Diary Notes
November 2007
Spring Racing Carnival, 3 October – 21 November
Each year, Victoria buzzes with Spring Racing Carnival excitement. More than any other racing event, the Spring Racing Carnival captures the glamour of Victoria. It unites the people of the State, with national and international visitors, in a celebration of racing, fashion, food and entertainment. Race days are held at various venues across the State with the highlight being the running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 7 November at Flemington Race Course.
Inquiries: 1300 139 401 or visit www.racingvictoria.net.au
Media inquiries: Daniel Petrillo, Media and Communications Manager on 03 9258 4252 or email d.petrillo@racingvictoria.net.au
Portland Bay Festival, 2 – 6 November
Enjoy an action-packed festival with colourful markets, a street parade and live music on Saturday night in the marquee located on the lawns of Portland’s foreshore. Artists include James Reyne and Jo Camilleri and the Black Sorrows. Delicious local food and wine will be available at the marquee throughout the festival. Other highlights include the Rotary Art Show and the Portland Three Bays Marathon on Sunday – the race begins and ends at the marquee.
Inquiries: call 1800 035 567
TAC Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, 2- 5 November
The TAC Wangaratta Festival of Jazz is an annual festival of jazz and blues held in the town of Wangaratta, which is two-and-a-half hour drive from Melbourne. It has become the premier jazz event in Australia and is internationally renowned. Since its inception in 1990, the festival has grown to include 90 events and over 350 national and international artists performing each year. The TAC Wangaratta Festival of Jazz also hosts the National Jazz Awards, youth jazz workshops, master classes and events throughout Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions.
Tickets and inquiries: 1800 801 065 or go to www.visitwangaratta.com.au
2007 Mildura Jazz, Food and Wine Festival, 2 – 5 November
The popular 2007 Mildura Jazz, Food and Wine Festival will be staged on the pre Melbourne Cup weekend. The format will follow jazz in the streets with live music played on paddleboats, wineries, in clubs, hotels and restaurants, at church services, at Party in the Park on the Saturday afternoon, and at the traditional Jazz Jam on the Sunday evening.
Tickets and inquiries: 1800 039 043 or visit www.jazzwine.com
The Southern Gippsland 2007 Summer Starters, 3 – 4 November
The Southern Gippsland Summer Starters is held on the pre Melbourne Cup weekend. The winery celebration extends from Phillip Island to Wilsons Promontory as cellar doors of this emerging wine region showcase local food, music and art. This is a great opportunity to meet the winemakers and sample the wonderful cool climate wines.
Media inquiries: Liz Rushen on 03 5683 2441 or visit www.southerngippslandwine.com.au
Festival of Gardens, 3 - 11 November
View a wide range of beautiful gardens in and around Castlemaine and Maldon. Chat to the owners and learn how they keep their gardens looking healthy and beautiful in times of severe water restrictions. Gardens range from classical beauties to native landscapes, cottage gardens, homestead and town gardens. The theme for 2007 is ‘sustaining the environment’.
Inquires: 03 5472 3412 or visit www.festivalofgardens.org
Compass Windows Kyneton Cup, 7 November
Head to Kyneton, in Victoria’s spa country, and enjoy all of the fashion and excitement of the country racing at Kyneton’s biggest race meeting. Held annually on the day after Melbourne Cup, this meeting offers a total day of entertainment including live music, fashions on the field, private and corporate marquees, punters club, on-course competitions and much more. Entry is $20 adults and children under 16 are admitted free. Courtesy buses are scheduled to meet trains from Melbourne at the Kyneton train station. Gates open at 10.00am.
Inquiries: 03 5422 1866 or www.kynetondistrictracingclub.com.au
Ballarat Events: Growing History, 9 November – mid January 2008
Visit the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery and view Why the Tree? an inspirational exhibition of seldom seen works from the gallery’s extensive collection.
Inquiries: www.visitgoldfields.com
Beechworth Celtic Festival, 9 - 11 November
Join in the celebrations of Beechworth’s Celtic heritage in the 14th Annual Celtic Festival. Music, myth and mayhem abound throughout Beechworth over this November weekend festival. There will be dance, music and displays. Dine at local pubs and restaurants on their special menus.
Inquiries: 1300 366 321 or visit www.beechworthcelticfestival.com.au
Macedon Ranges Budburst Wine and Food Festival, 11 – 18 November
Budburst, the annual Macedon Ranges Wine Region celebration features over 30 talented wine makers who open their doors for this popular food and wine celebration. Wine-lovers can sample a range of white and red varieties as well as the native sparkling ‘Macedon’ from Victoria’s famous cool climate region. The weekend is a great opportunity to explore this picturesque region, including the gardens of Mount Macedon and Hanging Rock.
Inquiries: 03 5422 0326 or www.budburst.com
Jazz on Track, 17 November
Enjoy a train trip on Victoria’s most spectacular railway whilst listening to the sounds of traditional and Dixieland jazz. The train departs Thomson Station in East Gippsland at 7pm and travels to Walhalla. Tickets cost $85 per person and include the train trip, dinner, champagne on the train and entertainment.
Inquiries: 03 5126 4201 or visit www.walhallarail.com
Malmsbury Village Fair, 18 November
The Malmsbury Village Fair is a wonderful opportunity to taste the food and wine of the region in the beautiful setting of the 150-year-old Malmsbury Botanic Gardens.
Inquiries: 03 5423 2088
2007 Queenscliff Music Festival, 23 - 25 November
Now in its 11th year, the award-winning Queenscliff Music Festival is one of Australia's great festival experiences in adult contemporary music. Located just over an hour's drive from Melbourne - or a 40 minute ferry trip from Sorrento - Queenscliff offers the very best of original contemporary music in Australia, as well as a few select international guests.
Tickets: available directly from www.qmf.net.au
Accommodation: Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre on 1300 884 843
Inquiries: Visit www.qmf.net.au
Media Inquiries: Liv Middleton on 03 5258 3674 or email marketing@qmf.net.au
Australian Corporate Games, 23 – 25 November
This annual national multi-sport event for businesses and organisations will attract more than 9,000 participants from 300 organisations over four days at various venues in Melbourne. Twenty team and individual sports and games are on the program including AFL; badminton; basketball; cricket; cycling; golf; indoor karting; netball; outrigger canoeing; poker; running; soccer; softball; squash; swimming; tennis; table tennis; tenpin bowling; touch and volleyball.
Inquiries: www.corporategames.net.au
Media inquiries: call 1300 301 418
2007 Great Victorian Bike Ride, 24 November – 2 December
Now in its 24th year, the 2007 VicRoads Great Victorian Bike Ride is the ultimate cycling holiday which will visit East Gippsland. The 544 kilometre ride will go from Phillip Island, historic Walhalla, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Ninety Mile Beach, Gippsland Lakes and finish at the Buchan Caves. On the last night of the ride, Kate Ceberano will perform at the Buchan Caves. The entry fee is $290 for adults, $220 for children under 17 and $70 for children under 10 years.
Inquiries: 1800 616 600 or visit www.greatvic.com.au
Media inquiries: John Meyers on 03 9818 6339
Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival, 25 November
Head to the 9th annual Harvest Lavender Festival at Warratina Lavender Farm and enjoy a fun day of entertainment. Set amidst the fragrant purple fields of lavender, enjoy fine food, boutique beer and local Yarra Valley wine while being entertained by music, dancing and singing. Highlights of the day include displays of old time arts and crafts, Scottish Highland dancing, bagpipes, Irish dancing, boot scootin’ and more. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children and concession and $25 for a family pass.
Inquiries: Annemarie Manders on 03 5964 4650 or visit www.warratinalavender.com.au
Spring Harvest Picnic at Werribee Park, 25 November
Food and wine producers from all over Victoria will gather in the grounds of Werribee Park to sample, showcase and sell their tasty products. This will be a great day for the family and will feature music and dance on stage throughout the day, cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs, and lots of activities for kids. Bring a blanket and basket and create a picnic from the delicious range of goods on offer. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $13 for concession card holders and children under 15 years of age enter free.
General inquiries: 03 9555 0253 or visit www.harvestpicnic.com.au
Media inquiries: Sharon Wells on 03 9417 4665
December 2007
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, Melbourne from 1 December
The eagerly awaited hit musical, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, opens on 1 December at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Inquiries: go to www.montypythonsspamalot.com
Media inquiries: JP Bolton on 02 9264 7750
Eureka 2007, 2-3 December
Each year Ballarat commemorates and celebrates the 1854 Eureka Rebellion. In 2007, the Eureka celebrations will focus on an open day at The Eureka Centre from 9am to 5pm on Sunday and Monday 3 December.
Inquiries: 03 5333 1854 or visit www.eurekaballarat.com
Media inquiries: Penny Underwood on 03 9818 8540
The Australian Garden Journey, Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, Summer 2007-2008
Find out how Victoria’s newest Royal Botanic Gardens was created and learn about the native flora. The park’s knowledgeable guides will highlight the unique features of the gardens and provide insights into the background of this project and future development plans.
Cost: $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for concession
Inquiries: 03 5990 2245
Royal Botanic Gardens Summer Discovery Walk, Melbourne, Summer 2007-2008
Take a walk with a friendly guide and discover the history, cultural significance and horticultural diversity of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The walk starts from the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate at 11am and 2pm, six days a week (not on Saturday).
Inquiries: Bookings/information: 03 9252 2429
Tattersalls Australian DanceSport Championship, Melbourne, 6-9 December
The Tattersall's Australian DanceSport Championship, at Vodafone Arena is an opportunity to witness the world's best perform live in competition ballroom dancing.
Inquiries: For bookings call Melbourne Park on 03 9286 1347 or contact TICKETEK 13 28 49 or www.ticketek.com.au or www.theaustraliandanceportchampionship.com.au
Women’s International Jazz Festival, Melbourne 6–16 December
The Women’s International Jazz Festival is held in Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne, and at Federation Square. This year marks the 11th successive annual festival, and will feature 30 international, interstate and Victorian acts over eight nights. Admission prices begin from $12 for adults and $10 for concession.
Inquiries: 0417 364 314 or visit www.mwijf.org
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, Melbourne 24 December
The tradition of carols on Christmas Eve at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne continues with this year’s annual Carols by Candlelight..Tickets go on sale in November.
Inquiries: 1300 558 458 or visit www.carolsbycandlelight.com.au
Tickets: Ticketmaster7 on 13 61 00 or visit www.ticketmaster7.com.au
3 MOBILE Boxing Day Test Match, Melbourne 26-30 December
The 3 Mobile Boxing Day Test is the biggest annual event on the world cricket calendar and another nail-biting contest will take place in 2007/08. Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting, takes on India, so don’t miss the clash of cricket’s two superpowers.
Tickets: Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
Inquiries: 03 9653 1100
The Falls Festival, Lorne 30 Dec–1 Jan 2008
The Falls Festival, one of Australia’s greatest music festivals, offers music lovers live entertainment, camping, markets, arts and film. Held in two stunning coastal locations in Victoria and Tasmania, both events run simultaneously and share a line-up of 50 bands, DJs and comedians from around the world. www.fallsfestival.com
Inquiries: Stacey Piggott 02 9650 3382.
Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island 29 December–1 January 2008
The Pyramid Rock Festival will be held over the New Year’sweekend and will feature 50 of the top national and international musical acts performing rock, hip hop, blues and roots, dance and electronic music. Tickets will go on sale from Friday 14 September.
Inquiries: go to www.thepyramidrockfestival.com
Melbourne City’s New Year’s Eve Party, 31 December
Join the city’s largest free New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy free entertainment including DJs, live bands, performers, family fun and children’s entertainment and much more at Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Federation Square, Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, the Arts Centre and NewQuay, Docklands.
Inquiries: 039658 9658 or visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au