Wednesday 28 May 2008

Vote for Beechworth

Victoria 101 is well underway.

After only a couple of weeks, RACV’s Victoria 101 best tourism experiences is a real hit with Victorians. Thousands of people have already been online and voted for their favourite tourism experiences.

We need you to vote for Beechworth as your favourite tourism experience

So stop blogging and start voting for Beechworth!

Star spotting in Beechworth

Michael at the Courthouse kindly informed the team at the Visitor Information Centre at closing time, that Chris Hemsworth (who played Kim Hyde off TV soapy Home And Away) enjoyed a visit to the Beechworth Historic Courthouse and Burke Museum yesterday.

My first response - "Oh my god Micheal, how come you didn't send Chris over here to the information centre?" Penny and I are huge Home And Away fans.

Congratulations Lake Sambell Caravan Park


Congratulations goes to Sue and Rodger at Lake Sambell Caravan Park - who have recently been awarded Green Star accredited by AAA Tourism for their environmentally friendly practices. They have been independently evaluated and had to meet a certain criteria. Things like glass, bottle, paper and cardboard recycling, black water dump point, dual flush toilets, water saving shower heads, front loading washing machines, non-smoking rooms, mulching garden waste, power saving light bulbs, requesting quests to turn off appliances when leaving rooms vacant etc., all contributed to Lake Sambell Caravan Park's accreditation.

Research by AAA Tourism has shown that almost two-thirds of travellers will be influenced in their accommodation decisions based on a property's environmentally friendly practices and accreditation, such as the Green Star.

The Green Star does not replace the existing property Star rating - the Green Star enhances the property's rating by acknowledging environmentally friendly practices.

Justice Lex Lasry awarded Honourary Doctorate

Australian Catholic University has awarded an honorary doctorate to the honourable Justice Lex Lasry QC for his contribution to social justice and law. Justice Lasry will be in Beechworth on Saturday 14 June to deliver the inaugural Beechworth Law Lecture, marking the 150th anniversary of the town's Historic Courthouse.

Justice Lex Lasry (right) with Australian Catholic University National Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Greg Craven
“The legal profession has had a champion in Lex Lasry, one whom they respect and acknowledge in different yet significant ways,” said ACU National Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven.

Lex Lasry was admitted to practise as a prosecutor in 1973 and later became a renowned criminal defence lawyer. He was quickly recognised within the legal profession for his astuteness and high intelligence. He became well known within Victorian legal circles for his role assisting the Costigan Royal Commission, as temporary counsel assisting the National Crime Authority, and for his role in inquiries following fatal police shootings in the late 1980s.
But it was when he turned to criminal defence law that Lex Lasry was put most prominently in the public eye.

“Few Australians were unmoved by the poignant and emotionally draining scenes as he fought with all his knowledge of law and called for compassion and mercy in the case to stop the hanging of a drug offender convicted in Singapore between 2002 and 2005,” said Professor Craven.
Justice Lasry’s sensitivity to the individual and his determination to end the practice of capital punishment have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum. This and other major cases have marked him as a man of high principle, one prepared to take on cases which opened up issues of civil rights and ethics.

An outspoken advocate of causes, especially for the abolition of the death penalty, Justice Lasry is regularly invited to address both legal practitioners, university students and community groups on issues of social justice, human rights, and those of ethical and moral significance. He has maintained an apolitical stance, standing out against any political party trying to own him or his views.
Most recently as a justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Justice Lasry maintains his continuing commitment to the rights of the individual.

Australian Catholic University (ACU National) established as Australia’s only Catholic, national, publicly funded university is open to all. The University empowers its students and staff with a strong sense of social responsibility and concern for the moral and ethical dimensions of their study and their professional and personal lives.

Sunday 18 May 2008

Beechworth Harvest Celebration 2008

Beechworth is preparing to serve up a feast of mouth-watering local fare with the return of the annual Harvest Celebration on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May.

Now in its 15th year, the event is a gourmet’s dream, highlighting the renowned wine and produce of this blessed region at one of the most glorious times of the year to visit.

Day One of the Harvest Celebration on Saturday 17 May will see the vignerons of the Beechworth Wine Region, including some normally closed to the public, throwing open their cellar doors to visitors. This is an opportunity for wine-lovers to visit some of the premier boutique wineries of the North East. Throughout the day and evening Beechworth’s famed restaurants and eateries will feature special menus offering fine local produce and matching wines. A Gala Harvest Dinner at The Pines at La Trobe @ Beechworth will be an experience not to be missed. To secure your booking, phone (03) 5720 8050.

On Sunday 18 May the Harvest Celebration showcases local produce. Huge marquees in the centre of Beechworth’s Historic & Cultural Precinct will transform the area into a giant smorgasbord all day from 10am to 5pm.

Local temptations will include venison, pork and lamb, apples, pears and chestnuts, organic vegetables, preserves, jams, relishes and pickles, olive oils and table olives, bread, cakes and pastries, lavender and saffron products as well as fortified and table wines, boutique beers and cordials.

The Harvest Celebration Presentation Stage will be hosted by actor and comedian, John Walker and will feature demonstrations by talented local chefs, expert tips on cooking chestnuts, pretzel-making, the word on organic wines and having fun baking bread and pastries.

This year’s children’s program has been expanded with entertainment throughout the afternoon including the return of the popular dough-making workshops. Also back in 2008 is the Street Full of Scarecrows for the third year running. Prizes will be presented to the best scarecrows on the Presentation Stage during the afternoon.

The inaugural Beechworth Harvest Celebration was held on Mother's Day Weekend in 1994 as a one-day event aimed at showcasing the diversity and quality of food and wine being produced in the region. Fifteen years on, this now eagerly anticipated event on the Beechworth calendar has gone from strength to strength into a full weekend of activities.

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Meet the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre Scarecrows






As you know the Beechworth Harvest Celebration is on this weekend 17th and 18th May 2008. And we have been busy making scarecrows out of recycled materials...brochure boxes, out of date brochures, old uniforms etc.

So let me proudly introduce our Beechworth Visitor Information Scarecrows - Happy Hannah and Friendly Fredia

National Volunteers Week 2008



Monday 12th May 2008 is the start of National Volunteer Week. We would like the opportunity to say thank you to our wonderful team of volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre.

I took the opportunity to ask some of our volunteers, why do they volunteer at the Visitor Information Centre?

“Volunteering at the Information Centre is great fun! You get back more than what you give” Pauline Carson

“I really enjoy my time at the Info Centre, talking to lots of happy relaxed holidaying visitors is always a buzz. I also get to know what’s going on in my own town, so I never miss out on any events either” Lesley Finedon

Volunteering at the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre offers an excellent
opportunity to:
• Meet new people
• Be a part of a great team environment
• Help your local community
• Promote Beechworth and our Shire
• Share local knowledge
• Lean about events and latest news
• Keep busy
• Have fun

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer? Phone us on 1300 366 321

Wednesday 7 May 2008

The Scarecrows are coming again…

Will Your Scarecrow be Ready to Join the Party?

Prizes to be won!!!

Beechworth Harvest Festival
Ford Street, Beechworth
Sunday 18 May 2008
Set up by 8.30am
Collect by 3pm

Promote recycling by making a scarecrow
Recycled materials only

Entry free for Student Section
$10 entry for Open Section
Judging at 1pm

Book your entry in by 4pm, Monday May 12, 2008
Contact Estelle Paterson at Beechworth Secondary College

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Congratulations - May Operators Of The Month

Congratulations to our May Operators of the Month: Rail Trail Retreat, Beechworth Ghost Tours, Colby Cottages and Foxgloves B&B. Our operators of the month have their brochure in prime position with in the VIC and their image and link on the home page of www.beechworthonline.com.au

Sunday 4 May 2008

Its Autumn in Beechworth




The Beechworth Visitor Information Centre (BVIC) has been very busy during March and April with a combined total of 22,239 visitors coming into the BVIC compared to 18,123 over the same period in 2007.

We have had lots of visitors come to Beechworth especially to see the magnificent Autumn leaves. I throughly enjoyed taking photos of the Autumn colours my lunch break for you to enjoy.

Kerry