Valleyfield venue for Derwent Catchment fundraiser

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THE annual spring celebration and fundraiser for the Derwent Catchment Project will be held at New Norfolk next week.

Historic Valleyfield will be the venue for the event on September 6, which supports the work of the group across the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands.

"Every year we gather the community together to celebrate spring and the start of the productive season," Derwent Catchment Project spokeswoman Eve Lazarus said. "As part of the event we share a three-course meal and hold a charity auction to raise money to support our work in the catchment."

Ms Lazarus said the group was pleased to have one of the beautiful old hop kilns at Valleyfield in New Norfolk as the venue for this year's fundraiser. The Derwent Catchment Project's annual general meeting will be held at the same venue at 4.30pm for those who wish to attend.

The Valleyfield venue for the Derwent
Catchment fundraiser.

Tickets to the main event at 6pm will be $50 per person, which includes annual membership, a drink on arrival and a three-course meal. "We are lucky to have local farmer and chef Will Chapman on board with a pop-up kitchen serving entree and mains," Ms Lazarus said. "A range of fabulous desserts will be on offer thanks to baking champions from our community.

"Auctions on the night up the ante with the possibility to purchase a range of items that showcase local business and community in our fantastic region. We have some exciting items up for auction, including a ram! On the list so far we have luxury accommodation and wine packages, an Agrarian Kitchen book and eatery voucher, fly casting lessons and a fishing rod and reel, a heritage breed tanned sheep hide from Arundel Farm, and Nant whisky to name a few."

Membership of the Derwent Catchment Project provides access to expert advice on farming, weed management and conservation projects. The group's aims are:

• To address issues of land degradation both natural and agricultural by implementing best practice land management.
• To support community and industry to innovate and improve on practice by attracting investment and sponsorship for improvements in land condition in the Derwent Catchment.
• To empower and inspire the community to be involved in active management of the catchment.

To help with catering numbers  at the Spring Celebration please RSVP to September 3 by emailing projects@derwentcatchment.org or calling 0429 170 048. More information can be found on the Derwent Catchment Project's Facebook page.