‘BACKYARD TO FARM GATE’ PRODUCTIVE GARDENS TOUR Tickets Now On Sale

Dates : Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2009
Location: Beechworth and District
Transport: Self drive tour
Directions: Map and information is supplied with a ticket
Hours: Gardens open 10 am – 4 pm both days

Discover some of the productive gardens of Beechworth and district ranging from backyard size to 60 hectares

A small diverse and intensive artisan cottage garden

A family operated extensive garden that is an orchard with a range of tree ripened fruits

A picturesque productive olive grove where the olives are now being harvested
Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre Communal Garden with its great granite rock work and fabulous winter vegetable crop.

A large country garden with a potager, shared vegetable garden and home orchard
This is your chance to taste their produce, get to know the people who grow the food you eat and take some home

Meet passionate gardeners who nurture and cherish their plants and are dedicated to producing fruit and vegetables for their own satisfaction and personal use and the larger scale growers and makers of produce for local and regional markets and their own farm gate sales.

A great way to discover and explore how you can grow your own food in your garden and to savour the harvests delights of gardens on a bigger scale.

In these uncertain times in terms of climate and economic conditions, this is a chance to explore producing fresh food in your own backyard.

Gardens will be open in all weather conditions
Wear comfortable shoes for walking
Bring wet weather gear in case of rain
Visitors are requested to respect the gardens they visit and their plants

Book Tickets Online
Beechworth Visitor Information Centre
Phone: 1300 366 321
Web: www.beechworthonline.com.au

Drive Back in Time on this weekend in Beechworth

This Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May sees the return of one of Beechworth’s best loved events, Drive Back in Time featuring a fantastic lineup of dozens of cars from days gone by.



Please contact 03 5728 2286 or 0427 282 285 for more information. The Beechworth Old Cranks Motor Club are the event organisers. Their website is at http://www.beechwortholdcranksclub.com


This is a true feast for car enthusiasts and will offer excellent photo opportunities throughout this weekend.

Regional temptations showcased at 2009 Beechworth Harvest Celebration

Beechworth’s sensational Harvest Celebration returns on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May bigger than ever with a packed program showcasing sublime regional food, wine and beer from more than 50 producers.

Now in its sixteenth year, organisers have for the f irst time partnered with North East Valleys Food & Wine resulting in outstanding representation from across this beautiful part of the world, including the renowned Beechworth, Rutherglen, Milawa and King Valley regions as well as the emerging areas of the Ovens Valley, Kiewa Valley and Glenrowan.

Visitors to Beechworth can enjoy a weekend of meeting local growers and sampling their wares under the big marquee in Ford Street outside the famous Historic & Cultural Precinct.

A host of producers including Beechworth Honey guru Jodie Goldswothy, Beechworth Brewer Ben Kraus, Rutherglen Estate winemaker John Gehrig and Beechworth Bakery’s Tom O’Toole, w ill take centre stage on Saturday and Sunday for an entertaining and educational program of cooking demonstrations, expert advice, tips, tall tales and true.

In addition, some of Beechworth’s top restaurants will weave their magic across the Harvest
Celebration at:
- The Gala Harvest Dinner @ La Trobe with MC Richard Cornish, the author and creative director for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The three course food and wine/beer-matched dinner on Friday 15 May will mark the official opening of the 2009 event.
- Wardens Chrismont La Zona Harvest Lunch. In true North East Victorian Italian style, the renowned Wardens Food & Wine of Beechworth w ill team with Chrismont Wines of The King Valley to host a memorable lunch experience featuring a four course menu created by Wardens head chef Douglas Elder matched with superb wines from Chrismont.
- Brewers, Beer & Breakfast @ Bridge Road Brewers. A fantastic way to learn the arts of brewing and baking with the crew at Bridge Road Brewers.
- Gigi ’s of Beechworth’s Wild Harvest Lunch, A four course lunch teamed with f ive iconic Beechworth wines presented by the makers, showcasing regional wild ingredients picked, pickled, pressed, pinched and trapped by Allan and the Gigi's crew from local forests and farms.

Congratulations to 1860 Luxury Accommodation

1860 Luxury Accommodation has been included in the "100 Best Holiday Discoveries" by Travel & Leisure Magazine. The list includes the 100 best destinations, discoveries and moments as voted by the Travel & Leisure worldwide team. Of the 26 accommodation houses in the list, 10 are from Australia, with 1860 the only inclusion from NE Victoria.

Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival Program Easter 2009

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

GOOD FRIDAY 10TH APRIL 2009

10am -4pm Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal
Family Fun Day in the Police Paddocks (opposite the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre) Highlights include an auction at the rear of the Empire Hotel, carnival and children’s activities.

11am Walk of Witness
Christ Anglican Church, Corner Ford and Camp streets. Come and join this group as they walk through the town, stopping at several points along the way, to read the Easter story. At the conclusion of the walk a cross will be planted in the grounds of St Andrews Uniting Church.

12.30pm Hit off Golden Putter Golf Comp
Beechworth Golf Club – Baarmutha Park – Balaclava Road. Mixed stableford event. Visitors welcome. Proceeds go to the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.



EASTER SATURDAY 11th APRIL 2009
The Golden Horseshoes Festival commemorates a colourful even of Beechworth’s past – the episode of the golden horseshoes. In 1855 Daniel Cameron was elected Member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing the Ovens District. During the wild celebrations that followed, he was said to have ridden a horse shod with golden horse shoes through the streets of Beechworth.
“the story has be repeated many times, handed from generation to generation, and like many such stories, it has changed or been embellished as time goes by. In 1954 the people of Beechworth erected a monument on the outskirts of the town to commemorate this event” From Rosalyn Shennan’s The 1855 Ovens Election and the Golden Horseshoe.

All Day Police Paddock
Car display: The Old Cranks Club
Amusements – fun rides for all the family
Air brush tattoos.

9am -4pm Beechworth Rotary Country Market at Queen Victoria Park

9am -4pm Paddy’s Market
Topend of Ford Street, Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre’s big annual fundraiser. Stalls featuring brick-a-brac, collectables and second-hand household items.

9am Beechworth Gold Annual Fun Run/Walk
Starting and finishing from Balaclava Road behind Beechworth Secondary College. Following an undulating scenic course using predominately sealed roads with great views of picturesque Beechworth including Lake Sambell and the Gorge. Walk or run 10km or 3km. Over $1500 in cash and prizes.

10.30am Shoeing of the horse with Golden Horseshoes
Historic & Cultural Precinct
“The supporters of Mr. Cameron testified their respect for him by providing the horse he rode during the election, with a set of golden shoes…’ Don’t miss this annual Festival highlight. See the horse that will lead the Grand Parade being shod with real golden horseshoes.

10am -12noon Beechworth Health Display Post Office corner
2009 is the Australian Red Cross Year of the Blood Donor. Drop by this stand for more information about what is available from our local hospital.


12noon The Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group – Roving
Recreation of the opening of Beechworth’s Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum (1867- 1995) Until the early 1860s, people suffering from mental illness were accommodated in the jail system, housed in overcrowded cells alongside hardened criminals where they had little ope of adequate treatment. The Beechworth Lunatic asylum was opened in 1867 and operated as a mental health facility right up until 1995.

10am -4pm Museum Victoria Discovery Program – Camp Street
Be inspired by this fascinating museum Victoria collection of Dinosaurs and Fossils. Hold a real 150 million year old Tyrannosaurus Rex foot bone in your hand and see up close life-size replica bones of a five-and-a-half metre tall Tsintaoaurus (an Asioan relative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex), a seven metre Stegosaurus and dinosaur foot prints.
Sponsored by WAW Credit Union

10am -4pm Camp street Food Court
Don’t miss our sensational Food court, right in the heart of town. Grab a bite to eat from our variety of vendors, it down, relax and enjoy a great day’s live entertainment.


10am -5pm FREE Live entertainment
Live music from the Beechworth Bakery and street entertainment including:
Australia Fair Grand Concert Street Organ: Belgium-built travelling concert organ. The organ has the equivalent sound of a20 piece band and operates on air pressure generated by a bellows and regulated by a reservoir. Musicians Sean Cartilage and daughter Olivia, Murray Brass, Albury Pipes & Drums.

10am -4pm Roaming performers and buskers
Festive Factory 3-D Entertainment combines the talents of Sue Blakey and Steve Scott who spectacular giant butterflies and roaming camels will bring colour and fun to this great family day out.
Melbourne Chinese Youth Society
The eve so popular lion and dragon team will weave their way through Camp Street and once again be part of the grand parade.

1pm The Grand Parade, Ford Street
Daniel Cameron’s famous ride through town will be re-enacted with the horse with the golden horseshoes leads the Grand Parade from Church Street. Featuring dozens of colourful, historical and funny floats and entries, all vying for the Beechworth Bakery Perpetual Trophy (last years winners: The Old Priory with “Sister Act”)

6pm Friends of the Burke Museum
Leaves from the Burke Museum Loch Street 6pm sharp: $5 per head


7pm Documentary screening of the Buckland Valley Goldfields From The Ashes.
Memorial Hall Ford Street 7pm. Entry $5 per head No Booking required.


EASTER SUNDAY 12th APRIL 2009
6.30am Easter Dawn Service
Sunrise service celebrating the resurrection of Christ, on the rock, overlooking the town of Beechworth. Enter at The Golden Horseshoes Monument o n Sydney Road. BYO rug/cushion and share and early coffee and bun.


11.30am Children’s Easter Egg Hunt FREE ENTRY Chinese Gardens Albert Road
Bring The children along and meet the Easter Bunny who will be stopping by to deliver Easter Eggs

10am -4pm Food Court & Band on the balcony of the Beechworth Bakery
Camp Street – Roaming entertainment

12.30pm Announcement of the winner of the Gold Fever Treasure Hunt
Relive the lust for gold and be in the running for your chance to win an amazing $2000 Gold Egg sponsored by Beechworth Gold.
To win, you must find a number of clues and be the first correct entry drawn. $2 per entry.
Collect and lodge your entry at either the Rotary Kiosk – corner Ford and Camp Streets (outside Beechworth Gold) or the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre – Ford Street. The winner will be announced at 12.30pm from the Balcony of the Beechworth Bakery.

ALL WEEKEND
Beechworth Ghost Tours
Guided tour of the former Mayday Hills Hospital, now the home to La Trobe University. Bookings essential. Phone: 0447 432 816


Beechworth Historic & Cultural Precinct
Explore one of Australia’s finest collections of nationally significant Gold Era Buildings. Stand in the dock where Ned Kelly stood trial, send a Telegram, explore Beechworth’s Chinese Cultural heritage at the Chinese Cultural Centre, drop into the fascinating Burke Museum or take one of our fantastic walking tours led by expert guides. Contact the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre opposite the historic Courthouse or phone 133 66 321 or book online at www.beechworthonline.com.au


Self Guided Tours
Beechworth Mayday Hills Hospital – now Lat Robe University
Follow the Pioneers brochure - $1
Cemetery Tour
See the friendly Beechworth Visitor Information staff for advice and brochures.

FESTIVAL SERVICES
Festival Head Quarters: (Sat only): Sub Treasury Building, historic & Cultural Precinct, Ford Street
St. John Ambulance: (Sat only) located in the Historic and Cultural Precinct
Combined Churches – Baby Care and & Feed Room: 10am -4pm (Sat only) located in the Salvation Army Hall top end of Ford Street

Local Beers Among Worlds Best

Bridge Road Brewers, have once again backed up their claim as having “some of the best ales in country”, in fact they could well claim some of the best in the world, with big success at this years Melbourne International Beer Awards.

The small Beechworth based brewery picked up 10 medals this year with awards spread throughout their broad range of beers. This small regional on operation has had strong and consistent success over their short brewing history. Established in 2005, Bridge road Brewers have expanded considerably with national distribution and a big range of more than 10 beers. The tally includes 3 silver medals and 7 bronze.

Brewer and owner Ben Kraus is happy with the beers recognition at this years competition. “Our consistent success at the Beer Awards across such a broad range of our beers shows us that we are doing our job well”. “This event is becoming more and more competitive with both domestic and international brewers upping their quality every year”. “The USA, considered the world leader of craft brewing, was well represented at this years competition, but the Aussie contingent managed to standup and keep a lot of the awards at home”,

The highly recognized competition is the second largest in the world and attracts a huge of array of local and international breweries.

Bridge Roads latest brew, the Chestnut Lager, entered for the first time at the awards also received a medal.

Bridge Road is already working on a beer which is sure to do well in next years competition. Their unique fresh hop harvest beer is currently brewing and will be released in the coming months.

For further details please contact:
Ben Kraus
ph. 03 57 282 703 or e. info@bridgeroadbrewers.com.au

Beechworth gets set to saddle up for 2009 Golden Horseshoes Festival

Preparations are in full swing in Beechworth as the town gets set for its biggest annual celebration, the Golden Horseshoes Festival, opening three weeks today on Good
Friday 10 April and continuing across the Easter weekend.

The 2009 program will see the return of old favourites including the fabulous Grand Parade which will see dozens of f loats vie for the Beechworth Bakery Perpetual Trophy as well as new events including displays, a Monster Raff le, free live performances and spectacular roving entertainment.

The Treasure Hunt for the $2000 Golden Egg from Beechworth Gold also returns this year. Once again, fortune hunters will have the chance to claim the amazing egg encased in $2000 of gold when they search for clues on a special treasure map of the streets of Beechworth. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn at 12:30pm on Easter Sunday. One of the most popular events of the weekend, 2008 saw thousands of visitors join in the fun, w ith a delighted local family the lucky w inners
of the grand prize.

The Food Court in Camp Street also returns with live entertainment including the Australia Fair Grand Concert Street Organ, a travelling concert-organ in the great European style, which produces an amazing sound the equivalent of a 20 piece band.

Museum Victoria’s Discovery Program will be setting up a display of dinosaur bones and fossils, the Old Cranks Car Club w ill show some classic beauties and the Friends of the Burke Museum w ill lead a Mystery Tour of Beechworth’s secret and forgotten nooks and crannies. History buffs will also enjoy the fascinating new documentary about the Buckland Valley Goldfield, From the Ashes on the big
screen on Saturday night.

Rotary’s huge Easter Craft Market in the Queen Victoria Gardens and the Beechworth Neighborhood Centre’s Paddy’s Market will again offer bargain hunters the chance to pick up some treasure from the stalls crammed with furniture, collectibles and bric-a-brac.

Run for the second year by a local community committee, the Golden Horseshoes Festival annually attracts thousands of visitors to the town. Committee President Kathryn Osmond said while sponsorship support from local businesses had been fantastic this year, organisers were still keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering their time during Easter to help with Parade marshalling, public
information assistance, setting up and manning displays.

She urged local groups and individuals to get into the spirit of this great annual event and dress up, join in the treasure hunt, enter a float, buy a raffle ticket or just pull up a chair in the food court and soak up the unique ambience of Easter in Beechworth.