In the Rutherglen Weekly

• News from Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre
  • New owners for the Poachers Hotel
  • The Bald Archy Prize at Corowa Art Space
  • Savoy Truffle Co Pop-Up
  • The Weeping Willows at Wahgunyah School of Arts Hall
  • Pups and Prosecco
  • Spring Fling Cooking Class at The Pickled Sisters Café
• Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Update
  • Events 
  • Tourism News 
  • Business Support 

News from Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre

It is hard to believe we are already half way through September and only three months to go until Christmas. The centre is starting to receive calls inquiring about Christmas lunches in Rutherglen. We know there will be a community Christmas Lunch (details to be confirmed), but please let us know if you're opening for Christmas lunch so we can help promote your event. 

We have seen a few families coming in to the centre these school holidays and children and adults are loving the Billson’s cordial tastings we have on offer. Bike hire is increasingly popular, so if you have visitors coming to town and would like to hire bikes please call us on 02 6033 6300 to make sure we have them available.

Rutherglen is hosting the annual High-Country Visitor Information Centre Summit at Tuileries on Tuesday 10 October 9:30am to 3:00pm. Tickets are $45.00pp and include morning tea and lunch. We have two guest speakers: Belinda Chambers from Lake Moodemere Estate and Ryan Smith from The Access Agency followed by lunch and tours of the region. If you would like to attend, please contact Nadine via email on nadine@explorerutherglen.com.au or 02 6033 6306.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre Team

New Owners for Poachers Hotel

Long-time local Rutherglen resident Sarah Hince and her partner Darren Simpson are the new owners of the Poachers Hotel as of today. 

Join the Poachers team on Friday 22 September for their opening night celebrations:
5:00pm: Happy Hour
8:00pm: Live Music by Red Brick Radio

The bistro won’t be open, however complimentary platters will be brought out through the evening.

We would like to wish Jane, Mick and Sinead all the best with their next adventures and of course Sarah and Darren with this exciting new chapter at the hotel. 

The Bald Archy Prize - Travelling Exhibition

Corowa Art Space
100 Edward Street, Corowa 
Friday 8 September to Sunday 8 October

Australia’s premier satirical art prize, the Bald Archy Prize, is on exhibition at Corowa Art Space. Celebrating the lighter side of art and the larrikin Australian spirit, the portraits will make you think, make you talk and most of all make you laugh.

Savoy Truffle Co Pop-Up

78 Main Street, Rutherglen
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September
10:00am - 2:00pm 

Savoy Truffle Co will be showing off its beautiful vintage kitchen wares, amazing range of sauces, preserves, pickles and spices.

The Weeping Willows @ Wahgunyah School of Arts Hall

Wahgunyah School of Arts Hall
35 Foord St, Wahgunyah
Sunday 8 October
2:00pm - 5:00pm

As part of their focus on original songwriting and storytelling, Arts Rutherglen, Indigo FM and Destination Rutherglen present The Weeping Willows live at Wahgunyah School of Arts Hall on Sunday 8 October

Tickets are $25.00 for general public, $20.00 for members of Indigo FM, Arts Rutherglen and Destination Rutherglen and $10.00 for young people (13-17yo).

Pups and Prosecco

Tuileries at De Bortoli 
13-35 Drummond St, Rutherglen
Sunday 15 October
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Join Tuileries at De Bortoli on Sunday 15 October with your sweet furry family members for a sunny afternoon of fantastic food and wine, cocktail specials, live music, outdoor games and good times!

Jim’s Dog Wash West Wodonga will be on site providing the chance to pamper your pooch.

Please note for the safety of all guests, dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

Spring Fling Cooking Class @ The Pickled Sisters Café

The Pickled Sisters Café
121 Main St, Rutherglen
Tuesday 17 October
10:00am - 3:00pm

Pickled Sisters' Chef Stewart Gilchrist utilises the best of the new season's produce as he guides you through a selection of seasonal recipes celebrating Spring.

This hands-on cooking class is followed by a festive lunch with matching wines.

$175 per person for cooking class and lunch. Maximum of 12 people. 

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Update

We are now taking bookings for the Chiltern Community Garage Sale on 19 November 2023. If you would like to take part, please make a booking at either Bogetti's Antiques (31 Conness Street) or the Chiltern Visitor Information Centre (30 Main Street). 

It's also time to dust off your fishing roads and get ready for the Family Fish Fun Day happening at Lake Anderson on Sunday 8 October. There are heaps of prizes to be won and giveaways on offer, plus a barbeque lunch. 

Blueys Bait and Tackle will be running workshops and demonstrations on the day, where you can learn how to cast, tie knots and handle fish. The workshops are aimed at all age groups.

Enjoy your weekend,

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Team

Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Wark Cottage

Wark Cottage
68 High Street, Chiltern 
Sunday 15 October
2:30pm

Don't be late for a very important date!

Head down the rabbit hole at Wark Cottage and support this fundraiser for the Chiltern Athenaeum.

Numbers are limited, so RSVP ASAP to:
Robyn: 0429 260 441
Andrea: 0457 343 217

Tourism News

Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Opportunity

The objective of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant is to support wine or cider producers that add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions, and thereby encourage wine tourism.

Wine producers who have met the eligibility criteria in the preceding financial year may apply for a grant payment of 29 per cent of the notional wholesale selling price of their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales (up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)). Total funding under the grant program is capped at $10M each financial year. 

Four rounds of the program have been completed to date.

Applications for Round 5 (for sales made in 2022–23 financial year) of the program opened on Thursday 1 August 2023 and close at 5:00pm (ACDT) on Tuesday 30 September 2023.

Grant season now open

Applications are now open for three of Council’s annual grant programs and more than $130,000 is up for grabs.

The annual grant programs provide funding for community and sustainability initiatives and community and tourism events. The following is available through each stream:

Community Grants $50,000 
Events Grants $60,000 
Community Sustainability Grants $20,850

Business Support

ATDW - get the most out of your listing (online)

Wednesday 27 September 2023 
10:00am - 11:30am 

Want to learn more about options to help promote your business online via the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)?

This tutorial will show you how a well-crafted ATDW listing can attract more customers.

The session will cover: 

• Benefits of an ATDW listing
• How to write an effective listing description
• Why photography is so important
• What's new - eg. deals/offers, linking Google My Business
• How to use data and insights to get better reach
• Quality control by your State Tourism Organisation (to ensure the listing is at a national standard