First Day of Summer Sun

With this Sunday being the first day of summer and the forecast for sunshine, we took a trip to Eastern Beach, Geelong, for the running of the second Geelong Revival Motoring Festival.

The Geelong Speed Trials first ran in 1956. The event was conceived by Murray Rainey, a prominent member of the Western District Car Club and Geelong’s automotive industry, as a means for promoting Geelong. It also offered the local community a chance to see some of Australia’s top motor sport identities competing in the most powerful and exotic sports and sports/racing cars of the day.

By all accounts, the original Speed Trials continued to run up until 2003. Many were greatly saddened that the event seemed resigned to history, but in 2010, a new group of enthusiasts, in conjunction with the City of Greater Geelong council, set about reviving the event.

 

 

 

The re branded Geelong Revival Motoring Festival was launched in 2012 and saw more than 35,000 people attend the two day event. This year's Festival saw its theme broadened to include all things vintage and retro. Their new direction is based on the Goodwood Festival of Speed - a motor sport garden party if you will.

Cars aside, there was also the 2nd Annual Fashions on the Field which had a good 30+ entries. There were prizes in both Men's & Women's categories and entrants were judged on uniqueness and authenticity. I didn't stick around for the announcement of the winners but I did snap a few pics before the parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The judges.

 

The Revival's 'Garage Girls'

The Revival was a great day out with plenty of activities for families and non-car enthusiasts and has the potential to become a really great event in the future.

 

Did anyone else get the chance to enjoy our short burst of summer?

 

 

- Tamara

Murder Most Foul

Back in September, I took a trip to Rippon Lea Estate to see 'Miss Fisher's Costume Exhibition.  

 

Essie Davis as Miss Phryne Fisher.
 

Miss Phryne Fisher is a character created by the Australian author Kerry Greenwood. Phryne (Fry-nee) is a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s. She has an acquired taste for the best but has working-class origins. The independent and unflappable lady sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger sharp wit. To date, there are twenty books in the series and the TV program, produced by ABC TV Australia, is now in it's second series.

 

I'm not much of a murder mystery fan myself so I've not read any of the books, or seen the TV show, but I do love a spectacular costume and Miss Fisher's costumes did not disappoint.

 

 

Photo: ABC TV 

 

While there was strictly no photography - by order of the ABC - I couldn't help myself, qu'elle suprise. There are over 30 costumes on display which have been worn by the lead cast of the show and costume designer Marion Boyce (Every Cloud Productions ) has done an incredible job.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Along with the costume exhibition, you can also do the murder mystery audio tour, which involves seeking out the various clues scattered about the mansion in order to solve the crime.

 

 

 

Booking your ticket online will save heaps of time;

there was a queue when I visited so I'd hate to think what it will be like in the final weeks.

 

Miss Fisher's Costume Exhibition closes on 1st of December.



 

- Tamara



It's Show Time!

One of the great things about living in the country is the annual agricultural shows that pop up all over the region throughout Spring. Last Saturday was far too nice to waste the day inside, so we took a quick trip to Whittlesea for their annual Agricultural Show.

 

The Whittlesea Show began in 1859 and now attracts over 50,000 visitors over the two days. There was the usual over-saturation of showbag stalls, ageing sideshow games like Duck Hunt and the always adorable animal nursery. Sadly, the animals had pretty much flaked-out in the heat by the time we reached them and were all sound asleep.

Another integral part of the country show is the Arts & Crafts pavilion. As a kid, I remember being encouraged to enter various categories in the competitions; we would submit things we had made at school. I was pleased to see that children are still excited to see if their projects have earned them a certificate or blue ribbon.

 

 

 

Besides the children who are in it for fun, there are the die-hards who enter every year and take great pride in being awarded the best scones or sponge cake in the district. I've always found it funny that the cakes biscuits are on display, I'm assuming taste plays some part in choosing the winner.

 

 

 

 

That said, you just have to look at these little guys to know how good they would taste.

Double-decker chocolate cupcakes, Oreos, Candy Corn...

 Thanksgiving treats, anyone?!

 

 

 

 

Here's an example of someone who's been practising their craft for a long time.

Their first prize was well deserved, the lacework is divine!

 

 

 

 

Just quietly, I'm considering entering something in next year's Show.

That said, it's more likely I'll have forgotten by then, but it's nice to have a goal.

 

 

- Tamara