin hire 20% discount
Come and enjoy this slice of natural paradise at the Brushtales Cabin.
🎪 Discounts on Events & Workshops
Get discounted access to RRHQ events, workshops, and camping gatherings.
Love what we’re doing? Your support can create amazing things with a one-off donation.
Thank you for being part of RRHQ <3