SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONS Hunter Valley Wine Society Hunter Regional Tourism Hunter Valley Vineyards Association
OCTOBER 2009
OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF FAMILY SCULPTURES TO LAUNCH ROSE SPECTACULAR
From October 12 to November 15 2009, visitors to Hunter Valley Gardens will be greeted by an incredible sensory explosion of sight and fragrance as they view 35,000 rose bushes with up to two million rose blooms as part of the annual Rose Spectacular. This year, the Rose Spectacular has extra significance with the official dedication by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC of the Expressions of Love Sculptures on October 10.
Expressions of Love is an ensemble of fourteen life size bronze sculptures of Imelda Roche and her thirteengrandchildren that now stands as the centre piece of the Rose Garden. The sculptures, affectionately referred to as the ‘Grandmother’s Love Statues’, took sculptor Linda Klarfeld 6 years to complete.
Linda says, “I felt part of the Roche family as I created the bronze portraits of the children and captured their unique personalities. In Expressions of Love, the children are playing and enjoying the gardens, with a naive charm that draws the viewer in. Throughout the process, the children made me a part of their lives, regularly coming to the studio for sittings or inviting me into their homes.”
During the Rose Spectacular, garden enthusiasts and lovers of nature will be delighted by the activities and interactive presentations about the history of roses and how to successfully plant and grow them at home. It will feature a program of daily demonstrations and talks by the highly knowledgeable and qualified horticultural team at Hunter Valley Gardens and by the Hunter Regional Rose Society on weekends, including:
10.30am & 1.30pm The Story of the Rose - Anenlightening discussion about the history of roses with interesting and unusual facts, hosted in the Rose Garden.
11.30am Tips For Rose Lovers - An informative talk on all one needs to know about roses, with a question and answer session, also hosted in the Rose Garden.
12.00pm Rose Ramble - A walk amongst the roses with an experienced horticulturalist, commencing in the Amphitheatre.
2.30pm The History of Hunter Valley Gardens An insider’s look at how Hunter Valley Gardens evolved and what it took to get to where it is today as a multi-award winning destination, hosted in the Amphitheatre.
Sean O’Brien, the award winning Horticultural Manager at Hunter Valley Gardens says, “This time of year is one of our favourites as visitors take a breathtaking journey that’s full of surprises. Watching their delighted faces excited by the sensational sights, colours and fragrances makes our work throughout the year so worthwhile.” Entry to the Gardens is $22.50 per adult, $12 for children between 5 – 12 years of age with children 4 years and under admitted free. For further information about the Rose Spectacular telephone Hunter Valley Gardens on 02 4998 4000 or visit www.hvg.com.au
MELBOURNE CUP FASHION AT HARRIGAN'S
On Tuesday 3 November, Harrigan’s Irish Pub will bring trackside glitz and glamour to the Hunter Valley for its annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon.
From 11am, Harrigan’s will celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with a mouth watering buffet lunch and an afternoon full of fun activities including various sweeps, prizes for the best dressed and a case of Roche Wine for the best dressed table. So get a group together and frock up!
The fun and frivolity will not end once the horses cross the finish line, with live entertainment following the big race, allowing punters time to celebrate their win or commiserate over what could have been.
Dee O’Brien, Manager of Harrigan’s Irish Pub and Accommodation says, “Melbourne Cup is always a great day at Harrigan’s. We encourage people to get dressed up as though they are headed to the track and try their hand at some fabulous prizes. The carnival atmosphere combined with a fantastic lunch, makes guests feel as if they are right there at Flemington. It is a great way to spend the day with colleagues, friends and family.”
For $49 per person, guests will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival followed by a lovely hot and cold buffet lunch of delicious mains and desserts sure to appeal to every appetite.
For those who wish to make a night of it, Harrigan’s has a fantastic Golf Getaway package available. From just $98 per person mid week, the package includes one night’s accommodation at Harrigan’s in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country and a complimentary round of golf. For enquiries and bookings, please contact 1800 800 522 or visit www.harrigans.com.au
For further information regarding Melbourne Cup Day bookings at Harrigan’s Irish Pub, please contact 02 4998 4300 or visit www.harrigans.com.au
NEW GUIDE FOR VISITORS TO THE HUNTER VALLEY
Look out for the new information guide for tourists, launched just recently in the Hunter Valley. A joint initiative between Wine Country Publishing and Rover Coaches, the all new WHERE TO Guide to the Hunter Valleyfocuses on the specific and individual needs of the tourist when they arrive for their short break, day trip or holiday and was created in response to results from a visitor survey conducted earlier this year. These surveys demonstrated that despite the copious amounts of information available to them, the majority of visitors to the Hunter Valley still found it difficult to find those simple day-to-day leisure services that are an essential part of a holiday experience.
The aptly named “WHERE TO” guide quickly and easily shows visitors how to find a restaurant or café that will serve a light lunch or is open for breakfast, buy a coffee or that much needed beer, pick up a take-away meal, purchase a gift, find local gourmet foods and book a massage or beauty treatment. Pick up your copy of the WHERE TO Guide today— and use in conjunction with The Hunter Blackboard to find out how to get the most of your Hunter Valley experience.
Hunter Valley Wine Industry Award Finalists Announced for 2009….
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association is proud to announce the finalists in this year’s much anticipated Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards. Now in its third year, the awards recognise and honour those who have made major contributions and excelled within the Hunter Valley Winemaking Industry.
Mr. Iain Riggs, Chairman, Hunter Valley Wine Industry and Legend Award Committee commented“The high caliber of the nominations that the Hunter Valley Wine Industry has put forward reflects not only a pride in our viticulture and winemaking, but recognizes the depth of talent, with older wise heads up against youthful enthusiasm, male and female, large producer and small. Grapes and ferments are oblivious to world financial turmoil and the finalists have been selected in these awards because they continue to focus on the pursuit of excellence of Hunter Valley wines. The wine community will also honour an outstanding individual (or individuals) for their long term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Wine industry. They will be inducted as Hunter Valley Legend”. The award ceremony will be held later this year
Easter & School Holiday Fun at Hunter Valley Gardens
This Easter, from Friday 10th to Monday 13th April, 2009, Hunter Valley Gardens will be a highlight for families and people of all ages with lots of fun activities, entertainment, give-aways and great prizes to be won.The action packed schedule will kick off the April School Holiday KidSpace program themed “Fitness Fun” which will run from Tuesday 14th to Sunday 26th April 2009.Kyle McKendry, General Manager of Roche Group Leisure and Hospitality Division said, “Our school holiday KidSpace program is proving to be very popular with families.This April our guests will have a great time enjoying Easter activities, and during the holidays, children will learn about fitness and how to incorporate it into their everyday life in a fun and educational way.”
From Tuesday 14th April to Sunday 26th April 2009, the “Fitness Fun” School Holiday activities will take place.The theme is aimed at encouraging children to lead happy and healthy lives, and will teach children a number of activities that are both fun and good for the body and mind. Activities will focus on different areas such as flexibility, balance, confidence and healthy eating.
TOCAL Agricultural Show is on May 1st—3rd 2009
Tocal Fieldays is the Hunter’s premier agricultural event and attracts around 30,000 visitors and 400 exhibits.Highly regarded for its educational aspect, Tocal combines a genuine rural experience with livestock demonstrations, regional food & wine, farm and garden machinery and equipment, plants, craft, fashion and entertainment. This year’s Fieldays will run from May 1st to 3rd. Visitors can seek bargains from over 400 exhibits: machinery, equipment and horticultural products for homes, farms and gardens, clothing, plants, tools, tractors and tanks.Learn about Haystack Management (including daily burns), going solar and learn how to prepare and sell livestock through a “fair dinkum” auction.
There’s plenty of fun for kids and adults alike with miniature pig racing, live entertainment, chemical sniffer dog demonstrations, funky fashion shows, sheep shearing, tasting of regional produce and wines (straight from the farm!) and it’s all wrapped up with a liberal dose of famous Tocal country hospitality! For more information visit www.tocal.com—A Great Day out for the Whole Family!
MARCH 2009
Congratulations Ken Duncan!
On Australia Day, Ken was honoured nationally when he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) by the Australian Government for his services to the arts as a landscape photographer and publisher, and for his service to the Central Coast community (where Ken resides). Ken is extremely grateful for the award, which was completely unexpected. He will carry on with business as usual, and hopes he can continue to use his photographs to reflect an element of positivity in today's overly-negative world."You don't do things for rewards - you do them because there's a need to be met," he said.
Ken Duncan OAM - Visit the Ken Duncan Gallery in the Hunter Valley >MORE INFO
THE VINTAGE CHIPS IN TO HELP FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER. The Vintage, home of the NSW Open golf championship, is holding the inaugural Prostate Cancer Charity Golf Day & Luncheon on Friday 13th March 2009, with special guest speaker Alan Jones. The beautiful Greg Norman-designed Championship Vintage Golf course is located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, and entry into the charity day includes 18th holes of golf, use of the practise range prior to play, an electric golf cart, and a three course lunch with Alan Jones as guest speaker. With the proceeds of the golf day going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, to assist with support networks, innovative research & quality nursing care. There will also be doctors’ onsite to write prescriptions for PSA tests, and golf entrants are encouraged to bring their Medicare cards!
ACTIVITIES TO DELIGHT ALL THE SENSES DURING SENIORS WEEK IN MARCH 2009
During 2009 NSW Seniors Week, from March 15 to 22, Hunter Valley Gardens will be proudly hosting an activity packed schedule to celebrate the valuable contribution seniors make to the community.Free Devonshire Tea for each senior, daily garden talks and tours, musical cooking shows and concerts are just some of the unforgettable delights that await each visitor.
Mr. Sean O’Brien, Award Winning Horticulturalist at Hunter Valley Gardens says, “We always get such positive feedback about our display gardens from our senior guests, so we’re very excited to host a week of interactive activities and entertainment for them to enjoy with their families.”
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