Marvellous Melba

By Kath Gannaway
THE last of 30,000 brochures have been delivered and the organisers of the inaugural Melba Festival are excitedly looking forward to a huge Easter celebration.
Filled with cultural, creative and family events, the Melba Festival is inspired by the magic that made Dame Nellie Melba an international star in the early 1900s.
Following the Melba Highway from Coldstream, where the diva lived, to Toolangi, the festival commemorates the 75th anniversary of her death and is a showcase of talent presented throughout many of the Yarra Valley’s finest vineyards and venues.
Coordinator Marjorie Woollands said it was time Melba was celebrated in the part of the world she called home.
“We have said let’s put together an arts and music festival and involve the wineries,” she said. “It’s the idea of promoting the talent of the area and honouring Dame Nellie.”
The huge program of events starts on Friday with the Fifth Annual Yarra Glen Art Show exhibiting more than 100 works at Balgownie Estate over four days.
Other highlights of the 27 event program are the Nightglow of Hot Air Balloons at the Yarra Glen Racing Centre (Saturday), a Gilbert and Sullivan concert at Balgownie Estate (Saturday), the family day at McKenzie Reserve (Monday), Scottish Descendants’ Day at Gulf Station (Sunday), the Opera Dinner concert at Henkell Vineyards (Sunday), and the inaugural Dixons Creek and Steels Creek Wine Show at the Berry Cafe (judging on Saturday, presentations on Monday). Many of the Yarra Glen district wineries are participating in the festival offering food, wine, music and other entertainment, ranging from family-fun activities to a gourmet barbecue, Aboriginal art, an Italian Festa, peach melba and more!
Visit the studios of local artists, the home of C. J. Dennis, the magnificent TarraWarra Museum of Art, and catch up on some local history at Yarra Glen Railway Station and the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre.
Tickets can still be booked for many of the major events and there will be an opportunity to purchase tickets at the door for most events (cash only).
For full program details, visit the yarraglen.com.au/melbafestival, phone 5965 2331, or pick up a program from local tourist information centres.