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Since 1961 Myrtleford has held a regular public celebration organized by members of the community with clear, strong, broad based community support. The Myrtleford Festival has a steering committee of 9 and is run with a whole of community approach engaging business, service providers and community groups as required. 2010 will see the celebration of the 50th Festival. The original festival was first known as the Tobacco and Hops Festival and was held over the Labour Day Weekend - the harvest season. During the history of the festival at times it has also been held over the Easter period. With the introduction of a third industry it became known as the Tobacco, Hops and Timber Festival in 1981. Some years ago the festival was moved back to the Labour Day Weekend in March. In November 2008 the festival was renamed "The Myrtleford Festival" The purposes of The Myrtleford Festival Incorporated Association are: To promote primary, secondary and support industries within Myrtleford and District
Primary Industries - includes and is not limited to farming (grapes, vegetables, grains), pine plantations, hops, and incorporates companies such as Hancock Victorian Plantations, Carter Holt Harvey, Greenfreight and Eurobin Hop Gardens, just to mention a few.
Secondary Industries - Alpine Shire, Alpine Health, O&K Community Health
Support Industries - all local businesses
The festival supports these industries through sponsorship received by promotion via the festival website, media, festival program, flyers and posters.
To promote tourism within Myrtleford and District
Local business and industry is highlighted through industry tours, market stalls and media – benefitting hospitality, accommodation and activity outlets and venues.
To generally promote Myrtleford and District
A community festival that showcases the services and facilities which are available for and within the community.
To foster local talent in all fields of endeavour
Fostering and promoting arts through the Art and Photographic Show, Flowers and Embroidery Exhibition, Battle of the Bands/Open Mic – directed to all members of the community (with a focus on youth).
Benefits to Organisations and Businesses: Forming partnerships within Myrtleford community and businesses. Whether these are formal or informal, through sponsorship both cash and “in kind”. For example, many of the venues are provided by Alpine Shire and local churches. The 2010 festival program and flyer are printed courtesy of Carter Holt Harvey. Benefits to the Community and Strengthening Ties to the Community: The events held throughout the festival focus on lifestyle, family values, good sportsmanship, competing in a positive way, team building, physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, arts, history and viability. These could not be held without the numerous support systems throughout the community. The festival incorporates diverse communities of both cultural and socio economic backgrounds. There is access for those with disabilities to most facilities. The initiative of the “dots” was started in 2007 and has created good will for both businesses and members of the community. The Saturday Night Street Party has brought about an opportunity to get together in a relaxed, safe, social environment to induce conversation and wellbeing for the whole community – and promote local produce, food, music and entertainment. Opportunities for Improvement: In 2008 the programming of events was addressed. The Saturday Parade was held later in the day at 5pm and was followed at 6pm by the street party, alleviating down time between events. This change proved both successful and popular. A new website was developed in 2008 – because of the program used to create this new site, it was unfortunate that some community members were unable to access it. This was addressed and the website you now view is the site developed by Alpine Link and Stonesthrow IT in early 2009. The committee is now able to manage the site themselves, ensuring that it is up to date and informative. Sponsorship: Each year the Festival Committee canvases local Government and Businesses to gain funding and sponsorship for the festival. As a major sponsor, benefits to an organisation bring about opportunity to be seen from community members to be involved in activities promoting health and wellbeing through social connectedness. The change of name for the festival, together with businesses and community members, can support a change of direction for Myrtleford and surrounding districts, by promoting our community festival as one that supports the our community through: The Myrtleford Festival is truly a Family Festival.
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