​It was a great relief to find the 'previously thought lost' NEA Marquee in a remote cupboard at NEA the day before 'The Source' event at the Benalla Botanical Gardens on March 23rd!  It's last recorded use.--Violet Town Market in late 2016 when Mervyn, Irina and Meralyn set up at the Violet Town market.

The Source event was imminent, we'd lost our Events Manager somewhere along the way - we had to act!  Valerie Clements, the Gallery Shop team leader, developed a workable concept for our presence at the market after discussion with Bev and others.  Our (still rather large) stock of T-Shirts would be the focus, on sale at reduced prices, along with lots of information about NEA to share with visitors and a selection of stock that would cope with market conditions.  Rodney Horsfall was enthused about taking a second of three NEA sites for a 'Cigar Box Guitars' display and demonstration - what a relief!. Then Rodney realised the market was on a Sunday - he was already committed on the Saturday concerned!  Always helpful, he arranged a selection of his guitars to display among our 'merch'.  Bev located details about set up times and other matters.  The unsinkable Deb Dodd kicked into gear, packing her car with trestles the night before, while Valerie and Bev packed their cars with 'merch' from NEA early on Saturday morning, 

We all 'bumped in' to set up the NEA marquee just as it started to drizzle, to be followed by intermittent light rain.  The marquee was taken out of the pack, the framework erected, but - there was no roof!  Deb returned to NEA to open the shop--sending a text not long after to let us know the roof had been found!  Roof finally in place, T-shirts, NEA pamphlets, Gallery Gig fliers, cards and merchandise were arranged on the tables.  Sadly Rodney's cigar box guitars had to be returned to the car - we were concerned about the impact of the moist conditions on their well being.

A 'gentle' day of chatting to people; sharing information about NEA and spruiking 'NEA T-Shirts' followed. Valerie, Bill and Bev took the occasional sojourn to see other stalls and buy a 'good coffee' from the Red Road Cafe where Lauren and Sam had a busy day.  NEA friends Schloss Ol' Toys and Collectables and 'woodies' David Hall and Chris Seeley were located nearby.  ​

'The Source Benalla' is an innovative event, to be held on Saturday March 23 2019, that explores our region and connects people with fantastic opportunities available right here in our own back yard. It provides a platform for our great producers, distillers, brewers, makers, and community groups to reach out and connect with the public all in the tranquil setting of the Benalla Botanical Gardens. It also aims to promote Benalla as a regional centre to the North East, the Goulburn Valley, and the Alpine regions showcasing liveability and lifestyle opportunities unique to Benalla.

The Makers' Market will hold many diverse stalls with incredible regional craft and produce. The market will also promote The Benalla Food Coop by holding a designated suppliers’ area, delivering the high quality (and sustainability) that is available to the food coop to the event.

The Source Benalla has spent over $10,000 on music and entertainment.

The headline act will be an intimate acoustic set from world renowned and award winning blues guitarist Geoff Achison. Warming up the stage will be Zac Slater, who this year, raced to number one on JJJ’s unearthed hip-hop charts. Ricki Wood who travels the world playing his guitar will grace the stage for a set as well. An amazing array of young local musicians from the North East and Goulburn Valley regions will support these acts. Music will be playing from midday to the close of the event at 8 pm.

As part of the entertainment the Benalla Scout Group are building a large ninja warrior course for little and big kids to test their skills on. They will also conduct fun activities for kids throughout the day, like making rockets and learning how to make ice cream.

The Source Benalla in conjunction with The Benalla Art Gallery will be conducting a kid’s art workshop. At its conclusion, in the morning, their art will be displayed around the event grounds.

There will also be a fairy trail to lead kids and their families or friends around the beautiful Botanical Gardens where they will find an amazing fairy and maybe a little treat too!
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Workshops will be held covering a wide range of things such as fermenting, coeliac cooking, and smoking meats.

There will be also be artist installations set up around the Botanical Gardens adding an extra splash to the atmosphere.

Unique to this event, the Hurdle Creek Still will be serving their famous cocktails and showing the great products available from their distillery.

​Benalla’s own Black Dog Brewery will be quenching the thirsts of many with their own wide range of locally brewed beers, with Booths winery supplying a variety of local wines.

The Source is also in partnership with EdSpace, an education and training centre in Benalla that is part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. EdSpace is currently looking at catering the event, which will provide its students with an excellent opportunity to complete their learning modules. This is a very exciting as the food is healthy and locally grown.

​The opening of the Rite of Spring Exhibition also marked the launching of the events room Gallery.  There are some more photos still to come, but this collection conveys something of the warmth and interest shown by those who attended.  The exhibition continues throughout November.

Thelma Pimm, a writer from Sydney, visited Merv and Irina for the exhibition opening, which coincided with the start of the Benalla festival.  We were joined by car enthusiasts with their very shiny autos. There were stalls and music.  Tim and Kylie served refreshing Chai from their Chai cart, soon to be a regular Friday and Saturday happening.   

Thelma Pimm (centre) pictured with Merv and Irina.

NEA committee members, writers Ruth Schloss and Carla Gardner, featured in the Benalla Festival's 'Sky's the Limit' competition this year, with Ruth's beautifully crafted story winning 'Runner Up' in the Open section. Congratulations, Ruth.   Last year's winner, Carla is engaged in both organising and participating as a writer in the NaNoWriMo event which involves writing the first draft of a novel during the month of November!  

​Wangaratta Paint Presto event was held in conjunction with the Blues and Jazz Festival in late October.. Artists signed up to paint en plein air for one day and to exhibit the next. Liquitex and Windsor & Newton provided products to tryout. All works were for sale and Merv's watercolour of the festival tent sold.   Thanks Janet Leith for developing this wonderful new event.

​North East Artisan's presence at the Violet Town Market on the second Saturday of November is recorded in Merv's journal..  Thanks to Merv, Irina and Merilyn for helping to make this happen and for the photographs

Over the next few months there will begin to be more activity in the 'Door of Hope' project. It's busiest time will be February/March, with the project culminating in an exhibition of works opening during the Wall to Wall art project.

Artisan Susie Buykz called in to the gift shop gallery recently with hand dyed silk scarves to replenish her stock before Christmas.  Suzie's love of working with colour is clearly reflected in these beautiful scarves.  

A final reminder note to members:  Have you received an email about the upcoming Christmas party on Saturday 19th November? If you haven't, please ask at NEA for more details.  

BL & IK
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**'The Occasional Blogger' is open for submissions by NEA members who may, from time to time, have a strong urge to write about NEA for this column!. ​