By KATH GANNAWAY
THE spectacular success of the inaugural Benvenuti Festival, held at Seville on Sunday, makes a repeat performance almost unavoidable.
The diverse cultural melting pot that has evolved from the earliest days of settlement of the Yarra Valley was celebrated with a world of music, food, wine, poetry, craft and more.
Looking out from Killara Estate Winery, against a backdrop of vineyards, orchards and mountains, the scene was set for everything the host group, The Yarra Valley Italian Cultural Group, had planned and hoped for.
“Look at who we are. Look at where we come from. Look at what we have achieved together,” was how YVICG member Luigi Fotia spoke of the essence of the festival as the program came together over many months.
The festival celebrated diversity of the Yarra Valley from the first Wurundjeri people to the waves of migrants who came to the valley to build new lives.
The festival was officially opened by Casey MP Tony Smith with a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri woman Mandy Nicholson.
The Dutch influence was demonstrated with famous chainsaw artist Robby Bast carving out a sculpture of twin owls which was auctioned for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, while his parents, Joe and Maria, kept their poffertje skillets churning out hundreds of the tasty, mini-pancakes, on the deck.
Australian bush poetry by Valley locals Jim Brown and Ruth Aldridge, the haunting sound of Scotland with Iain Townsley’s bagpipes, and the lively, rich Italian music of Sebastian Monaco on piano accordion, were among the world of music and word presented throughout the day.
A cooking masterclass by TV presenter Tonia Todman, demonstrations of craft and an interactive show for the kids with ventriloquist and puppeteer, Lindi Jane, added to the family fun atmosphere.
Another highlight was the launch of Mount Evelyn author, Anthony McAleer’s book “The Vagabond in the Yarra Valley”, a collection of articles about the Yarra Valley written by journalist, John Stanley Thomas (aka The Vagabond) between 1877 and 1894.
Fellow festival co-ordinator, Jim Brown, said the consensus was that the introduction of the Benvenuti Festival to the Valley had been a great success, fulfilling many of the outcomes they had set out to achieve, including raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
He said the committee had decided that it should be a free event, making it accessible to everyone, but with an opportunity for the community to support the Good Friday Appeal.
The proceeds of raffles and other fund-raisers during the day will go to the appeal.
“We invited the community to come here and gave them the opportunity to make a donation to something which connects this community,” Mr Brown said.
Signing off with “This is now the ‘Arrivederci’ festival”, Mr Brown flagged a second festival.
“If this is to happen again next year, we would love to see you all here again,” he said and asked for feedback on the Benvenuti website, www.benvenuti.org.au
