A FOOD & PRODUCE FAIR, AND THEN A CONCERT

by Dave Roberts

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Saturday February 10 in Donnybrook will be quite a big day.

For the locals, it’s probably symbolic of a bit more than that.  Donnybrook is a great spot that for a long time has been overshadowed by better known towns in the region, leading to a bit of an inferiority complex for the town. As the centre of a thriving fruit growing industry it appeared to have settled on a single persona, “Donnybrook – Apple capital”.  Things are changing and as usual, it starts with a small group of people and snowballs from there. A weekend in Donnybrook on February 10th and 11th could start as early as 10 am on Saturday.  The town Amphitheatre will be the scene of the first Donnybrook Food and Wine Festival.  The Amphiteatre itself shows that Donnybrook is starting to take itself seriously as a great lifestyle opportunity for residents, and a cool destination for those travelling in and through the South West.  Concerts right in the middle of town have been great fun, and they start to chip away at the idea that the only reason to come to Donnybrook is for a crate of the finest apples.

As exciting as anything, though, is the news that the festival is being organised by a collective of wineries and food producers in the area, soon to be known as “Donnybrook Wineries and Producers inc”.  When one person or company starts to work on events and promotions, there can be a tendency for others to be threatened.  Right now, the festival is underway and if anyone wants to, they can come on board and start helping to promote the range of wine, food and natural products coming out of this impressive corner of the region.

So more about the festival – this is the first and it’s been timed to coincide with a popular and growing concert series, more on that later.  Spokesperson Pam Foster from Thompson Brook Winery notes that they have been eager to showcase wines from the Geographe region, but also to ensure that there is a broad range of the natural produce that the area is sure to become famous for.  To this end they have secured 20 stall holders and there are still more enquiries coming through.  Most of the produce on display will be very local to the town of Donnybrook but in the interests of making sure there is a broad range and the festival is interesting to everyone, some gaps have been filled by other south west producers.

What will you see?  Start with wine.  The Geographe region is growing in importance and the range of producers local to Donnybrook is inspiring.  Where grapes grow well, so do Olives.... look for the oil stand.  Fruit remains important, and growing on from there, Jams and preserves will also be on display.  Candles, Yoghurt, Pecans and still some surprises.  Should be a day to awaken all sorts of appetites.

Having spent a time perusing the growing range of produce from the region, consider the Third Annual Brookhampton Estate Concert.  Last year Brookhampton Estate hosted the Eagles Experience, and estimates are that more than 1500 people attended among the vines and rolling hills just south of Donnybrook.  Bouyed by that success, Brookhampton have set their sights on refining and developing this as an annual event to show off their vines and their venue.

The venue is certainly worth showing off.  Here you will find 420 acres of rolling hills with 330 acres under vine.  Add to that you’re right among the forest, and that that many vines need dams that are delightful, the site is fantastic. 

Ticket sales for this year hosting the Cajun Country Revival, who will cover all the finest of Creedence Clearwater, are already well in advance of the same time last year.  Given the success of the last show, so is the planning.  Brookhampton are clearly targeting this as a family event, with general admission tickets priced at $69, 12 – 17 year olds at $10, and under 12s free.  The aim is to ensure that parents who want to see the show can genuinely afford to take the kids.

As befits guys who will recreate “heard it through the grapevine” and “proud Mary”, this new CCR are hairy fellows, even expect a beard or two.  I’m not so sure this applies to the opening act , billed as Bunbury’s newest and most dynamic 3 piece band ‘Little Sister’. World class performers Rob Littlewood, Nerida Griffiths and Tony Bandera will entertain with classic rock, easy listening listening and swinging hits appealing to all music tastes.  They can’t help but add even more to what is already a big night.

In the sprit of being a responsible event, details like camping have been thought through carefully.  Sites were available at the winery for $10 but they’re so popular that they sold out early and nearby Egan Park has been organised, still $10 per site.  Picnic hampers will be available on the night with gourmet produce to be consumed, and breakfast will be available next morning at the winery for campers.

If camping isn’t your style, but you’ve thought it through and you like that the event is at a great winery, coaches are available from Donnybrook, Bunbury, Busselton & Collie:

• Bunbury (City Transit Bus Station off Carmody St) depart to estate @ 4.15pm – depart from estate @ 11.30pm
• Busselton (SW Coachlines Office 39 Albert Street) depart to estate @ 4.15pm – depart from estate @ 11.30pm
• Collie (Visitor Information Centre, Throssell Street) depart to estate @ 4.15pm – depart from estate @ 11.30pm
• Donnybrook (Egan Park, Reserve Street) FREE depart to estate @ 4.45pm – depart from estate @ 11.30pm.  All these details should be organised through the Brookhampton Estate winery office, phone 9731 0400.

So put the weekend of the 10th and 11th of February in your diary for Donnybrook, you’ll genuinely see that it’s more than apples.

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January 2007