harcourt photos

Harcourt Happenings Feb 2011

Hi all,

Current Harcourt Outdoor Swimming Pool Closure

As you may be aware since the Rains and flooding in the middle of January, the Harcourt Swimming pool has been closed.  Our Local Councillor Brook has been getting onto Council on our behalf, below in the email he frowarded onto me so that I can pass in this information



"Dear Garry,

I have today received updated information on the status of the Harcourt Pool.

As you are aware the pool suffered mud inundation due to the recent floods, requiring extensive cleaning.

In addition the water had to be tested to ensure no bacteria was present which could represent a danger to swimmers.

The following is the statement I received today (Mon. 31 January):

"The water samples taken on Friday were sent to Melbourne.  They allow 5 days for growing cultures on the samples to see if the water is clear of contaminants.  We will see some results tomorrow.  If they are ok we may be able to open the pool as early as Wednesday.  Otherwise the pool will need further treatment and testing to ensure that it is safe for use.  When the results come back tomorrow I will let you know where we are at. Information about the processes underway are at the pool and the general store."


If I receive any further information I shall of course advise you as promptly as possible.

Regards,

Brook


Cr. Brook Acklom
Calder Ward - Mount Alexander Shire Council
Tel: 0466 004 629"

Thanks to Brook for chasing this up for the community, and hopefully the pool will be open on Wednesday for the rest of the week. 

I went past the pool late Monday evening and unfortunately the information posted last Friday had not been updated, and no new information had been passed onto the general store as yet.  Although I understand the need to ensure the water is safe to swim in, communication with the community on the Shire's and YMCA's side could have been better. The only notification seems to be on Council's website in the pools section, this information is not reflected on the Bendigo YMCA website.

Brook Has just informed me that he has heard from the Council and the results were satisfactory and he has been told that the pool should be open Wednesday 2nd Feb

Australia Day In Harcourt

There was a great turnout for Australia Day Breakfast at Harcourt:

Magpies by George Milford (George produced a Magpie's nest and gave a talk acceptance)

Best Place - Nancy Curtis (original poem)

From the book Spirit of Australia - The Kitchen Table ( Read by Ray Rice)

And music and entertainment by the Teed family

This year's recipient has been around long time, he has had his passion for 44 years and over that time has had involvement in footy, cycling and fundraising, Harcourt Applefest, and has been a blood donor 25 years,
Harcourt Citizen of the Year 2011 is Ken Mc Dougall.

The Lions club thanked the following sponsors for supporting and enabling the breakfast to be run:
Hot and Crusty castlemaine
Chaplin's orchards
blackjack
Harcourt Newsagency and General Store
Harcourt Lions Club
Barkers Creek Auto Repair

Applefest Raffle

The Harcourt Applefest Raffle was drawn by Ken McDougall at the Australia Day Breakfast in Harcourt.

1st  Prize $3000 Grocery Voucher form Maddern's IGA -  Winner - Neil Charter
2nd Prize $1000 Voucher for Bikes from the Bike Vault Castlemaine - Winner - Meryl Adams
3rd Prize $650 32" LCD HD TV From Cassidy's Retravision - Winner - Alan Mills

The Harcourt Applefest Committee would like to congratulate the winners and thank, the sponsors of the Raffle and those who purchased tickets and the Harcourt Lions Club for allowing the raffle draw to be part of the day's event.

Garry Holmes

Harcourt Pool to be cleaned by some time Friday

Cr. Brook Acklom has made some inquires of the council about the state of the pool and let us know the following.
===================================
To all those who inquired about the Harcourt Pool, I can advise that the pool is being cleaned, vacuumed and chlorinated by a team from YMCA, due to sludge in the water from the recent floods.

While the process is a bit slow, it is necessary rather than draining the pool due to the water table beneath the shell (possible damage if fully drained).

I am advised the cleaning should be completed some time Friday.

Regards,
Brook

Cr. Brook Acklom
Calder Ward - Mount Alexander Shire Council
Tel: 0466 004 629

You could be a Sponsor of the 20th Harcourt Applefest Parade

This year, on the 12th March, is the 20th Harcourt Applefest and once again the parade will be one of the centerpieces of the day.

It is great to see how inventive some of the participants can be when trying to stand out from the crowd.

This year we will be awarding prizes for : Best in Parade, Most Fun and Back to the Future

The parade committee are looking for sponsors for each of the categories to bring out the competitive streak that Harcourt is famous for, inject more fun into the day, and maybe attract some more participants.

So if you think you would like to sponsor a category, or participate in the parade, please send an email to parade@harcourt.vic.au or call Paul Mizzi on 0409 229 331.

Harcourt Applefest Raffle to be Drawn at Harcourt Australia Day Breakfast.

Don't forget to purchase your Harcourt Applefest Raffle Tickets.
The raffle will be drawn at the Harcourt and District Australia Day breakfast.
Tickets are starting to sell fast. Only 1000 tickets. $10 each. Way better odds than Tattslotto. Fantastics Prizes.

Harcourt Applefest 2011 Fund Raising Raffle. 

                          1st : $3000 Grocery Voucher from Maddern's IGA

                          2nd : $1000 Bikes from the Bike Vault

                          3rd : $650 32" LCD HD TV from Cassidy's Retravision

Tickets available at:
Maddern's IGA, Cassidy's Retravision, Bike Vault, Cocoature @ Fashion Central, Harcourt General Store, Harcourt Tavern

Results to be published in the Castlemaine Mail.

Harcourt crowns Royalty for Applefest 2011

On 23rd December 2010, Lady William and King Jonathon were crowned for the 20th Applefest to be held on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th of March, 2011. The event took place at the Harcourt Tavern's Christmas Eve Eve.

Local boy made good, George Milford, was crowned King Jonathon whilst Elizabeth Teed, owner of the Harcourt General Store was crowned Lady William.

Both are very popular choices for Royalty with a strong involvement in the local community. The Applefest Committee also thanks the outgoing Royalty, Jo and Woody, for their service over the 2010 Applefest.

Big fundraising weekend for the Chewton Pool!

The Chewton pool has been saved from demolition - yay! - but in order for it to be open for the kids to swim in this summer we need some big dollars and quickly.
Chewton Pool Inc is having a big weekend of fun to raise the money to fix, clean, buy and build everything needed to open the gates for this swimming season. Smell the sunscreen? Hear the splashing of delighted children? Sunnies on? Help us make it happen by coming to our two fundraising events during the third weekend of November.
On Friday November 19th come to the Theatre Royal to dance your socks off to the rockingest beats of Sweet Rock and the toe tapping rhythms of ska band King Stone. The Theatre Royal has kindly provided the venue free of charge and all proceeds will go to the Chewton pool. Doors open at 8pm. Entry $20 and $16 concession.
And while you're there why not purchase a few bottles of Chewton's special Ugly Man finest quality wines? You can be sure you'll enjoy these top shelf reds and whites from five of our best local wineries, each decorated with the faces of Chewton's oh so charming Ugly Men. A satisfying drop and a great buy for Christmas.
On Sunday 21st why not take a relaxing turn around two of Chewton’s most delightful gardens at numbers 3 and 6 Archbold Street? Admire the many hundreds of roses, the stone, metal screen and water features, the birch walk, the native plantings and the vista of Forest Creek. Meet landscape designer Ray Robinson and enjoy tea and sweet treats at the nearby CFA hall. Entry is $5 and the gardens are open between 10am and 4pm.
For further enquiries about the Theatre Royal concert please contact Tony Shaw on 0407 839 308 or Tonyshaw01@gmail.com
For further enquiries about the open gardens please contact Joan Taylor on 0408 838 838 or joantaylor@altamet.com.au

Harcourt Applefest to continue......

Eleven people turned up at the Harcourt Tavern for the committee meeting (there were also a few apologies). It was great to see some new faces and new ideas on making the Applefest a continuing event.


The next meeting is on Monday 22nd November, 7:30pm at the Harcourt Tavern.


There are still some activities that need assistance so I've included the full list below:

• Applefest Parade - It would be great to get more of the local businesses to participate.
• Apple Pie Baking Competition - John Brumby is the patron of this event and the CWA may take the running.
• Apple Pie Eating Competition - Jodie Nunn is the reigning champion of this event. I wonder if we can find a man to compete. 
• Permits for road use - Applications need to be submitted up to 3 months prior to the event
• Insurances
• Fund Raising & Sponsorship. Can't start too early on this. Some work has already been done on this by a retiring committee member.
• Programmes & Leaflets. Any aspiring graphic artists and printers are welcome.
• Advertising and PR - including TV, Radio, Press & Social Media
• Harcourt Idol auditions and entries. Will this be broadcast live to the world?
• Cocktail Party after the Art Show. 
• Musical Acts for Saturday Night. 
• Market Stalls
• Food Stalls
• Liquor License
• Pet parade
• The Famous Ferret Race - Someone to help Donna and learn the ropes will be great.
• Amusement stalls
• Power Supply
• Temporary Fencing & Safety Barriers

If you want experience in, or always wanted to work in:

• Event Management
• Marketing
• Advertising 
• Public Relations
• Social Media
• TV
• Radio
• Community Consultation

Save the Harcourt Applefest

The 20th Harcourt Applefest may be cancelled.

It is due to be run in March 2011 but there are only four people left on the committee and one of them has been there for 19 years! Those who have resigned from the committee have been there for 5 or 6 years and helped to put together some of the best Harcourt Applefests over the years.

Many people are great at lending a hand on the day and during setup and pull down, and you can't run a good festival without that help. But if you want to put on something like the Harcourt Applefest then you need to start planning and organizing 5 to 6 months in advance.

The committee need you to turn up at 7:30pm on Monday 8th November at the Harcourt Tavern and take responsibility for organizing the 20th Harcourt Applefest.

These are some of the things that need to be organised months in advance:

• Applefest Parade - Schools need to be invited before they close for Christmas.
• Apple Pie Baking Competition - Premier John Brumby is the Patron. This was a significant factor in keeping the Harcourt Swimming Pool.
• Apple Pie Eating Competition - Heats start at end of January but need to be finalized before Christmas. 
• Permits for road use - Applications need to be submitted up to 3 months prior to the event
• Insurances
• Fund Raising & Sponsorship. Can't start too early on this. Some work has already been done on this by a retiring committee member.
• Programmes & Leaflets
• Advertising and PR - including TV, Radio, Press & Social Media
• Harcourt Idol auditions and entries. Have a volunteer for this but not the same without the Applefest.
• Cocktail Party after the Art Show
• Musical Acts for Saturday Night - good acts are booked out 6 months in advance.
• Market Stalls
• Food Stalls
• Liquor License
• Pet parade
• The Famous Ferret Race - need to get in their calendar
• Amusement stalls - booked out months in advance
• Power Supply
• Temporary Fencing & Safety Barriers

If you want experience in, or always wanted to work in:

• Event Management
• Marketing
• Advertising 
• Public Relations
• Social Media
• TV
• Radio
• Community Consultation

Then this is a great way to get started.

Harcourt Rally & March 10:30am Saturday 19th June, to save our Pool

Make a Splash! Rally: Saturday 19 June 11:30am Western Oval

• save our local pools
• save huge expense to ratepayers

 Saturday 19 June at 11.30am Western Oval, Castlemaine 

10.00am meet at Chewton pool to march with 

LADY GODIVA to Castlemaine 

Contact James 0438 621 169

Community Day for Harcourt

Keep your eyes peeled for the community day for Harcourt.
It will be announced soon and expect it to be around mid July.

We will try to bring together all of the groups in Harcourt with a focus on getting Harcourt mobilised.

Anyone with ideas that may contribute to the Community Day, feel free to let us know.

Harcourt pool and Harcourt's future

New eNews Published
http://eepurl.com/l_Mf

Garry

- Posted while out & about

Micheal Lane's Swimming Pool Submission

Michael Lane has put in his submission to Council and has gratefully allowed me to post it on the blog
Garry

19 March 2010

Michael Lane

Dear Councillors

I am writing to ask you to seriously consider NOT closing the Swimming pool at Harcourt, and my reasons are :

Children need very regular swimming sessions to gain real and solid security in the water, which will quite likely save their life some day in the future. They will not be able to get the necessary hours and even days in the water if they have to go all the way to Castlemaine, especially with the expense of both the travel and the Entry fee. The waiting time and Driving time that the parents would have to cope with is another major reason that the children of Harcourt would miss out on the essential long hours of practice in the water. I fear that drownings will increase among the children of Harcourt because of closing the Pool.

We are trying to build a community, and we need important amenities to do it Harcourt is a growing village which adds a lot of character to the district.

The pool as it exists is a very pleasant meeting place and promotes social cohesion between families.

Outlying communities like ours need support, and definitely do not need important amenities like the Pool stolen away from them. This would be damaging to the community. I would assert that what we need is less centralization, not more centralization.

So will the Harcourt Pool close?

Tonight a group of about 60 people attended the council's information session at the Harcourt Leisure Centre on the proposal to develop a Mount Alexander Shire Aquatic Centre and site it at the Western Reserve in Castlemaine.

Mayor Philip Schier addressed the audience and gave an overview of the proposal and invited questions from the audience.

Amongst the concerns and views raised by members of the audience were the following:

• Council seems to be favouring the closure of the Harcourt Pool which is in opposition to Council's efforts to help redevelop the centre of Harcourt to allow economic growth post the bypass by the Calder Freeway.
• The feasibility study and comments by Mayor Philip Schier do not indicate the impact that the closure of the Harcourt pool will have on the return on investment. Instead, the Harcourt pool is lumped in with other pools, including Castlemaine pool, to try to justify the numbers in the proposal.
• Removal of the pool will endanger local children by encouraging them to swim in dams and irrigation channels.
• The cost of entry to a Castlemaine based Aquatic Centre is 2.5 times the current cost of entry to the Harcourt Pool. Combined with transport costs, this will reduce the number of opportunities that Harcourt children can afford to swim.
• If transport was available, and that is a big IF, Harcourt parents have concerns about sending children on public transport after school hours. This concern does not exist when they can walk to, or ride a pushbike to, the Harcourt pool and be in amongst their local community.
• Though the travel time from Harcourt to Castlemaine seems deemed to be inconsequential for Harcourt residents and residents of surrounding areas such as Ravenswood, Faraday and Sutton Grange, and not a detriment to using an Aquatic Centre at the Western Reserve, Harcourt was not considered as a possible location even though a site at Campbell's Creek was considered.
• The feedback form provided by the council is biased toward the closure of the Harcourt pool as it's two main propositions are YES (do you support the proposal?) or NO. The feedback form does not ask, Do you support the closure of the Harcourt pool?

Fellow Harcourt residents that I spoke to after the meeting were left with the feeling that the decision to close Harcourt pool has already been made.

I sure that others will add to this blog and add the points that I have missed. If others are not forthcoming with their support and if we cannot change the current proposal to one that will allow the Harcourt Pool to stay open, then we are missing a huge opportunity for the future of Harcourt. A future that should be able to be built upon the efforts that the community has already laboured for many years to establish.

If you are not on the mailing list for the Harcourt Pool please send an email to garryholmes@harcourt.vic.au

Harcourt Applefest Finished for another year

The Harcourt Applefest is completed for another year, despite rain that came thundering down before and after, the events on Saturday and Sunday went off without too much interference from the rain.
Crowds seemed to be up on last year, and the parade made a historic path along Main Street, down Market street and and along the inside lane of the old Calder Highway. 

Sales from the Art Show were up on previous years as was the quality of the Art Work on show, the Art Show was judged by Paul Northam, and he took the Art show opening guest on a journey into the commended and the prize winners of the evening.

Although it was relocated to the Harcourt Leisure Centre the Opera in the Park with Quarrto Voci was amazing and the crowd were enthralled and engaged by the performance.

The Fun run was well attended with the 4 & 7 km attracting 70 runners with the 7 km run being won by Daryn James who was up from Melbourne visiting family who live locally.

The pet parade and the ferret race were well attended and the High ANA hall, the apple growers tent and the Harcourt Valley Primary School Stall were well atteended on the Sunday as they had been for the whole weekend.  Unfortunately due to inclement weather, the Community picnic was cancelled on the Monday.

For Photos of the Applefest Click Here

Harcourt wants to keep it's pool

Harcourt shows up to show it's opposition to the potential closing of the Harcourt Swimming pool, last week on the basis of a few emails being sent out, and forwarded by members of the Harcourt Community to others, there was great turn out to show opposition to the Councils current Aquatic Strategy that was released for an information session, among other recommendations, it is recomended that the Harcourt Outdoor Swimming Pool close to fund the operational shortfall of the proposed Castlemaine Indoor Swimming pool to be located at the Western Reserve

Heat 6 of the Apple Pie Eating held at the Harcourt Tavern last Friday night

Heat 6 of the Apple Pie Eating competition was held at the Harcourt Tavern at 7:30 last Friday night. The winner was Wayne Rice of Harcourt. Wayne took on 11 competitors, including Jonathan Ridnell and Corey Hague of ABC Central Victoria, and left them standing at the bar. Wayne has now earned the right to contest the championship in the final at 4pm on Saturday 6th March at the main stage of the Harcourt Applefest.

Make sure you get there to cheer them on.

If you did not win your heat, or just want to see if you have the guts to compete, try your luck in the heats on the day at 2pm and 3pm.

The future of Harcourt Swinning Pool in doubt

We have has some great press so far from the Castlemaine Mail and tonight on Win news to alert the community of the potential plight of the Harcourt pool, if the aquatic study goes through Mt Alexander Council unopposed. We have had thus far, over 300 signatures to the petition to keep the pool open. It is important now for residents to make submissions in writing to Council by way of feedback.

For more details see
harcourt.vic.au/news/pool and subscribe to the Harcourt Happens newsletter to be updated

IDOL ANNOUNCES JUDGES FOR 2010

Isabella Mizzi, the 15 year old organiser of this year's Harcourt Idol, today announced the judges for this year's competition.  They are Jonathan Ridnell, from ABC Local Radio, Penny Larkin, a local actor/singer with a national profile and one half of Pot'n Kettle, and Catherine Northey, Jazz chantuese and soprano from operatic quartet Quattro Voci. 

Both Penny and Catherine have impressive musical resumes with renowned solo and ensemble performances spanning folk, jazz, Gilbert & Sullivan, opera and chorale. More importantly for the Harcourt Idol, both are qualified vocal coaches with an interest in developing local talent. Jonathan, known for his strong commitment to local community, has a continuing interest in local music and is a member of the Bendigo folk club.


Harcourt Idol has returned in 2010 for the 19th Harcourt Applefest after a year off in 2009. Isabella Mizzi had performed at Harcourt Idol since moving to Harcourt in 2004 and saw it as an integral part of the festival and wanted to bring it back. “I could see that opportunities for local kids to perform were disappearing” said Isabella. “The only way Harcourt Idol could return was for someone to volunteer to run it, so I decided that I could do this. However, the only way it will be a success is for young performers in the region to give it a go.”

There are three age groups being contested: 12 and under, 13 to 17 years and 18 years and over. The main sponsor for the Harcourt Idol is InstrAmental Music Centres in Castlemaine and Kyneton.

Entry forms can be found at www.harcourtapplefest.org.au

Red Hill Hotel Applepie eating heat

Winner of today's heat was Jodie Nunn in 31 seconds, Jodie has put out the challenge to other wouldbe champions and is looking forward to facing them in the finals on the 6th of March @ 3pm on the main stage at the Harcourt Applefest this year. Past champion and organiser Paul Mizzi was impressed by Jodie's focus and commitment.

- Posted while out & about

Heat 5 of the harcourt applefest apple pie eating comp

This was won tonite, at the Theatre Royal, by Nick Lewis of Castlemaine. Nick easily outpaced the field and finished a good 15 seconds ahead of second place. He will be a frontrunner at the final on Saturday 6th March. Nick is pictured, 2nd from the left, wiping the final lick of cream from his face.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Third heat of apple pie eating competition

The third round was won in a nail biting win by Luke Farley at the Elphinstone Hotel. The pies disappeared quickly in a round that was run with kids eating half a pie and adults a whole pie. Last year's winner at the Elphinstone Hotel was in fine form but lost in the end due to a lack of neatness. Although adults and kids competed together, the kids never stood a chance.







- Posted while out & about

CWA joins Harcourt Community Website

After a meeting with some of the ladies from the Harcourt CWA, they have agreed to be involved with the community website, their new home has been created at harcourt.vic.au/cwa and we hope to have some information included in the near future.

Apple pie eating competition round two

The second heat has been run and won in a ajudicated finish at the Crown Hotel in Newstead. In a split decision the heat was taken out by Garry Holmes over Peter Stemp, the controversial win saw Garry winning over Peter as he finished with a cleaner face. The official Apple pie eating rules state the first winner with the cleanest face.






- Posted while out & about

HARCOURT APPLEFEST 2010 BYPASSES THE FREEWAY WITH OPERA IN THE PARK ON MARCH LONG WEEKEND

There is something for everyone in this Applefest. Check the website at http://www.harcourtapplefest.org.au/

If you love art, then get to the Art Show on Friday 5th March.
If you want to party and you are aged 10 to 18 then get along to the iParty on Friday night.

If you love a market, then get there on the morning of Saturday 6th.
If you love a parade then get there by noon on Saturday 6th. If you want to be part of the parade then complete this form.
If you like to sing then fill in an Entry Form and come along to Harcourt Idol on Saturday afternoon.
If you love baking then catch the Pie Baking on Saturday afternoon. If you want to bake then complete this form.
If you love eating then catch the heats and final of the Apple Pie Eating on Saturday afternoon.
If you love music and Opera then buy a ticket from the website here and come along on Saturday night.

If Sunday is your day of worship then come along to the service on Sunday morning.
If you like to have fun and run then complete this form and come along on Sunday morning.
If you have pets to parade or ferrets to race, then come along on Sunday for the pet parade and ferret race.
If you like to cycle then roll along to the Bike Rally on Sunday afternoon.
And if you like to relax on a Sunday afternoon then finish your day at the Harcourt Tavern with live entertainment for all to enjoy from 2pm.

If you are part of the local community, come along to the Community Picnic in James Park.
Bring a salad or dessert to share. Spit roast and sausages provided.
BYO guitar or acoustic instrument and your voice.

 

Heat Two of the Apple Pie Eating Competition

Will be at the Crown Hotel in Newstead at 3pm on Saturday 13th February 2010
This is a great place to visit. Last year we all had a great time and stayed on for a meal.

If you have a hankering for an apple pie, make sure you get there!

Heat one Apple pie Eating Competition

Heat one of the apple pie eating competition has been run and won by Pete Offner from the central coast chapter of the american motor cycle riders association, this heat was held at the Kangaroo Hotel in Maldon


- Posted while out & about

Blog up and running

With the fast approach of the 2010 Harcourt Applefest, I've created a blog that will link upto (hopefully) to a number of sources

http://www.harcourt.vic.au/ - the Harcourt Valley community Website

http://www.harcourtapplefest.org.au/ - The official Harcourt Applefest Website

Harcourt Applefest Facebook Page

I've invited a few peeople to post, if you want to be invilved in this blog, the community website please let me know.

Garry