Women on Farms 20Th Anniversary Tours

WOMEN ON FARMS 20 TH ANNIVERSARY TOURS

SATURDAY 2 ND MAY 2009

T 1: Melbourne Water Tarago Water Treatment, Tarago Catchment Sustainable Farms Project, Glen Nayook, Rain Forest Walk. The tour will start at the Tarago Water Treatment Plant looking at the new infrastructure required to treat drinking water from the Tarago Reservoir for Melbourne consumption. The tour will then move onto an 85 acre property, which has 40% of its land fenced off to protect native vegetation and stream frontage as part of the sustainable farm project. They have a Full Blood Japanese Wagyu bull that is used to breed F1 Angus/Wagyu steers and heifers that are sold under the Enviromeat Brand that is underpinned with EMS (Enviromental Management System) compliant with internationally ISO14001. If time permits the afternoon will end with a rainforest walk in Glen Nayook. Sturdy shoes required. www.ndlg.org.au Tour leaves 1.00 pm

T 2: Dairy & Environmental Research, DPI Ellinbank : Dept of Primary Industries have put together an interesting afternoon with presenters and a tour of animal house, calorimeters and dairy. Presenters will cover such subjects as: * improving water quality, * better fertilizer decisions *accounting for nutrients on farms * extending the lactation of dairy cows *climate change and dairying *dairy extension *information for small landholders. www.dpi.vic.gov.au/ellinbank Tour leaves 1.30 pm

T 3: PowerWorks. Travel to Latrobe Valley and go on a conducted tour of the coal mine and a power station. Tour down into the mines on a coach and see and learn about brown coal which is over 300,000 million years old. Be in awe of the giant machinery used in the coal mine. An educational and interesting tour, plus a chance to see one of the biggest employers in the Latrobe Valley. Coal fired power is such a contentious issue in this day and age. See for yourself and be informed. Closed in shoes must be worn and no cameras allowed in the mine. www.powerwork.com.au Tour leaves at 1.00 pm

T 4: Cranbourne Botanical Gardens – Australian section. This wonderful new section of the gardens which opened in May 2006 is a must for anyone interested in an Australian flora, landscapes, art and architecture. The garden features approximately 100,000 plants, including 1,000 trees in 15 different landscape displays and exhibition gardens. You will be taken on a guided tour so walking shoes are required. There is an Australasian gift shop and restaurant. Comfortable walking shoes. www.rbg.vic.gov.au/rbg_cranbourne or www.rbg.vic.gov.au/australain_garden Tour leaves at 1.00 pm

T 5: Trafalgar Dairy Goats. John & Penny Gommans’ property is a very interesting and successful dairy farm. They milk up to 3000 dairy goats (mostly Saanen) in a 100 bail rotary milker. You will be shown a different approach to dairying, with the does mainly housed in large, airy and hygienic sheds. Expect to hear of significant changes to marketing and manufacturing of the local product. This company also makes its own cheese from the goats’ milk. A tasting of their products will be available. Tour leaves 1.30 pm

T 6: Candalaraine Alpacas. Lorraine & Alan Barnett have been farming alpacas for eight years and have had an alpaca product shop specializing in this elegant fibre for the last five years. Many of the garments are unique and many of their pieces are based on inspiration acquired from Europe. Their farm is in Neerim South with wonderful views of rolling hills. See an alpaca being shorn and learn about their farming techniques. www.candalaraine.com Tour leaves 1.30 pm

1 T 7: Harding’s Orchard and Patchwork Apiary. Marie, Chas, David and Ross Harding have been growing and packing fruit for over 20 years. They grow a wide variety of apples, pears, peaches, lemons and Autumn Giant plums and you will be shown the different trees on an orchard walk. Presentation in the shed including a tour of packing shed and cool rooms. Learn how they market their fruit. Marie would be happy to show you their Bed and Breakfast Cottage in its tranquil setting. PATCHWORK APIARY hires its bee boxes at Harding’s Orchard and will offer you the chance for hands on lesson in making bee boxes and frames. Learn how they sell the honey at Farmers Markets. Honey, beeswax, candles and hand creams will be for sale. Anything you need to know about growing fruit or keeping bees these are the people to help you. www.users.bigpond.com/hardingsorchard Tour leaves 1.00 pm

T 8: Darnum Musical Village. A must tour for music lovers. Meet Albert Fox as he shows you his collection of fine antique musical instruments. Visit the workshop and see the craft of restoring old instruments. As you wander through the restored historic buildings Albert will explain the history to you. The afternoon will conclude with a short lively musical concert. General souvenirs and windcheaters are for sale. www.darnummusicalvillage.com.au Tour leaves 1.30 pm

T 9: Deer: Visit the deer farm of June and Graham Edyvane in Neerim South. This very pretty property is nestled in a valley about 20 minutes from Warragul. Graham will speak to you on deer farming and you will be taken for a walking tour of their property and shown the specialised sheds where the deer are worked on. You will be given the chance to taste venison. June runs the most delightful Bed and Breakfast and you will be able to tour this cottage. www.gracefieldcottage.com.au Tour leaves 1.30 pm

T 10: Urban Tree Growers: Presentation of the operations of a deciduous advanced tree nursery including descriptions of the tree species and growing technique. There is an increasing interest for the use of deciduous trees in the farming environment. Admire the views of Mt Baw Baw and Strzelecki Ranges from this property. www.urbantreegrowers.com.au Tour leaves 1.30 pm

T 11: FULL DAY TOUR: Walhalla Historic Township Tour leaves at 10.00 am and travel by coach to this once bustling gold mining town, now with a population of 9. Hidden in a deep mountain valley that’s surrounded by lush forest, tiny miner’s cottages cling to the steep hills and birdcalls breaks the peace and quiet in a valley where time has stood still since the gold mining age. You can spend the day exploring the old buildings, walk up to the cricket ground and cemetery and see for yourself why some of the deceased were buried in the standing up position. Or at your own expense, take the recommended tour of The Long Tunnel Gold Mine, an easy 270 metre walk into the underground chamber. You will also enjoy the last few kms into Walhalla on the re-born Walhalla Goldmine Railway which travels along beside a tree fern lined creek. Sturdy shoes and a warm jacket required. ⌂ Gold Mine Tour: $11 full. $9 concession. Pay with registration www.walhalla.org.au

NOTE: T 11 DOES NOT ALLOW TIME FOR WORKSHOPS.