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