In 1994, the concept of The Blues Train was the very first one of its kind in the world. Although it was initially one part of a winter concert series at the historic Suma Park Homestead, patrons and organisers soon decided that there was enough following and enthusiasm for the event to run a couple of times a year.
Needless to say, the event was an immediate hit! This unique experience of a beautiful and majestic steam train pulling carriages of people along the Bellarine railway soon proved to be a night of entertainment, singing and dancing and a few sore heads the next morning!
Thinking back to that very first night, little did anyone know that what they had created would be operating over three decades later. The Blues Train has now brought entertainment and joy to over 350,000 people. It’s also produced hundreds and hundreds of performances, whilst supporting hundreds of artists and entertainers from all over this wide red land, and many from America, Europe and Canada.
The night brings together people from all over Australia and the world to join in a celebration of live music and be entertained by the best Australian and international blues and roots entertainers.
In recent years Hugo and his company, Bay City Events, have continued to build The Blues Train experience to become one of the most memorable and unforgettable tourism attractions in Victoria and Australia.
Born in Point Lonsdale and educated at The Geelong College, Hugo T Armstrong is a well-known identity in the Victorian Music & Events Industry.
From 1989, for a period spanning more than 2 decades in itself, Hugo held multiple roles on the radio station PBS 106.7 FM, from Sales & Marketing to Presenter, with his last role being the Program Manager of the station for 4 years, overseeing wholesale music programming changes to Australia’s second largest community radio station.
From 1998 to 2002, Hugo became the Artistic Director and Manager and then moved on to Artistic Director and Promoter of the Queenscliff Music Festival – taking the festival to numerous accolades and himself being awarded the Centenary of Federation medal by the Prime Minister and Governor General for service to the music industry and the community.
For 5 years, Hugo was the Artistic Director and Music Programmer for the Echuca Winter Blues Festival.
Operating under Bay City Events, Hugo Directed the Motor City Music Festival which ran for 3 years at the Royal Geelong Showgrounds from 2014 – 2016. Hugo also has extensive experience in event management, music programming, DJ/MCing, public speaking and sponsorship gathering on a local, national and international basis.
Accompanying his career highlights are invitation to sit on many boards across Victoria, continuing to champion for the Victorian music and tourism industries, always trying to better our region and bring enjoyment and experiences to residents and visitors far and wide.
From 2009 – 2014, Hugo Chairperson of Bellarine Tourism, servicing Tourism Geelong and the Bellarine – this involved the launch of the now famous Bellarine Taste Trail. 2018 – 2020 Chairperson of Borough of Queenscliffe’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.
In March 2020, Hugo became a member of the Central Geelong Marketing Committee and Advisory Group for Central Geelong, formed as part of the revitalisation and sustainability project in the City of Greater Geelong along with a Member of Geelong Regional Music Advisory Group.
Awards
- 2001 – Awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal
- Lifetime Member of PBS
- Lifetime Member of Queenscliff Music Festival