My day in Melbourne

Yesterday was my hobnodding it day at Government House in Melbourne for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards. I gave myself plenty of time and left home at about 6.45am as you never really now what the traffic will be like over the Westgate Bridge. I arrived early and parked the car outside the gates to Government House and waited and watched as others arrived for the ceremony. The gate would be opened at 10.15am and security guards patrolled and directed traffic away from the area. I was quite amused when a motorcyclist rode up to the open gate.......my word those guards moved fast and the gates were closed to stop him from entering......the poor fellow didn't know what was happening! Unforunately Russell couldn't make it as we are right in the middle of our silage harvest and with all of the hassles with the tractor he was making the most of the fine weather. So my sister Cathryn accepted the invitation to be my plus one. Although both of us have been to Government House before it is still a wonderful place to visit. The awards were held in the main Ballroom........ a beautiful room with the most magnificent paint work. Here is a snapshot of the ceiling.

As we waited for the Governor of Victoria Mr Chernov to arrive I admired THE chair and wondered how long it would take security to come and haul me away if I sat in it!

Our MC for the day was the lovely Catriona Rowntree, whose husband James is a farmer and Chairman of the Geelong Landcare Network. She did a great job......the speeches and presentations seemed to go quickly and we finished ahead of time which is unusual. I didn't win the Long Service to Landcare Award for which I was nominated, but I wasn't surprised as the other nominees were of a very high standard. Afterwards we were allowed to have a look around the public areas of Government House which we ate sandwiches (with no crusts of course) and petite desserts which one just popped in one's mouth whole! I snapped these photos as we strolled around.

The massive table.........fancy making a table runner for this table!

The tiled floor in one of the entrances..............would make a nice quilt design.

The room just off the lawn and fountain area. The walls adorned with large portraits including one of Dame Nellie Melba by Rupert Bunny 1902.

Here we are just relaxing and taking it all in.

It was a great day and I'm glad that I was able to go.

Afterwards Cathryn took me to Costco for a look around, and then after I dropped her home I headed to the DFO in Essendon.....I was on a mission to buy some new shoes. A funny thing happened at the DFO.......You know those annoying stalls that are set up in shopping centres and the like trying to flog everything from Austar to vibrating chairs.....well one was set up right inside the only access door to the building. I did my usual 'no thanks I'm not interested', when the guy noticed my 25th Anniversary Landcare Badge I was wearing. He made some remark but I continued walking.....rude I know but remember I was on that mission. I got my shoes.....well one pair anyway......so then came the task of exiting the building........here we go.......oh damn he spots me again. Turns out it was the Australian Conservation Foundation.......and the conversation went like this..........That's a Landcare Badge - where did you get it?.......I've just been to the Landcare Awards at Government House - I was nominated for a long service award (me bunging on side!)..........Oh how did you do get that?..........Working with Landcare and doing Landcare works on our farm over the last 25 years...........Oh. We are here today signing people up for the ACF.........I think I've done my bit for the environment over the last 25 years - don't you?..........Um yes...........Goodbye!

Linda :)