Diary Notes
June 2007
Good Food and Wine Show, 1 - 3 June
The Good Food and Wine Show is Australia's largest consumer food and wine exhibition. Held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, the event showcases every aspect of cooking and entertaining, from food and wine to homewares and white goods and features some of the biggest name celebrity chefs from Australia and abroad. Visitors can participate in cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions in the Wine
Theatre featuring Australia's top winemakers and brewers. Tickets are available at the door. To purchase a ticket in advance and for general inquiries: Ticketmaster 13 61 00 or visit www.goodfoodshow.com.au
Media inquiries: James Lang on 03 9261 4526 or email memery@austexhibit.com.au
Woodend Winter Arts Festival, 8 – 11 June
The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is a celebration of the arts showcasing music, literature and the visual arts. Jazz maestro Don Burrows joins Kevin Hunt for the opening night concert. There will be African percussion and song workshops for the young at heart and a piano marathon. Lovers of the written word can enjoy workshops and discussions on memoirs and biographies and there will be a free children’s literary event. Local artists will open their studios to visitors. The event will be held at St Ambrose Church and Hall and various venues around town. Local restaurants will celebrate with special menus.
General inquiries: www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
Media inquiries: Shirley Hardy-Rix on (03) 9842 9740 or 0412 057 288
National Celtic Festival, 8 - 11 June
Celts from around Australia will converge on Portarlington during the June long weekend for Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic culture. The National Celtic Festival celebrates and promotes Celtic culture through a vibrant and progressive festival incorporating music, dance, literature and drama. The three-day program is structured around a series of concerts, small acoustic performances, workshops including language workshops, a community stage, community dance, singing performances, dramatic performances, displays and street performances.
For more festival information and ticketing call Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 03 5225 1200 or contact the festival office on 03 5241 2499 or visit: www.nationalcelticfestival.com
The Australian Landmark Kelpie Muster, 8 - 11 June
Held annually over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, The Australian Kelpie Muster, incorporating the Casterton Kelpie Festival and Casterton Working Dog Auction, is a celebration of Casterton as the birthplace of the Kelpie. The festival takes a light-hearted look at the Kelpie’s vital role in rural life in Australia. On Sunday, the nationally-renowned Working Dog Auction is held, attracting a crowd of over 1,500.
Inquiries: Casterton Visitor Information Centre on 03 5581 2070
Media inquiries: David Leavy on 03 5582 0270
Brown Brothers Winter Festival, 9 - 11 June
The Brown Brothers Winter Festival will be a fun-filled three days of great wine and food. Visitors will be entertained by live music and tempted by delicious gourmet food. The Epicurean Centre will be open daily for lunch between 11am and 3pm, cooking up some great wine and food matches from its new winter menu. The cellar door is open from 9am to 5pm.
General inquiries: 1800 001 515 or visit www.brown-brothers.com.au
Media inquiries: Michelle Nicholas on 03 5720 5434
Snow Season Opening Weekend, 9 – 11 June
Over the opening snow season weekend, Victoria’s ski resorts celebrate with a wide variety of fun activities at Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Baw Baw and Lake Mountain.
General inquiries: www.skivic.com
Pixar: 20 Years of Animation, 28 June – 14 October
First shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, this unique exhibition explores the method behind the magic of some of the most loved movies of our time, including Toy Story, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. This will be the only opportunity in Australia to see the original drawings and paintings that created many popular animated features.
For more information visit www.acmi.net.au
Guggenheim Collection: 1940s to now New York-Venice-Bilboa-Berlin, 30 June – 7 October
Iconic art works from New York’s famous Guggenheim Museum will come to the National Gallery of Victoria this winter, as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. Works by modern masters such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons will be the centrepieces of the exhibition.
For more information visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au/guggenheim
July 2007
Rose Day & Garden Day at Nyerimilang Heritage Park, 1 July
Learn the art of rose pruning at Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Kalimna West, 10 kilometres north-west of Lakes Entrance. Rose Day will also incorporate free rose clippings and gardening advice. A light luncheon and devonshire teas will be available. Rose Day at Nyerimilang Heritage Park is a great day out for the family. Kids will enjoy discovering the picnic areas and taking part in the tractor hay rides from 10am – 4pm. Entry tickets are $4 per person.
Inquiries: Nyerimilang Heritage Park on 03 5156 3253
2007 Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show, 5 - 9 July
The 47th Annual Melbourne Boatshow with be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank. The show is Australia’s biggest and best exhibit of boats and marine equipment. Fishing and boating enthusiasts will be delighted by the informative and interactive displays.
For more information: Boating Industry Association on 03 8696 5600 or visit www.biavic.com.au.
Melbourne Design Festival, 5 – 15 July 2007
Celebrate the achievements of Australian design at the Melbourne Design Festival. The festival features exhibitions, events and seminars in recognition of Australian design across all disciplines from graphics, fashion, multi-media, interior and architectural design, jewellery, furniture and landscape design. The festival aims to make design accessible to everyone and brings together industry, designers and business to celebrate Australian design.
For more information visit: www.nationaldesigncentre.com
Australian Sheep and Wool Show, 20 - 22 July
Featuring over 28 breeds of sheep, goats and alpacas, this is the largest sheep and wool show in the world, incorporating a wool craft competition, an international fleece competition, wool fashion parades, sheep dog trails and over 150 stalls. The Australian Sheep and Wool Show takes place at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo.
For more information: Andrew Ternouth on 03 5439 5094 or visit www.sheepshow.com.
Melbourne International Film Festival, 25 July – 12 August 2007
The Melbourne International Film Festival, regarded as the most significant film event in Australia, presents the largest and most diverse program of screenings and special events in the country, including the screening of a number of films that might not be screened in commercial cinemas. Be part of the buzz in winter, when Melbourne becomes the global movie mecca.
Inquiries: call 03 9417 2011 or visit www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
Echuca Moama’s Winter Blues Festival, 27 – 29 July
Relax and enjoy the ambience of the Echuca Heritage Port Precinct and High Street with its colourful restaurants, cafes, pubs, cellar door outlets and attractions during the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival. The wonderful blues music is sure to brighten spirits when a number of popular bands perform. On Sunday enjoy free blues in the streets and around the port.
Inquiries: Aaron Pearce on 03 5480 1181 or visit www.winterblues.com.au
Stawell Fair Dinkum Farm & Craft Market, 29 July
Visit the Stawell Showgrounds and purchase gourmet food, organic produce, livestock, quality crafts, garden products and farm produce. The market operates from 10am – 2pm.
For more information call Ian Bourke on 03 5356 6306