Feltmakers converge on Beechworth - Open Day to the public

Don't forget the Feltmakers converge on Beechworth this week. There will be a Felt Bizarre where the public can visit stalls with felted items and crafted materials from 9.30am to 12.30am on Wednesday 23rd May 2007, at La Trobe at Beechworth.

Heads Or Tails

Well, in all my time of working at the Visitor Information Centre I have never meet or had any one flip a coin to decide where to stay in Beechworth.

Until today, when Peter & Maree from Wagga Wagga, pulled out a 20cent piece and flipped to see where they would stay for 2 nights.

There defiantly is a lot of accommodation to choose from in Beechworth. And if flipping a coin helps you decide, then so be it.

Kerry

P.S. Peter even donated the 20cent for the Volunteers melting pot.

Jack Daniels group in Beechworth

This week we saw the Jack Daniels group in Beechworth staying at the Best Western Beechworth property on Sydney Road. With many people around town getting a rare opportunity to be pictured in front of this 1.5 million dollar rig, as it was parked up waiting to head down to the Winton race track for the V8 Supercar series. The contents of the truck explains the history of the Jack Daniels empire and can be seen for free at any V8 Supercar series around the country.

Thanks to Rob at Best Western Beechworth Motor Inn for the photo and information.

Show and Tell at the Burke Museum: An original Black Springs Bakery cart

Adam Jenkins has done quite a bit of research into the Black Springs Bakery and is restoring an original bakery cart. He will show the cart and talk about the bakery on Sunday May 27th at 11.30 am.

We will also be screening a series of very short films made by Murray Arts and featuring stories and objects from the region.

Come and join us at the museum.

If you have an object or story that you would like to share please give us a call The Burke Museum.

Yes we do have accommodation available!

It is shaping up to be a really busy weekend in Beechworth. The motels are booked out tonight. However there is still B&B and Self contained accommodation available tonight.

If you would like to book, call in and see us here at the Visitor Information Centre (before 5pm.

Harvest Festival 19-20th May 2007

Today is the Vigneron Open Day.

Visit Beechworth and tour our local vineyards: Amulet, Bowmans Run, Pennyweight, Smiths, Star Lane and Tinkers Hill. There are maps available at the Visitor Information Centre.

Cow Hill Winery, Sorrenberg and Piano Piano will have tastings and sales at Bridge Road Brewers in Ford Street. There will also be live music "Don't Mess with the Pony" and "Anita George".

The Food and Wine Experience Marquee is being assembled in Ford Street this morning, ready for tomorrow.

Kerry

CWA Cuppa for Cancer

Don't forget Cuppa for Cancer this Friday 18th May 2007. Bring your spare coins and notes along to the RSL Clubrooms for soup and sandwiches starting from 10am.

See you there!
Kerry

Harvest Celebration a feast for the senses!

The Beechworth Harvest Celebration on 19-20 May promises to be a food lover’s nirvana with a delectable array of local produce to sample, purchase and enjoy.

“The first Beechworth Harvest Celebration was held on Mother’s Day weekend in 1994 to showcase the wonderful diversity of food and wine produced in our region,” Indigo Shire Tourism officer Joanne Seabrook said.

“The Celebration has now become a much anticipated event on the calendar and this year’s event promises to be a fantastic weekend for the whole family with gourmet goodies, entertainment and activities for all ages.”

On Saturday 19 May the inaugural Beechworth Vignerons Open Day will be held with self drive tours around the district’s wineries – several of which are rarely open to the public.

Bridge Road Brewers will present a special boutique beer and wine tasting with wines from several of Beechworth’s smaller vineyards, live music and lunch (bookings essential on (03) 57282 073). Amulet Vineyard will also be a highlight with an Italian theme, guest chef, new release and rare vintage wines. Bookings are essential for lunch on (03) 5727 0420.

Self drive tour maps will be available from Beechworth’s Visitor Information Centre in Ford St.

On Sunday 20 May Beechworth’s Ford St will be transformed into a food lover’s dream land from 10am-5pm.

Don’t miss the Food and Wine Experience marquee where wineries, restaurants, venison and lamb producers will work together to delight your taste buds. Sample local fortified and table wines, sit back, snack and enjoy local band Red Rock.

The Producers Exhibition marquee will showcase a variety of Beechworth’s bountiful harvest on display. The regional delicacies will include fruit, vegetables, chestnuts, boutique beer, cordials, preserves, jams, relishes, pickles, breads, cakes, pies, honey, olive oils, table olives, lavender products, saffron products and much, much more.

The celebration will also feature the popular Kids’ Dough Making workshops, the “Street Full of Scarecrows” competition, traditional cooking competitions and industry presentations. Entertainment will unfold all day on the main stage as MC John Walker introduces local chefs with cooking demonstrations and local representatives with tips, information and recipes. The famous Barrel of Produce raffle will be drawn at 4.30pm.

The Beechworth Rotary Craft Market will also be held from 9am-3pm at nearby Queen Victoria Gardens. This popular market complements the local harvest produce with art, craft and other home made produce from the region.

For further information contact Beechworth’s Visitor Information Centre on 1300 366 321 or visit www.harvestcelebration.com.au.

**end release**

To organise a photo opportunity please contact Indigo Shire Media & Communications Officer Kate Biglin on (03) 5728 8063.

Thank You To Our Volunteers

May 14 to May 20th 2007 is National Volunteer Week. We would like to thank our wonderful of volunteers in the Beechworth community. A special mention to the dedicated and hardworking team of Beechworth Visitor Information Centre volunteers:
-Doreen, Alida, Cathie, Iris, James, Anne, Terry, Gail, Rhonda, Barbara, Martin, Lesley, Heather and Pauline.

We really really appreciate all your help!

If you are interested in Volunteering, we are always looking for more Volunteers to join our team. Please call in and see us to have a chat.

New Official Beechworth Visitor Guide

Great News! The New Official Beechworth Visitors Guide has arrived!

For a free copy of the New OVG please call into the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre.

Cooking Competition

The Beechworth Harvest Celebration is coming up on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May 2007.

If you would like to participate in the Cooking Competition, you need to get your entry forms in to the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre by Wednesday 16th May 2007.

There are two competitons in the Adult Section: Best Apple Pie and Best Preserve or Jelly (sweet or savoury) and two in the Under 15 Section: Best Apple Cake and Best Decorated Vegetables.

For more information contact the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre 1300 366 321 www.beechworthonline.com.au

Coping with climate change

The potential impacts of climate change and what it might mean for our regional community will be the focus of the second free Kerferd Discussion Night in Beechworth on 22 May.

Five discussion nights on the theme of climate change are being held in the lead up to this year’s Kerferd Oration on Sunday, 29 July, which will feature Deputy Premier and Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change John Thwaites.

The discussion nights feature Beechworth speakers who have a particular interest in climate change and who can guide participants to explore the complex and controversial issue of this year’s theme.

The second discussion night will be led by Beechworth resident Dr Rik Thwaites, Senior Lecturer in Ecotourism at Charles Sturt University.

“The first discussion night with Dr Catherine Meathrel was a great success with more than 60 people taking part,” Kerferd Oration community committee member Joan Simms said.

“Dr Meathrel really set the scene and Dr Thwaites presentation will flow on from this and focus on how we can plan and adapt to climate change.”

Dr Thwaites is a social scientist whose main research interests lie in the nexus between communities and conservation. His interest in climate change arose while working with the Australian Antarctic Division in the 1980s when his projects in Antarctica and China were related to assessing and understanding the changing global climate.

Most recently Dr Thwaites completed a research project with the North Central Catchment Management Authority looking at farmer awareness and perceptions of climate change impacts and required adaptation for actions.

“Climate change is upon us,” Dr Thwaites said. “We need to consider what a climate change future might be like, and to plan for change rather than stability. This will require a whole new way of thinking and understanding.

“This discussion night will consider some of the potential impacts of climate change, and what they might mean for our regional community. Questions will be raised regarding the implications of climate change for different sectors of our community and society in general. Given the uncertainty in predicting the future, consideration will be given as to how we might shape our own future.”

The Kerferd Discussion Night featuring Dr Thwaites will be held La Trobe University Beechworth’s Kerferd Room from 7-9.30pm. This is a free event and no RSVP is necessary.

The 2007 Kerferd Oration program is jointly sponsored by Indigo Shire Council, La Trobe University Beechworth and WAW Credit Union. For more information about the 2007 Kerferd Oration program visit www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au.

Feltmakers converge on Beechworth

Beechworth will host an estimated 120 felt artists for the 9th Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers’ Convergence to be held at La Trobe University on 19-25 May.

The six day event will feature workshops, demonstrations, talks, informal felting, an exhibition and fashion parade highlighting the work of delegates and a public bazaar with felted artwork on sale.

A special feature of the Convergence will be an open morning on Wednesday, 23 May with the chance for the wider community to attend the event.

“Local visitors will have the opportunity to view demonstrations of felting and exhibitions of felting art,” Victorian Feltmakers’ Association president Robyn Steel Stickland said.

“Visitors can also try their hand at felting with the guidance of experienced feltmakers.”

Another highlight will be the presentation of a felt work to Beechworth Neighbourhood House.

This artwork will be produced through a workshop run by feltmaker and past president of the Storytelling Guild of Victoria Cora Zon.

“Through her storytelling Cora will encourage feltmakers to explore and interpret the concept of ‘regeneration’ in their felted art,” Ms Steel Stickland said.

“The results of this creative process will be donated to the Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre for permanent display.”

The Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers’ Convergence is a biannual gathering of feltmakers held in either Australia or New Zealand and open to feltmakers throughout the world.

“It originated in New Zealand when a group of feltmakers got together to share their experience, knowledge and ideas,” Ms Steel Stickland said. “This remains the underlying aim of the Convergence today.”

For further information about the event contact Ruth Benjamin of the Victorian Feltmakers’ Association on (03) 9596 2557.

**end release**

For further information: Contact Ruth Benjamin of the Victorian Feltmakers’ Association on (03) 9596 2557.

Drive Back In Time Part II

Iris & I enjoyed a kransky (with the lot) for lunch. Our 30min lunch break gave us the opportunity to get out and have a good look at the cars. There was also a large display of vintage engines on the Police Paddocks (behind the Precinct Buildings).

I caught up with Pauline & Graham from Wooragee. Graham and Pauline and had their little Morris Minor and their royal car (which I forget the name of) in the Ford Street display of cars.

Presentations and trophies were at 2.00pm. People are starting to pack up now.

Drive Back In Time

It is a glorious day for the Drive Back In Time. The cars were setting up in Ford Street this morning. I managed to take a couple of photos before we opened at 9am.

I can smell the sausages sizzling on the BBQ. Classic 1950's rock song are playing from loud speakers (near the Memorial Hall) which really adds a fantastic atmosphere. The cars look absolutely wonderful.

Thank you

Finding accommodation for visitors is what we do best at the Visitor Information Centre. On Friday I received an email from Megan.

Dear Kerry
Thanks very much – you are wonderful, this place looks perfect – just the relaxing type of accommodation we were looking for.

I look forward to meeting with you in the morning and also to find out more about Beechworth and the classic drive weekend!

Kind regards
Megan

Certificate of Appreciation

The Fun Run (Easter Saturday 2007) was successful event with 324 Runners and Walkers. Participants were aged from 3 to 71 years.

Operator Of The Month

The operator of the month program gives the opportunity for four Beechworth Visitor Information Centre (BVIC) Membership Plus members to have an image of their business displayed on the homepage, for a designated calendar month.

Operators of the month will be drawn at random, by an independent person i.e. not a BVIC Member of staff, volunteer or participating business operator. The draw will take place during the last week of the preceding month, and their image uploaded as close a possible to the 1st of the month.

Congratulations May's operator of the month The Carriage Motor Inn, Beeches On High, The Stone Cottage & The Rose Cottage B&B.

For photos and information on our operator of the month visit our website www.beechworthonline.com.au

Drive Back In Time Weekend

We hope to see you in Beechworth this weekend for the Drive Back In Time. There will be static display of cars, engines or motors of more than 25 years old.
A drive around the district visiting different vantage points with BBQ lunch.
The 2007 event offers vintage, veteran, classic and modified car ,and motorbike owners the chance to mix with the locals, and fellow enthusiasts for two days dedicated to your total enjoyment.

Ned Kelly Weekend 2007

The 2007 weekend will be full of interesting events to entertain the most discerning Kelly enthusiast.Ned Kelly Weekend 2007 will be held 3rd, 4th and 5th August, 2007

New and exciting events will replace last year’s Great Debate.

The programme and ticketing arrangements will be available by 15th May, 2007.

Contact the Ned Kelly Weekend Co-ordinator – Noelene Allen - phone 57288066 or e mail on nallen@indigoshire.vic.gov.au for further details.

Beechworth Harvest Celebration Sat 19 – Sun 20 May, 2007

Relax and enjoy yourself with us when Beechworth comes alive and makes merry at its annual Harvest Celebration.

The very first Beechworth Harvest Celebration was held on Mother's Day Weekend in 1994 to showcase the wonderful diversity of food and wine being produced in our region. Using the beautiful backdrop of historic Beechworth, a town born of the gold rush days, the celebration has grown to include a full weekend of activities.

Saturday 19th May is the first Beechworth Vignerons Open Day with self drive tours to many of our wineries, some of which are rarely open to the public. (maps will be available at the Visitor Information Centre).

Bridge Road Brewers[1] in the Old Coach House in Ford Street are presenting boutique beer and wine tastings. A number of our smaller boutique wineries will be represented. You can also enjoy lunch and live music with Don’t Mess with the Pony throughout the afternoon.

Amulet[2] Vineyard will take you on a journey the Italian way featuring a guest chef and new release and rare vintage wines.

Sunday 20th May will see Ford Street between Camp and William Streets transformed into an exciting Foodies paradise from 10am right through to 5pm. There will be two huge marquees and plenty of seating this year.

In our Food and Wine Experience Marquee, we have wineries and restaurants, venison and lamb producers working together to delight your taste buds. Taste our local fortified and table wines. Then you can while away some lazy hours on an autumn afternoon with a glass of wine and a gourmet lunch or snack while being entertained by our local band, Red Rock (the new black) throughout the day.

The second marquee features our Producers Exhibition where the variety of our bountiful harvest will be on display, with an array of regional delicacies to try and buy including fruit & vegetables, chestnuts, boutique beer and cordials, preserves & jams, relishes and pickles, bread, cakes and pies, honey, olive oils and table olives, lavender and saffron products and so much more.

The popular Kids Dough Making workshop returns as does the “Street Full of Scarecrows” and our traditional cooking competitions. The competition entries will be on display in the Shire Hall from 11am. There will also be a number of industry presentations in the Hall between 11am and 12 pm and again in the afternoon from 3 pm until 4.30 pm.

We have entertainment all day at our Presentation Stage where local chefs will do cooking demonstrations, industry representatives will show you quick and easy ways with chestnuts, tell you about our organic wines, our fledgling saffron harvest and how to use water wisely at home and on the farm.

All prizes will be awarded at 4.30pm at the Presentation Stage and our famous Barrel of Produce raffle winner will be drawn.

We acknowledge the generous support of the Victorian Government’s Regional Development Fund and our major sponsors - Beechworth Chamber of Commerce, Beechworth Bakery, Specialty Press, 2 AY, North East Newspapers, Indigo Shire Council and Murray Brewery and Snowline Water.

Enjoy Fine Food, Wine and Great Music and entertainment throughout the day at the Beechworth Harvest Celebration – truly a foodies Nirvana
For further information Harvest Coordinator: Cath O’Connor Mob: 0428 286 556 Ph/Fax: 03 5728 6555 Email: cath.oconnor@bigpond.com



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[1] Bridge Road Brewers - Lunch Bookings Essential 03 5728 2073
[2] Amulet Vineyard – Bookings Essential 03 5727 0420

Farewell to Seane

Seane Pieper finished his role as Manager of Economic Development and Tourism last Friday. We wish Seane the all the best for his future and studying education at La Trobe University. Many thanks for all your hard work over the last 3 and a half years.

It’s A Boy!

Congratulations to Lisa and John Furlong of Beeches on High. On Thursday morning 28th April) Lisa gave birth to a baby boy! Jesse Furlong. Weighing 8lbs and 8oz.

That very morning we had an online enquiry for Beeches on High…About 45minutes after Jesse arrived I called Lisa (unknown to me that she had just given birth) to confirm the booking.