The countdown is on for the return of Beechworth’s biggest annual celebration, the Golden Horseshoes Festival, over the Easter weekend from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March.
With a theme of History, Music & Fun! the 2008 program will see the return of old favourites including the Grand Parade, the re-enactment of Daniel Cameron’s famous ride through Beechworth on a horse shod with golden shoes and a massive Children’s Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday, as well as a host of exciting new events including displays, markets, performances and competitions.
A focus on multiculturalism as well as a strong music line-up will put some extra Fiesta into the Festival with a packed program of events for all ages.
This year for the first time, an incorporated community committee has taken on responsibility for planning and producing the Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival.
Committee Chairman, Leo Nette, says the event is well on track to be even bigger and better than the highly successful Festival of 2007 which attracted estimated crowds of 20,000.
“But the success of any event lies with the support it gets from its local community, so we’re still keen to hear from anyone interested in **volunteering their time over Easter to help us with Parade marshalling, public information assistance, setting up and manning displays.”
He added that there was still time to **enter a float for the Grand Parade and urged local groups and individuals to get into the spirit of what is shaping up to be another sensational Golden Horseshoes Festival in Beechworth.
Full details of this year’s Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival will be available with the release of the official program later this month. Leo Nette is available for interview and hi-res images from the 2007 event are available on request.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Leo Nette, Chairman of the Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Committee on (03) 5728-1873 or 0429 606 439. To enter a float in the Grand Parade, contact Kathryn Osmond on (03) 5728 2866 or 0428 282 968
Welcome to our blog about Beechworth! The team at the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre are working over time to bring you the latest news, updates and interesting events in Beechworth. Beechworth is a historic town located in the North East of Victoria.
Friday, 8 February 2008
Employees of the month January 08 Beechworth VIC Team

Anne Wilson and the VIC team, Barbara Carne, Jeff Yeomans and volunteers
James Toole, Martin Thomas and Anne Bell were at the frontline in the BVIC for
Opera in the Alps enquiries on 19 January, which as a result of the heavy
rain had to be changed from an out door event to four indoor concerts.
Between them they handled over 1000 phone calls and gave out information to
994 customers.
This gave their patience, ingenuity and customer service skills a real work out, as
the majority of their customers were both disappointed and frustrated. They
all did a spectacular job under difficult circumstances and I have been
receiving very good feed back from visitors who came into the centre.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
January Operator Of The Month
Congratulations to our January Operator of the Month: Inglebrae, Lake Sambell Caravan Park, The Stone Cottage, Serena Cottages and Crystal Creek. 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
Artists bring new life to historic Beechworth schoolhouse
School’s in for a group of talented artists and artisans from the Beechworth area who have joined forces on an exciting new venture launched this month.
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery is a fascinating new showcase of jewellery, paintings, ceramics and textiles as well as second hand books and collectibles housed in the 1863 Common School in Loch Street, one of Beechworth’s many notable historic buildings.
The initiative is the brainchild of Sandra and Robert Godfrey who lovingly restored the building five years ago as an exhibition space for Sandra’s silk painting.
More recently, their idea of using the building to house a retail gallery for a variety of local artists from the Beechworth area was enthusiastically embraced and within a few short weeks The Old Schoolhouse Gallery was open for business.
“We wanted to have something for everyone to enjoy and at the same time provide encouragement for local artisans to keep creating,” Sandra Godfrey said.
Indigo Shire Mayor, Cr Vic Issell, will officially launch the co-operative venture on 25 January.
Joining forces with Sandra Godfrey are:
• Jan Clements (felting, leather and metal)
• North East Yarns (natural coloured wool and woollen garments)
• Tania Magennis and Janine Delves (artists specialising in quirkiness and colour)
• Wendy Stephens (visual artist)
• Frances Macdonald (potter)
• Ali Rowe (textile artist)
• Robyn White (glass bead jewellery)
• Claire Shearman and Ken Young (second hand books specialising in arts, crafts and local history)
• Schoolhouse Collectables
• Judy Hawking-Burnett (paintings, jewellery and cards)
Celebrating its 145th anniversary this year, the Common School No. 36, known as the Beechworth Academy, was the town’s first school. The first Australian-born Governor General, Sir Isaac Isaacs, taught there from 1872 to 1874, and for 100 years of its history the building housed the office and press of the Ovens & Murray Advertiser.
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, 17 Loch St, Beechworth.
Phone (03) 5725 1342. Email wandanagallery@bigpond.com
Open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery is a fascinating new showcase of jewellery, paintings, ceramics and textiles as well as second hand books and collectibles housed in the 1863 Common School in Loch Street, one of Beechworth’s many notable historic buildings.
The initiative is the brainchild of Sandra and Robert Godfrey who lovingly restored the building five years ago as an exhibition space for Sandra’s silk painting.
More recently, their idea of using the building to house a retail gallery for a variety of local artists from the Beechworth area was enthusiastically embraced and within a few short weeks The Old Schoolhouse Gallery was open for business.
“We wanted to have something for everyone to enjoy and at the same time provide encouragement for local artisans to keep creating,” Sandra Godfrey said.
Indigo Shire Mayor, Cr Vic Issell, will officially launch the co-operative venture on 25 January.
Joining forces with Sandra Godfrey are:
• Jan Clements (felting, leather and metal)
• North East Yarns (natural coloured wool and woollen garments)
• Tania Magennis and Janine Delves (artists specialising in quirkiness and colour)
• Wendy Stephens (visual artist)
• Frances Macdonald (potter)
• Ali Rowe (textile artist)
• Robyn White (glass bead jewellery)
• Claire Shearman and Ken Young (second hand books specialising in arts, crafts and local history)
• Schoolhouse Collectables
• Judy Hawking-Burnett (paintings, jewellery and cards)
Celebrating its 145th anniversary this year, the Common School No. 36, known as the Beechworth Academy, was the town’s first school. The first Australian-born Governor General, Sir Isaac Isaacs, taught there from 1872 to 1874, and for 100 years of its history the building housed the office and press of the Ovens & Murray Advertiser.
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, 17 Loch St, Beechworth.
Phone (03) 5725 1342. Email wandanagallery@bigpond.com
Open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
December Member Of The Month
Congratulations to our December Operator of the Month: Country Charm Swiss Cottage, Gorge Walk Guest House, The Ardent Alpaca & Elms on Finch. 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
Indigo Shire / Atauro Island Friendship Group
Indigo Shire / Atauro Island Friendship Group
Media Release
Indigo Shire is in the process of forming a Friendship Relationship with Atauro Island, just off the north coast of East Timor. We are establishing a Friendship Group in the Shire and invite you to attend our Information Day at The Old Priory on December 8th.
To assist our find raising efforts, entry for adults is by gold coin donation, children are free.
From 11.00am until 5pm there will be information stands in the grounds of the Old Priory representing H.I.A.M Health; the Australian East Timor Association (Melb); Great Divide Coffee Roasting (Fair Trade Coffee tastings); the unique eco-tourism development on Atauro Island and established Local Government Friendship Groups.
At 12.00 Gabrielle Samson will speak to a slide presentation about life on Atauro Island. A Community development worker, Gabrielle has worked on Atauro Island for more than 10 years. She originally went to the island to start a kindergarten and then began working with the high school. She has also helped the community start their own development organisation.
At 12.30 There is a singing workshop where we will learn the tune “Mai Mai O Nia Rain” a simple song in Tetum that we can sing together at the evening concert.
1.30 – 3.00 Workshop “What is a Friendship Group?” The aim of this workshop is to provide information to our community about the work and workings of other local government friendship groups and we are looking for ideas from within our own community on how we can support our friendship community, Atauro Island.
Guest speakers will include Gabrielle Samson, community development worker on Atauro Island for more than ten years; Dr.Wendy Connor who works on Atauro Island as a volunteer doctor and representatives from established local government friendship groups.
At 3.30 we are showing the very moving film, “A Hero’s Journey.” Entry is $5 Adults and children are free.
For more information about the day’s program, contact conthw@westnet.com.au.
The information day will be followed by a great concert in the evening featuring Bhan Tre, Braemar and Red Rock. These performers and the sound technician, Darren Christie, are all donating their time and Pam & Graeme at the Old Priory are donating their lovely venue.
The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25 adults and $10 children. For more information and bookings, call (03) 5728 2275 or 0428 286 556. All proceeds from the concert will go to H.I.A.M Health. The concert is “cafĂ©-style” with only 100 tickets available. The three bands have a great following in the North East and we suggest you book your tickets early
Media Release
Indigo Shire is in the process of forming a Friendship Relationship with Atauro Island, just off the north coast of East Timor. We are establishing a Friendship Group in the Shire and invite you to attend our Information Day at The Old Priory on December 8th.
To assist our find raising efforts, entry for adults is by gold coin donation, children are free.
From 11.00am until 5pm there will be information stands in the grounds of the Old Priory representing H.I.A.M Health; the Australian East Timor Association (Melb); Great Divide Coffee Roasting (Fair Trade Coffee tastings); the unique eco-tourism development on Atauro Island and established Local Government Friendship Groups.
At 12.00 Gabrielle Samson will speak to a slide presentation about life on Atauro Island. A Community development worker, Gabrielle has worked on Atauro Island for more than 10 years. She originally went to the island to start a kindergarten and then began working with the high school. She has also helped the community start their own development organisation.
At 12.30 There is a singing workshop where we will learn the tune “Mai Mai O Nia Rain” a simple song in Tetum that we can sing together at the evening concert.
1.30 – 3.00 Workshop “What is a Friendship Group?” The aim of this workshop is to provide information to our community about the work and workings of other local government friendship groups and we are looking for ideas from within our own community on how we can support our friendship community, Atauro Island.
Guest speakers will include Gabrielle Samson, community development worker on Atauro Island for more than ten years; Dr.Wendy Connor who works on Atauro Island as a volunteer doctor and representatives from established local government friendship groups.
At 3.30 we are showing the very moving film, “A Hero’s Journey.” Entry is $5 Adults and children are free.
For more information about the day’s program, contact conthw@westnet.com.au.
The information day will be followed by a great concert in the evening featuring Bhan Tre, Braemar and Red Rock. These performers and the sound technician, Darren Christie, are all donating their time and Pam & Graeme at the Old Priory are donating their lovely venue.
The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25 adults and $10 children. For more information and bookings, call (03) 5728 2275 or 0428 286 556. All proceeds from the concert will go to H.I.A.M Health. The concert is “cafĂ©-style” with only 100 tickets available. The three bands have a great following in the North East and we suggest you book your tickets early
Relay for Human Rights on Olympic Agenda - Global Torch Relay to arrive in Beechworth 2nd December 2007
Following a two-month long European passage with its last stop being in the UK, the Global Human Rights Torch Relay (GHRTR) arrived in Australia, Sydney 27th October for a national tour.
The Torch arrived in Melbourne on the 16th November, and as part of the Victorian leg of the relay, will be received in Beechworth on the 2nd of December.
Torch Relay 9am – 10:30am
Main street Shopping Centre
Inspired by the Olympic torch relay, the GHRTR is an international campaign that seeks to put human rights on the Beijing Olympic agenda. The 12-month global relay calls for an end to all human rights violations committed by the Chinese communist regime. It highlights the persecution of Falun Gong, the most severely persecuted group in China today, the plight of Tibetans, Christians, democracy campaigners, outspoken lawyers and reporters, as well as the fueling of oppression and slaughter in Darfur, Burma, Zimbabwe and North Korea.
During the run up to the 2008 Olympics, the GHRTR will visit more than 100 cities on five continents to publicise its founding premise that the Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot co-exist in China.
The GHRTR was initiated by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) which consists of over three hundred legislators, religious leaders, lawyers, medical doctors and human rights advocates from Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania. Established in 2006 its aim is to go into China to independently investigate the persecution of Falun Gong, especially the reported crimes of organ harvesting. www.cipfg.org
The GHRTR is sponsored and supported globally by Asia-Pacific Human Rights Watch Charitable Trust and All-China Alliance for Protecting Human Rights & Opposing Violence, and in Australia by Free China, Darfur Australia Network (DAN), Democracy for Burma (D4B), Tibetan, Vietnamese and many other communities and organisations as well as the Chinese pro-democracy movement.
Media contact: Philippa Rayment 0417 371 305
Website: www.HumanRightsTorch.org
The Torch arrived in Melbourne on the 16th November, and as part of the Victorian leg of the relay, will be received in Beechworth on the 2nd of December.
Torch Relay 9am – 10:30am
Main street Shopping Centre
Inspired by the Olympic torch relay, the GHRTR is an international campaign that seeks to put human rights on the Beijing Olympic agenda. The 12-month global relay calls for an end to all human rights violations committed by the Chinese communist regime. It highlights the persecution of Falun Gong, the most severely persecuted group in China today, the plight of Tibetans, Christians, democracy campaigners, outspoken lawyers and reporters, as well as the fueling of oppression and slaughter in Darfur, Burma, Zimbabwe and North Korea.
During the run up to the 2008 Olympics, the GHRTR will visit more than 100 cities on five continents to publicise its founding premise that the Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot co-exist in China.
The GHRTR was initiated by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) which consists of over three hundred legislators, religious leaders, lawyers, medical doctors and human rights advocates from Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania. Established in 2006 its aim is to go into China to independently investigate the persecution of Falun Gong, especially the reported crimes of organ harvesting. www.cipfg.org
The GHRTR is sponsored and supported globally by Asia-Pacific Human Rights Watch Charitable Trust and All-China Alliance for Protecting Human Rights & Opposing Violence, and in Australia by Free China, Darfur Australia Network (DAN), Democracy for Burma (D4B), Tibetan, Vietnamese and many other communities and organisations as well as the Chinese pro-democracy movement.
Media contact: Philippa Rayment 0417 371 305
Website: www.HumanRightsTorch.org
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