Last weekend was the annual Ballarat Heritage Weekend. There was so much to see and do that sometimes it felt as if a week was needed to experience everything. Some of the highlights were a tour of the Old Colonsists' Club, a building that features in the Doctor Blake Mysteries. What a treat it was having a glass of wine at the bar where the doctor himself has his beer. Another highlight was the wooden doors, architraves and skirting boards. Upon asking how old the wood was, the guide told us that the woodgrain was painted on, which was a great surprise because it was done so convincingly. A fantastic piece of troupe l'ceil art. There were rides on the old steam train but this year Deborah and I didn't have time for the journey. Another feature was the Apron Festival, a presentation of aprons made by both young and old. Some of them were beautifully designed but one that attracted my attention was the Phar Lap apron and there was also a display of aprons worn by Jean in the Doctor Blake Mysteries. Musicians were everywhere about the town and the theatre at the Mechanics Institute hosted two concerts, one by Amie Brûlée (CHECK HER OUT HERE) with her cool reflective style and 1920's songs, and the other by The Pacific Belles (CHECK THEM OUT HERE), a sparkling tribute to the Andrew Sisters, and what a treat that was too! There was much more to see but what Deborah and I experienced was memorable indeed. I can't wait for next year!
The bar at the Old Colonists' Club occasionally visited by Dr. Blake
View of Lydiard Street, Ballarat
View from the balcony of The Old Colonists
Club
On the Balcony of the OCC
The Phar Lap apron at the Apron Festival
The Pacific Belles, front page of the Ballarat newspaper The Courier
Amie Brulee
